Atomic physics with ion accelerators — Beam-foil spectroscopy

A survey is given of research in atomic spectroscopy with accelerated, excited ions (beam-foil spectroscopy). After a short experimental section recent studies of atomic energy levels (particularly multiply excited configurations), radiative transition probabilities, a auto-ionization mechanisms, fine- and hyperfine-structure effects and radiative corrections are summarized.     

Identification of minerals and organic materials in Middle Eocene ironstones from the Bahariya Depression in the Western Desert of Egypt by means of micro‐Raman spectroscopy

The Middle Eocene ironstones of the Bahariya Depression consist of four iron ore types: manganiferous mud‐ironstone, fossiliferous ironstone, stromatolitic ironstone and nummulitic–ooidal–oncoidal ironstone. The upper surfaces of these sequences were subjected to subaerial weathering and a lateritic iron ore type was formed. The chemical composition of these ironstone types was investigated by means of micro‐Raman spectroscopy. Various closely related iron‐containing and manganese‐containing minerals were detected by means of the above‐mentioned approach. The high spatial resolution and sensitivity of this method allowed us to identify minerals that could not be detected by other techniques. Well‐preserved organic materials were observed in one type of ironstones. Therefore, using Raman spectroscopy, we were able to provide evidence that the formation of some of the investigated rocks was biologically mediated. The application of Raman spectroscopy is considered a powerful technique for the identification of both organic and inorganic substances in the studied iron ore deposits. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Nuclear spin polarization produced by ion-beam-surface-interaction,its optical detection and use in an atomic quantum-beat experiment

It is shown that nuclear spin polarized ion beams can be generated by ion beam surface interaction at grazing incidence. An optical detection method for the nuclear polarization after foil excitation of such beams is described and used for a hyperfine structure quantum-beat measurement on the¹⁴N II ?2p 3p ³ D-state.     

Magneto-optical polarization spectroscopy with soft X-rays

X-ray magneto-optical polarization spectroscopy is a relatively new ellipsometric technique with which the complete polarization state of X-ray radiation after its interaction with magnetic matter can be measured. This comprises rotation and ellipticity, which fully quantify the lights polarization. Employing this technique, the complete magneto-optical constants in the X-ray regime can directly be obtained, in contrast to the more commonly used intensity-only measurements. The Faraday and magneto-optical Kerr effects, being odd with respect to magnetization reversal, can be used for the examination of ferromagnetic (FM) materials. This we demonstrate here with Faraday and Kerr rotation and ellipticity spectra, measured at the 2p edges of Fe, Co, and Ni. The Voigt effect and magnetic linear dichroism (XMLD), which are even with respect to magnetization reversal, are applied to probe both FM and antiferromagnetic (AFM) materials. Using a new XMLD-reflection spectroscopy we present results obtained on technologically important buried AFM NiO layers. PACS 78.20.Ls; 78.70.Dm; 75.70.-i     

Tissue pH in human kidney transplants during hypothermic ischemia

Ex vivo NMR spectroscopy was used to investigate pH in 67 human kidney transplants. (1)H and (31)P spectra were recorded at 1.5 T during regular hypothermic storage in histidine-tryptophane-alpha-ketoglutarate (HTK) solution. Estimations of cytosolic pH from chemical shift differences between inorganic phosphate and phosphodiesters and of extracellular pH from the varepsilon1 and delta2 protons of histidine were based upon systematic titration studies. The possibility to predict acute tubular necrosis (ATN) by measuring pH was compared to results obtained with peak area ratios of phosphomonoesters (PME) and Pi and of the gamma-phosphorus of nucleoside 5'-triphosphate (gamma-NTP) and Pi. Cytosolic pH was 6.86+/-0.10 in kidneys showing immediate post-transplant function and 6.84+/-0.10 in those with ATN. Time-dependent studies demonstrated a monoexponential pH decay (velocity constant: 0.14+/-0.07 h(-1)). Extracellular pH varied between 7.40 and 7.15. Grafts with immediate function showed higher PME/Pi (2.24+/-0.57 vs. 1.77+/-0.50, p<0.05) and gamma-NTP/Pi (0.33+/-0.16 vs. 0.16+/-0.08, p<0.001). Intra- and extracellular pH can be monitored non-invasively during hypothermic transplant storage. The pH gradient between both compartments provides quantitative information about the buffer capacity of the preservation medium. Acidification is not a primary cause of ATN during regular HTK storage. The total nucleotide pool is a determinant of the reversibility of ischemic injury.     

Soft X‐ray refractive index by reconciling total electron yield with specular reflection: experimental determination of the optical constants of graphite

The complex refractive index of many materials is poorly known in the soft X‐ray range across absorption edges. This is due to saturation effects that occur there in total‐electron‐yield and fluorescence‐yield spectroscopy and that are strongest at resonance energies. Aiming to obtain reliable optical constants, a procedure that reconciles electron‐yield measurements and reflection spectroscopy by correcting these saturation effects is presented. The procedure takes into account the energy‐ and polarization‐dependence of the photon penetration depth as well as the creation efficiency for secondary electrons and their escape length. From corrected electron‐yield spectra the absorption constants and the imaginary parts of the refractive index of the material are determined. The real parts of the index are subsequently obtained through a Kramers–Kronig transformation. These preliminary optical constants are refined by simulating reflection spectra and adapting them, so that measured reflection spectra are reproduced best. The efficacy of the new procedure is demonstrated for graphite. The optical constants that have been determined for linearly polarized synchrotron light incident with p‐ and s‐geometry provide a detailed and reliable representation of the complex refractive index of the material near π‐ and σ‐resonances. They are also suitable for allotropes of graphite such as graphene.