Evaluation of a PbTe detector for infrared imaging purposes

Summary An infra-red detector produced by the Elettronica SPA Company for the European Space Agency to be used in the Earth surface mapping from aircraft has been tested in our laboratory. We present the characteristics of the detector working in the spectral range (1÷2.5) μm. The acquisition system and the electronics are discussed and a detailed study of all the noise sources is presented; the measured NEP is 3.2·10⁻¹⁴W Hz^−1/2 at a temperature of 108 K. Paper presented at the V Cosmic Physics National Conference, S. Miniato, November 27–30, 1990.     

The FIGARO II experiment: a general outline of the mission and the principal scientific results

Summary The FIGARO II (French Italian Gamma-Ray Observatory) experiment has been launched successfully three times: in July 1986 from Milo (Trapani), in November 1988 from Charleville (Australia) and in July 1990 again from Milo. In the first flight the observational program was limited to the Crab pulsar PSR0531+21 only because of a telemetry failure: the high sensitivity of FIGARO II allowed an accurate study of the pulse shape as well as a phase-resolved spectroscopy. It was also possible to evaluate the dispersion measure of the Crab pulsar at the flight date from the time delay between gamma-ray and radio pulses. The major results of the second flight were a stringent upper limit to the low-energy gamma-ray flux from PSR 0833-45 (Vela pulsar)—well below the detection claimed by the UCR group —and the observation of a strong emission in the 0.511 MeV annihilation line from the inner region of our Galaxy. The data acquired in the third flight are still under analysis, but preliminary results suggest changes in the shape of the pulse profile. Paper presented at the V Cosmic Physics National Conference, S. Miniato, November 27–30, 1990.     

The cooperation between NASA and ASI on the Cassini mission

Summary The updated status of the cooperation between NASA and ASI on the Cassini mission is here presented. This outstanding scientific mission is devoted to study the Saturnian system with a NASA orbiter and a ESA probe. The Italian involvement, managed by the Agenzia Spaziale Italiana (ASI), concerns the design and development of important Cassini Orbiter subsystems. Promotion of the Italian science community's interests and of the national industry's technological capabilities are the rationales for the cooperation. This is an updated version of the contribution presented at San Miniato.     

SXRP: an X-ray polarimeter for the SPECTRUM-X-Gamma Mission

Summary TheStellar X-ray Polarimeter (SXRP) is a focal plane instrument which will be flown on the SPECTRUM-X-Gamma mission in 1993. The polarimeter is composed of two separate instruments: the first exploits the dependence on the polarization of the Bragg reflection from a graphite crystal, and of the Thomson scattering from a metallic lithium target. The second instrument makes use of the recently discovered polarization dependence of X-ray photoemission from CsI. The SXRP will permit sensitive measurements of several hundreds of known X-ray sources. X-ray polarization measurements will allow us to constrain the physical mechanisms and the geometries of several classes of galactic X-ray sources, such as X-ray pulsars, black-hole candidates and supernova remnants. Moreover, and for the first time, SXRP will be able to perform highly sensitive measurements of the brightest extragalactic sources. Paper presented at the V Cosmic Physics National Conference, S. Miniato, November 27–30, 1990.     

Stellar X-ray polarimetry

Summary Stellar X-ray polarimetry has for a long time been indicated as a very powerful diagnostic tool. In spite of this widely recognised interest, positive results are limited to just one: the detection, in the now far 1978, of the polarisation of the X-ray emission from the Crab Nebula. Novel-generation experiments promise a wider and richer amount mess of results, at least for strong galactic sources. Polarimetry however, remains an unusually delicate technique that requires a very tight control of systematic effects (at the level of 1% or better) over the very long observing period (10⁵ seconds or more) needed for obtaining a reasonable sensitivity. Paper presented at the 6th Cosmic Physics National Conference, Palermo, 3–7 November 1992.     

The ALTAIR cryogenic gravitational-wave experiment

Summary We report on the experimental results obtained with the cryogenic Gravitational-Wave resonant detector ALTAIR located in Frascati (Italy) at the Istituto di Fisica dello Spazio Interplanetario of Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche. The peculiarity of this experiment is its working frequency. The first longitudinal mode of resonance of the antenna is at 1.8 kHz. The antenna, now equipped with a resonant capacitive transducer and a d.c. SQUID preamplifier, after a first test in November 1989, has operated almost continuously from May 1990. The best sensitivity, recently reached, expressed in terms of the effective noise temperatureT _eff, is 20 mK, corresponding, for a short pulse of gravitational wave, to a metric perturbationh of 3×10⁻¹⁸. In the last period of measurements (from April 1991 to March 1992) two other antennas were operating: the Explorer antenna (2300 kg,T=2.0 K) at CERN in Geneva and the LSU antenna (2500 kg,T=4.2 K) at Louisiana State University in USA, both having a resonant frequency below 1 kHz. The data of these three detectors can be remote observed, in real time, by the international computer network. Coincidence analysis between the data of these three detectors is in progress. Paper presented at the V Cosmic Physics National Conference, S. Miniato, November 27–30, 1990 (updated version).     

A ballon-borne experiment for observations of the near-infrared cosmological background

Summary We present here a ballon-borne experiment to measure the near-infrared cosmological background in the (1÷5) μm range. The instrument, a liquid helium cooled telescope (250 mm,F/2), was built in the infrared laboratory of Istituto TE.S.R.E./C.N.R.-Bologna (Italy) collaboration with the Haverford College (PA-U.S.A.). It will be launched from the NSBF base of Palestine (Texas-U.S.A.) in May 1989. To speed up publication, the proofs were not sent to the authors and were supervised by the Scientific Committee.     

Status report on theGALLEX experiment

Summary The GALLEX collaboration is performing an experiment for the detection of neutrinos coming principally from the p-p fusion reaction in the Sun, via the reaction ν_e+⁷¹Ga→⁷¹Ge+e⁻. The experiment is running in the Gran Sasso Underground Laboratory of INFN, using as a target 30.3 tons of gallium in the form of 8.13 molar aqueous GaCl₃ solution. A report is given of the status of GALLEX after the end of the operations devoted to the removal from the solution of the cosmogenically formed Ge isotopes, completed in the middle of 1991. The experiment is now collecting data on solar neutrinos and the data analysis is in progress. Preliminary results concerning the first year of measurement are presented. Paper presented at the V Cosmic Physics National Conference, S. Miniato, November 27–30, 1990.     

ISO spectroscopy: the study of active galaxies

Summary Infrared spectroscopy can greatly help in the understanding of the active galaxies phenomena, having the advantage over optical and UV spectroscopy of penetrating those nuclei heavily obscured by absorbing dust. The standard photoionization code CLOUDY by Ferland has been used to predict the intensities of the infrared ionic fine-structure lines. Examples of line ratio diagrams are presented which constrain the two main free parameters of the models (gas density and ionization parameter), and separate line emission in the different regions of active galaxies (Seyfert and LINER type nuclei, coronal emission region, starbursts). Moreover, some line ratio diagrams can disentangle emission-line components from shock excited and photodissociated gas. Finally we show that the observations of these infrared lines will be possible in the near future with the ISO (Infrared Space Observatory) spectrometers. Paper presented at the V Cosmic Physics National Conference, S. Miniato, November 27–30, 1990.     

On the two approaches to the data analysis of the Cassini interplanetary relativity experiment

We compare two theoretical approaches to the data analysis of the Cassini relativity experiment based on the Doppler tracking and the time delay technique that were published correspondingly by Kopeikin et al. [S.M. Kopeikin, A.G. Polnarev, G. Schäfer, I.Yu. Vlasov, Phys. Lett. A 367 (2007) 276] and by Bertotti et al. [B. Bertotti, N. Ashby, L. Iess, Class. Quantum Grav. 25 (2008) 045013]. Bertotti et al. believed that they found a discrepancy with our paper and claimed that our analysis was erroneous. The present Letter elucidates, however, that the discrepancy is illusory and does not exist. The two techniques give the same result making it evident that the numerical value of the PPN parameter γ measured in the Cassini experiment is indeed affected by the orbital motion of the Sun around the barycenter of the solar system.     

Revised ultraviolet absorption cross sections of H2CO for the HITRAN database

A revised set of temperature-dependent absorption cross sections for ultraviolet (UV) measurements of formaldehyde (H₂CO) has been derived from two existing sets of laboratory cross sections, one using a Fourier transform spectrometer (FTS), and one using a grating instrument. This is conducted to satisfy the recommendation of the HITRAN Advisory Committee to provide a dataset with the spectral resolution and wavelength calibration of Fourier transform spectrometer measurements with the better intensity calibration that the grating measurements obtained. The re-scaled cross sections are now in the HITRAN database, and are recommended for use in atmospheric measurements and modeling, including photolysis calculations.     

Merged beam study of the associative ionisation ( C + , N + ? and ? O + )+ O -

Total cross-sections have been measured for the associative ionisation of C ⁺ + O ^- , N ⁺ + O ^- and O ⁺ + O ^- by means of a merged-beam set-up operating with keV beams. These original measurements might be relevant to the understanding of some astrophysical objects or laboratory-made plasmas (flames and etching plasmas). The magnitude of these cross-sections is particularly large whatever the associating system, as these are in the range of 1×10 ^-14 cm² at thermal energies. Their behaviour as a function of energy significantly differs from one system to another, and is characterised by the Wigner law at low energy, and a rapid fall-off at higher energy due to competition with non-associative ionisation processes. Received 10 December 2001 and Received in final form 12 March 2002     

The LAPEX experiment for observation of the supernova SN 1987A in hard X-rays

Summary The LAPEX payload is described in the configuration that will be launched to observe the supernova SN 1987A. The balloon flight will be performed from Alice Springs (Australia) in April 1989 as a part of a NASA balloon campaign. The experiment will allow simultaneous observations of source and background in order to minimize systematic errors due to background variations. The limiting flux sensitivity of the instrument in the (20÷200) keV energy band is 4·10⁻⁶ ph/(cm²s keV) or ∼2.5 mCrab for a 10⁴ s observation of SN 1987A. The presence of a⁵⁷Co emission line in the SN 1987A photon spectrum could be detected down to an intensity level of ∼8·10⁻⁵ photons/cm²s as at 99.7% confidence level. The high resolution of the event timing (<0.1 ms) will make it possible to detect millisecond pulsations with amplitudes down to ∼4% of the expected average flux from SN 1987A in the (20÷60) keV band. To speed up publication, the proofs were not sent to the authors and were supervised by the Scientific Committee.     

Size and concentration effects in the optical properties of alloyed ( Au x Ag 1 - x ) n and core-shell ( Ni x Ag 1 - x ) n embedded clusters

Optical properties of mixed clusters (Au_xAg _{1 - x} ) _n and (Ni_xAg _{1 - x} ) _n , produced by laser vaporization and embedded in an alumina matrix, are reported. The size effects are investigated for different concentrations (x = 0.25, 0.5 and 0.75) in the diameter range 2-4 nm. For alloyed clusters (Au_xAg _{1 - x} ) _n of a given size an almost linear evolution of the surface plasmon frequency ω _s with the concentration is observed (between those of pure gold and pure silver clusters). Moreover the blue-shift and the damping of the resonance with decreasing size is all the more important as the gold concentration in the particles increases. Such results are in agreement with theoretical calculations carried out in the frame of the time-dependent local-density-approximation (TDLDA) including an inner skin of ineffective screening and the porosity of the matrix. The optical response of (Ni_xAg _{1 - x} ) _n clusters exhibits a surface plasmon resonance in the same spectral range as the one observed for pure silver clusters, but considerably damped and broadened. For a given mean cluster size 3.0 nm, a blue-shift of the resonance is observed when increasing the nickel concentration (between x = 0.25 and x = 0.75). The results are in good qualitative agreement with classical predictions in the dipolar approximation, assuming a core-shell geometry. Received 21 November 2000     

Cesium satellite band at 875.2 nm stemming from the Cs 2 0 g + (6 p 2 P 1/2 +6 s 2 S 1/2 ) state

We measured a very distinct satellite band at 875.2 nm between two resonance lines of cesium. Spectral simulation using Spies and Meyer [#!ref1!#] ab initio potential curves and an appropriate transition dipole moment function was compared with experimental profile. Implications of the investigated satellite band at 875.2 nm in the field of ultracold cesium atom collisions are discussed with a special emphasize to new possibilities of the photoassociation of two ground state atoms leading to the formation of ultracold intermediate long-range molecules. Received 07 March 2001 and Received in final form 14 May 2001     

Some experimental and theoretical studies on the Mn magnetic moment in Y ( Ni 1 - x Mn x ) 2 B 2 C

The magnetic moment of the Mn impurities was obtained from magnetization measurements of Y ( Ni _{1 - x} Mn _x ) ₂ B ₂ C as a function of the concentration x less than 0.15. Using the coherent potential approximation and starting from 3 d density of states, obtained from the first principles calculations, the magnetic moments are obtained within a two sublattice model. For adequately estimated values of the Coulomb interactions U, the position of the energy level of Mn and adopting values for the intersublattice hybridization term, a qualitative agreement with the observed experimental data is obtained. Received 23 April 2001 and Received in final form 29 October 2001     

Enhancement of magnetoresistance in cobaltites by manganese substitution: the oxide La 0.8 Sr 0.2 Co 1-x Mn x O 3

The substitution of manganese for cobalt in the perovskite La _0.8 Sr _0.2 CoO ₃ has been studied. A significant increase of the magnetoresistance (MR) is obtained, reaching 60% at 5 K under 7 T for . This behavior originates from a spectacular increase of the resistivity correlated to a significant decrease of ferromagnetism by Mn doping. This enhancement of magnetoresistance can be interpreted by the growth of ferromagnetic clusters in the insulating matrix, by applying a magnetic field. Received 7 May 1999     

Optical study of RE 1 + x Ba 2 - x Cu 3 O 6 (RE = Nd, Sm) aaand YBa 2 Cu 3 O 6 in the mid infrared range

Infrared reflectance, and transmission measurements as well as Raman scattering have been used to study the RE_1+xBa_2-xCu₃O₆ (RE = Nd, Sm) and YBa₂Cu₃O₆ absorption bands in the 1100-1500 cm^-1 infrared range as a function of temperature and beam polarization. In addition to two-phonon absorption between 1100 and 1170 cm^-1, we observe excitations around 1400 cm^-1, occurring in oxygen rich enclosures within the samples, and assign them to an excitation involving two-phonons plus the 270 cm^-1 local mode related to Cu-O broken chains. Thus, the previously reported possible magnetic origin of the 1436 cm^-1 sharp absorption band in YBa₂Cu₃O₆ is contested. Received 14 February 2001 and Received in final form 12 April 2001     

Evolution of ( La 1 - y Pr y ) 0.7 Ca 0.3 MnO 3 crystal structure with A-cation size, temperature, and oxygen isotope substitution

The atomic structure of ( La _{1 - y} Pr _y ) _0.7 Ca _0.3 MnO ₃ compound with 0.5≤ y ≤1 has been systematically studied by neutron powder diffraction in the temperature range from 15 to 293 K. For composition with y = 0.75, the structural analysis was performed on two samples, one containing the natural mixture of oxygen isotopes and the other one 75% enriched by ¹⁸ O. The room temperature structural characteristics of the series, including cell volume, average Mn-O bond distance, and average Mn-O-Mn bond angle, are the linear functions of the < r _A >. Temperature dependencies of these parameters are quite smooth, except for the point T = T _FM , where a jump like changes occur. The isotope enriched samples have been found identical in crystal and magnetic structure down to the temperature of transition of the sample with ¹⁶ O into the metallic ferromagnetic phase. It confirms that different transport and magnetic properties of the samples with ¹⁶ O and ¹⁸ O at low temperature are driven by the different oxygen atoms dynamics solely. Temperature dependencies of the CO and AFM diffraction peak intensities and of the peak widths for compositions close to the metal-insulator boundary ( y ≈ 0.75) indicate the macroscopically phase separated AFM-dielectric + FM-metallic state below T _FM . Received 28 April 2000     

Magnetic oscillations in the 2D network of compensated coupled orbits of the organic metal (BEDT-TTF) 8 Hg 4 Cl 12 (C 6 H 5 Br) 2

Interlayer magnetoresistance and magnetisation of the quasi-two dimensional organic metal (BEDT-TTF)₈Hg₄Cl₁₂(C₆H₅Br)₂ have been investigated in pulsed magnetic fields extending up to 60 T and 33 T, respectively. About fifteen fundamental frequencies, composed of linear combinations of only three basic frequencies, are observed in the oscillatory spectra of the magnetoresistance. The dependencies of the oscillation amplitude on the temperature and on the magnitude and orientation of the magnetic field are analyzed in the framework of the conventional two-dimensional Lifshitz-Kosevitch (LK) model. This model is implemented by damping factors which accounts for the magnetic breakthrough occurring between electron and hole orbits yielding conventional Shubnikov-de Haas closed orbits (model of Falicov and Stachowiak) and quantum interferometers. In particular, a quantum interferometer enclosing an area equal to the first Brillouin zone area is evidenced. The LK model consistently accounts for the temperature and magnetic field dependence of the oscillation amplitude of this interferometer. On the contrary, although this model formally accounts for almost all of the observed oscillatory components, it fails to give consistent quantitative data in most other cases. Received 4 September 2002 / Received in final form 14 November 2002 Published online 27 January 2003 RID="a" ID="a"e-mail: audouard@insa-tlse.fr RID="b" ID="b"UMR 5830: Unité Mixte de Recherche CNRS - Université Paul Sabatier - INSA de Toulouse RID="c" ID="c"UMS 5642: Unité Mixte de Service CNRS - Université Paul Sabatier - INSA de Toulouse