Maximum spin aligned states in 98 47Ag51

New excited states have been observed in the neutron deficient isotope ⁹⁸Ag following the ⁵⁸Ni+⁵⁰Cr →¹⁰⁸Te^* heavy–ion reaction. One of these states may be interpreted as a maximum spin aligned state of the πg_9/2 ⁻³νg_7/2 configuration. Other possible interpretations within the nuclear shell model are discussed as well. Received: 24 October 1997     

Superdeformation in142Eu

A rotational band with 15 transitions has been observed in¹⁴²Eu in an experiment with the GASP Ge detector array by the¹¹⁰Pd(³⁷Cl,5_n) reaction. The average energy spacing between the neighbouring transitions is 60 keV, which is similar to the energy spacings in the superdeformed bands in the mass 140 region. The band has a constant dynamic moment of inertia as suggested by Cranked Shell Model calculations.     

A dipole band in 124Xe

High-spin states in ¹²⁴Xe were populated by means of the ¹¹⁰Pd(¹⁸O,4n) reaction. In-beam γ rays were measured using the GASP spectrometer. A dipole band, similar to those previously found in other nuclei of this mass region, was identified in ¹²⁴Xe.     

Spectroscopy of neutron deficient 65Ge

Excited states of ⁶⁵Ge were populated via the ¹²C + ⁵⁸Ni (261 MeV) reaction using the NORDBALL detector array equipped with charged-particle and neutron detector systems for reaction channel separation. On the basis of γγ-coincidence relations and angular distribution ratios a significantly extended level scheme was constructed up to E _x = 9 MeV and J ^π = (33/2^?). The low-energy states of the nucleus are discussed in the framework of the interacting boson-fermion model.     

Interactions of Type II vectorial spatial solitary waves in materials with quadratic non-linearity

We present analytical, numerical and experimental results of the interactions between Type II vectorial spatial solitary waves (QSSW) in second-order non-linear media. We show that the outcome of the interaction can be changed from beam coalescence to steering, crossing or repulsion through a non-coherent control (i.e. the control does not rely on the relative phase between the interacting QSSW). We also provide experimental evidence that both quasi-elastic and inelastic collision between QSSW are feasible in second order non-linear media, depending on the relative velocity of the interacting QSSW. We determine (analytically, numerically and experimentally) the critical transverse velocity for elastic collision to be observed, when the fundamental frequency component of the two interacting beams are orthogonally polarized at the input face of the non-linear crystal.     

Volatile fingerprints of artemisinin-rich Artemisia annua cultivars by headspace solid-phase microextraction gas chromatography/ mass spectrometry

The cultivar Anamed (A3) is a hybrid of Artemisia annua with a high content of the secondary metabolite artemisinin, a well-known antimalarial drug. Here we report for the first time the volatile profile of fresh leaves of this hybrid in comparison with that of Artemisia annua L. wild-type species. Evaluation and comparison of the volatile profiles of A. annua genotypes with different content in artemisinin were carried out by headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) coupled with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) that was performed on fresh leaves of the plants under investigation using a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) fiber. The chromatograms obtained from hybrids with a high content of artemisinin (A. annua cv. Anamed A3 and A. annua cv. Artemis F2) reveal the total absence of artemisia ketone, one of the major and characteristic compounds of the wild-type A. annua L., along with a significantly lower variety of volatile compounds. In conclusion, HS-SPME coupled with GC/MS is a very useful, non-destructive and efficient method to describe the volatile pattern of Artemisia annua cultivars. It represents a rapid screening method for the evaluation of volatile biomarkers like artemisia ketone, whose absence is typical of artemisinin-rich A. annua cultivars.     

Panchromatic ruthenium sensitizer based on electron-rich heteroarylvinylene π-conjugated quaterpyridine for dye-sensitized solar cells

The first example of a heteroarylvinylene π-conjugated quaterpyridine Ru(II) sensitizer (N1044) was synthesized and used in dye-sensitized solar cells; the dye has an effective panchromatic absorption band, covering the entire visible spectrum up to the NIR region, and superior electrochemical characteristics (HOMO/LUMO and bandgap energies) with respect to previous representative Ru(II) bi- and quaterpyridine sensitizers. A record IPCE curve ranging from 360 to 920 nm has been measured with a maximum of 65% at 646 nm and still 33% efficiency at 800 nm; this leads to substantially increased photocurrent (19.2 mA cm(-2)) when compared to the prototype N719 Ru(II) sensitizer.