Zeeman effect in the polarization spectroscopy of Na

The Doppler-free polarization spectrum of the D₁ line has been studied in fields of about 50 G and in zero field. Although the principal Zeeman resonances are resolved, the signals are confusing because of the very large number of cross-over resonances. Cross-over resonances also seriously distort well-resolved resonances in zero field. An interpretation is given, based on combining a first-order theory of optical pumping with the theory of Faraday rotation and dischroism.     

Automated sample preparation by pressurized liquid extraction-solid-phase extraction for the liquid chromatographic-mass spectrometric investigation of polyphenols in the brewing process

The analysis of polyphenols from solid plant or food samples usually requires laborious sample preparation. The liquid extraction of these compounds from the sample is compromised by apolar matrix interferences, an excess of which has to be eliminated prior to subsequent purification and separation. Applying pressurized liquid extraction to the extraction of polyphenols from hops, the use of different solvents sequentially can partly overcome these problems. Initial extraction with pentane eliminates hydrophobic compounds like hop resins and oils and enables the straightforward automated on-line solid-phase extraction as part of an optimized LC-MS analysis.     

Photocrosslinking of Silicones. Part XV. Cationic Photocrosslinking of α, ω, 4-Terminated Disiloxanes

Abstract

The photoinduced cationic crosslinking of α, ω-terminated disiloxanes (epoxy, vinyl ether, propenyl ether) has been investigated by means of Real-Time IR spectroscopy. A lipophilic iodonium salt and three lipophilic sulfonium salts were used as photoinitiator. The crosslinking rate is influenced by the type of α, ω-terminated disiloxane used and differed by a factor of more than 100 from the aliphatic epoxy to the vinyl ether derivatives. Moreover, the sulfonium salts were found to have a lower initiation efficiency than the lipophilic iodonium salt in the various systems studied. These results are in good agreement with the quantum yield of proton formation in a hexamethyldisiloxane/dimethoxyethane mixture. The final degree of conversion is larger with the ene derivatives than with the epoxy derivatives. The application of a kinetic method allows us to estimate the rate constant of the termination step (k_t and for the propenyl derivative the rate constant of the propagation step kp. The termination step can be described by means of a first order reaction. k_t was found to depend on the light intensity and the type of initiators used, whereas k_p is independent of the initiator used.     

Porous Membranes Built Up from Hydrophilic Poly(ionic liquid)s

Porous polymer membranes made via electrostatic complexation are fabricated from a water‐soluble poly(ionic liquid) (PIL) for the first time. The porous structure is formed as a consequence of simultaneous phase separation of the PIL and ionic complexation with an acid, which occurred in a basic solution of a nonsolvent for the PIL. These membranes have a stimuli‐responsive porosity, with open and closed pores in isopropanol and in water, respectively. This property is quantitatively demonstrated in filtration experiments, where water is passing much slower through the membranes than isopropanol.

     

Experiments on quantum coherence with cold atoms

Coherence, or superposition of atomic states drastically modifies optical properties of atomic media, gives rise to a plethora of interference effects in the interaction of light and atoms and finds applications in quantum information and metrology. This paper presents some experiments on quantum coherences with cold atoms and discusses their possible applications.     

On the role of environmental reference materials in the development of horizontal standards for environmental protection

The need for standardisation and harmonisation of measurements increases with the progress of the European integration process. One of the areas for which the need for harmonisation has been emphasised is the protection of the soil compartment. While knowledge of problems associated with soils is increasing in Europe, based on soil surveys, monitoring systems and data networks, the corresponding (analytical) data is not often comparable, which limits its value for policy development. In this context, the European Commission has invited the Member States to investigate the possibility for a harmonisation of European standards in the fields of soil, sludge and biodegradable waste (compost). Furthermore, the development of new reference materials for both the validation of these new methods and their successful implementation on a routine basis is required. This paper shows some selected examples for which the development of horizontal standards may be worth investigating. In addition, it discusses and proposes the vehicle of (C)RMs for the implementation of a common measurement system for soil, related to these horizontal standards. It also raises some open questions and sheds light on future perspectives and challenges.Presented at BERM-9 – 9^th International Symposium on Biological and Environmental Reference Materials, June 15–19, Berlin, Germany     

Decay of the local energy of a two-dimensional wave in a nonlinear weakly negative dispersive medium

We show that the local energy of a two-dimensional wave in a nonlinear weakly negative dispersive medium which is described by a modified Kadomtsev-Petviashvili equation decays to zero as time goes to infinity.     

Self-assembled monolayers containing terminal mono-, bis-, and tris-nitrilotriacetic acid groups: characterization and application

We have undertaken a structural and functional study of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) formed on gold from a series of alkylthiol compounds containing terminal multivalent chelators (MCHs) composed of mono-, bis-, and tris-nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) moieties. SAMs were formed from single-component solutions of the mono-, bis-, and tris-NTA compounds, as well as from mixtures with a tri(ethylene glycol)-terminated alkylthiol (EG(3)). Contact angle goniometry, null ellipsometry, and infrared spectroscopy were used to explore the structural characteristics of the MCH SAMs. Ellipsometric measurements show that the amount of the MCH groups on surfaces increases with increasing mol % of the MCH thiols in the loading solution up to about 80 mol %. We also conclude that mixed SAMs, prepared in the solution composition regime 0-30 mol % of the MCH thiols, consist of a densely packed alkyl layer, an amorphous ethylene glycol layer, and an outermost layer of MCH groups exposed toward the ambient. Above 30 mol %, a significant degree of disorder is observed in the SAMs. Finally, functional evaluation of the three MCH SAMs prepared at 0-30 mol% reveals a consistent increase in binding strength with increasing multivalency. The tris-NTA SAM, in particular, is enabled for stable and functional immobilization of a His6-tagged extracellular receptor subunit, even at low chelator surface concentrations, which makes it suitable for applications when a low surface density of capturing sites is desirable, e.g., in kinetic analyses.