Spectral line parameters including temperature dependences of self- and air-broadening in the 2←0 band of CO at 2.3 μm

Temperature dependences of pressure-broadened half-width and pressure-induced shift coefficients along with accurate positions and intensities have been determined for transitions in the 2←0 band of ¹²C¹⁶O from analyzing high-resolution and high signal-to-noise spectra recorded with two different Fourier transform spectrometers. A total of 28 spectra, 16 self-broadened and 12 air-broadened, recorded using high-purity (≥99.5% ¹²C-enriched) CO samples and CO diluted with dry air (research grade) at different temperatures and pressures, were analyzed simultaneously to maximize the accuracy of the retrieved parameters. The sample temperatures ranged from 150 to 298 K and the total pressures varied between 5 and 700 Torr. A multispectrum nonlinear least squares spectrum fitting technique was used to adjust the rovibrational constants (G, B, D, etc.) and intensity parameters (including Herman–Wallis coefficients), rather than determining individual line positions and intensities. Self- and air-broadened Lorentz half-width coefficients, their temperature dependence exponents, self- and air-pressure-induced shift coefficients, their temperature dependences, self- and air- line mixing coefficients, their temperature dependences and speed dependence have been retrieved from the analysis. Speed-dependent line shapes with line mixing employing off-diagonal relaxation matrix element formalism were needed to minimize the fit residuals. This study presents a precise and complete set of spectral line parameters that consistently reproduce the spectrum of carbon monoxide over terrestrial atmospheric conditions.     

The quest for ozone intensities in the 9–11 μm region: A retrospective

We review efforts to experimentally determine absolute line intensities for ozone transitions in the 9–11 μm spectral region over the last several decades. Much of this work has been driven by the requirements for remote sensing of terrestrial atmospheric ozone. While significant progress has been achieved, discrepancies persist among various infrared measurements, and the relation between infrared and ultraviolet standards is not clearly resolved.     

Detection of colorectal metastases in patients being treated with chemotherapy utilising SPIO-MRI: a radiological–pathological study

Objective

Chemotherapy commonly causes liver injury through sinusoidal obstructive syndrome and steatosis. Chemotherapy-induced liver injury may make it more difficult to detect metastases secondary to reduced contrast between the injured liver and metastases. The aim of this study was to determine the sensitivity of superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) contrast-enhanced imaging in patients who have undergone chemotherapy prior to liver surgery.

Methods

Local ethics committee approval was obtained. Thirty-one patients with hepatic metastases completing preoperative chemotherapy were prospectively recruited. Images were reviewed independently by two blinded observers who identified and localized lesions with a four-point confidence scale. The alternative free-response receiver operator characteristic method was used to analyze the results.

Results

The sensitivity in detecting colorectal metastases following chemotherapy was 78% and 76%, respectively, for observers 1 and 2 (95% confidence interval: 71%–85% and 68%–82%). The areas under the alternative free-response receiver operator curves were 0.73 and 0.80 for observers 1 and 2, respectively.

Conclusion

Compared to previously published work on chemotherapy-naïve patients, it is clear that the sensitivity of SPIO-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in detecting colorectal metastases following chemotherapy is reduced. It is therefore critical that all imaging — pre-, during and postchemotherapy — is reviewed when reporting liver MRI prior to surgery.     

Franck-Condon analysis of predissociations in the lower valence states of the NH radical

The origins of the predissociations observed by Smith, Brzozowski, and Erman for the A³Πand c¹Π states of NH have been investigated via a Franck-Condon analysis. It is shown that the measured variation of the predissociation probability is is proportional to the Franck-Condon densities between the bound rotational levels of the A and c states and the vibrational continuum of a ⁵Σ^- state arising from the ground state asympote. Similar calculations for the X³Σ^- ground state vibrational continuum, the only other state with a lower dissociation limit, showed that state to be ineffective in producing the observed predissociation.     

A reliable thyratron-switched flashlamp-pumped dye laser

A thyratron-switched flashlamp-pumped dye laser capable of an average power of approximately 1 watt operating at 40 pulses/sec with a bandwidth of several GHz is described. The lamps are run in a high-current simmering mode to decrease lamp inductance and extend lamp life. In heavy use the laser system has proven to be very reliable with lamp life-times in excess of 10⁷ shots and half-power dye lifetimes of better than 10⁶ J/1 for Rhodamine 6G.     

Auger electron emission spectra from foil and gas excited carbon beams

Auger electron emission spectra from 2 MeV C⁺ ion excited by collisions with thin carbon foils and Ne gas are presented. The similarity of qualitative features for the C⁺ → C (foil) and C⁺ → Ne spectra indicates the similarity of ionization mechanisms for beam foil and beam gas excitation. The spectra were normalized to the lowest lying Li-like quartet state (1s 2s 2p)⁴P⁰ in carbon by comparison with time delayed foil excited electron decay-in-flight spectra. Comparison to Hartree-Fock calculated transition energies indicates that transitions in three and four electron carbon ions dominate the prompt spectra.