Status of the scalar singlet dark matter model

One of the simplest viable models for dark matter is an additional neutral scalar, stabilised by a \(\mathbb {Z}_2\) symmetry. Using the GAMBIT package and combining results from four independent samplers, we present Bayesian and frequentist global fits of this model. We vary the singlet mass and coupling along with 13 nuisance parameters, including nuclear uncertainties relevant for direct detection, the local dark matter density, and selected quark masses and couplings. We include the dark matter relic density measured by Planck, direct searches with LUX, PandaX, SuperCDMS and XENON100, limits on invisible Higgs decays from the Large Hadron Collider, searches for high-energy neutrinos from dark matter annihilation in the Sun with IceCube, and searches for gamma rays from annihilation in dwarf galaxies with the Fermi-LAT. Viable solutions remain at couplings of order unity, for singlet masses between the Higgs mass and about 300 GeV, and at masses above \(\sim \)1 TeV. Only in the latter case can the scalar singlet constitute all of dark matter. Frequentist analysis shows that the low-mass resonance region, where the singlet is about half the mass of the Higgs, can also account for all of dark matter, and remains viable. However, Bayesian considerations show this region to be rather fine-tuned.     

Testing Fluorescence Lifetime Standards using Two-Photon Excitation and Time-Domain Instrumentation: Fluorescein,Quinine Sulfate and Green Fluorescent Protein

It is essential for everyone working with experimental science to be certain that their instruments produce reliable results, and for fluorescence lifetime experiments, information about fluorescence lifetime standards is crucial. A large part of the literature on lifetime standards dates back to the 1970s and 1980s, and the use of newer and faster measuring devices may deem these results unreliable. We have tested the three commonly used fluorophores fluorescein, quinine sulfate and green fluorescent protein for their suitability to serve as lifetime standards, especially to be used with two-photon excitation measurements in the time-domain. We measured absorption and emission spectra for the fluorophores to determine optimal wavelengths to use for excitation and detector settings. Fluorescence lifetimes were measured for different concentrations, ranging from 10^??3 ??10^??5 M, as well as for various solvents. Fluorescein was soluble in both ethanol, methanol and sulfuric acid, while quinine sulfate was only soluble in sulfuric acid. Green fluorescent protein was prepared in a commercial Tris-HCl, EDTA solution, and all three fluorophores produced stable lifetime results with low uncertainties. No siginificant variation with concentration was measured for any of the fluorophores, and all showed single-exponential decays. All lifetime measurements were carried out using two-photon excitation and lifetime data was obtained in the time-domain using time-correlated single-photon counting.     

Ferreting out gas adsorption heats: the pseudo-isobaric method

A new method is demonstrated for calculating gas adsorption heats from variable-temperature infrared spectra of adsorbed molecules. By focusing on the low coverage regime, where (at equilibrium) there is only a very small fraction of molecules adsorbed, the procedure devised yields the corresponding value of adsorption enthalpy without needing to know the equilibrium pressure. Experimental measurements can thus be highly simplified, which constitutes one of the merits of the new method. Versatility for dealing with adsorption processes occurring at a low temperature, and having a small energy balance, is another favourable feature.     

Comment to T. Chen Letter to the Editor,Transport in Porous Media 41, 241–243, 2000

Transport in Porous Media -     

Extensions of homologically finite subcategories

Supported by the Norwegian Research Council in Science and Humanities.     

棱镜分光式光学环行器及其应用

本文介绍梭镜分光式光学环行器设计理论与制备工艺以及在光纤通信和光纤传感系统中的应用。所研制的光学环行器光纤-光纤(单模)插入损耗小于2.8dB,隔离比大于25dB,回波损耗优于40dB.器件性能与偏振无关。     

Experimental designs for modeling retention patterns and separation efficiency in analysis of fatty acid methyl esters by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

The retention behavior of components analyzed by chromatography varies with instrumental settings. Being able to predict how changes in these settings alter the elution pattern is useful, both with regards to component identification, as well as with regards to optimization of the chromatographic system. In this work, it is shown how experimental designs can be used for this purpose. Different experimental designs for response surface modeling of the separation of fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) as function of chromatographic conditions in GC have been evaluated. Full factorial, central composite, Doehlert and Box-Behnken designs were applied. A mixture of 38 FAMEs was separated on a polar cyanopropyl substituted polysilphenylene-siloxane phase capillary column. The temperature gradient, the start temperature of the gradient, and the carrier gas velocity were varied in the experiments. The modeled responses, as functions of chromatographic conditions, were retention time, retention indices, peak widths, separation efficiency and resolution between selected peak pairs. The designs that allowed inclusion of quadratic terms among the predictors performed significantly better than factorial design. Box-Behnken design provided the best results for prediction of retention, but the differences between the central composite, Doehlert and Box-Behnken designs were small. Retention indices could be modeled with much better accuracy than retention times. However, because the errors of predicted tR of closely eluting peaks were highly correlated, models of resolution (Rs) that were based on retention time had errors in the same range as corresponding models based on ECL.     

Microwave spectrum and conformational composition of 2-fluoroethylisocyanide

The microwave spectrum of 2-fluoroethylisocyanide, FCH(2)CH(2)N≡C, has been investigated in the whole 50-120 GHz spectral region. Selected portions of the spectrum in the range of 18-50 GHz have also been recorded. The microwave spectra of the ground state and vibrationally excited states of two conformers have been assigned. Accurate spectroscopic constants have been derived from a large number of microwave transitions. The F-C-C-N chain of atoms is antiperiplanar in one of these rotamers and synclinal in the second conformer. The energy difference between the two forms was obtained from relative intensity measurements. It was found that the synclinal conformer is favored over the antiperiplanar form by 0.7(5) kJ/mol. Quantum chemical calculations at the high CCSD/cc-pVTZ and B3LYP/cc-pVTZ levels of theory were performed. Most, but not all, of the spectroscopic constants predicted in these calculations are in good agreement with the experimental counterparts. The theoretical calculations correctly indicate that the F-C-C-N dihedral angle in the synclinal form is about 67° but underestimate the magnitude of the gauche effect and erroneously predict the antiperiplanar rotamer to be 1.3-1.6 kJ/mol more stable than the synclinal conformer.     

The molecular structures of tris(dipivaloylmethanato)chromium and tris(dipivaloylmethanato)cobalt determined by gas electron diffraction and density functional theory calculations

The molecular structures of tris(dipivaloylmethanato)chromium and tris(dipivaloylmethanato)cobalt have been determined by quantum chemical calculations and gas electron diffraction. Both the experimental data and the theoretical results are consistent with molecular structures having D ₃ symmetry which is in agreement with the Kepert model. The experimental bond distances, r _h1(Å), and bond angles, ∠ _h1(°), are: Cr–O = 1.976(5), C–O = 1.287(3), C–C_r = 1.392(6), C–C_t = 1.547(3), OCrO = 90.1(0.9), CC_rC = 122.3(0.9), OCC_t = 114.7(0.9) and Co–O = 1.891(4), C–O = 1.269(3), C–C_r = 1.411(5), C–C_t = 1.546(3), OCoO = 95.2(0.5), CC_rC = 122.5(0.9), OCC_t = 115.1(0.8).