Potential formation in a bounded two-electron temperature plasma system with floating collector that emits electrons

Formation of the plasma potential in a plasma that contains energetic electrons and is bounded by a floating collector that emits electrons is studied theoretically. The problem is treated by a static. kinetic plasma-sheath model of Schwager and Birdsall [Phys. Fluids B2 (1990) 1057], which we have extended in order to include additional energetic electron population. The distribution of these electrons is assumed to be a high-temperature Maxwellian. They are called hot electrons. In the paper we study effects of the density and temperature of the hot electrons on the formation of the plasma potential. The model shows that for certain densities and temperatures of the hot electron population plasmas with two different plasma potentials can coexist in the system. These two plasmas are separated spatially by a double layer. For the case when there is no emission of electrons from the collector, results of the model are compared with computer simulation and very good agreement between the model and the simulation is found. The simulation also confirms existence of two plasmas with two different potentials separated by a double layer.     

Large Deviations for the Markov Binomial Distribution

Considering the Markov binomial distribution, we study large deviations for the Poisson approximation. Apart from the standard choice of parameters, we use the approach where the parameter of approximation depends on the argument of the approximated distribution function.     

On the efficiency of small-angle Čerenkov second harmonic generation in optical waveguides

It is well known that in the non-depleted pump approximation, the efficiency of a second harmonic generation (SHG) of a guided mode in a non-linear optical waveguide increases quadratically with the interaction length (P ₂ L ²), and linearly (P ₂ L) in the erenkov regime. The efficiency of the erenkov SHG in the waveguide with a non-linear substrate and linear guiding layer is known to be strongly peaked at a particular pump wavelength and a particular waveguide thickness, with the erenkov angle approaching zero. The known theory predicts an infinite efficiency value at the peak, however. In this contribution, a simple integral expression for the SHG efficiency in the erenkov regime is derived. For large erenkov angles and interaction lengths it yields the expected P ₂ L dependence, while in the limit of small erenkov angles the dependence is found to have the form of P L ^3/2, possessing also a finite value at the efficiency peak. The condition determining the accurate position of the efficiency peak in the waveguide thickness–pump wavelength plane is given, too.     

Spectral study on the molecular orientation of a tetracationic porphyrin dye on the surface of layered silicates

Tetracationic porphyrin dyes TMPyP and ZnPyP were intercalated into hydrophobized layered silicate films of three smectites. The smectites represented the layered silicate specimens of high (Fluorohectorite, Corning; FHT), medium (Kunipia F montmorillonite; KF) and low layer charge (Laponite, Laporte; LAP). The molecular orientations of the dye cations were studied by means of linearly-polarized ultraviolet-visible (UV-VIS) spectroscopy. The spectral analysis and consequent calculations of tilting angles of the transition moments at the wavelengths of Soret band transitions were in the range of 25°-35°. The determined angles indicated molecular orientation of the dye cations being almost parallel to the surface of the silicates. Slightly higher values (above 35°), determined for a FHT film, indicated either a slightly tilted orientation of the dye cations or the change of molecular comformation after the intercalation of the dye. Presented at 5-th International Conference Solid State Surfaces and Interfaces, November 19–24, 2006, Smolenice Castle, Slovakia     

Sol-Gel Processing of PbZrO3 Thin Films

PbZrO₃ (PZ) thin films have been prepared by 2-methoxyethanol route from lead oxide or lead acetate and zirconium n-butoxide. The use of lead oxide as lead source and the seeding layer of TiO₂ on Pt/TiO₂/SiO₂/Si substrate facilitate the formation of the perovskite phase.     

Isosteric heats of adsorption of carbon dioxide on zeolite MCM-22 modified by alkali metal cations

Adsorption isotherms of carbon dioxide were measured on cation-exchanged (Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Cs⁺) MCM-22 zeolite with the molar ratio of Si/Al=15 and series of Na-MCM-22 of Si/Al molar ratios varying in the range from 15 to 40 at 273, 293, 313 and 333 K. Based on the known temperature dependence of CO₂ adsorption, isosteric heats of adsorption were calculated. The obtained dependences of isosteric heats related to the amount of CO₂ adsorbed have provided detailed insight into the interaction of carbon dioxide molecule with alkali metal cations.     

Subpicosecond hard x-ray streak camera using single-photon counting

We have developed and characterized a hard x-ray accumulating streak camera that achieves subpicosecond time resolution by using single-photon counting. A high repetition rate of 2 kHz was achieved by use of a readout camera with built-in image processing capabilities. The effects of sweep jitter were removed by using a UV timing reference. The use of single-photon counting allows the camera to reach a high quantum efficiency by not limiting the divergence of the photoelectrons.     

Surface plasmon resonance biosensor for the detection of VEGFR-1—a protein marker of myelodysplastic syndromes

The surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensor system with dispersionless microfluidics for the direct and label-free detection of a soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (sVEGFR-1) is described. The detection approach takes advantage of an affinity interaction between sVEGFR-1 and its ligand, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF-A), which is covalently immobilized on the surface of the SPR sensor. The ability of the immobilized VEGF-A to specifically bind the sVEGFR-1 receptor is demonstrated in a buffer. The detection of sVEGFR-1 in 2% human blood plasma is carried out by using the sequential injection approach. The detection limit of 25 ng/mL is achieved. In addition, we demonstrate that the functional surface of the sensor can be regenerated for repeated use.     

Determination of Sulfide by Hematoxylin Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes Modified Carbon Paste Electrode

This study investigates a new approach for the amperometric determination of sulfide using a hematoxylin multiwalled carbon nanotubes modified carbon paste electrode (HM‐MWCNTs/CPE). The experimental results show that HM‐MWCNTs/CPE significantly enhances the electrocatalytic activity towards sulfide oxidation. Cyclic voltammetric studies show that the peak potential of sulfide shifted from +400 mV at unmodified CPE to +175 mV at HM‐MWCNTs/CPE. The currents obtained from amperometric measurements at optimum conditions were linearly correlated with the concentration of sulfide. The calibration curve was obtained for sulfide concentrations in the range of 0.5–150×10^?6 mol L^?1. The detection limit was found to be 0.2×10^?6 mol L^?1 for the amperometric method. The proposed method was successfully applied to a river water sample in Pardubice, Czech Republic.