Half-a-century of gamma-ray astrophysics at the Max-Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics

The European Physical Journal H - This is a tutorial for the many-worlds theory by Everett, which includes some of my personal views. It has two main parts. The first main part shows the emergence...     

Isotope Studies of Hydrogen and Oxygen in Ground Ice - Experiences with the Equilibration Technique

Abstract

Equilibration technique suitable for a large amount ofsamples is described for hydrogen and oxygen isotope analyses of ground ice, especially ice wedges, including the sampling strategy and the analytical procedure as well as the calibration of the Finnigan MAT Delta-S mass spectrometer in June, 1999. Since for future analyses of ice wedges, a higher sampling resolution with limited sample volume is required, the limit of the equliibration technique for small water samples size of between 0.05 and 5 ml was checked. For water samples smaller than 1ml, corresponding to a molar ratio [H₂O]/[H₂] of smaller than 0.994, a balance correction has to be applied. The experimental errors due to partial evaporation during evacuation, the balance calcultion of the isotope equilibration process, the linearity as well as memory effects of the mass spectrometer for smaples with large differences in δ¹⁸O and δD are tackled in this paper. In the polar regions of Northern Siberia without Late Pleistocene and Holocene glaciation, ground ice is used as an archive for paleoclimate studies. First results of stable isotope measurements on ice wedges clearly show a shift towards heavier isotopes and thus warmer winter temperatures as well as a change in the source of the precipitation between Late Pleistocene and Holocene. These results indicate the high potential of ground ice for paleoclimate studies.     

Eine Dichtigkeitsprüfanlage für Halbleiterbauelemente auf der Grundlage von 85Kr

Auf der Basis von ⁸⁵Kr wurde ein Prüfstand für die routinemäßge Dichtigkeitsprüfung von Halbleiterbauelementen entwickelt und gebaut. Die Anlage arbeitet mit einer Aktivkohlepumpe und ist für einen Maximaldruck ion 13 kp/cm² und eine Maximalaktivität von 40Ci⁸⁵Kr ausgelegt. Es werden einige theoretische Angaben zur Methode gemacht und der Auf ban sowie die Funktionsweise des Prüfstandes beschrieben. Die erhaltenen Ergebnisse werden mit denen anderer Methoden verglichen.     

Radioaktive und stabile Isotope bei der Lösung pflanzenphysiologischer Probleme

Es werden neuere Ergebnisse von Untersuchungen zur Biosynthese einiger Alkaloide und zum Stoffwechsel von Herbiziden mitgeteilt und diskutiert, die unter Verwendung von ¹⁴C, ³H und ¹⁵N durchgeführt wurden.     

Halbwertszeiten von 135 Radionukliden

Für 135 Radionuklide werden in der Literatur veröffentlichte Werte der Halbwertszeit mit Angabe von 200 Zitaten zusammengestellt. Dabei sind vorzugsweise die neuesten und zuverlässigsten Werte – maximal 4 je Nuklid – berücksichtigt. Für jades Nuklid wird ferner ein wahrscheinlichster Wert der Halbwertszeit angegeben. Die Anwendung dieses Wertes wird insbesondere auch bei der Umrechnung von Aktivitätsangaben der vom ASMW bereitgestellten Normallösungen radioaktiver Nuklide empfohlen.     

15N/14N Analysis of Amino Acids with GC-C-IRMS - Methodical Investigations and Ecotoxicological Applications

Abstract

In order to perform the ¹⁵N/¹⁴N analysis of amino acids using a gas chromatograph and isotope ratio mass spectrometer linked up via a combustion interface (GC-C-IRMS), the amino acids must be derivatized. Tert-butyldimethylsilylation is examined using various techniques (direct conversion to nitrogen gas, ConFlo-IRMS [1], GC-C-IRMS [2]) and subsequently applied to isotopic characterization of amino acids from wheat protein hydrolyzate obtained from plants exposed to ozone. The method provides a reliable tool for studying ecotoxicological effects on plants at a molecular level in addition to the investigation of the natural variations of different N fractions.     

Energy deposition distributions caused by fast neutrons in converter type silicon detectors

Polyethylene converter silicon detectors have been developed as part of a dosimetry system for the application in neutron fields. Signals have been investigated which are mainly caused by reactions occurring when neutrons hit the PE converter or the silicon diode directly. In this work, neutron interactions in the components of a PE converter silicon sensor have been calculated to determine energy deposition distributions for neutron energies from 1.2 v MeV to 14.8 v MeV. Experiments in quasi-monoenergetic neutron fields have been performed. For the simulation of the neutron interactions with the detector layers, the GSF neutron interaction code NISD has been applied. The transport of ions has been calculated separately by means of the program TRIM. It has been shown that by the use of these concepts and models, a rather good agreement of measured and computed pulse height distributions can be obtained and, consequently, the response of converter type detectors to neutron radiation can be determined.     

Critical point wetting in NbH0.31

The local α-α' phase distribution in a thin Nb single crystal loaded with the critical H-concentration was investigated with X-rays. The sample used in the experiment showed a macroscopic hydrogen density mode, leading to a curvature of the whole crystal plate with the α-phase on the concave side and the α'-phase on the convex side. In addition an α-phase wetting layer was found on top of the α'-phase separated from the bulk α'-phase by a mixed α-α' phase region. In a simple model their thickness were determined to about $\text{\$}\text{?}$1.0 and 7?0μm, resp. This thin wetting layer leads to a new interpretation of the phase transition of H and Nb, involving the familiar long-range elastic interaction as well as a short-range surface free energy contribution.