Instrumental neutron activation analysis of lunar samples and the identification of primary matter in the Lunar Highlands

We describe the scheme of sequential neutron activation which was developed in our laboratory especially for the analysis of lunar samples and in which more than 50 elements are determined. Irradiations with 14 MeV, epithermal and thermal neutrons and both instrumental techniques and radiochemical separations were applied. It is shown that the achieved accuracy can compete with the best available analytical methods for most major and many trace elements. Besides the observation of “correlated elements”, the discovery of primary matter of the last accretion stage of the moon in samples from the lunar highlands is discussed in some detail.     

b 1Σ+ emissions from group V-VII diatomic molecules: bo+ → X10+, X21 emissions of SbBr

Chemiluminescence studies of the reactions of microwave-discharged oxygen with SbBr₃ have led to the observation of some band sequences in the near infrared region which are attributed to b0⁺ → X₁0⁺ and b0⁺ → X₂1 transitions of SbBr. Analysis of the spectra yielded T_e values for the X₂1 and b0⁺ states of 874 ± 10 and 12756 ± 10 cm^?1, respectively, and vibrational frequencies in the X₁0⁺, X₂1 and b0⁺ states of ω′'_e(X₁, X₂) = 257 ± 10 and ω′_e(b) = 270 ± 10cm^?1.     

Roughening of gold atomic steps induced by interaction with tetrahydrofuran

Exposure of a clean gold surface to tetrahydrofuran (THF) under ambient conditions was observed to cause roughening of atomic step edges. This change was followed in situ using a scanning tunneling microscope during the exposure of a gold surface to a controlled stream of THF vapor. THF is a common solvent used in depositing molecules, self-assembled monolayers, and polymer films on surfaces, in electrochemistry, and in chemical reactions. Unlike other solvents, such as methanol, ethanol and diethyl ether, however, we found that THF itself has a profound effect on the surface morphology that needs to be taken into account when reporting on the interactions of solutes with a gold surface. At the same time, this finding may present new opportunities in catalysis or nanostructuring of surfaces.     

Generic theory of active polar gels: a paradigm for cytoskeletal dynamics

We develop a general theory for active viscoelastic materials made of polar filaments. This theory is motivated by the dynamics of the cytoskeleton. The continuous consumption of a fuel leads to a non equilibrium state characterized by the generation of flows and stresses. Our theory can be applied to experiments in which cytoskeletal patterns are set in motion by active processes such as those which are at work in cells.     

Resonant modes in monolithic nitride pillar microcavities

GaN-based airpost pillar microcavities are realized by focused-ion beam etching starting from an all-epitaxially grown vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser structure. Pillar diameters below 1 μm are well controllable. The sidewalls are smooth and show a damaged surface layer of a thickness less than 2 nm only. Micro-photoluminescence measurements reveal the longitudinal and transversal mode spectra of the cavities in good agreement with theoretical calculations based on a vectorial transfer-matrix method.     

Comparison of tungsten and gold radiation from beam-foil excitation and tokamak-produced plasmas

Spectra in the 30–80 Å wavelength region of tungsten and gold ions, with charge states ranging from 20–33, and 25–38, respectively, have been measured in beam-foil excitation and compared with similar spectra from tokamak-produced plasmas.