A 4 → 0 cross-over transition in Pb

A 4⁺ → 0⁺ cross-over γ-ray decay in ²⁰⁴Pb has been detected. The branching ratio of this transition to the 4⁺ → 2⁺ → 0⁺ cascade has been measured to be (0.012 ± 0.002)%.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">L</Emphasis><Superscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis></Superscript>-maximal regularity for second order Cauchy problems

We introduce the concept of L^p-maximal regularity for second order Cauchy problems. We prove L^p-maximal regularity for an abstract model problem and we apply the abstract results to prove existence, uniqueness and regularity of solutions for nonlinear wave equations. The author acknowledges with thanks the support provided by the Department ofApplied Analysis, University of Ulm, and the travel grants provided by NBMH India and MSF Delhi, India.     

High-resolution velocity selecting separated-field excitation of a calcium atomic beam

It is shown that pulsed separated-field excitation provides a useful method for time-of-flight velocity selection of atomic beams. High-resolution nonlinear optical Ramsey fringes generated by one narrow velocity group have been observed at the (³ P ₁–¹ S ₀) intercombination line of Ca. The corresponding second-order Doppler broadening deduced from the Fourier transform of the fringe signal could be reduced by about one order of magnitude from 3.7 kHz for cw separated field excitation to 0.4 kHz.     

The58Ni(12C,γ)70Se reaction

The⁵⁸Ni(¹²C,γ)⁷⁰Se capture reaction was studied with beam energies ofE _12C=30 to 42 MeV. The capture events were identified by means of the residual activity produced in the reaction. At a beam energy of 38 MeV the capture cross section has been determined to 1.5±0.7 μb. AtE _12C=30, 34 und 42 MeV we established upper limits of 0.3, 0.5 and 0.6 μb, respectively. The experimental results are compared with a statistical model calculation.     

High Sensitive Detection of Trace Gases Using Optical Heterodyne Method with a High Finesse Intra-Cavity Resonator

A novel highly sensitive method to detect the concentration of trace gas for environmental purposes is proposed. This method includes the application of frequency modulation for stabilization of laser frequency, together with optical heterodyne measurement. The shift of resonance frequency of the Fabry-Perot cavity resonator is due to the change of refractive index, accompanied by the dispersion effect due to the presence of a target gas (e.g., methane, carbon dioxide or nitrogen dioxide) inside the Fabry-Perot cavity.     

Characteristics of the S/N ratio of the beat note obtained from the frequency-mixing experiments between a CO2 and an H2O laser

The S/N ratio of the beat note obtained from the frequency mixing between a 32 THz CO₂ laser, a 10.7 THz H₂O laser and a 22 GHz klystron is measured as a function of incident power of both lasers and the klystron on the W-Ni point contact diode. A maximum S/N ratio of 36 dB is obtained. It is found that the S/N ratio arises from the product of the contributions due to the incident power and the fifth coefficient of the current-voltage characteristic of the W-Ni diode. These characteristics are discussed qualitatively.     

New ultra-high resolution dye laser spectrometer utilizing a non-tunable reference resonator

A new dye laser spectrometer utilizing a non-tunable reference resonator is described. The resonator consists of two Zerodur mirrors optically contacted to a Zerodur spacer. Frequency scanning of the laser is provided by acoustooptic modulation. Residual drifts of the resonator frequency — measured on line — are compensated automatically by corresponding corrections of the modulation frequency. The stability during several hours and the resettability of the dye laser frequency are±2.5 kHz and±10 kHz, respectively.     

Determination of trace levels of total fluorine in water using combustion ion chromatography for fluorine: a mass balance approach to determine individual perfluorinated chemicals in water

Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) such as perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) have received worldwide attention because of their environmental persistence and widespread distribution. Because of the lack of robust analytical methods and standards to detect all of the PFCs, and their precursors and metabolic intermediates, a mass balance approach involving the determination of total fluorine (TF), followed by fractionation of samples to separately determine inorganic and organic fluorine, is needed. In this study, we have developed a method to determine low microg/L levels of total fluorine (TF) in seawater samples. Further, seawater samples were fractionated into organic and inorganic fractions by extraction with organic solvents, which were then analyzed for TF, extractable organic fluorine (EOF) and inorganic fluorine (IF; i.e., fluoride). Concentrations of known perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) including PFOS and PFOA were also determined in water samples by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to enable calculation of the fraction of fluorine that is contributed by PFCs to TF. A major proportion of fluorine in seawater was in the form of fluoride (>90% in locations not affected by direct discharges). Nevertheless, within the organofluorine fraction, a major percentage (60-90%) of fluorine still remains unknown in water samples, suggesting the occurrence of other fluorinated acids in addition to known perfluorinated acids. Further studies are needed to identify and quantify the unidentified organofluorines in seawater. Mass balance analysis of total organic fluorine (TOF) and EOF is important, if we are to understand transport and fate of fluorinated compounds in the environment, and if we are to identify the sources of unidentified fluorinated compounds.     

Controlled Polymerization of Protic Ionic Liquid Monomer by ARGET‐ATRP and TERP

The direct synthesis of structurally well‐defined protic polymeric ionic liquid (PIL) with controlled molecular weight and molecular weight distribution is examined using N,N‐diethyl‐N‐(2‐methacryloylethyl) ammonium bis(tri‐fluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (DEMH‐TFSI) as a monomer. Three polymerization methods, namely, atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), activators regenerated by electron transfer (ARGET)‐ATRP, and organotellurium‐mediated living radical polymerization (TERP) are employed in this study. While the polymerization by ATRP is slow and does not reach high monomer conversion that under ARGET‐ATRP and TERP proceeds smoothly and affords structurally well‐defined poly(DEMH‐TFSI)s. TERP is especially efficient for the control and poly(DEMH‐TFSI)s with low to high molecular weights ( = 49 100–392 500) and narrow molecular weight distributions (/ = 1.17–1.46) are obtained. These results represent the first example of synthesis of a structurally well‐defined protic, ammonium PIL by direct polymerization of the protic ionic liquid monomer. The polymerization of N,N‐diethyl‐N‐(2‐methacryloylethyl)‐N‐methylammonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (DEMM‐TFSI), which possesses a quaternary ammonium salt, also proceeds in a highly controlled manner under TERP conditions. A diblock copolymer, polystyrene‐block‐poly(DEMH‐TFSI), is also successfully synthesized by TERP.