Nitric oxide concentration measurements in atmospheric pressure flames using electronic-resonance-enhanced coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering

We report the application of electronic-resonance-enhanced coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (ERE-CARS) for measurements of nitric oxide concentration ([NO]) in three different atmospheric pressure flames. Visible pump (532 nm) and Stokes (591 nm) beams are used to probe the Q-branch of the Raman transition. A significant resonance enhancement is obtained by tuning an ultraviolet probe beam (236 nm) into resonance with specific rotational transitions in the (v’=0, v”=1) vibrational band of the A²Σ⁺–X²Π electronic system of NO. ERE-CARS spectra are recorded at various heights within a hydrogen-air flame producing relatively low concentrations of NO over a Hencken burner. Good agreement is obtained between NO ERE-CARS measurements and the results of flame computations using UNICORN, a two-dimensional flame code. Excellent agreement between measured and calculated NO spectra is also obtained when using a modified version of the Sandia CARSFT code for heavily sooting acetylene-air flames (φ=0.8 to φ=1.6) on the same Hencken burner. Finally, NO concentration profiles are measured using ERE-CARS in a laminar, counter-flow, non-premixed hydrogen-air flame. Spectral scans are recorded by probing the Q₁ (9.5), Q₁ (13.5) and Q₁ (17.5) Raman transitions. The measured shape of the [NO] profile is in good agreement with that predicted using the OPPDIF code, even without correcting for collisional effects. These comparisons between [NO] measurements and predictions establish the utility of ERE-CARS for detection of NO in flames with large temperature and concentration gradients as well as in sooting environments. PACS 07.88.+y; 42.62.Fi; 42.65.Dr     

Energy levels of 56Co studied by the 58Ni(d, α)56Co reaction near 0°

Tensor analyzing powers, T₂₀, of outgoing α-particles in the ⁵⁸Ni($\text{d}$, α)⁵⁶Co reaction at detection angles near 0° have been measured for excited states in ⁵⁶Co for beam energies of 6.75, 7.0, 7.5, 9.0 and 9.5 MeV. Thirty-seven spin-parity combinations for ⁵⁶Co excited states have been deduced. Previous J^π ambiguities for 11 of these states have been eliminated, and results in conflict with existing assignments for the levels at 3.235 and 3.378 MeV have been obtained. A search for 0⁺ states was carried out from angular distribution measurements at forward angles of the unpolarized (d, α) reaction. The combined results from this and previous experiments were found to be in reasonable agreement with calculated level schemes.     

Synthesis of a eta 2-2,3-diphosphabutadiene complex of zerovalent platinum from the corresponding eta 2-phosphaalkyne complex

Hydrozirconation of the eta 2-phosphaalkyne complex [Pt(dppe)(eta 2-tBuCP)] with [ZrHCl(eta 5-C5H5)2], followed by treatment with the chlorophosphaalkene ClP=C(SiMe3)2 affords the eta 2-2,3-diphosphabutadiene complex [Pt(dppe)(eta 2-tBuC(H)=PP=C(SiMe3)2]. In the presence of [Pt(PPh3)2] the latter undergoes an addition reaction with water to afford the structurally characterised Pt(II) complex [Pt(dppe)(tBuCH2P(O)HPC(SiMe3)2].     

The selection rule in (d, α) reactions leading to 0+ antianalogue states in odd-odd nuclei

We point out that, in many cases, anti-analogue 0⁺ states cannot be populated in )d, α) reactions. This results from the particular isospin structure of the anti-analogue, and may well be new, useful, tool to aid in the identification of such states. A particular example arising in the ⁴² Ca (d, α) reaction is generalized in a straightforward way.     

Spin-parity assignments for 66Cu levels via the 68Zn(d, α)66Cu reaction

The ⁶⁸Zn($\text{d}$, α)⁶⁶Cu reaction populating low-lying states in ⁶⁶Cu has been studied at θ_lab = 4° using deuteron beams in the energy range 9.0 to 10.5 MeV. Tensor analyzing powers were calculated and natural- or unnatural-parity assignments were made for thirteen states in ⁶⁶Cu. By combining these results with existing limits unambiguous J^π assignments of 2⁺, 2⁺, 2⁺ and 1⁺ have been made for the levels at 186, 465, 822 and 1344 keV respectively. The previous tentative assignments to seven other levels have been confirmed while that for the 1247 keV level has been shown to be incorrect. The identification of the quartet of levels based on the $\text{π(}\text{P}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>3</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{)v(}\text{f}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>5</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{)}$ configuration has been confirmed.     

Use of tensor polarized deuterons in method II angular correlations

A new technique for gamma-ray angular correlation measurements using tensor polarized deuterons is illustrated with the ${}^{24}\text{Mg}\text{(}\text{d}\text{, αγ)}{}^{22}\text{Na}$ reaction. The 4.77 MeV level of ²²Na is assigned J^π = 3⁺ and the transition to the 1.95 MeV level is determined to be pure magnetic dipole.     

Spin-parity combinations in 16N from the 18O(d,α)16N reaction

The reaction ¹⁸O(d, α)¹⁶N has been studied using a tensor-polarized deuteron beam at incident energies of 8.50, 9.25, 10.00, 10.30, 10.75 and 11.30 MeV. From measurement of the tensor analysing power of the reaction when the α-particles are emitted near 0°, spin-parity combinations have been deduced for thirteen levels in ¹⁶N up to 6.2 MeV excitation. These results, together with previous work, lead to new and unambiguous spin and parity assignments for four of these levels.     

Directing single-walled carbon nanotubes to self-assemble at water/oil interfaces and facilitate electron transfer

Both the behavior and the general key factors for assembling flexible SWNT films at the water/oil interface were investigated; the electron transfer, one of the most fundamental chemical processes, at the SWNT-sandwiched water/oil interface was also firstly illustrated using scanning electrochemical microscopy.     

Measurements of mean and fluctuating temperature in an underexpanded jet using electrostrictive laser-induced gratings

Instantaneous temperature measurements were obtained in an underexpanded jet using electrostrictive laser-induced gratings. Evaluation of the technique under static, low-pressure conditions provided a baseline uncertainty or precision for single-shot temperature measurements of 4.4% of the local mean temperature, which represents the minimum detectable temperature fluctuation. The underexpanded jet was operated at a nozzle pressure ratio of 2.39 and a fully expanded jet Mach number of 1.19. Data were acquired along the centerline and over two radial traverses through the shear layer. Mean temperature data agree well with expectations, describing the shock-cell structure and the compressible shear layer. The growth in shear-layer width with downstream distance can be identified in the mean and fluctuating temperature measurements. Temperature fluctuations are near the baseline detection limit in the jet core and surrounding ambient air, and reach a maximum in the shear layer. The temperature fluctuation measurements compare well with previous computational and experimental work, confirming the application of the technique to a turbulent, supersonic flow.