E2 nuclear resonance effects in pionic and kaonic atoms

The attenuation due to the E2 nuclear resonance effect has been measured in hadronic atoms using pions with ¹¹¹Cd and ¹¹²Cd, and for kaons with ¹²²Sn. Energies of the relevant X-ray and γ-ray transitions and of the X-ray cascade intensities have also been measured so as to give a self-consistent set of information. The results are found to be in very good agreement with theoretical calculations.     

Equilibrium charge-state fractions for 2.7–31 keV deuterium atoms and ions in strontium vapor

Equilibrium charge-state fractions of 2.7–31 keV deuterium in strontium vapor are reported. The energy dependence of the D^- equilibrium yield is discussed. The results are compared with the D^- yield in cesium and magnesium vapors.     

Doppler-shifted nuclear gamma rays following stopped K− capture in aluminium

The Doppler broadened ²⁶Mg^* decay gamma peak hasma peak has been observed in coincidence with stopped kaons in an Al target. The results are compared with predictions based on single-nucleon absorption of the kaon.     

Kaonic Hydrogen atom X-rays

The X-ray spectrum obtained with kaons stopping in liquid hydrogen has been measured. Possible candidates for X-ray lines from kaonic hydrogen atoms have been identified and the results compared with previous experiments and with theoretical predictions. X-ray lines from σ^?p atoms may also have been observed.     

Analysis of volatiles and semivolatiles in drinking water by microextraction and thermal desorption

A new technique to analyze aqueous samples for nanograms per liter levels of volatile and semivolatile compounds using microextraction and thermal desorption into a gas chromatograph/ion trap mass spectrometer (GC/MS) is described. This method is inherently sensitive (50 mL of aqueous sample is extracted prior to each desorption), uses no solvents, and detects volatiles and semivolatiles in the same analysis. Aqueous standards and environmental samples are pumped through a length of porous-layer open-tubular capillary column, which is then thermally desorbed onto a 30 m × 0.25 mm i.d. analytical column interfaced to an ion trap mass spectrometer for subsequent separation and detection. Sharp chromatographic peaks and reproducible retention times (RT) were observed. Replicate injections of surrogates (n = 6) averaged 32.6% R.S.D. Analysis of domestic tap water detected 55 analytes, some at the low-nanograms per liter level, and detected 3 halogenated ethenes, not previously reported in drinking water. Analysis of an aqueous sample from a municipal ground water source detected the presence of numerous semivolatile compounds at trace-levels.     

Supercritical fluid extraction of high sulfur soils, with use of a copper scavenger

Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) of sulfur-containing soils and sediments was hindered by deposition of elemental sulfur in the restrictor stopping the flow of carbon dioxide. It was found that a copper scavenger column placed after the sample cell removed the elemental sulfur, making SF extraction and quantification possible. Conditions are described for SFE and analysis of two standard reference materials (SRM), with use of a copper scavenger column. Quantification was performed by gas chromatography with mass spectrometric detection and the results were compared with the certified SRM values.     

Reaction kinetics of the esterification of lauric acid in iso-octane using an immobilized biocatalyst

The kinetics of the esterification of lauric acid with geraniol catalyzed by a commercially immobilized lipase preparation fromMucor miehei, Lipozyme, was studied in well-stirred flasks under conditions of no external mass transfer limitations. It was shown that the reaction is inhibited by lauric acid and the reaction mechanism can be described as a Ping-Pong Bi-Bi with Dead-End inhibition caused by lauric acid.     

The branching ratio for K−p → Λγ at rest

The reaction K^?p → Λγ, produced by K^? stopping in a liquid hydrogen target, has been studied using a NaI(Tl) gamma-ray spectrometer. The branching ratio is

$\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{?}}\text{p}\text{→Λγ}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{?}}\text{p}\text{→}\text{anything}\text{=(2.8±0.8)×10}{}^{\mathrm{?3}}$

based on 1355 events assigned to this branch. This is in conflict with a previous experiment, but agrees with one of the two published calculations, when recent values for the coupling constants and scattering amplitudes are used.