Overtone spectroscopy of some benzaldehyde derivatives

Overtone spectrum of o, m and p-nitrobenzaldehydes and p-chlorobenzaldehyde has been studied in 2000–12000 cm⁻¹ region. Vibrational frequencies and anharmonicity constants for aryl as well as alkyl CH stretch vibrations have been determined. We have also determined the internuclear distances for the aryl CH bond in the different molecules. The small variation observed in these distances is an indication of the substitution effect. It is observed that in the case of p-disubstituted benzens, the shift in aryl CH bond is proportional to sum of the Hammet σ of the substituents. However in the case of o-disubstituted benzenes it is only 80% of the para-substituted shift.     

Compact Mode Converter System for the Cold Test of Assembled Gyrotrons

A microwave system is described which allows testing of the quasi-optical mode converter in a gyrotron, which is completely assembled except for the attachment of the electron gun. Test results are presented for a TE_6,2,1 gyrotron, and a similar design for a TE_28,7,1 gyrotron is shown.     

Extremes of nuclear structure

With the advent of medium and large gamma detector arrays, it is now possible to look at nuclear structure at high rotational forces. The role of pairing correlations and their eventual breakdown, along with the shell effects have showed us the interesting physics for nuclei at high spins — superdeformation, shape co-existence, yrast traps, alignments and their dramatic effects on nuclear structure and so on. Nuclear structure studies have recently become even more exciting, due to efforts and possibilities to reach nuclei far off from the stability valley. Coupling of gamma ray arrays with ‘filters’, like neutron wall, charged particle detector array, gamma ray total energy and multiplicity castles, conversion electron spectrometers etc gives a great handle to study nuclei produced online with ‘low’ cross-sections. Recently we studied, nuclei in mass region 80 using an array of 8 germanium detectors in conjunction with the recoil mass analyser, HIRA at the Nuclear Science Centre and, most unexpectedly came across the phenomenon of identical bands, with two quasi-particle difference. The discovery of magnetic rotation is another highlight. Our study of light In nucleus, 107In brought us face to face with the ‘dipole’ bands. I plan to discuss some of these aspects. There is also an immensely important development — that of the ‘radioactive ion beams’. The availability of RIB, will probably very dramatically influence our ‘conventional’ concept of nuclear structure. The exotic shapes of these exotic nuclei and some of their expected properties will also be touched upon.     

Preparation, structural analysis and dielectric properties of Bi x La1−x FeO3 perovskite

Rare earth element substituted bismuth ferrites (BiFeO₃) are of enormous importance as magnetoelectric materials. The polycrystalline samples of Bi _x La_1−x FeO₃ (x=0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8) were prepared by solid-state reaction using standard ceramic method. The single-phase formation of these compounds was confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies. The samples with x=0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6 are found to be orthorhombic while the sample with x=0.8 is triclinic. The dielectric constant (ε′) and dissipation factor (tan δ) were measured in the frequency range 100 Hz to 1 MHz at room temperature and as a function of temperature at certain fixed frequencies (1 kHz, 10 kHz, 100 kHz, 1 MHz). All the samples showed dielectric dispersion. The dielectric constant with temperature shows a broad peak; the peak temperature shifts with frequency which reflects the relaxor-type behavior. The peak above 600 K in the measured temperature range corresponds to antiferromagnetic ordering temperature (Néel temperature). The broadness of the peak changes with composition. The ac conductivity as well as ε′ are found to be maximum for the sample x=0.2 at room temperature.     

Differentiation of neurons from neural precursors generated in floating spheres from embryonic stem cells

Background  

Neural differentiation of embryonic stem (ES) cells is usually achieved by induction of ectoderm in embryoid bodies followed by the enrichment of neuronal progenitors using a variety of factors. Obtaining reproducible percentages of neural cells is difficult and the methods are time consuming.     

Long-pulse and CW tests of a 110-GHz gyrotron with an internal,quasi-optical converter

A high-power gyrotron, employing an internal converter that produces a Gaussian-like output mode, has been designed and tested. The tube employed a TE_22.6.1-mode interaction cavity that was designed for operation at a frequency of 110 GHz. An internal converter, consisting of an advanced launcher design and four mirrors, produced a Gaussian mode that had a relatively uniform profile at the tube output window to minimize the peak power density. Tests on the tube resulted in output power levels of 680, 530, and 350 kW for pulse durations of 0.5, 2.0, and 10.0 s, respectively. Measurements of the temperature of the output window were made during the long-pulse tests. Output power levels of 1 MW were achieved under short-pulse (1 ms) operation and the tube was operated at CW power levels in excess of 100 kW     

Design and emission uniformity studies of a 1.5-MW gyrotron electron gun

We present the design and initial operation of a 96-kV 40-A magnetron injection gun for a 1.5-MW 110-GHz gyrotron. A critical parameter for the successful application of this electron gun is the uniformity of electron emission. The current-voltage curve of emission, at a series of temperatures, is measured. Analysis indicates that the work function of the emitter is 1.6 eV with a (total) spread of 0.07 /spl plusmn/ 0.01 eV. Measurement of the azimuthal emission uniformity with a rotating probe indicates that the work function variation around the azimuth, the global spread, is 0.04 /spl plusmn/ 0.02 eV. The spread due to local (microscopic scale) work function variations is then calculated to be 0.06 /spl plusmn/ 0.02 eV. Temperature variation can be ruled out as the cause of the observed emission nonuniformity.