Recent advances in microwave-assisted combinatorial synthesis and library generation

Progress and developments made in microwave-assisted combinatorial synthesis and library production since 2002 are reviewed. The use of microwave technology in both solution and solid phase synthesis is discussed with special reference to agrochemical applications where appropriate.     

Critical evaluation of spiking of low-grade ore samples in activation analysis for gold and uranium

In applying non-destructive neutron-activation analysis for gold and uranium in spiked low-grade ore samples, the following extrapolated unspiked concentrations were measured: 0.27₈ ± 0.01₅ ppm gold (chemical assay: 0.20₂ ± 0.02₀ ppm gold); 25.1 ± 1.1 ppm uranium (chemical assay value: 19.5 ±2.0 ppm uranium). Different approaches to the fitting of results, and the influence of spiking non-uniformity, are discussed.     

Laser action below threshold inversion due to coherent population trapping

The possibility of lasing without inversion on the 1079.8 nm line of a HeNe laser is investigated. It is shown that a modified double- scheme can be realized by use of the 877.9 nm line for introducing Zeeman coherence. It is shown experimentally that Zeeman coherence can enforce laser action, even if the inversion is below threshold. A different choice of the polarization of the driving beam can result in suppression of laser action above threshold. The underlying mechanisms are examined. On the 611.8 nm line, laser action below threshold inversion is obtained with the driving beam tuned to 824.9 nm (up-conversion).