312 research outputs found
Scientific applications and advantages of a low-energy synchrotron radiation source
Abstract. Recent improvements to the synchrotron ultraviolet radiation facility led to unprecedented performance. High injection currents and beam stability, as well as tunable electron energies over a wide range make this storage ring a prime source for synchrotron radiation from the extreme-ultraviolet to far-infrared spectral regions. We will discuss plans to capitalize on this unprecedented performance through implementation of new experimental stations and extension of existing ones. It also will be shown that for applications using extremeultraviolet to infrared synchrotron radiation a low electron energy storage ring has distinct advantages
Mind the Gap: Persistent and Mobile Organic CompoundsâWater Contaminants That Slip Through
The discharge of persistent and mobile organic chemicals (PMOCs) into the aquatic environment is a threat to the quality of our water resources. PMOCs are highly polar (mobile in water) and can pass through wastewater treatment plants, subsurface environments and potentially also drinking water treatment processes. While a few such compounds are known, we infer that their number is actually much larger. This Feature highlights the issue of PMOCs from an environmental perspective and assesses the gaps that appear to exist in terms of analysis, monitoring, water treatment and regulation. On this basis we elaborate strategies on how to narrow these gaps with the intention to better protect our water resources
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Resonant inelastic x-ray scattering from molecules and atoms
X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy is one of the most powerful methods for the understanding of the electronic structure of matter. We report here on fluorescence experiments in the 2 to 6 keV photon energy range using tunable synchrotron radiation and the resulting experimental programs on resonant inelastic scattering in atoms and on polarization measurements in resonant molecular excitations
Abundances in bulge stars from high-resolution, near-IR spectra I. The CNO elements observed during the science verification of CRIRES at VLT
The formation and evolution of the Milky Way bulge is not yet well understood
and its classification is ambiguous. Constraints can, however, be obtained by
studying the abundances of key elements in bulge stars. The aim of this study
is to determine the chemical evolution of CNO, and a few other elements in
stars in the Galactic bulge, and to discuss the sensitivities of the derived
abundances from molecular lines. High-resolution, near-IR spectra in the H band
were recorded using VLT/CRIRES. Due to the high and variable visual extinction
in the line-of-sight towards the bulge, an analysis in the near-IR is
preferred. The CNO abundances can all be determined simultaneously from the
numerous molecular lines in the wavelength range observed. The three giant
stars in Baade's window presented here are the first bulge stars observed with
CRIRES. We have especially determined the CNO abundances, with uncertainties of
less than 0.20 dex, from CO, CN, and OH lines. Since the systematic
uncertainties in the derived CNO abundances due to uncertainties in the stellar
fundamental parameters, notably Teff, are significant, a detailed discussion of
the sensitivities of the derived abundances is included. We find good agreement
between near-IR and optically determined O, Ti, Fe, and Si abundances. Two of
our stars show a solar [C+N/Fe], suggesting that these giants have experienced
the first dredge-up and that the oxygen abundance should reflect the original
abundance of the giants. The two giants fit into the picture, in which there is
no significant difference between the O abundance in bulge and thick-disk
stars. Our determination of the S abundances is the first for bulge stars. The
high [S/Fe] values for all the stars indicate a high star-formation rate in an
early phase of the bulge evolution.Comment: Accepted by A&
Gravitational Waveguides in Cosmology
We discuss the possibility that, besides the usual gravitational lensing,
there may exist a sort of gravitational waveguiding in cosmology which could
explain some anomalous phenomena which cannot be understood by the current
gravitational lensing models as the existence of "brothers" objects having
different brilliancy but similar spectra and redshifts posed on the sky with
large angular distance. Furthermore, such a phenomena could explain the huge
luminosities coming from quasars using the cosmological structures as
selfoc-type or planar waveguide. We describe the gravitational waveguide theory
and then we discuss possible realizations in cosmology.Comment: 14 pages, latex, submitted to Int. Jou. Mod. Phys.
Cosmological waveguides for gravitational waves
We study the linearized equations describing the propagation of gravitational
waves through dust. In the leading order of the WKB approximation, dust behaves
as a non-dispersive, non-dissipative medium. Taking advantage of these
features, we explore the possibility that a gravitational wave from a distant
source gets trapped by the gravitational field of a long filament of galaxies
of the kind seen in the large scale structure of the Universe. Such a
waveguiding effect may lead to a huge magnification of the radiation from
distant sources, thus lowering the sensitivity required for a successful
detection of gravitational waves by detectors like VIRGO, LIGO and LISA.Comment: 19 pages, compressed Latex fil
Effect of Parameters on Oxychlorination of Tert-Butyl Ethers
The effect of concentration, molar ratios of reagents, pH, and temperature on formation of chloro-organic products in reaction of tert-butyl ethers with chloride ions and hydrogen peroxide has been determined. A significant effect of Clâ ions and H2O2 molar ratios on the rate of chloro-organic product formation has been observed. Studies on oxychlorination of tert-butylethyl ether (ETBE) at pH 7, 3.5, and 2.5 have been carried out. It was found that introduction of hydronium ions into the reaction system considerably hastened the process of chloro-organic product formation. Hydronium ions contribute to the formation of the reactive tert-butyl carbocation, which undergoes secondary reactions in the presence of reactive forms of chlorine and oxygen. Moreover, the effect of temperature on ETBE (tert-butylethyl ether) and MTBE (tert-butylmethyl ether) conversions was verified. The reactions of MTBE and ETBE oxychlorination were carried out at temperatures of 5°C, 20°C, and 35°C
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