156 research outputs found
Theory of double resonance magnetometers based on atomic alignment
We present a theoretical study of the spectra produced by
optical-radio-frequency double resonance devices, in which resonant linearly
polarized light is used in the optical pumping and detection processes. We
extend previous work by presenting algebraic results which are valid for atomic
states with arbitrary angular momenta, arbitrary rf intensities, and arbitrary
geometries. The only restriction made is the assumption of low light intensity.
The results are discussed in view of their use in optical magnetometers
Experimental study of laser detected magnetic resonance based on atomic alignment
We present an experimental study of the spectra produced by
optical/radio-frequency double resonance in which resonant linearly polarized
laser light is used in the optical pumping and detection processes. We show
that the experimental spectra obtained for cesium are in excellent agreement
with a very general theoretical model developed in our group and we investigate
the limitations of this model. Finally, the results are discussed in view of
their use in the study of relaxation processes in aligned alkali vapors.Comment: 8 pages, 9 figures. Submitted to Phys. Rev. A. Related to
physics/060523
Comparison of ultracold neutron sources for fundamental physics measurements
Ultracold neutrons (UCNs) are key for precision studies of fundamental
parameters of the neutron and in searches for new CP violating processes or
exotic interactions beyond the Standard Model of particle physics. The most
prominent example is the search for a permanent electric dipole moment of the
neutron (nEDM). We have performed an experimental comparison of the leading UCN
sources currently operating. We have used a 'standard' UCN storage bottle with
a volume of 32 liters, comparable in size to nEDM experiments, which allows us
to compare the UCN density available at a given beam port.Comment: 20 pages, 30 Figure
Time-of-flight spectroscopy of ultracold neutrons at the PSI UCN source
The ultracold neutron (UCN) source at the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI)
provides high intensities of storable neutrons for fundamental physics
experiments. The neutron velocity spectrum parallel to the beamline axis was
determined by time-of-flight spectroscopy using a neutron chopper. In
particular, the temporal evolution of the spectrum during neutron production
and UCN storage in the source storage volume was investigated and compared to
Monte Carlo simulation results. A softening of the measured spectrum from a
mean velocity of 7.7(1) m s to 5.1(1) m s occurred within the
first 30 s after the proton beam pulse had impinged on the spallation target. A
spectral hardening was observed over longer time scales of one measurement day,
consistent with the effect of surface degradation of the solid deuterium
moderator
Brain stem tumors in children less than 3 months: Clinical and radiologic findings of a rare disease
\ua9 The Author(s) 2024.Purpose: Brain stem tumors in children < 3 months at diagnosis are extremely rare. Our aim is to study a retrospective cohort to improve the understanding of the disease course and guide patient management. Methods: This is a multicenter retrospective analysis across the European Society for Pediatric Oncology SIOP-E HGG/DIPG Working Group linked centers, including patients with a brainstem tumor diagnosed between 2009 and 2020 and aged < 3 months at diagnosis. Clinical data were collected, and imaging characteristics were analyzed blindly and independently by two neuroradiologists. Results: Five cases were identified. No patient received any therapy. The epicenter of two tumors was in the medulla oblongata alone and in the medulla oblongata and the pons in three. For patients with tumor in equal parts in the medulla oblongata and the pons (n = 3), the extension at diagnosis involved the spinal cord; for the two patients with the tumor epicenter in the medulla oblongata alone (n = 2), the extension at diagnosis included the pons (n = 2) and the spinal cord (n = 1). Biopsy was performed in one patient identifying a pilocytic astrocytoma. Two patients died. In one patient, autopsy revealed a high-grade glioma (case 3). Three survivors showed either spontaneous tumor regression (n = 2) or stable disease (n = 1). Survivors were followed up for 10, 7, and 0.6 years, respectively. One case had the typical imaging characteristics of a dorsal exophytic low-grade glioma. Conclusions: No patient fulfilled the radiologic criteria defining a high-grade glioma. Central neuroradiological review and biopsy may provide useful information regarding the patient management
Solid deuterium surface degradation at ultracold neutron sources
Solid deuterium (sD_2) is used as an efficient converter to produce ultracold
neutrons (UCN). It is known that the sD_2 must be sufficiently cold, of high
purity and mostly in its ortho-state in order to guarantee long lifetimes of
UCN in the solid from which they are extracted into vacuum. Also the UCN
transparency of the bulk sD_2 material must be high because crystal
inhomogeneities limit the mean free path for elastic scattering and reduce the
extraction efficiency. Observations at the UCN sources at Paul Scherrer
Institute and at Los Alamos National Laboratory consistently show a decrease of
the UCN yield with time of operation after initial preparation or later
treatment (`conditioning') of the sD_2. We show that, in addition to the
quality of the bulk sD_2, the quality of its surface is essential. Our
observations and simulations support the view that the surface is deteriorating
due to a build-up of D_2 frost-layers under pulsed operation which leads to
strong albedo reflections of UCN and subsequent loss. We report results of UCN
yield measurements, temperature and pressure behavior of deuterium during
source operation and conditioning, and UCN transport simulations. This,
together with optical observations of sD_2 frost formation on initially
transparent sD_2 in offline studies with pulsed heat input at the North
Carolina State University UCN source results in a consistent description of the
UCN yield decrease.Comment: 15 pages, 22 figures, accepted by EPJ-
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