Laser spectroscopy of cold molecules

This paper reviews the recent results in high-resolution spectroscopy on cold molecules. Laser spectroscopy of cold molecules addresses issues of symmetry violation, like in the search for the electric dipole moment of the electron and the studies on energy differences in enantiomers of chiral species; tries to improve the precision to which fundamental physical constants are known and tests for their possible variation in time and space; tests quantum electrodynamics, and searches for a fifth force. Further, we briefly review the recent technological progresses in the fields of cold molecules and mid-infrared lasers, which are the tools that mainly set the limits for the resolution that is currently attainable in the measurements

Observing the intrinsic linewidth of a quantum-cascade laser: beyond the Schawlow-Townes limit

A comprehensive investigation of the frequency-noise spectral density of a free-running mid-infrared quantum-cascade laser is presented for the first time. It provides direct evidence of the leveling of this noise down to a white noise plateau, corresponding to an intrinsic linewidth of a few hundred Hz. The experiment is in agreement with the most recent theory on the fundamental mechanism of line broadening in quantum-cascade lasers, which provides a new insight into the Schawlow-Townes formula and predicts a narrowing beyond the limit set by the radiative lifetime of the upper level.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

Massive creation of entangled exciton states in semiconductor quantum dots

An intense laser pulse propagating in a medium of inhomogeneously broadened quantum dots massively creates entangled exciton states. After passage of the pulse all single-exciton states remain unpopulated (self-induced transparency) whereas biexciton coherence (exciton entanglement) is generated through two-photon transitions. We propose several experimental techniques for the observation of such unexpected behavior

Cellular-Automata model for dense-snow avalanches

This paper introduces a three-dimensional model for simulating dense-snow avalanches, based on the numerical method of cellular automata. This method allows one to study the complex behavior of the avalanche by dividing it into small elements, whose interaction is described by simple laws, obtaining a reduction of the computational power needed to perform a three-dimensional simulation. Similar models by several authors have been used to model rock avalanches, mud and lava flows, and debris avalanches. A peculiar aspect of avalanche dynamics, i.e., the mechanisms of erosion of the snowpack and deposition of material from the avalanche is taken into account in the model. The capability of the proposed approach has been illustrated by modeling three documented avalanches that occurred in Susa Valley (Western Italian Alps). Despite the qualitative observations used for calibration, the proposed method is able to reproduce the correct three-dimensional avalanche path, using a digital terrain model, and the order of magnitude of the avalanche deposit volume

liquid air energy storage as a polygeneration system to solve the unit commitment and economic dispatch problems in micro grids applications

Abstract Storage technologies play a crucial role in polygeneration plants that attempt to integrate power, thermal and cooling energy systems in order to maximize process efficiency and reduce operating cost. With the increasing penetration of renewable energy into the plant, storage technologies help to dampen the intermittency problem in their energy supply whilst at the same time perform peak shaving to reduce primary energy consumption, thus mitigating pollutant emission. Among the various storage technologies, Liquid Air Energy Storage (LAES) have gathered research interest due to its capability of simultaneously producing electrical and cooling power. Furthermore, unlike Electrochemical Energy Storage (EES) technologies, the LAES lifetime is not heavily dependent on its duty cycle, thus allowing for a calendar life twice or thrice that of EES. In this paper, the economic dispatch of an Eco-building in Singapore has been evaluated using a mixed-integer quadratic programming solver by comparing the adoption of EES and LAES within a capacity range of 300kWh-2000kWh. At the higher end of the capacity range, the LAES configuration results in a higher Net Present Value after 20 years and a shorter time period to obtain the Return of Investment compared to that of EES. At the lower capacity range, both technologies give similar financial returns. Analysis of the results show LAES to be a promising technology to compete with EES in the context of a polygeneration plant and further technology integration is discussed

Mechanism-based Inactivation of Dopa Decarboxylase by Serotonin

Abstract Pig kidney dopa decarboxylase (DDC) expressed in Escherichia coli is a homodimeric enzyme containing one catalytically active pyridoxal 5′-phosphate active site per subunit. In addition to catalyzing the decarboxylation of L-aromatic amino acids, DDC also reacts with 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), converting it to 5-hydroxyindolacetaldehyde and ammonia. These products have been identified by means of the enzymes alcohol dehydrogenase and glutamate dehydrogenase, together with high performance liquid chromatographic and mass spectroscopic analysis. The Kcat and Km values of this reaction were determined to be 0.48 min−1 and 0.47 mM, respectively. The NaBH4-reduced enzyme does not catalyze this reaction. Concurrent with this reaction, 5-HT inactivates DDC in both a time- and concentration-dependent manner and exhibits saturation of the rate of inactivation at high concentrations, with Ki and Kinact values of 0.40 mM and 0.023 min−1, respectively. Protection from inactivation by 5-HT was observed in the presence of the active site-directed inhibitor 3,4-dihydroxy-D-phenylalanine. Inactivation with [2-14C]5-HT results in the incorporation of 1 mol of label/enzyme subunit. Taken together, these findings indicate that 5-HT is both a substrate and a mechanism-based inactivator with a partition ratio for product formation versus inactivation of 21. The absorbance, CD, and fluorometric features of 5-HT-inactivated DDC have also been characterized. A speculative mechanism for the reaction and inactivation consistent with the experimental findings is presented

Resonant nature of phonon-induced damping of Rabi oscillations in quantum dots

Optically controlled coherent dynamics of charge (excitonic) degrees of freedom in a semiconductor quantum dot under the influence of lattice dynamics (phonons) is discussed theoretically. We show that the dynamics of the lattice response in the strongly non-linear regime is governed by a semiclassical resonance between the phonon modes and the optically driven dynamics. We stress on the importance of the stability of intermediate states for the truly coherent control.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures; final version; moderate changes, new titl