Experimental investigation of homogeneous freezing of sulphuric acid particles in the aerosol chamber AIDA

The homogeneous freezing of supercooled H₂SO₄/H₂O solution droplets was investigated in the aerosol chamber AIDA (Aerosol Interactions and Dynamics in the Atmosphere) of Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe. 24 freezing experiments were performed at temperatures between 189 and 235 K with aerosol particles in the diameter range 0.05 to 1 µm. Individual experiments started at homogeneous temperatures and ice saturation ratios between 0.9 and 0.95. Cloud cooling rates up to -2.8 K min^-1 were simulated dynamically in the chamber by expansion cooling using a mechanical pump. Depending on the cooling rate and starting temperature, freezing threshold relative humidities were exceeded after expansion time periods between about 1 and 10 min. The onset of ice formation was measured with three independent methods showing good agreement among each other. Ice saturation ratios measured at the onset of ice formation increased from about 1.4 at 231 K  to about 1.75 at 189 K. The experimental data set including thermodynamic parameters as well as physical and chemical aerosol analysis provides a good basis for microphysical model applications

Exclusive Leptoproduction of rho^0 Mesons from Hydrogen at Intermediate Virtual Photon Energies

Measurements of the cross section for exclusive virtual-photoproduction of rho^0 mesons from hydrogen are reported. The data were collected by the HERMES experiment using 27.5 GeV positrons incident on a hydrogen gas target in the HERA storage ring. The invariant mass W of the photon-nucleon system ranges from 4.0 to 6.0 GeV, while the negative squared four-momentum Q^2 of the virtual photon varies from 0.7 to 5.0 GeV^2. The present data together with most of the previous data at W > 4 GeV are well described by a model that infers the W-dependence of the cross section from the dependence on the Bjorken scaling variable x of the unpolarized structure function for deep-inelastic scattering. In addition, a model calculation based on Off-Forward Parton Distributions gives a fairly good account of the longitudinal component of the rho^0 production cross section for Q^2 > 2 GeV^2.Comment: 10 pages, 6 embedded figures, LaTeX for SVJour(epj) document class. Revisions: curves added to Fig. 1, several clarifications added to tex

Double-Spin Asymmetry in the Cross Section for Exclusive rho^0 Production in Lepton-Proton Scattering

Evidence for a positive longitudinal double-spin asymmetry = 0.24 +-0.11 (stat) +-0.02 (syst) in the cross section for exclusive diffractive rho^0(770) vector meson production in polarised lepton-proton scattering was observed by the HERMES experiment. The longitudinally polarised 27.56 GeV HERA positron beam was scattered off a longitudinally polarised pure hydrogen gas target. The average invariant mass of the photon-proton system has a value of = 4.9 GeV, while the average negative squared four-momentum of the virtual photon is = 1.7 GeV^2. The ratio of the present result to the corresponding spin asymmetry in inclusive deep-inelastic scattering is in agreement with an early theoretical prediction based on the generalised vector meson dominance model.Comment: 10 pages, 4 embedded figures, LaTe

Developing 1D nanostructure arrays for future nanophotonics

There is intense and growing interest in one-dimensional (1-D) nanostructures from the perspective of their synthesis and unique properties, especially with respect to their excellent optical response and an ability to form heterostructures. This review discusses alternative approaches to preparation and organization of such structures, and their potential properties. In particular, molecular-scale printing is highlighted as a method for creating organized pre-cursor structure for locating nanowires, as well as vapor–liquid–solid (VLS) templated growth using nano-channel alumina (NCA), and deposition of 1-D structures with glancing angle deposition (GLAD). As regards novel optical properties, we discuss as an example, finite size photonic crystal cavity structures formed from such nanostructure arrays possessing highQand small mode volume, and being ideal for developing future nanolasers

THE VARIAN 250 MeV SUPERCONDUCTING COMPACT PROTON CYCLOTRON: MEDICAL OPERATION OF THE 2nd MACHINE,PRODUCTION AND COMMISSIONING STATUS OF MACHINES

Varian Medical Systems Particle Therapy has successfully commissioned its 2nd superconducting compact proton cyclotron for use in proton therapy in 2008. The 250 MeV machine serves as proton source for treatments at the first clinical proton therapy center in Germany which opened in early 2009. Furthermore, Varian is currently commissioning and factory testing its 3rd machine. We report on the operation and performance of the 2nd machine as well as on the successful cool-down, quench testing, and magnetic shimming of the 3rd machine. In addition we present RF commissioning plans using a newly developed solid state amplifier, and plans for the upcoming factory beam commissioning in the new Varian cyclotron scanning nozzle test cell, scheduled for October 2010. Finally we provide a brief status and outlook on machines no. 4 to 7.IMP;Chinese Academy of Science

A mass spectrometer system for analysis of polar stratospheric aerosols

A balloon-borne mass spectrometer system has been flown successfully to determine the chemical composition of polar stratospheric aerosols over northern Scandinavia. The experiment combines an aerodynamic lens which collimates the aerosols into a narrow beam, a small sphere in which they evaporate, and a mass spectrometer for gas analysis. High-speed differential pumping by two liquid helium pumps effectively lowers the presence of ambient gases without affecting the particles of the beam. Field measurements and aerosol studies inside a large cryo-chamber have shown that the concept of particle focusing, evaporation and subsequent mass spectrometric gas analysis is a reliable technique to determine the molecular composition of aerosols especially in polar stratospheric clouds. (C) 2002 American Institute of Physics

A mass spectrometer system for analysis of polar stratospheric aerosols

A balloon-borne mass spectrometer system has been flown successfully to determine the chemical composition of polar stratospheric aerosols over northern Scandinavia. The experiment combines an aerodynamic lens which collimates the aerosols into a narrow beam, a small sphere in which they evaporate, and a mass spectrometer for gas analysis. High-speed differential pumping by two liquid helium pumps effectively lowers the presence of ambient gases without affecting the particles of the beam. Field measurements and aerosol studies inside a large cryo-chamber have shown that the concept of particle focusing, evaporation and subsequent mass spectrometric gas analysis is a reliable technique to determine the molecular composition of aerosols especially in polar stratospheric clouds. (C) 2002 American Institute of Physics