PENTATRAP: A novel Penning-trap system for high-precision mass measurements

The novel Penning-trap mass spectrometer PENTATRAP aims at mass-ratio determinations of medium-heavy to heavy ions with relative uncertainties below 10−11. From the mass ratios of certain ion species, the corresponding mass differences will be determined with sub-eV/c2uncertainties. These mass differences are relevant for neutrino-mass experiments, a test of special relativity and tests of bound-state QED. Means to obtain the required precision are very stable trapping fields, the use of highly-charged ions produced by EBITs, a non-destructive cyclotron-frequency determination scheme employing detectors with single-ion sensitivity and a five-trap tower, that allows for measurement schemes being insensitive to magnetic field drifts. Within this thesis, part of the detection electronics was set up and tested under experimental conditions. A single-trap setup was realized. A Faraday cup in the trap tower enabled the proper adjustment of the settings of the beamline connecting the EBIT and the Penning-trap system, resulting in the first trapping of ions at PENTATRAP. A stabilization of switched voltages in the beamline and detailed studies of ion bunch characteristics allowed for reproducible loading of only a few ions. Detection of the axial oscillation of the trapped ions gave hints that in some cases, even single ions had been trapped. Furthermore, valuable conclusions about necessary modifications of the setup could be drawn

Strain-induced insulator state in La_0.7Sr_0.3CoO_3

We report on the observation of a strain-induced insulator state in ferromagnetic La_0.7Sr_0.3CoO_3 films. Tensile strain above 1% is found to enhance the resistivity by several orders of magnitude. Reversible strain of 0.15% applied using a piezoelectric substrate triggers huge resistance modulations, including a change by a factor of 10 in the paramagnetic regime at 300 K. However, below the ferromagnetic ordering temperature, the magnetization data indicate weak dependence on strain for the spin state of the Co ions. We interpret the changes observed in the transport properties in terms of a strain-induced splitting of the Co e_g levels and reduced double exchange, combined with a percolation-type conduction in an electronic cluster state

Reversible strain effect on the magnetization of LaCoO3 films

The magnetization of ferromagnetic LaCoO3 films grown epitaxially on piezoelectric substrates has been found to systematically decrease with the reduction of tensile strain. The magnetization change induced by the reversible strain variation reveals an increase of the Co magnetic moment with tensile strain. The biaxial strain dependence of the Curie temperature is estimated to be below 4K/% in the as-grown tensile strain state of our films. This is in agreement with results from statically strained films on various substrates

The 14C(n,g) cross section between 10 keV and 1 MeV

The neutron capture cross section of 14C is of relevance for several nucleosynthesis scenarios such as inhomogeneous Big Bang models, neutron induced CNO cycles, and neutrino driven wind models for the r process. The 14C(n,g) reaction is also important for the validation of the Coulomb dissociation method, where the (n,g) cross section can be indirectly obtained via the time-reversed process. So far, the example of 14C is the only case with neutrons where both, direct measurement and indirect Coulomb dissociation, have been applied. Unfortunately, the interpretation is obscured by discrepancies between several experiments and theory. Therefore, we report on new direct measurements of the 14C(n,g) reaction with neutron energies ranging from 20 to 800 keV

New constraints from U–Pb dating of detrital zircons on the palaeogeographic origin of metasediments in the Talea Ori, central Crete

High-pressure low-temperature metamorphic sediments of the Phyllite–Quartzite unit sensu stricto and the Talea Ori group are investigated in the field, microstructurally and by U–Pb dating of detrital zircons to shed light on their palaeogeographic origin. Zircon age spectra with ages >450 Ma of the Phyllite–Quartzite unit sensu stricto indicate a palaeogeographic origin at the northern margin of East Gondwana. In contrast, the lower stratigraphic, siliciclastic formations of the Talea Ori group show a high number of well-rounded Cambrian to Early Carboniferous aged zircons and a Neoproterozoic zircon age spectrum with East Gondwana affinity. Based on the comparison of zircon age data, a possible distal sediment source is the Sakarya Zone at the southern active margin of Eurasia. To reconcile the zircon data with the geological observations we propose different alternative models, or a combination of these, including sediment transport from the Sakarya Zone and/or a westerly source towards the northern margin of Gondwana as well as terrane-displacement of the Sakarya Zone. Also, a palaeogeographic origin of the Talea Ori group at the southern active margin of Eurasia cannot be excluded. This alternative, however, would not be consistent with the usually assumed association of the Talea Ori group with the Plattenkalk unit characterized by a palaeogeographic origin at the northern margin of Gondwana

High prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency in professional handball athletes

OBJECTIVES: Vitamin D affects multiple body functions through the regulation of gene expression. In sports medicine, its influence on musculoskeletal health and performance is of particular interest. Vitamin D insufficiency might decrease athletic performance and increase the risk of musculoskeletal injuries. Several studies have demonstrated vitamin D deficiency in professional athletes; however, the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency in professional handball players is yet unknown. METHODS: The study was planned as a prospective, non-interventional study. We examined 70 male elite handball athletes (first league) in a pre-competition medical assessment in July. Age, height, weight, body mass index, 25-OH vitamin D, calcium, and parathyroid hormone were evaluated, and a sun exposure score was calculated. Players were then divided into two groups of vitamin D levels: insufficient (<30 ng/mL) and sufficient (≥30 ng/mL). RESULTS: The mean 25-OH vitamin D level of the 70 players was 33.5 ± 10.9 ng/mL (median 32.2, IQR 26.5-38.9 ng/mL). Thirty-nine (55.7%) had sufficient and 31 (44.3%) insufficient levels. Athletes with sufficient vitamin D levels had significantly lower parathyroid hormone levels than athletes with insufficiency (24.9 ± 12.1 vs. 33.5 ± 15.1 ng/mL, p = 0.02). All other parameters evaluated demonstrated no significant difference between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Vitamin D insufficiency is a common finding in professional handball athletes even in summer, which might negatively affect physical performance. Furthermore, it might lead to an increased risk of musculoskeletal injuries and infections. This should be evaluated in further studies

Electron correlation vs. stabilization: A two-electron model atom in an intense laser pulse

We study numerically stabilization against ionization of a fully correlated two-electron model atom in an intense laser pulse. We concentrate on two frequency regimes: very high frequency, where the photon energy exceeds both, the ionization potential of the outer {\em and} the inner electron, and an intermediate frequency where, from a ``single active electron''-point of view the outer electron is expected to stabilize but the inner one is not. Our results reveal that correlation reduces stabilization when compared to results from single active electron-calculations. However, despite this destabilizing effect of electron correlation we still observe a decreasing ionization probability within a certain intensity domain in the high-frequency case. We compare our results from the fully correlated simulations with those from simpler, approximate models. This is useful for future work on ``real'' more-than-one electron atoms, not yet accessible to numerical {\em ab initio} methods.Comment: 8 pages, 8 figures in an extra ps-file, submitted to Phys. Rev. A, updated references and shortened introductio