An Easily Constructed, Tuning Free, Ultra-broadband Probe for NMR

We have developed an easy to construct, non-resonant wideband NMR probe. The probe is of the saddle coil geometry and is designed such that the coil itself forms a transmission line. The probe thus requires no tuning or matching elements. We use the probe with a spectrometer whose duplexer circuitry employs a simple RF switch instead of the more common lambda/4 lines, so the entire probe and spectrometer perform in an essentially frequency-independent manner. Despite being designed with electro- and magnetostatic formulas, the probe performs well at frequencies up to 150 MHz and beyond. We expect that with additional design effort, the probe could be modified for use at significantly higher frequencies. Because our construction method relies on commercial circuit fabrication techniques, identical probes can be easily and accurately produced

Formation of ultracold Rb 2 molecules in the v′′ = 0 level of the a 3Σ + u state via blue-detuned photoassociation to the 1 3Π g state

We report on the observation of blue-detuned photoassociation in Rb2, in which vibrational levels are energetically above the corresponding excited atomic asymptote. 85Rb atoms in a MOT were photoassociated at short internuclear distance to levels of the 13Πg state at a rate of approximately 5 × 104 molecules s−1. We have observed most of the predicted vibrational levels for all four spin–orbit components; 0+g, 0−g, 1g, and 2g, including levels of the 0+g outer well. These molecules decay to the metastable a3Σ+u state, some preferentially to the v′′ = 0 level, as we have observed for photoassociation to the v′ = 8 level of the 1g component

Using Molecules to Measure Nuclear Spin-Dependent Parity Violation

Nuclear spin-dependent parity violation arises from weak interactions between electrons and nucleons, and from nuclear anapole moments. We outline a method to measure such effects, using a Stark-interference technique to determine the mixing between opposite-parity rotational/hyperfine levels of ground-state molecules. The technique is applicable to nuclei over a wide range of atomic number, in diatomic species that are theoretically tractable for interpretation. This should provide data on anapole moments of many nuclei, and on previously unmeasured neutral weak couplings

Optical Coatings for Thermophotovoltaic Spectral Control

The efficiency of thermophotovoltaic (TPV) energy conversion is dependent on efficient spectral control. An edge pass filter (short pass) in series with a highly doped, epitaxially grown layer has achieved the highest performance of TPV spectral control. Front surface, tandem filters have achieved the highest spectral efficiency and represent the best prospect for even higher spectral efficiency for TPV energy conversion systems. Specifically, improvements in the physical vapor deposition process, identification of other materials with a high index of refraction and a low absorption coefficient, and more efficient edge filter designs could provide higher TPV spectral performance

Front Surface Spectral Control Development for TPV Energy Conversion (a Presentation)

This paper discusses the introduction to the potential of alternative materials that provide higher temperature stability than current materials. The outline of this report is: (1) Review briefly the importance of spectral control; (2) Provide current results; (3) Introduce the temperature stability issue; (4) Describe the requirements for alternate materials and (5) Present alternative materials. The conclusions of this report are: (1) Antimony selenide has achieved the highest spectral efficiency to date; (2) Several materials expected to have higher temperature stability have been shown to be viable; (3) So far, with limited development, the performance of the these materials is lower than Antimony selenide; and (4) Additional development will be required to achieve similar or higher performance

The Status of Thermophotovoltaic Energy Conversion Technology at Lockheed Martin Corp.

In a thermophotovoltaic (TPV) energy conversion system, a heated surface radiates in the mid-infrared range onto photodiodes which are sensitive at these energies. Part of the absorbed energy is converted into electric output. Conversion efficiency is maximized by reducing the absorption of non-convertible energy with some form of spectral control. In a TPV system, many technology options exist. The development efforts have concentrated on flat-plate geometries with greybody radiators, low bandgap quaternary diodes, front surface tandem filters and a multi-chip module (MCM) approach that allows selective fabrication processes to match diode performance. Recently, the authors achieved conversion efficiencies of about 20% (radiator 950 C, diodes 22 C) for a module in a prototypic cavity test environment. These tests employed InGaAsSb diodes with 0.52 eV bandgap and front surface filters for spectral control. This paper provides details of the individual system components and describes the measurement technique used to record these efficiencies