Scaling fields in the two-dimensional Abelian sandpile model

We consider the isotropic two-dimensional abelian sandpile model from a perspective based on two-dimensional (conformal) field theory. We compute lattice correlation functions for various cluster variables (at and off criticality), from which we infer the field-theoretic description in the scaling limit. We find a perfect agreement with the predictions of a c=-2 conformal field theory and its massive perturbation, thereby providing direct evidence for conformal invariance and more generally for a description in terms of a local field theory. The question of the height 2 variable is also addressed, with however no definite conclusion yet. Comment: 22 pages, 1 figure (eps), uses revte

Spectral-phase interferometry for direct electric-field reconstruction applied to seeded extreme-ultraviolet free-electron lasers

We present a setup for complete characterization of femtosecond pulses generated by seeded free-electron lasers (FEL's) in the extreme-ultraviolet spectral region. Two delayed and spectrally shifted replicas are produced and used for spectral phase interferometry for direct electric field reconstruction (SPIDER). We show that it can be achieved by a simple arrangement of the seed laser. Temporal shape and phase obtained in FEL simulations are well retrieved by the SPIDER reconstruction, allowing to foresee the implementation of this diagnostic on existing and future sources. This will be a significant step towards an experimental investigation and control of FEL spectral phase

Optimized approach to retrieve information on the tropospheric and stratospheric carbonyl sulfide (OCS) vertical distributions above Jungfraujoch from high-resolution FTIR solar spectra

Carbonyl sulfide (OCS), which is produced in the troposphere from both biogenic and anthropogenic sources, is the most abundant gaseous sulfur species in the unpolluted atmosphere. Due to its low chemical reactivity and water solubility, a significant fraction of OCS is able to reach the stratosphere where it is converted to SO2 and ultimately to H2SO4 aerosols (Junge layer). These aerosols have the potential to amplify stratospheric ozone destruction on a global scale and may influence Earth’s radiation budget and climate through increasing solar scattering. The transport of OCS from troposphere to stratosphere is thought to be the primary mechanism by which the Junge layer is sustained during nonvolcanic periods. Because of this, long-term trends in atmospheric OCS concentration, not only in the troposphere but also in the stratosphere, are of great interest. A new approach has been developed and optimized to retrieve atmospheric abundance of OCS from high-resolution ground-based infrared solar spectra by using the SFIT-2 (v3.91) algorithm, including a new model for solar lines simulation (solar lines often produce significant interferences in the OCS microwindows). The strongest lines of the nu3 fundamental band of OCS at 2062 cm-1 have been systematically evaluated with objective criteria to select a new set of microwindows, assuming the HITRAN 2004 spectroscopic parameters with an increase in the OCS line intensities of the nu3band main isotopologue 16O12C32S by 15.79% as compared to HITRAN 2000 (Rothman et al., 2008, and references therein). Two regularization schemes have further been compared (deducted from ATMOS and ACE-FTS measurements or based on a Tikhonov approach), in order to select the one which optimizes the information content while minimizing the error budget. The selected approach has allowed us to determine updated OCS long-term trend from 1988 to 2009 in both the troposphere and the stratosphere, using spectra recorded on a regular basis with Fourier Transform Infrared spectrometers (FTIRs), under clear-sky conditions, at the NDACC site (Network for the Detection of Atmospheric Composition Change, visit http://www.ndacc.org) of the International Scientific Station of the Jungfraujoch (Swiss Alps, 46.5°N, 8.0°E, 3580m asl). Trends and seasonal cycles deduced from our results will be compared to values published in the literature and critically discussed. In particular, we will confirm the recent change in the OCS total column trend, which has become positive since 2002 before undergoing a slowing down over the last years

Retrievals of ethane from groundbased highresolution FTIR solar observations with updated line parameters: determination of the optimum strategy for the Jungfraujoch station.

Ethane (C2H6) is the most abundant Non-Methane HydroCarbon (NMHC) in the Earth’s atmosphere, with a lifetime of approximately 2 months. Its main sources are biomass burning, natural gas loss and biofuel consumption. Oxidation by the hydroxyl radical is the major C2H6 sink as it controls its strong modulation throug the year. C2H6 is involved in the formation of tropospheric O3 and in the destruction of atmospheric methane through changes in OH. C2H6 is an indirect greenhouse gas with a net-global warming potential of 5.5 (100-yr horizon). Updates of retrieval parameters such as the spectroscopic linelists have been recently published. We will therefore characterize three µ-windows encompassing the strongest C2H6 features after careful selection of these new parameters, accounting at best for all interfering species. The aim is to lessen the fitting residuals while maximizing the information content, the precision and the reliability of the retrieved product. We will present updated C2H6 total and tropospheric column time series, using the SFIT-2 algorithm (v3.91) and high-resolution Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) solar absorption spectra recorded with a Bruker 120HR instrument, at the high altitude research station of the Jungfraujoch (46.5°N, 8.0°E, 3580 m asl), within the framework of the Network for the Detection of Atmospheric Composition Change (NDACC, http://www.ndacc.org). Comparisons with synthetic data produced by chemical transport models will also be presented

Scaling fields in the two-dimensional abelian sandpile model

We consider the isotropic two-dimensional abelian sandpile model from a perspective based on two-dimensional (conformal) field theory. We compute lattice correlation functions for various cluster variables (at and off criticality), from which we infer the field-theoretic description in the scaling limit. We find a perfect agreement with the predictions of a c=-2 conformal field theory and its massive perturbation, thereby providing direct evidence for conformal invariance and more generally for a description in terms of a local field theory. The question of the height 2 variable is also addressed, with however no definite conclusion yet.Comment: 22 pages, 1 figure (eps), uses revte

VALIDATION OF ENVISAT-1 LEVEL-2 PRODUCTS RELATED TO LOWER ATMOSPHERE O3 AND NOy CHEMISTRY BY A FTIR QUASI-GLOBAL NETWORK

A coordinated action involving eleven stations of the ground-based Network for Detection of Stratospheric Change (NDSC) equipped with Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) instruments was conducted to contribute to the validation of the three atmospheric chemistry instruments onboard ENVISAT, that are MIPAS, SCIAMACHY and GOMOS. The target products for validation are total columns of O3, CH4, CO and some important NOy species (NO2, HNO3, NO) and the source gas N2O. Together the eleven stations cover the latitudes between 79 °N and 78°S, including polar, mid -latitude and subtropical and tropical locations. The goal is to contribute to the assessment of the data quality of the aforementioned ENVISAT instruments, from a quasi-global perspective. The period of intensive ground-based data collection for the benefit of the ENVISAT Validation Commissioning Phase that is dealt with in the present paper is July 15 to December 1, 2002. The FTIR network involved collected a data set corresponding to an equivalent of approximately 400 days of measurements; about three quarter of the data have already been submitted to the ENVISAT Calval database and are included in the present work. Unfortunately, the distribution of ENVISAT data has been slow and limited. Only a limited number of coincidences has been found for making data inter-comparisons. Therefore, the conclusions drawn in this paper are very preliminary and cover only a limited set of data products from SCIAMACHY only. Our findings up to now concerning the above mentioned target products are the following: (1) SCIAMACHY near infrared operational products (CO, CH4, N2O) have no scientific meaning yet, (2), the operational SCIAMACHY total vertical O3 column product derived in the ultraviolet window has undergone some improvements with changing versions of the processor(s) but it still underestimates the column by about 5 – 10 %, (3), the operational SCIAMACHY total vertical O3 column product derived in the visible window is unrealistically large, and (3), the operational NO2 total column product from SCIAMACHY seems to largely overestimate the real column, but very few coincidences and large dispersions of the data do inhibit any further conclusion at present. In a next phase, the same ground-based correlative data set will be exploited to further validate the ENVISAT data as soon as more and reprocessed data will be distributed

Trend analysis of greenhouse gases over Europe measured by a network of ground-based remote FTIR instruments

This paper describes the statistical analysis of annual trends in long term datasets of greenhouse gas measurements taken over ten or more years. The analysis technique employs a bootstrap resampling method to determine both the long-term and intra-annual variability of the datasets, together with the uncertainties on the trend values. The method has been applied to data from a European network of ground-based solar FTIR instruments to determine the trends in the tropospheric, stratospheric and total columns of ozone, nitrous oxide, carbon monoxide, methane, ethane and HCFC-22. The suitability of the method has been demonstrated through statistical validation of the technique, and comparison with ground-based in-situ measurements and 3-D atmospheric models.Peer reviewe