Atom trapping and two-dimensional Bose-Einstein condensates in field-induced adiabatic potentials

We discuss a method to create two-dimensional traps as well as atomic shell, or bubble, states for a Bose-Einstein condensate initially prepared in a conventional magnetic trap. The scheme relies on the use of time-dependent, radio frequency-induced adiabatic potentials. These are shown to form a versatile and robust tool to generate novel trapping potentials. Our shell states take the form of thin, highly stable matter-wave bubbles and can serve as stepping-stones to prepare atoms in highly-excited trap eigenstates or to study `collapse and revival phenomena'. Their creation requires gravitational effects to be compensated by applying additional optical dipole potentials. However, in our scheme gravitation can also be exploited to provide a route to two-dimensional atom trapping. We demonstrate the loading process for such a trap and examine experimental conditions under which a 2D condensate may be prepared.Comment: 16 pages, 10 figure

Proceedings of the relevance of mass spectrometry to DNA sequence determination: Research needs for the Human Genome Program

A workshop was sponsored for the US Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Health and Environmental Research by Pacific Northwest Laboratory, April 4--5, 1990, in Seattle, Washington, to examine the potential role of mass spectrometry in the joint DOE/National Institutes of Health (NIH) Human Genome Program. The workshop was occasioned by recent developments in mass spectrometry that are providing new levels for selectivity, sensitivity, and, in particular, new methods of ionization appropriate for large biopolymers such as DNA. During discussions, three general mass spectrometric approaches to the determination of DNA sequence were considered: (1) the mass spectrometric detection of isotopic labels from DNA sequencing mixtures separated using gel electrophoresis, (2) the direct mass spectrometric analysis from direct ionization of unfractionated sequencing mixtures where the measured mass of the constituents functions to identify and order the base sequence (replacing separation by gel electrophoresis), and (3) an approach in which a single highly charged molecular ion of a large DNA segment produced is rapidly sequenced in an ion cyclotron resonance ion trap. The consensus of the workshop was that, on the basis of the new developments, mass spectrometry has the potential to provide the substantial increases in sequencing speed required for the Human Genome Program. 66 refs., 3 tabs

Ion irradiation effects on a martensitic stainless steel designed for reduced long-life radioactivity

Alloys with reduced long-life radioactivity (low activation alloys) are being developed to increase the acceptability of fusion power. The phase stability and swelling resistance of a 12Cr-6.5Mn-1W-0.3V-0.1C martensitic steel were evaluated by transmission electron microscopy following 3.8 MeV Fe{sup ++} ion irradiation with and without He coimplantation. Ion irradiations were performed at 450{degree}C, 550{degree}C, and 650{degree}C to approximately 10, 20, and 40 dpa. At 550{degree}C, approximately 20 appm He/dpa was coimplanted with the 3.8 MeV Fe{sup ++} ions. The specimens were examined at a depth approximately halfway between the surface and the mean ion range in order to minimize the influence of the surface and of injected ions. At all temperatures, M{sub 23}C{sub 6}, also present in the unirradiated structure, was the only precipitate present. A nonuniform distribution of loops also formed at all temperatures. After the 450{degree}C and 650{degree}C irradiations, no voids were present. At 550{degree}C, the helium did not appear to have much effect. Very few faceted voids formed. At 20 and 40 dpa some bubbles were found but their density was very low. At 650{degree}C, a structure similar to a heavily over-tempered steel was produced by the irradiation. At 550{degree}C recovery was seen to a lesser extent. Little to no recovery was seen at 450{degree}C

The NANOGrav 12.5-Year Data Set: Polarimetry, Rotation Measures, and Galactic Magnetic Field Strengths from NANOGrav Observations with the Green Bank Telescope

We present polarization profiles for 24 millisecond pulsars observed at 820 and 1500 MHz with the Green Bank Telescope by the NANOGrav pulsar timing array. We use Mueller matrix solutions calculated from observations of PSRs B1929+10 and J1022+1001 to calibrate the data. We discuss the polarization profiles, which can be used to constrain pulsar emission geometry, and also present the discovery of very low intensity average profile components ("microcomponents") in four pulsars. Using the rotation measures we measured for each pulsar, we calculate the Galactic magnetic field parallel to the line of sight for different lines of sight through the interstellar medium. We fit for linear and sinusoidal trends in time in the rotation measure, dispersion measure, and Galactic magnetic field. We detect rotation measure variations with a period of one year in some pulsars but overall find that the variations in these parameters are more consistent with a stochastic origin