32 research outputs found
All-optical ion generation for ion trap loading
We have investigated the all-optical generation of ions by photo-ionisation
of atoms generated by pulsed laser ablation. A direct comparison between a
resistively heated oven source and pulsed laser ablation is reported. Pulsed
laser ablation with 10 ns Nd:YAG laser pulses is shown to produce large calcium
flux, corresponding to atomic beams produced with oven temperatures greater
than 650 K. For an equivalent atomic flux, pulsed laser ablation is shown to
produce a thermal load more than one order of magnitude smaller than the oven
source. The atomic beam distributions obey Maxwell-Boltzmann statistics with
most probable speeds corresponding to temperatures greater than 2200 K. Below a
threshold pulse fluence between 280 mJ/cm^2 and 330 mJ/cm^2, the atomic beam is
composed exclusively of ground state atoms. For higher fluences ions and
excited atoms are generated.Comment: 7 pages, 9 figure
Clouds, shadows, or twilight? Mayfly nymphs recognise the difference
1. We examined the relative changes in light intensity that initiate night-time locomotor activity changes in nymphs of the mayfly, Stenonema modestum (Heptageniidae). Tests were carried out in a laboratory stream to examine the hypothesis that nymphs increase their locomotion in response to the large and sustained reductions in relative light intensity that take place during twilight but not to short-term daytime light fluctuations or a minimum light intensity threshold. Ambient light intensity was reduced over a range of values representative of evening twilight. Light was reduced over the same range of intensities either continuously or in discrete intervals while at the same time nymph activity on unglazed tile substrata was video recorded.
2. Nymphs increased their locomotor activity during darkness in response to large, sustained relative light decreases, but not in response to short-term, interrupted periods of light decrease. Nymphs did not recognise darkness unless an adequate light stimulus, such as large and sustained relative decrease in light intensity, had taken place.
3. We show that nymphs perceive light change over time and respond only after a lengthy period of accumulation of light stimulus. The response is much lengthier than reported for other aquatic organisms and is highly adaptive to heterogeneous stream environments
Destabilization of dark states and optical spectroscopy in Zeeman-degenerate atomic systems
We present a general discussion of the techniques of destabilizing dark
states in laser-driven atoms with either a magnetic field or modulated laser
polarization. We show that the photon scattering rate is maximized at a
particular evolution rate of the dark state. We also find that the atomic
resonance curve is significantly broadened when the evolution rate is far from
this optimum value. These results are illustrated with detailed examples of
destabilizing dark states in some commonly-trapped ions and supported by
insights derived from numerical calculations and simple theoretical models.Comment: 14 pages, 10 figure
Cavity-enhanced direct frequency comb spectroscopy
Cavity-enhanced direct frequency comb spectroscopy combines broad spectral
bandwidth, high spectral resolution, precise frequency calibration, and
ultrahigh detection sensitivity, all in one experimental platform based on an
optical frequency comb interacting with a high-finesse optical cavity. Precise
control of the optical frequency comb allows highly efficient, coherent
coupling of individual comb components with corresponding resonant modes of the
high-finesse cavity. The long cavity lifetime dramatically enhances the
effective interaction between the light field and intracavity matter,
increasing the sensitivity for measurement of optical losses by a factor that
is on the order of the cavity finesse. The use of low-dispersion mirrors
permits almost the entire spectral bandwidth of the frequency comb to be
employed for detection, covering a range of ~10% of the actual optical
frequency. The light transmitted from the cavity is spectrally resolved to
provide a multitude of detection channels with spectral resolutions ranging
from a several gigahertz to hundreds of kilohertz. In this review we will
discuss the principle of cavity-enhanced direct frequency comb spectroscopy and
the various implementations of such systems. In particular, we discuss several
types of UV, optical, and IR frequency comb sources and optical cavity designs
that can be used for specific spectroscopic applications. We present several
cavity-comb coupling methods to take advantage of the broad spectral bandwidth
and narrow spectral components of a frequency comb. Finally, we present a
series of experimental measurements on trace gas detections, human breath
analysis, and characterization of cold molecular beams.Comment: 36 pages, 27 figure
Randomized placebo controlled trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of single low-dose intracoronary insulin-like growth factor following percutaneous coronary intervention in acute myocardial infarction (RESUS-AMI)
Item does not contain fulltextBACKGROUND: Residual and significant postinfarction left ventricular (LV) dysfunction, despite technically successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), remains an important clinical issue. In preclinical models, low-dose insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) has potent cytoprotective and positive cardiac remodeling effects. We studied the safety and efficacy of immediate post-PCI low-dose intracoronary IGF1 infusion in STEMI patients. METHODS: Using a double-blind, placebo-controlled, multidose study design, we randomized 47 STEMI patients with significantly reduced (</=40%) LV ejection fraction (LVEF) after successful PCI to single intracoronary infusion of placebo (n = 15), 1.5 ng IGF1 (n = 16), or 15 ng IGF1 (n = 16). All received optimal medical therapy. Safety end points were freedom from hypoglycemia, hypotension, or significant arrhythmias within 1 hour of therapy. The primary efficacy end point was LVEF, and secondary end points were LV volumes, mass, stroke volume, and infarct size at 2-month follow-up, all assessed by magnetic resonance imaging. Treatment effects were estimated by analysis of covariance adjusted for baseline (24 hours) outcome. RESULTS: No significant differences in safety end points occurred between treatment groups out to 30 days (chi(2) test, P value = .77). There were no statistically significant differences in baseline (24 hours post STEMI) clinical characteristics or LVEF among groups. LVEF at 2 months, compared to baseline, increased in all groups, with no statistically significant differences related to treatment assignment. However, compared with placebo or 1.5 ng IGF1, treatment with 15 ng IGF1 was associated with a significant improvement in indexed LV end-diastolic volume (P = .018), LV mass (P = .004), and stroke volume (P = .016). Late gadolinium enhancement (+/-SD) at 2 months was lower in 15 ng IGF1 (34.5 +/- 29.6 g) compared to placebo (49.1 +/- 19.3 g) or 1.5 ng IGF1 (47.4 +/- 22.4 g) treated patients, although the result was not statistically significant (P = .095). CONCLUSIONS: In this pilot trial, low-dose IGF1, given after optimal mechanical reperfusion in STEMI, is safe but does not improve LVEF. However, there is a signal for a dose-dependent benefit on post-MI remodeling that may warrant further study