Inhibited 1,1,1-trichloroethane replaces trichloroethylene for degreasing

In fight against air pollution inhibited TCE /1,1,1-trichloroethane/ is effective substitute for trichloroethylene in degreasing plants. This chemical has only slight photochemical activity and causes little eye irritation. TCE is less toxic than trichloroethylene and can withstand production loads and conditions, or long term storage, without degradation

Study of theory and applicability of laser technique for measuring atmospheric parameters Interim scientific report

Theory and applicability of laser energy interactions for measuring atmospheric parameter

Test of the fluctuation theorem for stochastic entropy production in a nonequilibrium steady state

We derive a simple closed analytical expression for the total entropy production along a single stochastic trajectory of a Brownian particle diffusing on a periodic potential under an external constant force. By numerical simulations we compute the probability distribution functions of the entropy and satisfactorily test many of the predictions based on Seifert's integral fluctuation theorem. The results presented for this simple model clearly illustrate the practical features and implications derived from such a result of nonequilibrium statistical mechanics.Comment: Accepted in Phys. Rev.

Comparison of Josephson vortex flow transistors with different gate line configurations

We performed numerical simulations and experiments on Josephson vortex flow transistors based on parallel arrays of YBa2Cu3O(7-x) grain boundary junctions with a cross gate-line allowing to operate the same devices in two different modes named Josephson fluxon transistor (JFT) and Josephson fluxon-antifluxon transistor (JFAT). The simulations yield a general expression for the current gain vs. number of junctions and normalized loop inductance and predict higher current gain for the JFAT. The experiments are in good agreement with simulations and show improved coupling between gate line and junctions for the JFAT as compared to the JFT.Comment: 3 pages, 6 figures, accept. for publication in Appl. Phys. Let

Fluorine in a Carbon-Enhanced Metal-Poor Star

The fluorine abundance of the Carbon-Enhanced Metal-Poor (CEMP) star HE 1305+0132 has been derived by analysis of the molecular HF (1-0) R9 line at 2.3357 microns in a high-resolution (R = 50,000) spectrum obtained with the Phoenix spectrometer and Gemini-South telescope. Our abundance analysis makes use of a CNO-enhanced ATLAS12 model atmosphere characterized by a metallicity and CNO enhancements determined utilizing medium-resolution (R = 3,000) optical and near-IR spectra. The effective iron abundance is found to be [Fe/H] = -2.5, making HE 1305+0132 the most Fe-deficient star, by more than an order of magnitude, for which the abundance of fluorine has been measured. Using spectral synthesis, we derive a super-solar fluorine abundance of A(19F) = 4.96 +/- 0.21, corresponding to a relative abundance of [F/Fe] = 2.90. A single line of the Phillips C_2 system is identified in our Phoenix spectrum, and along with multiple lines of the first-overtone vibration-rotation CO (3-1) band head, C and O abundances of A(12C) = 8.57 +/- 0.11 and A(16O) = 7.04 +/- 0.14 are derived. We consider the striking fluorine overabundance in the framework of the nucleosynthetic processes thought to be responsible for the C-enhancement of CEMP stars and conclude that the atmosphere of HE 1305+0132 was polluted via mass transfer by a primary companion during its asymptotic giant branch phase. This is the first study of fluorine in a CEMP star, and it demonstrates that this rare nuclide can be a key diagnostic of nucleosynthetic processes in the early Galaxy.Comment: 13 pages, 3 figures; Accepted for publication in ApJ Letter

Measurement of Stochastic Entropy Production

Using fluorescence spectroscopy we directly measure entropy production of a single two-level system realized experimentally as an optically driven defect center in diamond. We exploit a recent suggestion to define entropy on the level of a single stochastic trajectory (Seifert, Phys. Rev. Lett. {\bf 95}, 040602 (2005)). Entropy production can then be split into one of the system itself and one of the surrounding medium. We demonstrate that the total entropy production obeys various exact relations for finite time trajectories.Comment: Phys. Rev. Lett., in pres

Study on theory and applicability of laser techniques for measuring atmospheric parameters, appendix 1 Quarterly report

Tabulated sources of Franck-Condon factors and r-centroids for diatomic molecule