Spectroscopic studies of the exhaust plume of a quasi-steady MPD accelerator. Ph.D. Thesis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bruckner, A. P.

1972-01-01

Spectroscopic and photographic investigations are reported that reveal a complex azimuthal species structure in the exhaust plume of a quasi-steady argon MPD accelerator. Over a wide range of operating conditions the injected argon remains collimated in discrete jets which are azimuthally in line with the six propellant injector orifices. The regions between these argon jets, including the central core of the exhaust flow, are occupied by impurities such as carbon, hydrogen and oxygen ablated from the Plexiglas back plate of the arc chamber. The features of this plume structure are found to be dependent on the arc current and mass flow rate. It is found that nearly half the observed velocity is attained in an acceleration region well downstream of the region of significant electromagnetic interaction. Recombination calculations show that the ionization energy is essentially frozen.

Taking the Next Step with Halogenated Olefins: Microwave Spectroscopy and Molecular Structures of - and Chloro-Trifluoro Propenes and Their Complexes with the Argon Atom

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marshall, Mark D.; Leung, Helen O.; Wronkovich, Miles A.; Tracy, Megan E.; Hoque, Laboni; Randy-Cofie, Allison M.; Dao, Alina K.

2017-06-01

The determination of the structures of heterodimers of haloethylenes with protic acids has provided a wealth of information and a few surprises concerning intermolecular forces and the sometimes cooperative and sometimes competing effects of electrostatic, steric, and dispersion forces. In seeking to apply this knowledge to larger systems with a wider variety of possible interactions and binding sites, we extend the carbon chain by one atom via the addition of a trifluoromethyl moeity. As a first step the microwave rotational spectra of the halopropene monomers, 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, 2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene, (E)-1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene, and (Z)-1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene, and their complexes with the argon atom are obtained and analyzed to obtain molecular structures.

Energy and charge transfer in ionized argon coated water clusters.

PubMed

Kočišek, J; Lengyel, J; Fárník, M; Slavíček, P

2013-12-07

We investigate the electron ionization of clusters generated in mixed Ar-water expansions. The electron energy dependent ion yields reveal the neutral cluster composition and structure: water clusters fully covered with the Ar solvation shell are formed under certain expansion conditions. The argon atoms shield the embedded (H2O)n clusters resulting in the ionization threshold above ≈15 eV for all fragments. The argon atoms also mediate more complex reactions in the clusters: e.g., the charge transfer between Ar(+) and water occurs above the threshold; at higher electron energies above ~28 eV, an excitonic transfer process between Ar(+)* and water opens leading to new products Ar(n)H(+) and (H2O)(n)H(+). On the other hand, the excitonic transfer from the neutral Ar* state at lower energies is not observed although this resonant process was demonstrated previously in a photoionization experiment. Doubly charged fragments (H2O)(n)H2(2+) and (H2O)(n)(2+) ions are observed and Intermolecular Coulomb decay (ICD) processes are invoked to explain their thresholds. The Coulomb explosion of the doubly charged cluster formed within the ICD process is prevented by the stabilization effect of the argon solvent.

Preparation of a primary argon beam for the CERN fixed target physics.

PubMed

Küchler, D; O'Neil, M; Scrivens, R; Thomae, R

2014-02-01

The fixed target experiment NA61 in the North Area of the Super Proton Synchrotron is studying phase transitions in strongly interacting matter. Up to now they used the primary beams available from the CERN accelerator complex (protons and lead ions) or fragmented beams created from the primary lead ion beam. To explore a wider range of energies and densities a request was made to provide primary argon and xenon beams. This paper describes the results of the setting up and 10 week test run of the Ar(11+) beam from the 14.5 GHz ECR ion source and the linear accelerator (Linac3) at CERN.

Upgraded Readout Electronics for the ATLAS Liquid Argon Calorimeters at the High Luminosity LHC

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Andeen, Timothy R.; ATLAS Liquid Argon Calorimeter Group

2012-12-01

The ATLAS liquid-argon calorimeters produce a total of 182,486 signals which are digitized and processed by the front-end and back-end electronics at every triggered event. In addition, the front-end electronics sum analog signals to provide coarsely grained energy sums, called trigger towers, to the first-level trigger system, which is optimized for nominal LHC luminosities. However, the pile-up background expected during the high luminosity phases of the LHC will be increased by factors of 3 to 7. An improved spatial granularity of the trigger primitives is therefore proposed in order to improve the identification performance for trigger signatures, like electrons or photons, at high background rejection rates. For the first upgrade phase in 2018, new Liquid Argon Trigger Digitizer Boards are being designed to receive higher granularity signals, digitize them on detector and send them via fast optical links to a new, off-detector digital processing system. The digital processing system applies digital filtering and identifies significant energy depositions. The refined trigger primitives are then transmitted to the first level trigger system to extract improved trigger signatures. The general concept of the upgraded liquid-argon calorimeter readout together with the various electronics components to be developed for such a complex system is presented. The research activities and architectural studies undertaken by the ATLAS Liquid Argon Calorimeter Group are described, particularly details of the on-going design of mixed-signal front-end electronics, of radiation tolerant optical-links, and of the high-speed off-detector digital processing system.

Surface Modification of Melamine-Formaldehyde (MF-R) Macroparticles in Complex Plasma

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Semenov, A. V.; Pergament, A. L.; Scherbina, A. I.; Pikalev, A. A.

2018-04-01

The surface modification of melamine-formaldehyde (MF-R) macroparticles (4.12 ± 0.09 μm in diameter) in dc glow discharges in neon, argon, and an argon-oxygen mixture (90% Ar, 10% O2) was studied experimentally. The macroparticles were treated in the discharge plasma for 10, 20, 40, and 60 min. The macroparticles were placed in ordered plasma-dust structures and then extracted from them. The results of atomic force microscopy of the surface profile are presented. Quantitative data on destruction of the surface layer and aspects of its modification are discussed. The amount of substance removed from the particle surface for the exposure time was calculated using the fractal analysis method.

Preparation of a primary argon beam for the CERN fixed target physics

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Küchler, D., E-mail: detlef.kuchler@cern.ch; O’Neil, M.; Scrivens, R.

2014-02-15

The fixed target experiment NA61 in the North Area of the Super Proton Synchrotron is studying phase transitions in strongly interacting matter. Up to now they used the primary beams available from the CERN accelerator complex (protons and lead ions) or fragmented beams created from the primary lead ion beam. To explore a wider range of energies and densities a request was made to provide primary argon and xenon beams. This paper describes the results of the setting up and 10 week test run of the Ar{sup 11+} beam from the 14.5 GHz ECR ion source and the linear acceleratormore » (Linac3) at CERN.« less

An outline of tectonic, igneous, and metamorphic events in the Goshute-Toano Range between Silver Zone Pass and White Horse Pass, Elko County, Nevada; a history of superposed contractional and extensional deformation

USGS Publications Warehouse

Ketner, Keith Brindley; Day, Warren C.; Elrick, Maya; Vaag, Myra K.; Zimmerman, Robert A.; Snee, Lawrence W.; Saltus, Richard W.; Repetski, John E.; Wardlaw, Bruce R.; Taylor, Michael E.; Harris, Anita G.

1998-01-01

Seven kinds of fault-bounded tracts are described. One of the tracts provides a good example of Mesozoic contractional folding and faulting; six exemplify various aspects of Miocene extensional faulting. Massive landslide deposits resulting from Tertiary faulting are described. Mesozoic intrusive rocks and extensive exposures of Miocene volcanic rocks are described and dated. The age ranges of stratigraphic units were based on numerous conodont collections, and ages of igneous rocks were determined by argon/argon and fission-track methods. The geologic complexity of the Goshute-Toano Range provides opportunities for many additional productive structural studies.

Spectroscopic Determination of Trace Contaminants in High Purity Oxygen

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hornung, Steven D.

2011-01-01

Oxygen used for extravehicular activities (EVA) must be free of contaminants because a difference in a few tenths of a percent of argon or nitrogen content can mean significant reduction in available EVA time. These inert gases build up in the extravehicular mobility unit because they are not metabolized or scrubbed from the atmosphere. Measurement of oxygen purity above 99.5% is problematic, and currently only complex instruments such as gas chromatographs or mass spectrometers are used for these determinations. Because liquid oxygen boil-off from the space shuttle will no longer be available to supply oxygen for EVA use, other concepts are being developed to produce and validate high purity oxygen from cabin air aboard the International Space Station. A prototype optical emission technique capable of detecting argon and nitrogen below 0.1% in oxygen was developed at White Sands Test Facility. This instrument uses a glow discharge in reduced pressure gas to produce atomic emission from the species present. Because the atomic emission lines from oxygen, nitrogen, and argon are discrete and in many cases well-separated, trace amounts of argon and nitrogen can be detected in the ultraviolet and visible spectrum. This is a straightforward, direct measurement of the target contaminants and may lend itself to a device capable of on-orbit verification of oxygen purity. System design and optimized measurement parameters are presented.

Numerical experiments on evaporation and explosive boiling of ultra-thin liquid argon film on aluminum nanostructure substrate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Weidong; Zhang, Haiyan; Tian, Conghui; Meng, Xiaojie

2015-04-01

Evaporation and explosive boiling of ultra-thin liquid film are of great significant fundamental importance for both science and engineering applications. The evaporation and explosive boiling of ultra-thin liquid film absorbed on an aluminum nanostructure solid wall are investigated by means of molecular dynamics simulations. The simulated system consists of three regions: liquid argon, vapor argon, and an aluminum substrate decorated with nanostructures of different heights. Those simulations begin with an initial configuration for the complex liquid-vapor-solid system, followed by an equilibrating system at 90 K, and conclude with two different jump temperatures, including 150 and 310 K which are far beyond the critical temperature. The space and time dependences of temperature, pressure, density number, and net evaporation rate are monitored to investigate the phase transition process on a flat surface with and without nanostructures. The simulation results reveal that the nanostructures are of great help to raise the heat transfer efficiency and that evaporation rate increases with the nanostructures' height in a certain range.

Numerical experiments on evaporation and explosive boiling of ultra-thin liquid argon film on aluminum nanostructure substrate.

PubMed

Wang, Weidong; Zhang, Haiyan; Tian, Conghui; Meng, Xiaojie

2015-01-01

Evaporation and explosive boiling of ultra-thin liquid film are of great significant fundamental importance for both science and engineering applications. The evaporation and explosive boiling of ultra-thin liquid film absorbed on an aluminum nanostructure solid wall are investigated by means of molecular dynamics simulations. The simulated system consists of three regions: liquid argon, vapor argon, and an aluminum substrate decorated with nanostructures of different heights. Those simulations begin with an initial configuration for the complex liquid-vapor-solid system, followed by an equilibrating system at 90 K, and conclude with two different jump temperatures, including 150 and 310 K which are far beyond the critical temperature. The space and time dependences of temperature, pressure, density number, and net evaporation rate are monitored to investigate the phase transition process on a flat surface with and without nanostructures. The simulation results reveal that the nanostructures are of great help to raise the heat transfer efficiency and that evaporation rate increases with the nanostructures' height in a certain range.

Photochemistry of formaldoxime−nitrous acid complexes in an argon matrix: identification of formaldoxime nitrite.

PubMed

Golec, Barbara; Bil, Andrzej; Mielke, Zofia

2009-08-27

We have studied the structure and photochemistry of the formaldoxime−nitrous acid system (CH2NOH−HONO) by help of FTIR matrix isolation spectroscopy and ab initio methods. The MP2/6-311++G(2d,2p) calculations show stability of six isomeric CH2NOH···HONO complexes. The FTIR spectra evidence formation of two hydrogen bonded complexes in an argon matrix whose structures are determined by comparison of the experimental spectra with the calculated ones for the six stable complexes. In the matrix there is present the most stable cyclic complex with two O−H···N bonds; a strong bond is formed between the OH group of HONO and the N atom of CH2NOH and the weaker one between the OH group of CH2NOH and the N atom of HONO. In the other complex present in the matrix the OH group of formaldoxime is attached to the OH group of HONO forming an O−H···O bond. The irradiation of the CH2NOH···HONO complexes with the filtered output of the mercury lamp (λ > 345 nm) leads to the formation of formaldoxime nitrite, CH2NONO, and its two isomeric complexes with water. The main product is the CH2NONO···H2O complex in which water is hydrogen bonded to the N atom of the C═N group. The identity of the photoproducts is confirmed by both FTIR spectroscopy and MP2 or QCISD(full) calculations with the 6-311++G(2d,2p) basis set. The intermediate in this reaction is iminoxyl radical that is formed by abstraction of hydrogen atom from formaldoxime OH group by an OH radical originating from HONO photolysis.

Argon laser peripheral iridoplasty for angle-closure glaucoma in sibilings with weill-marchesani syndrome.

PubMed

Ritch, R; Solomon, L D

1992-01-01

A patient with Weill-Marchesani syndrome and angle-closure glaucoma had persistent appositional closure after laser iridotomy that was unrelieved by topical application of either miotic or cycloplegic agents. Argon laser peripheral iridoplasty successfully opened the angle. The patient's sister also had Weill-Marchesani syndrome and angle closure unrelieved by laser iridotomy. Angle closure in Weill-Marchesani syndrome and the response to laser iridotomy and treatment with either miotic or cycloplegic agents may be complex and depends on the relative proportion of pupillary block as a mechanism underlying the angle closure, the functional status of the zonular apparatus, and the degree of angle crowding by the peripheral iris in the presence or absence of peripheral anterior synechiae.

In Situ UV-Laser Ablation 40Ar/39Ar Muscovite Thermochronology Reveals Excess Argon and 405-399 Ma Age for the Nordfjord-Sogn Detachment Zone, Hornelen region, Norway

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Johnston, S. M.; Hacker, B. R.; Eide, E. A.; Hendriks, B.

2006-12-01

The Nordfjord-Sogn Detachment Zone (NSDZ) is a 2-6 km thick, normal-sense shear zone that juxtaposes the eclogite-bearing Western Gneiss Complex in its footwall with Devonian sediments in its hangingwall, and is widely cited as the primary structure responsible for the exhumation of the Norwegian ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) rocks. Critical to our understanding of this crustal-scale detachment, detailed thermochronology places essential constraints on the rates of exhumation and documents spatial variability in the timing of exhumation- related cooling. Regional thermochronology has shown that 40Ar/39Ar muscovite ages increase gradually from 405-390 Ma across the Western Gneiss Complex and into the lower part of the NSDZ, but at higher structural levels within the NSDZ, these ~400 Ma ages are mixed with an older population at 420-418 Ma. Although neither excess argon nor incomplete resetting of argon in these older samples has been ruled out, these results have been interpreted to suggest that extension and exhumation within the NSDZ may have initiated as early as 420 Ma. Here, we investigate these older 40Ar/39Ar muscovite ages by comparing resistance furnace (RF) ages from bulk muscovite separates with in situ UV-laser ablation ages from a suite of 6 samples that transect the NSDZ. RF spectra from 5 of the 6 analyzed samples yield plateau ages that range from 405-399 Ma; in situ ages of these same 5 samples reveal no age zonation within large grains and no differences in ages among texturally different grains. In contrast, the structurally highest sample yields a RF plateau age of 425±6 Ma, and in situ ages of 474-417 Ma in grain cores and c. 400 Ma in grain rims and small grains. On an inverse isochron diagram, these in situ ages define two distinct populations, with grain cores distributed along a line between an excess argon component of 40Ar/36Ar = 660±60 and an age of 404±7 Ma. Analyses from rims and small grains plot in triangle defined by these two apices and an atmospheric 40Ar/36Ar ratio. These results are consistent with the interpretation that the older 40Ar/39Ar muscovite ages from the NSDZ are the result of excess argon. These findings refute the possibility of extension and exhumation as early as 420 Ma along the NSDZ, and suggest that the entire package of NSDZ mylonites was cooled through muscovite closure to argon between 405-399 Ma immediately following UHP metamorphism.

Argon Isotopes Provide Robust Signature of Atmospheric Loss

NASA Image and Video Library

2013-04-08

This image, made by the quadrupole mass spectrometer in the SAM suite of instruments in NASA Curiosity Mars rover. shows the ratio of the argon isotope argon-36 to the heavier argon isotope argon-38, in various measurements.

The effect of ethanol gas impurity on the discharge mode and discharge products of argon plasma jet at atmospheric pressure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xia, Wenjie; Liu, Dingxin; Xu, Han; Wang, Xiaohua; Liu, Zhijie; Rong, Mingzhe; Kong, Michael G.

2018-05-01

Argon is a widely used working gas of plasmas, which is much cheaper than helium but on the other hand much more difficult to generate diffuse discharge at atmospheric pressure. In order to meet the application requirements, plenty of researches have been reported to facilitate the diffuse discharge happening for argon plasmas, and in this paper an approach of using ethanol gas (EtOH) impurity is investigated. The discharge characteristics of Ar + EtOH plasma jet are studied as a function of the applied voltage and the concentration of EtOH, from which the concentration of EtOH between ∼200 and ∼3300 parts per million (ppm) is determined necessary for the generation of diffuse discharge. Compared with the helium plasma jet in literature, it is deduced that the diffuse discharge is probably caused by the Penning ionization happening between the metastable argon and EtOH. The discharge products of Ar + EtOH (672 ppm) plasma jet are measured and the corresponding chemistry pathways are analyzed. About 20% of EtOH is decomposed via complex chemical reactions to form more than a dozen of neutral species, such as CH3CHO, CH3COOH, CO, H2O, and C n H2n+2 (n ≥ 3), and various kinds of ionic species, including C+, CH+, ArH+, {{{{O}}}2}-, CH3CH2O‑, etc.

Argon-40: Excess in submarine pillow basalts from Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii

USGS Publications Warehouse

Brent, Dalrymple G.; Moore, J.G.

1968-01-01

Submarine pillow basalts from Kilauea Volcano contain excess radiogenic argon-40 and give anomalously high potassium-argon ages. Glassy rims of pillows show a systematic increase in radiogenic argon-40 with depth, and a pillow from a depth of 2590 meters shows a decrease in radiogenic argon-40 inward from the pillow rim. The data indicate that the amount of excess radiogenic argon-40 is a direct function of both hydrostatic pressure and rate of cooling, and that many submarine basalts are not suitable for potassium-argon dating.

Argon-40: excess in submarine pillow basalts from kilauea volcano, hawaii.

PubMed

Dalrymple, G B; Moore, J G

1968-09-13

Submarine pillow basalts from Kilauea Volcano contain excess radiogenic argon-40 and give anomalously high potassium-argon ages. Glassy rims of pillows show a systematic increase in radiogenic argon-40 with depth, and a pillow from a depth of 2590 meters shows a decrease in radiogenic argon40 inward from the pillow rim. The data indicate that the amount of excess radiogenic argon-40 is a direct function of both hydrostatic pressure and rate of cooling, and that many submarine basalts are not suitable for potassium-argon dating.

Neon diffusion kinetics and implications for cosmogenic neon paleothermometry in feldspars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tremblay, Marissa M.; Shuster, David L.; Balco, Greg; Cassata, William S.

2017-05-01

Observations of cosmogenic neon concentrations in feldspars can potentially be used to constrain the surface exposure duration or surface temperature history of geologic samples. The applicability of cosmogenic neon to either application depends on the temperature-dependent diffusivity of neon isotopes. In this work, we investigate the kinetics of neon diffusion in feldspars of different compositions and geologic origins through stepwise degassing experiments on single, proton-irradiated crystals. To understand the potential causes of complex diffusion behavior that is sometimes manifest as nonlinearity in Arrhenius plots, we compare our results to argon stepwise degassing experiments previously conducted on the same feldspars. Many of the feldspars we studied exhibit linear Arrhenius behavior for neon whereas argon degassing from the same feldspars did not. This suggests that nonlinear behavior in argon experiments is an artifact of structural changes during laboratory heating. However, other feldspars that we examined exhibit nonlinear Arrhenius behavior for neon diffusion at temperatures far below any known structural changes, which suggests that some preexisting material property is responsible for the complex behavior. In general, neon diffusion kinetics vary widely across the different feldspars studied, with estimated activation energies (Ea) ranging from 83.3 to 110.7 kJ/mol and apparent pre-exponential factors (D0) spanning three orders of magnitude from 2.4 × 10-3 to 8.9 × 10-1 cm2 s-1. As a consequence of this variability, the ability to reconstruct temperatures or exposure durations from cosmogenic neon abundances will depend on both the specific feldspar and the surface temperature conditions at the geologic site of interest.

Post-flight Analysis of the Argon Filled Ion Chamber

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tai, H.; Goldhagen, P.; Jones, I. W.; Wilson, J. W.; Maiden, D. L.; Shinn, J. L.

2003-01-01

Atmospheric ionizing radiation is a complex mixture of primary galactic and solar cosmic rays and a multitude of secondary particles produced in collision with air nuclei. The first series of Atmospheric Ionizing Radiation (AIR) measurement flights on the NASA research aircraft ER-2 took place in June 1997. The ER-2 flight package consisted of fifteen instruments from six countries and were chosen to provide varying sensitivity to specific components. These AIR ER-2 flight measurements are to characterize the AIR environment during solar minimum to allow the continued development of environmental models of this complex mixture of ionizing radiation. This will enable scientists to study the ionizing radiation health hazard associated with the high-altitude operation of a commercial supersonic transport and to allow estimates of single event upsets for advanced avionics systems design. The argon filled ion chamber representing about 40 percent of the contributions to radiation risks are analyzed herein and model discrepancies for solar minimum environment are on the order of 5 percent and less. Other biologically significant components remain to be analyzed.

Ar-40/Ar-39 ages and cosmic ray exposure ages of Apollo 14 samples.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Turner, G.; Huneke, J. C.; Podosek, F. A.; Wasserburg, G. J.

1971-01-01

We have used the Ar-40/Ar-39 dating technique on eight samples of Apollo 14 rocks (14053, 14310), breccia fragments (14321), and soil fragments (14001, 14167). The large basalt fragments give reasonable Ar-40/Ar-39 release patterns and yield well defined crystallization ages of 3.89-3.95 aeons. Correlation of the Ar-40/Ar-39 release patterns with Ar-39/Ar-37 patterns showed that the low temperature fractions with high radiogenic argon loss came from K-rich phases. A highly shocked sample and fragments included in the breccia yield complex release patterns with a low temperature peak. The total argon age of these fragments is 3.95 aeons. Cosmic ray exposure ages on these samples are obtained from the ratio of spallogenic Ar-38 to reactor induced Ar-37 and show a distinct grouping of low exposure ages of 26 m.y. correlated with Cone crater. Other samples have exposure ages of more than 260 m.y. and identify material with a more complex integrated cosmic age exposure history.

Spectroscopic studies of ozone in cryosolutions: FT-IR spectra of 16O3 in liquid nitrogen, oxygen, argon and krypton

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bulanin, Kirill M.; Bulanin, Michael O.; Rudakova, Aida V.; Kolomijtsova, Tatiana D.; Shchepkin, Dmitrij N.

2018-03-01

We have measured and interpreted the IR spectra of ozone dissolved in liquid nitrogen, oxygen, argon, and krypton in the 650-4700 cm-1 spectral region at 79-117 K. Frequency shifts, band intensities and bandshapes of 22 spectral features of soluted ozone were analyzed. The bands of the A1 symmetry have a complex contour and possess an excess intensity with respect to the value of the purely vibrational transition moment. It was found that this effect is related to the manifestation of the Coriolis interaction. The bandshape distortion manifests itself as an additional intensity from the side of the B1 symmetry band being an intensity source in the case of the Coriolis interaction.

First Commissioning of a Cryogenic Distillation Column for Low Radioactivity Underground Argon

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Back, H. O.; Alexander, T.; Alton, A.

2012-04-01

We report on the performance and commissioning of a cryogenic distillation column for low radioactivity underground argon at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory. The distillation column is designed to accept a mixture of argon, helium, and nitrogen and return pure argon with a nitrogen contamination less than 10 ppm. In the first commissioning, we were able to run the distillation column in a continuous mode and produce argon that is 99.9% pure. After running in a batch mode, the argon purity was increased to 99.95%, with 500 ppm of nitrogen remaining. The efficiency of collecting the argon from the gas mixturemore » was between 70% and 81%, at an argon production rate of 0.84-0.98 kg/day.« less

Development of large area nanostructured silicon-hydrogen alloy material with improved stability for solar cell application by argon dilution method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dey, Arka; Das, Mrinmay; Datta, Joydeep; Jana, Rajkumar; Dhar, Joydeep; Sil, Sayantan; Biswas, Debasish; Banerjee, Chandan; Ray, Partha Pratim

2016-07-01

Here we have presented the results of large area (30 × 30 cm2) silicon-hydrogen alloy material and solar cell by argon dilution method. As an alternative to hydrogen dilution, argon dilution method has been applied to develop single junction solar cell with appreciable stability. Optimization of deposition conditions revealed that 95% argon dilution gives a nanostructured material with improved transport property and less light induced degradation. The minority carrier diffusion length (L d ) and mobility-lifetime (μτ) product of the material with 95% argon dilution degrades least after light soaking. Also the density of states (DOS) below conduction level reveals that this material is less defective. Solar cell with this argon diluted material has been fabricated with all the layers deposited by argon dilution method. Finally we have compared the argon diluted solar cell results with the optimized hydrogen diluted solar cell. Light soaking study proves that it is possible to develop stable solar cell on large area by argon dilution method and that the degradation of argon diluted solar cell is less than that of hydrogen diluted one. [Figure not available: see fulltext.

Modeling of Quasi-Four-Phase Flow in Continuous Casting Mold Using Hybrid Eulerian and Lagrangian Approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Zhongqiu; Sun, Zhenbang; Li, Baokuan

2017-04-01

Lagrangian tracking model combined with Eulerian multi-phase model is employed to predict the time-dependent argon-steel-slag-air quasi-four-phase flow inside a slab continuous casting mold. The Eulerian approach is used for the description of three phases (molten steel, liquid slag, and air at the top of liquid slag layer). The dispersed argon bubble injected from the SEN is treated in the Lagrangian way. The complex interfacial momentum transfers between various phases are considered. Validation is supported by the measurement data of cold model experiments and industrial practice. Close agreements were achieved for the gas volume fraction, liquid flow pattern, level fluctuation, and exposed slag eye phenomena. Many known phenomena and new predictions were successfully reproduced using this model. The vortex slag entrapment phenomenon at the slag-steel interface was obtained using this model, some small slag drops are sucked deep into the liquid pool of molten steel. Varying gas flow rates have a large effect on the steel flow pattern in the upper recirculation zone. Three typical flow patterns inside the mold with different argon gas flow rates have been obtained: double roll, three roll, and single roll. Effects of argon gas flow rate, casting speed, and slag layer thickness on the exposed slag eye and level fluctuation at the slag-steel interface were studied. A dimensionless value of H ave/ h was proposed to describe the time-averaged level fluctuation of slag-steel interface. The exposed slag eye near the SEN would be formed when the value of H ave/ h is larger than 0.4.

Spectroscopic studies of ozone in cryosolutions: FT-IR spectra of 16O3 in liquid nitrogen, oxygen, argon and krypton.

PubMed

Bulanin, Kirill M; Bulanin, Michael O; Rudakova, Aida V; Kolomijtsova, Tatiana D; Shchepkin, Dmitrij N

2018-03-15

We have measured and interpreted the IR spectra of ozone dissolved in liquid nitrogen, oxygen, argon, and krypton in the 650-4700cm -1 spectral region at 79-117K. Frequency shifts, band intensities and bandshapes of 22 spectral features of soluted ozone were analyzed. The bands of the А 1 symmetry have a complex contour and possess an excess intensity with respect to the value of the purely vibrational transition moment. It was found that this effect is related to the manifestation of the Coriolis interaction. The bandshape distortion manifests itself as an additional intensity from the side of the В 1 symmetry band being an intensity source in the case of the Coriolis interaction. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Fabrication of carbon nanotube films from alkyne-transition metal complexes

DOEpatents

Iyer, Vivekanantan S [Delft, NL; Vollhardt, K Peter C. [Oakland, CA

2007-08-28

A simple method for the production or synthesis of carbon nanotubes as free-standing films or nanotube mats by the thermal decomposition of transition metal complexed alkynes with aryl, alkyl, alkenyl, or alkynyl substituents. In particular, transition metal (e.g. Co, Ni, Fe, Mo) complexes of diarylacetylenes, e.g. diphenylacetylene, and solid mixtures of these complexes with suitable, additional carbon sources are heated in a vessel. More specifically, the heating of the transition metal complex is completed at a temperature between 400-800.degree. C. and more particularly 550-700.degree. C. for between 0.1 to 24 hours and more particularly 0.5-3 hours in a sealed vessel under a partial pressure of argon or helium.

Neon diffusion kinetics and implications for cosmogenic neon paleothermometry in feldspars

DOE PAGES

Tremblay, Marissa M.; Shuster, David L.; Balco, Greg; ...

2017-02-20

Observations of cosmogenic neon concentrations in feldspars can potentially be used to constrain the surface exposure duration or surface temperature history of geologic samples. The applicability of cosmogenic neon to either application depends on the temperature-dependent diffusivity of neon isotopes. Here in this work, we investigate the kinetics of neon diffusion in feldspars of different compositions and geologic origins through stepwise degassing experiments on single, proton-irradiated crystals. To understand the potential causes of complex diffusion behavior that is sometimes manifest as nonlinearity in Arrhenius plots, we compare our results to argon stepwise degassing experiments previously conducted on the same feldspars.more » Many of the feldspars we studied exhibit linear Arrhenius behavior for neon whereas argon degassing from the same feldspars did not. This suggests that nonlinear behavior in argon experiments is an artifact of structural changes during laboratory heating. However, other feldspars that we examined exhibit nonlinear Arrhenius behavior for neon diffusion at temperatures far below any known structural changes, which suggests that some preexisting material property is responsible for the complex behavior. In general, neon diffusion kinetics vary widely across the different feldspars studied, with estimated activation energies (E a) ranging from 83.3 to 110.7 kJ/mol and apparent pre-exponential factors (D 0) spanning three orders of magnitude from 2.4 ×10 -3 to 8.9 × 10 -1 cm 2 s -1. Finally, as a consequence of this variability, the ability to reconstruct temperatures or exposure durations from cosmogenic neon abundances will depend on both the specific feldspar and the surface temperature conditions at the geologic site of interest.« less

Nanoparticle formation in a low pressure argon/aniline RF plasma

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pattyn, C.; Kovacevic, E.; Hussain, S.; Dias, A.; Lecas, T.; Berndt, J.

2018-01-01

The formation of nanoparticles in low temperature plasmas is of high importance for different fields: from astrophysics to microelectronics. The plasma based synthesis of nanoparticles is a complex multi-scale process that involves a great variety of different species and comprises timescales ranging from milliseconds to several minutes. This contribution focuses on the synthesis of nanoparticles in a low temperature, low pressure capacitively coupled plasma containing mixtures of argon and aniline. Aniline is commonly used for the production of polyaniline, a material that belongs to the family of conductive polymers, which has attracted increasing interest in the last few years due to the large number of potential applications. The nanoparticles which are formed in the plasma volume and levitate there due to the collection of negative charges are investigated in this contribution by means of in-situ FTIR spectroscopy. In addition, the plasma is analyzed by means of plasma (ion) mass spectroscopy. The experiments reveal the possibility to synthesize nanoparticles both in continuous wave and in pulsed discharges. The formation of particles in the plasma volume can be suppressed by pulsing the plasma in a specific frequency range. The in-situ FTIR analysis also reveals the influence of the argon plasma on the characteristics of the nanoparticles.

Argon pneumoperitoneum is more dangerous than CO2 pneumoperitoneum during venous gas embolism.

PubMed

Mann, C; Boccara, G; Grevy, V; Navarro, F; Fabre, J M; Colson, P

1997-12-01

We investigated the possibility of using argon, an inert gas, as a replacement for carbon dioxide (CO2). The tolerance of argon pneumoperitoneum was compared with that of CO2 pneumoperitoneum. Twenty pigs were anesthetized with enflurane 1.5%. Argon (n = 11) or CO2 (n = 9) pneumoperitoneum was created at 15 mm Hg over 20 min, and serial intravenous injections of each gas (ranging from 0.1 to 20 mL/kg) were made. Cardiorespiratory variables were measured. Transesophageal Doppler and capnographic monitoring were assessed in the detection of embolism. During argon pneumoperitoneum, there was no significant change from baseline in arterial pressure and pulmonary excretion of CO2, mean systemic arterial pressure (MAP), mean pulmonary artery pressure (PAP), or systemic and pulmonary vascular resistances, whereas CO2 pneumoperitoneum significantly increased these values (P < 0.05). During the embolic trial and from gas volumes of 2 and 0.2 mL/kg, the decrease in MAP and the increase in PAP were significantly higher with argon than with CO2 (P < 0.05). In contrast to CO2, argon pneumoperitoneum was not associated with significant changes in cardiorespiratory functions. However, argon embolism seems to be more deleterious than CO2 embolism. The possibility of using argon pneumoperitoneum during laparoscopy remains uncertain. Laparoscopic surgery requires insufflation of gas into the peritoneal cavity. We compared the hemodynamic effects of argon, an inert gas, and carbon dioxide in a pig model of laparoscopic surgery. We conclude that argon carries a high risk factor in the case of an accidental gas embolism.

Sterilization of bacterial endospores by an atmospheric-pressure argon plasma jet

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Uhm, Han S.; Lim, Jin P.; Li, Shou Z.

2007-06-25

Argon plasma jets penetrate deep into ambient air and create a path for oxygen radicals to sterilize microbes. A sterilization experiment with bacterial endospores indicates that an argon-oxygen plasma jet very effectively kills endospores of Bacillus atrophaeus (ATCC 9372), thereby demonstrating its capability to clean surfaces and its usefulness for reinstating contaminated equipment as free from toxic biological warfare agents. However, the spore-killing efficiency of the atmospheric-pressure argon-oxygen jet depends very sensitively on the oxygen concentration in the argon gas.

Comparison of 3D ion velocity distribution measurements and models in the vicinity of an absorbing boundary oriented obliquely to a magnetic field

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Henriquez, Miguel F.; Thompson, Derek S.; Kenily, Shane; Khaziev, Rinat; Good, Timothy N.; McIlvain, Julianne; Siddiqui, M. Umair; Curreli, Davide; Scime, Earl E.

2016-10-01

Understanding particle distributions in plasma boundary regions is critical to predicting plasma-surface interactions. Ions in the presheath exhibit complex behavior because of collisions and due to the presence of boundary-localized electric fields. Complete understanding of particle dynamics is necessary for understanding the critical problems of tokamak wall loading and Hall thruster channel wall erosion. We report measurements of 3D argon ion velocity distribution functions (IVDFs) in the vicinity of an absorbing boundary oriented obliquely to a background magnetic field. Measurements were obtained via argon ion laser induced fluorescence throughout a spatial volume upstream of the boundary. These distribution functions reveal kinetic details that provide a point-to-point check on particle-in-cell and 1D3V Boltzmann simulations. We present the results of this comparison and discuss some implications for plasma boundary interaction physics.

Diagnostics of seeded RF plasmas: An experimental study related to the gaseous core reactor

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Thompson, S. D.; Clement, J. D.; Williams, J. R.

1974-01-01

Measurements of the temperature profiles in an RF argon plasma were made over magnetic field intensities ranging from 20 amp turns/cm to 80 amp turns/cm. The results were compared with a one-dimensional numerical treatment of the governing equations and with an approximate closed form analytical solution that neglected radiation losses. The average measured temperatures in the plasma compared well with the numerical treatment, though the experimental profile showed less of an off center temperature peak than predicted by theory. This may be a result of the complex turbulent flow pattern present in the experimental torch and not modeled in the numerical treatment. The radiation term cannot be neglected for argon at the power levels investigated. The closed form analytical approximation that neglected radiation led to temperature predictions on the order of 1000 K to 2000 K higher than measured or predicted by the numerical treatment which considered radiation losses.

An argon ion beam milling process for native AlOx layers enabling coherent superconducting contacts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grünhaupt, Lukas; von Lüpke, Uwe; Gusenkova, Daria; Skacel, Sebastian T.; Maleeva, Nataliya; Schlör, Steffen; Bilmes, Alexander; Rotzinger, Hannes; Ustinov, Alexey V.; Weides, Martin; Pop, Ioan M.

2017-08-01

We present an argon ion beam milling process to remove the native oxide layer forming on aluminum thin films due to their exposure to atmosphere in between lithographic steps. Our cleaning process is readily integrable with conventional fabrication of Josephson junction quantum circuits. From measurements of the internal quality factors of superconducting microwave resonators with and without contacts, we place an upper bound on the residual resistance of an ion beam milled contact of 50 mΩ μm2 at a frequency of 4.5 GHz. Resonators for which only 6% of the total foot-print was exposed to the ion beam milling, in areas of low electric and high magnetic fields, showed quality factors above 106 in the single photon regime, and no degradation compared to single layer samples. We believe these results will enable the development of increasingly complex superconducting circuits for quantum information processing.

Long-distance stone transport and pigment use in the earliest Middle Stone Age

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brooks, Alison S.; Yellen, John E.; Potts, Richard; Behrensmeyer, Anna K.; Deino, Alan L.; Leslie, David E.; Ambrose, Stanley H.; Ferguson, Jeffrey R.; d’Errico, Francesco; Zipkin, Andrew M.; Whittaker, Scott; Post, Jeffrey; Veatch, Elizabeth G.; Foecke, Kimberly; Clark, Jennifer B.

2018-04-01

Previous research suggests that the complex symbolic, technological, and socioeconomic behaviors that typify Homo sapiens had roots in the middle Pleistocene <200,000 years ago, but data bearing on human behavioral origins are limited. We present a series of excavated Middle Stone Age sites from the Olorgesailie basin, southern Kenya, dating from ≥295,000 to ~320,000 years ago by argon-40/argon-39 and uranium-series methods. Hominins at these sites made prepared cores and points, exploited iron-rich rocks to obtain red pigment, and procured stone tool materials from ≥25- to 50-kilometer distances. Associated fauna suggests a broad resource strategy that included large and small prey. These practices imply notable changes in how individuals and groups related to the landscape and to one another and provide documentation relevant to human social and cognitive evolution.

Effects of argon gas flow rate on laser-welding.

PubMed

Takayama, Yasuko; Nomoto, Rie; Nakajima, Hiroyuki; Ohkubo, Chikahiro

2012-01-01

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of the rate of argon gas flow on joint strength in the laser-welding of cast metal plates and to measure the porosity. Two cast plates (Ti and Co-Cr alloy) of the same metal were abutted and welded together. The rates of argon gas flow were 0, 5 and 10 L/min for the Co-Cr alloy, and 5 and 10 L/min for the Ti. There was a significant difference in the ratio of porosity according to the rate of argon gas flow in the welded area. Argon shielding had no significant effect on the tensile strength of Co-Cr alloy. The 5 L/min specimens showed greater tensile strength than the 10 L/min specimens for Ti. Laser welding of the Co-Cr alloy was influenced very little by argon shielding. When the rate of argon gas flow was high, joint strength decreased for Ti.

21 CFR 874.4490 - Argon laser for otology, rhinology, and laryngology.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Argon laser for otology, rhinology, and laryngology. 874.4490 Section 874.4490 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND... Argon laser for otology, rhinology, and laryngology. (a) Identification. The argon laser device for use...

21 CFR 874.4490 - Argon laser for otology, rhinology, and laryngology.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Argon laser for otology, rhinology, and laryngology. 874.4490 Section 874.4490 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND... Argon laser for otology, rhinology, and laryngology. (a) Identification. The argon laser device for use...

40 CFR 63.10686 - What are the requirements for electric arc furnaces and argon-oxygen decarburization vessels?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... arc furnaces and argon-oxygen decarburization vessels? 63.10686 Section 63.10686 Protection of... Compliance Requirements § 63.10686 What are the requirements for electric arc furnaces and argon-oxygen... from each EAF (including charging, melting, and tapping operations) and argon-oxygen decarburization...

40 CFR 63.10686 - What are the requirements for electric arc furnaces and argon-oxygen decarburization vessels?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... arc furnaces and argon-oxygen decarburization vessels? 63.10686 Section 63.10686 Protection of... Compliance Requirements § 63.10686 What are the requirements for electric arc furnaces and argon-oxygen... from each EAF (including charging, melting, and tapping operations) and argon-oxygen decarburization...

40 CFR 63.10686 - What are the requirements for electric arc furnaces and argon-oxygen decarburization vessels?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... arc furnaces and argon-oxygen decarburization vessels? 63.10686 Section 63.10686 Protection of... Compliance Requirements § 63.10686 What are the requirements for electric arc furnaces and argon-oxygen... from each EAF (including charging, melting, and tapping operations) and argon-oxygen decarburization...

40 CFR 63.10686 - What are the requirements for electric arc furnaces and argon-oxygen decarburization vessels?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... arc furnaces and argon-oxygen decarburization vessels? 63.10686 Section 63.10686 Protection of... Compliance Requirements § 63.10686 What are the requirements for electric arc furnaces and argon-oxygen... from each EAF (including charging, melting, and tapping operations) and argon-oxygen decarburization...

40 CFR 63.10686 - What are the requirements for electric arc furnaces and argon-oxygen decarburization vessels?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... arc furnaces and argon-oxygen decarburization vessels? 63.10686 Section 63.10686 Protection of... Compliance Requirements § 63.10686 What are the requirements for electric arc furnaces and argon-oxygen... from each EAF (including charging, melting, and tapping operations) and argon-oxygen decarburization...

Argon gas: a potential neuroprotectant and promising medical therapy

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Argon is a noble gas element that has demonstrated narcotic and protective abilities that may prove useful in the medical field. The earliest records of argon gas have exposed its ability to exhibit narcotic symptoms at hyperbaric pressures greater than 10 atmospheres with more recent evidence seeking to display argon as a potential neuroprotective agent. The high availability and low cost of argon provide a distinct advantage over using similarly acting treatments such as xenon gas. Argon gas treatments in models of brain injury such as in vitro Oxygen-Glucose-Deprivation (OGD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), as well as in vivo Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion (MCAO) have largely demonstrated positive neuroprotective behavior. On the other hand, some warning has been made to potential negative effects of argon treatments in cases of ischemic brain injury, where increases of damage in the sub-cortical region of the brain have been uncovered. Further support for argon use in the medical field has been demonstrated in its use in combination with tPA, its ability as an organoprotectant, and its surgical applications. This review seeks to summarize the history and development of argon gas use in medical research as mainly a neuroprotective agent, to summarize the mechanisms associated with its biological effects, and to elucidate its future potential. PMID:24533741

Modeling of inhomogeneous mixing of plasma species in argon-steam arc discharge

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jeništa, J.; Takana, H.; Uehara, S.; Nishiyama, H.; Bartlová, M.; Aubrecht, V.; Murphy, A. B.

2018-01-01

This paper presents numerical simulation of mixing of argon- and water-plasma species in an argon-steam arc discharge generated in a thermal plasma generator with the combined stabilization of arc by axial gas flow (argon) and water vortex. The diffusion of plasma species itself is described by the combined diffusion coefficients method in which the coefficients describe the diffusion of argon ‘gas,’ with respect to water vapor ‘gas.’ Diffusion processes due to the gradients of mass density, temperature, pressure, and an electric field have been considered in the model. Calculations for currents 150-400 A with 15-22.5 standard liters per minute (slm) of argon reveal inhomogeneous mixing of argon and oxygen-hydrogen species with the argon species prevailing near the arc axis. All the combined diffusion coefficients exhibit highly nonlinear distribution of their values within the discharge, depending on the temperature, pressure, and argon mass fraction of the plasma. The argon diffusion mass flux is driven mainly by the concentration and temperature space gradients. Diffusions due to pressure gradients and due to the electric field are of about 1 order lower. Comparison with our former calculations based on the homogeneous mixing assumption shows differences in temperature, enthalpy, radiation losses, arc efficiency, and velocity at 400 A. Comparison with available experiments exhibits very good qualitative and quantitative agreement for the radial temperature and velocity profiles 2 mm downstream of the exit nozzle.

Pulsed-Power Research and Development in the USSR

DTIC Science & Technology

1978-05-01

point action of extreme electric and magnetic fields o Heat and mass transfer in energy converters with complex nonlinear parameters o Transfer of...Study of cold plasma instabilities and turbulence o Development of plasmatrons to heat hydrogen, nitrogen, air, methane, argon, helium, alkali...approaches to metalworking through the use of electromagnetic force and in research on induction heating . In connection with such applications, Shneyerson

46 CFR 151.50-36 - Argon or nitrogen.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... 46 Shipping 5 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Argon or nitrogen. 151.50-36 Section 151.50-36 Shipping... BULK LIQUID HAZARDOUS MATERIAL CARGOES Special Requirements § 151.50-36 Argon or nitrogen. (a) A cargo tank that contains argon or nitrogen and that has a maximum allowable working pressure of 172 kPa (25...

46 CFR 151.50-36 - Argon or nitrogen.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... 46 Shipping 5 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Argon or nitrogen. 151.50-36 Section 151.50-36 Shipping... BULK LIQUID HAZARDOUS MATERIAL CARGOES Special Requirements § 151.50-36 Argon or nitrogen. (a) A cargo tank that contains argon or nitrogen and that has a maximum allowable working pressure of 172 kPa (25...

46 CFR 151.50-36 - Argon or nitrogen.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... 46 Shipping 5 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Argon or nitrogen. 151.50-36 Section 151.50-36 Shipping... BULK LIQUID HAZARDOUS MATERIAL CARGOES Special Requirements § 151.50-36 Argon or nitrogen. (a) A cargo tank that contains argon or nitrogen and that has a maximum allowable working pressure of 172 kPa (25...

46 CFR 151.50-36 - Argon or nitrogen.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 46 Shipping 5 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Argon or nitrogen. 151.50-36 Section 151.50-36 Shipping... BULK LIQUID HAZARDOUS MATERIAL CARGOES Special Requirements § 151.50-36 Argon or nitrogen. (a) A cargo tank that contains argon or nitrogen and that has a maximum allowable working pressure of 172 kPa (25...

46 CFR 151.50-36 - Argon or nitrogen.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... BULK LIQUID HAZARDOUS MATERIAL CARGOES Special Requirements § 151.50-36 Argon or nitrogen. (a) A cargo tank that contains argon or nitrogen and that has a maximum allowable working pressure of 172 kPa (25... 46 Shipping 5 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Argon or nitrogen. 151.50-36 Section 151.50-36 Shipping...

Method to estimate the electron temperature and neutral density in a plasma from spectroscopic measurements using argon atom and ion collisional-radiative models.

PubMed

Sciamma, Ella M; Bengtson, Roger D; Rowan, W L; Keesee, Amy; Lee, Charles A; Berisford, Dan; Lee, Kevin; Gentle, K W

2008-10-01

We present a method to infer the electron temperature in argon plasmas using a collisional-radiative model for argon ions and measurements of electron density to interpret absolutely calibrated spectroscopic measurements of argon ion (Ar II) line intensities. The neutral density, and hence the degree of ionization of this plasma, can then be estimated using argon atom (Ar I) line intensities and a collisional-radiative model for argon atoms. This method has been tested for plasmas generated on two different devices at the University of Texas at Austin: the helicon experiment and the helimak experiment. We present results that show good correlation with other measurements in the plasma.

The Argon Geochronology Experiment (AGE)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Swindle, T. D.; Bode, R.; Fennema, A.; Chutjian, A.; MacAskill, J. A.; Darrach, M. R.; Clegg, S. M.; Wiens, R. C.; Cremers, D.

2006-01-01

This viewgraph presentation reviews the Argon Geochronology Experiment (AGE). Potassium-Argon dating is shown along with cosmic ray dating exposure. The contents include a flow diagram of the Argon Geochronology Experiment, and schematic diagrams of the mass spectrometer vacuum system, sample manipulation mechanism, mineral heater oven, and the quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer. The Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) Operation with elemental abundances is also described.

Light detection and the wavelength shifter deposition in DEAP-3600

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Broerman, B.; Retière, F.

2016-02-01

The Dark matter Experiment using Argon Pulse-shape discrimination (DEAP) uses liquid argon as a target medium to perform a direct-detection dark matter search. The 3600 kg liquid argon target volume is housed in a spherical acrylic vessel and viewed by a surrounding array of photomultiplier tubes. Ionizing particles in the argon volume produce scintillation light which must be wavelength shifted to be detected by the photomultiplier tubes. Argon scintillation and wavelength shifting, along with details on the application of the wavelength shifter to the inner surface of the acrylic vessel are presented.

A complex Ar⋯Agsbnd I produced by laser ablation and characterised by rotational spectroscopy and ab initio calculations: Variation of properties along the series Ar⋯Agsbnd X (X = F, Cl, Br and I)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Medcraft, Chris; Mullaney, John C.; Walker, Nicholas R.; Legon, Anthony C.

2017-05-01

A complex of argon with silver iodide (Ar⋯Agsbnd I) has been formed in the gas phase by laser ablation of a silver iodide rod in the presence of a pulse of argon gas and its ground-state rotational spectrum has been detected by means of a chirped-pulse, F-T microwave instrument. Ar⋯Agsbnd I was characterised both by experimental properties determined from its rotational spectrum and by ab initio calculations carried out at the CCSD(T)(F12c)/cc-pVTZ-F12 explicitly correlated level of theory. The molecule was shown to be linear in the ground state, with atoms in the order shown. The Ar⋯Ag and Agsbnd I bond lengths r0(Ar⋯Ag) = 2.6759 Å and r0(Agsbnd I) = 2.5356 Å, the dissociation energy De = 16.7 kJ mol-1 for the process Ar⋯Agsbnd I = Ar + Agsbnd I, the intermolecular quadratic stretching force constant FAr⋯Ag = F22 = 20.2(8) N m-1 and the increase 0.033 in the ionicity ic of Agsbnd I when it enters the complex are reported. The opportunity has been taken to compare the way in which these properties vary along the series Ar⋯Agsbnd X (X = F, Cl, Br and I).

Argon Diffusion Measured in Rhyolite Melt at 100 MPa

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Weldon, N.; Edwards, P. M.; Watkins, J. M.; Lesher, C. E.

2016-12-01

Argon diffusivity (D_{Ar} ) controls the rate and length scale of argon exchange between melt and gas phases and is used as a parameter to model noble gas fractionation during magma degassing. D_{Ar} may also be useful in geochronology to estimate the distribution of excess (non-radiogenic) atmospheric argon in lavas. Our measurements of D_{Ar} in molten anhydrous rhyolite near 1000 °C and 100 MPa add to the existing dataset. Using a rapid-quench cold seal pressure apparatus we exposed cylindrical charges drilled from a Miocene rhyolite flow near Buck Mtn., CA to a pure argon atmosphere resulting in a gradually lengthening argon concentration gradient between the saturated surface and the argon poor interior. Argon concentration was measured by electron microprobe along radial transects from the center to the surface of bisected samples. D_{Ar} was calculated for each transect by fitting relative argon concentration (as a function of distance from the surface) to Green's function (given each experiment's specific temperature, pressure and runtime). Variability (σ = 1.202{μm }^{2} /s) was smaller than in previous studies, but still greater than what is likely due to analytical or experimental uncertainty. We observed a symmetric geometric bias in the distribution of argon in our samples, possibly related to advective redistribution of argon accompanying the deformation of cylindrical charges into spheroids driven by surface tension. Average diffusivity, D_{Ar} = 4.791{μm }^{2} /s, is close to the predicted value, D_{Ar} = {μm }^{2} /s ( σ_{ \\bar{x} } = 1.576 {μm }^{2} /s), suggesting that Behrens and Zhang's (2001) empirical model is valid for anhydrous rhyolite melts to relatively higher temperatures and lower pressures. Behrens, H. and Y. Zhang (2001). "Ar diffusion in hydrous silicic melts: implications for volatile diffusion mechanisms and fractionation." Earth and Planetary Science Letters 192: 363-376.

Treatment of tracheal mucoepidermoid carcinoma by argon plasma coagulation during pregnancy.

PubMed

Kesrouani, Assaad; Dabar, Georges; Rahal, Samir; Ghorra, Claude

2015-05-01

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the tracheobronchial tree is a rare airway tumor (<1% of all lung tumors). In adults, the majority of primary tracheal tumors are malignant. Management during pregnancy is complex and requires weighing maternal and fetal prognosis. Reported cases describe surgical resection following cesarean section. We report the first case to be treated by Argon-Plasma Coagulation (APC) in pregnancy. A 35-year-old Caucasian woman G1P0, at 27 weeks of gestation was admitted to the emergency department because of hemoptysis and severe dyspnea. Bronchoscopy and biopsies diagnosed primary tracheal mucoepidermoid carcinoma. Following an episode of tracheal bleeding, she was intubated. After thorough explanations to the family and obtaining informed consent, therapeutic bronchoscopy, under general anesthesia using a rigid bronchoscope, was performed. The tumor was cored out with the tip of the bronchoscope and removed with an alligator forceps. The tumor bed was coagulated with APC. The obstetrical team was ready to intervene in case of maternal emergency. Immediate follow-up was good, and she left the hospital 4 days later. She delivered at 39 weeks of gestation by cesarean section because of dystocia. Five years later, the patient is doing well without any signs or symptoms of recurrence. Pediatric follow-up is normal. Argon Plasma Coagulation for treatment of mucoepidermoid tracheal carcinoma is feasible during pregnancy. Reporting this case could lead to less aggressive management of mucoepidermoid carcinoma in pregnant patients.

Observation of Trans-Ethanol and Gauche-Ethanol Complexes with Benzene Using Matrix Isolation Infrared Spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Amicangelo, Jay; Silbaugh, Matthew J.

2016-06-01

Ethanol can exist in two conformers, one in which the OH group is trans to the methyl group (trans-ethanol) and the other in which the OH group is gauche to the methyl group (gauche-ethanol). Matrix isolation infrared spectra of ethanol deposited in 20 K argon matrices display distinct infrared peaks that can be assigned to the trans-ethanol and gauche-ethanol conformers, particularly with the O-H stretching vibrations. Given this, matrix isolation experiments were performed in which ethanol (C_2H_5OH) and benzene (C_6H_6) were co-deposited in argon matrices at 20 K in order to determine if conformer specific ethanol complexes with benzene could be observed in the infrared spectra. New infrared peaks that can be attributed to the trans-ethanol and gauche-ethanol complexes with benzene have been observed near the O-H stretching vibrations of ethanol. The initial identification of the new infrared peaks as being due to the ethanol-benzene complexes was established by performing a concentration study (1:200 to 1:1600 S/M ratios), by comparing the co-deposition spectra with the spectra of the individual monomers, by matrix annealing experiments (35 K), and by performing experiments using isotopically labeled ethanol (C_2D_5OD) and benzene (C_6D_6). Quantum chemical calculations were also performed for the C_2H_5OH-C_6H_6 complexes using density functional theory (B3LYP) and ab initio (MP2) methods. Stable minima were found for the both the trans-ethanol and gauche-ethanol complexes with benzene at both levels of theory and were predicted to have similar interaction energies. Both complexes can be characterized as H-π complexes, in which the ethanol is above the benzene ring with the hydroxyl hydrogen interacting with the π cloud of the ring. The theoretical O-H stretching frequencies for the complexes were predicted to be shifted from the monomer frequencies and from each other and these results were used to make the conformer specific infrared peak assignments. Barnes, A. J.; Hallam, H. E. Trans. Faraday Soc., 1970, 66, 1932-1940.

Capillary-tube-based oxygen/argon micro-plasma system for the inactivation of bacteria suspended in aqueous solution.

PubMed

Weng, Chih-Chiang; Liao, Juinn-Der; Chen, Hsin-Hung; Lin, Tung-Yi; Huang, Chih-Ling

2011-09-01

An aqueous solution containing Escherichia coli can be completely inactivated within a short treatment time using a capillary-tube-based oxygen/argon micro-plasma source. A capillary-tube-based oxygen/argon micro-plasma system with a hollow inner electrode was ignited by a 13.56 MHz radio frequency power supply with a matching network and characterised by optical emission spectroscopy. An aqueous solution containing E. coli was then treated at various the working distances, plasma exposure durations, and oxygen ratios in argon micro-plasma. The treated bacteria were then assessed and qualitatively investigated. The morphologies of treated bacteria were examined using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). In the proposed oxygen/argon micro-plasma system, the intensities of the main emission lines of the excited species, nitric oxide (NO), hydrated oxide (OH), argon (Ar), and atomic oxygen (O), fluctuated with the addition of oxygen to argon micro-plasma. Under a steady state of micro-plasma generation, the complete inactivation of E. coli in aqueous solution was achieved within 90 s of argon micro-plasma exposure time with a working distance of 3 mm. SEM micrographs reveal obvious morphological damage to the treated E. coli. The addition of oxygen to argon micro-plasma increased the variety of O-containing excited species. At a given supply power, the relative intensities of the excited species, NO and OH, correlated with the ultraviolet (UV) intensity, decreased. For the proposed capillary-tube-based micro-plasma system with a hollow inner electrode, the oxygen/argon micro-plasma source is efficient in inactivating E. coli in aqueous solution. The treatment time required for the inactivation process decreases with decreasing working distance or the increasing synthesised effect of reactive species and UV intensity.

Argon attenuates the emergence of secondary injury after traumatic brain injury within a 2-hour incubation period compared to desflurane: an in vitro study.

PubMed

Grüßer, Linda; Blaumeiser-Debarry, Rosmarie; Krings, Matthias; Kremer, Benedikt; Höllig, Anke; Rossaint, Rolf; Coburn, Mark

2017-01-01

Despite years of research, treatment of traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains challenging. Considerable data exists that some volatile anesthetics might be neuroprotective. However, several studies have also revealed a rather neurotoxic profile of anesthetics. In this study, we investigated the effects of argon 50%, desflurane 6% and their combination in an in vitro TBI model with incubation times similar to narcotic time slots in a daily clinical routine. Organotypic hippocampal brain slices of 5- to 7-day-old mice were cultivated for 14 days before TBI was performed. Slices were eventually incubated for 2 hours in an atmosphere containing no anesthetic gas, argon 50% or desflurane 6% or both. Trauma intensity was evaluated via fluorescent imagery. Our results show that neither argon 50% nor desflurane 6% nor their combination could significantly reduce the trauma intensity in comparison to the standard atmosphere. However, in comparison to desflurane 6%, argon 50% displayed a rather neuroprotective profile within the first 2 hours after a focal mechanical trauma ( P = 0.015). A 2-hour incubation in an atmosphere containing both gases, argon 50% and desflurane 6%, did not result in significant effects in comparison to the argon 50% group or the desflurane 6% group. Our findings demonstrate that within a 2-hour incubation time neither argon nor desflurane could affect propidium iodide-detectable cell death in an in vitro TBI model in comparison to the standard atmosphere, although cell death was less with argon 50% than with desflurane 6%. The results show that within this short time period processes concerning the development of secondary injury are already taking place and may be manipulated by argon.

The DarkSide direct dark matter search with liquid argon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Edkins, E.; Agnes, P.; Alexander, T.; Alton, A.; Arisaka, K.; Back, H. O.; Baldin, B.; Biery, K.; Bonfini, G.; Bossa, M.; Brigatti, A.; Brodsky, J.; Budano, F.; Cadonati, L.; Calaprice, F.; Canci, N.; Candela, A.; Cao, H.; Cariello, M.; Cavalcante, P.; Chavarria, A.; Chepurnov, A.; Cocco, A. G.; Crippa, L.; D'Angelo, D.; D'Incecco, M.; Davini, S.; De Deo, M.; Derbin, A.; Devoto, A.; Di Eusanio, F.; Di Pietro, G.; Empl, A.; Fan, A.; Fiorillo, G.; Fomenko, K.; Forster, G.; Franco, D.; Gabriele, F.; Galbiati, C.; Goretti, A.; Grandi, L.; Gromov, M.; Guan, M. Y.; Guardincerri, Y.; Hackett, B.; Herner, K.; Humble, P.; Hungerford, E. V.; Ianni, Al.; Ianni, An.; Jollet, C.; Keeter, K.; Kendziora, C.; Kobychev, V.; Koh, G.; Korablev, D.; Korga, G.; Kurlej, A.; Li, P. X.; Loer, B.; Lombardi, P.; Love, C.; Ludhova, L.; Luitz, S.; Ma, Y. Q.; Machulin, I.; Mandarano, A.; Mari, S.; Maricic, J.; Marini, L.; Martoff, C. J.; Meregaglia, A.; Meroni, E.; Meyers, P. D.; Milincic, R.; Montanari, D.; Montuschi, M.; Monzani, M. E.; Mosteiro, P.; Mount, B.; Muratova, V.; Musico, P.; Nelson, A.; Odrowski, S.; Okounkova, M.; Orsini, M.; Ortica, F.; Pagani, L.; Pallavicini, M.; Pantic, E.; Papp, L.; Parmeggiano, S.; Parsells, R.; Pelczar, K.; Pelliccia, N.; Perasso, S.; Pocar, A.; Pordes, S.; Pugachev, D.; Qian, H.; Randle, K.; Ranucci, G.; Razeto, A.; Reinhold, B.; Renshaw, A.; Romani, A.; Rossi, B.; Rossi, N.; Rountree, S. D.; Sablone, D.; Saggese, P.; Saldanha, R.; Sands, W.; Sangiorgio, S.; Segreto, E.; Semenov, D.; Shields, E.; Skorokhvatov, M.; Smirnov, O.; Sotnikov, A.; Stanford, C.; Suvorov, Y.; Tartaglia, R.; Tatarowicz, J.; Testera, G.; Tonazzo, A.; Unzhakov, E.; Vogelaar, R. B.; Wada, M.; Walker, S.; Wang, H.; Wang, Y.; Watson, A.; Westerdale, S.; Wojcik, M.; Wright, A.; Xiang, X.; Xu, J.; Yang, C. G.; Yoo, J.; Zavatarelli, S.; Zec, A.; Zhu, C.; Zuzel, G.

2017-11-01

The DarkSide-50 direct dark matter detector is a liquid argon time projection chamber (TPC) surrounded by a liquid scintillator neutron veto (LSV) and a water Cerenkov muon veto (WCV). Located under 3800 m.w.e. at the Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso, Italy, it is the only direct dark matter experiment currently operating background free. The atmospheric argon target was replaced with argon from underground sources in April, 2015. The level of 39Ar, a β emitter present in atmospheric argon (AAr), has been shown to have been reduced by a factor of (1.4 ± 0.2) x 103. The combined spin-independent WIMP exclusion limit of 2.0 x 10-44 cm2 (mχ = 100 GeV/c2) is currently the best limit on a liquid argon target.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hall, Jeter C.; Aalseth, Craig E.; Bonicalzi, Ricco

Age dating groundwater and seawater using 39Ar/Ar ratios is an important tool to understand water mass flow rates and mean residence time. For modern or contemporary argon, the 39Ar activity is 1.8 mBq per liter of argon. Radiation measurements at these activity levels require ultra low-background detectors. Low-background proportional counters have been developed at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. These detectors use traditional mixtures of argon and methane as counting gas, and the residual 39Ar from commercial argon has become a predominant source of background activity in these detectors. We demonstrated sensitivity to 39Ar by using geological or ancient argon frommore » gas wells in place of commercial argon. The low level counting performance of these proportional counters is then demonstrated for sensitivities to 39Ar/Ar ratios sufficient to date water masses as old as 1000 years.« less

Argon protects against hypoxic-ischemic brain injury in neonatal rats through activation of nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2

PubMed Central

Zhao, Hailin; Mitchell, Sian; Ciechanowicz, Sarah; Savage, Sinead; Wang, Tianlong; Ji, Xunming; Ma, Daqing

2016-01-01

Perinatal hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) has a high mortality rate with neuropsychological impairment. This study investigated the neuroprotective effects of argon against neonatal hypoxic-ischaemic brain injury. In vitro cortical neuronal cell cultures derived from rat foetuses were subjected to an oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD) challenge for 90 minutes and then exposed to 70% argon or nitrogen with 5% carbon dioxide and balanced with oxygen for 2 hours. In vivo, seven-day-old rats were subjected to unilateral common carotid artery ligation followed by hypoxic (8% oxygen balanced with nitrogen) insult for 90 minutes. They were exposed to 70% argon or nitrogen balanced with oxygen for 2 hours. In vitro, argon treatment of cortical neuronal cultures resulted in a significant increase of p-mTOR and Nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2(Nrf2) and protection against OGD challenge. Inhibition of m-TOR through Rapamycin or Nrf2 through siRNA abolished argon-mediated cyto-protection. In vivo, argon exposure significantly enhanced Nrf2 and its down-stream effector NAD(P)H Dehydrogenase, Quinone 1(NQO1) and superoxide dismutase 1(SOD1). Oxidative stress, neuroinflammation and neuronal cell death were significantly decreased and brain infarction was markedly reduced. Blocking PI-3K through wortmannin or ERK1/2 through U0126 attenuated argon-mediated neuroprotection. These data provide a new molecular mechanism for the potential application of argon as a neuroprotectant in HIE. PMID:27016422

Argon Laser Treatment of Strawberry Hemangioma in Infancy

PubMed Central

Achauer, Bruce M.; Vander Kam, Victoria M.

1985-01-01

Argon laser therapy is effective for removing port-wine stains and for reducing cutaneous vascular and pigmented lesions. Strawberry hemangiomas, being much thicker lesions than port-wine stains, were considered not appropriate for argon laser treatment. Using argon laser therapy in 13 cases of strawberry hemangioma, we achieved poor to dramatic results. ImagesFigure 1.Figure 2.Figure 3.Figure 4.Figure 5.Figure 6.Figure 7. PMID:4082569

Argon dye photocoagulator for microsurgery of the interior structure of the eye

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wolinski, Wieslaw L.; Kazmirowski, Antoni; Kesik, Jerzy; Korobowicz, Witold; Spytkowski, Wojciech

1991-08-01

Argon-dye laser photocoagulator for the microsurgery of the interior structure of the eye is described. Some technical specifications like power stability shape of the spots and the dependence of the power on the tissue vs. wavelenght for dye laser are given. Argon-dye photocoagulator was designed and constructed including argon laser tube and dye laser in Institute of Microelectronics and Optoelectronics Technical University of Warsaw.

Argon laser induced changes to the carbonate content of enamel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ziglo, M. J.; Nelson, A. E.; Heo, G.; Major, P. W.

2009-05-01

Argon laser irradiation can be used to cure orthodontic brackets onto teeth in significantly less time than conventional curing lights. In addition, it has been shown that the argon laser seems to impart a demineralization resistance to the enamel. The purpose of this study was to use surface science techniques to ascertain if this demineralization resistance is possibly a result of a decrease in the carbonate content of enamel. Eleven mandibular third molars previously scheduled for extraction were collected and used in the present study. The teeth were sectioned in two and randomly assigned to either the argon laser (457-502 nm; 250 mW cm -2) or the control (no treatment) group. The sections assigned to the argon laser group were cured for 10 s and analyzed. To exaggerate any potential changes the experimental sections were then exposed to a further 110 s of argon laser irradiation. Surface analysis was performed using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS). The results showed no statistically significant change in the carbonate content of enamel after argon laser irradiation ( p > 0.05). Thus, it is suggested that any demineralization resistance imparted to the enamel surface by argon laser irradiation is not due to alterations in carbonate content.

Argon concentration time-series as a tool to study gas dynamics in the hyporheic zone.

PubMed

Mächler, Lars; Brennwald, Matthias S; Kipfer, Rolf

2013-07-02

The oxygen dynamics in the hyporheic zone of a peri-alpine river (Thur, Switzerland), were studied through recording and analyzing the concentration time-series of dissolved argon, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and temperature during low flow conditions, for a period of one week. The argon concentration time-series was used to investigate the physical gas dynamics in the hyporheic zone. Differences in the transport behavior of heat and gas were determined by comparing the diel temperature evolution of groundwater to the measured concentration of dissolved argon. These differences were most likely caused by vertical heat transport which influenced the local groundwater temperature. The argon concentration time-series were also used to estimate travel times by cross correlating argon concentrations in the groundwater with argon concentrations in the river. The information gained from quantifying the physical gas transport was used to estimate the oxygen turnover in groundwater after water recharge. The resulting oxygen turnover showed strong diel variations, which correlated with the water temperature during groundwater recharge. Hence, the variation in the consumption rate was most likely caused by the temperature dependence of microbial activity.

Ionizing Shocks in Argon. Part 2: Transient and Multi-Dimensional Effects (Preprint)

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-09-09

stability in ionizing monatomic gases. Part 1. Argon ,” J. Fluid Mech., 84, 55 (1978). 2M. P. F. Bristow and I. I. Glass, “ Polarizability of singly...Article 3. DATES COVERED (From - To) 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER Ionizing Shocks in Argon . Part 2: Transient...Physics. 14. ABSTRACT We extend the computations of ionizing shocks in argon to unsteady and multi-dimensional, using a collisional-radiative

Influence of argon impurities on the elastic scattering of x-rays from imploding beryllium capsules

DOE PAGES

Saunders, A. M.; Chapman, D. A.; Kritcher, A. L.; ...

2018-03-01

Here, we investigate the effect of argon impurities on the elastic component of x-ray scattering spectra taken from directly driven beryllium capsule implosions at the OMEGA laser. The plasma conditions were obtained in a previous analysis [18] by fitting the inelastic scattering component. We show that the known argon impurity in the beryllium modifies the elastic scattering due to the larger number of bound electrons. We indeed find significant deviations in the elastic scattering from roughly 1 at.% argon contained in the beryllium. With knowledge of the argon impurity fraction, we use the elastic scattering component to determine the chargemore » state of the compressed beryllium, as the fits are rather insensitive to the argon charge state. Lastly, we discuss how doping small fractions of mid- or high-Z elements into low-Z materials could allow ionization balance studies in dense plasmas.« less

The DarkSide awakens

DOE PAGES

Davini, S.; Agnes, P.; Agostino, L.; ...

2016-06-09

Here, the DarkSide program at LNGS aims to perform background-free WIMP searches using two phase liquid argon time projection chambers, with the ultimate goal of covering all parameters down to the so-called neutrino floor. One of the distinct features of the program is the use of underground argon with has a reduced content of the radioactive 39Ar compared to atmospheric argon. The DarkSide Collaboration is currently operating the DarkSide-50 experiment, the first such WIMP detector using underground argon. Operations with underground argon indicate a suppression of 39Ar by a factor (1.4 ± 0.2) × 10 3 relative to atmospheric argon.more » The new results obtained with DarkSide-50 and the plans for the next steps of the DarkSide program, the 20t fiducial mass DarkSide-20k detector and the 200 t fiducial Argo, are reviewed in this proceedings.« less

Simulation of argon response and light detection in the DarkSide-50 dual phase TPC

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Agnes, P.; Albuquerque, I. F. M.; Alexander, T.; Alton, A. K.; Asner, D. M.; Back, H. O.; Biery, K.; Bocci, V.; Bonfini, G.; Bonivento, W.; Bossa, M.; Bottino, B.; Budano, F.; Bussino, S.; Cadeddu, M.; Cadoni, M.; Calaprice, F.; Canci, N.; Candela, A.; Caravati, M.; Cariello, M.; Carlini, M.; Catalanotti, S.; Cataudella, V.; Cavalcante, P.; Chepurnov, A.; Cicalò, C.; Cocco, A. G.; Covone, G.; D'Angelo, D.; D'Incecco, M.; Davini, S.; de Candia, A.; De Cecco, S.; De Deo, M.; De Filippis, G.; De Vincenzi, M.; Derbin, A. V.; De Rosa, G.; Devoto, A.; Di Eusanio, F.; Di Pietro, G.; Dionisi, C.; Edkins, E.; Empl, A.; Fan, A.; Fiorillo, G.; Fomenko, K.; Franco, D.; Gabriele, F.; Galbiati, C.; Giagu, S.; Giganti, C.; Giovanetti, G. K.; Goretti, A. M.; Granato, F.; Gromov, M.; Guan, M.; Guardincerri, Y.; Hackett, B. R.; Herner, K.; Hughes, D.; Humble, P.; Hungerford, E. V.; Ianni, An.; James, I.; Johnson, T. N.; Keeter, K.; Kendziora, C. L.; Koh, G.; Korablev, D.; Korga, G.; Kubankin, A.; Li, X.; Lissia, M.; Loer, B.; Longo, G.; Ma, Y.; Machado, A. A.; Machulin, I. N.; Mandarano, A.; Mari, S. M.; Maricic, J.; Martoff, C. J.; Meyers, P. D.; Milincic, R.; Monte, A.; Mount, B. J.; Muratova, V. N.; Musico, P.; Napolitano, J.; Navrer Agasson, A.; Oleinik, A.; Orsini, M.; Ortica, F.; Pagani, L.; Pallavicini, M.; Pantic, E.; Pelczar, K.; Pelliccia, N.; Pocar, A.; Pordes, S.; Pugachev, D. A.; Qian, H.; Randle, K.; Razeti, M.; Razeto, A.; Reinhold, B.; Renshaw, A. L.; Rescigno, M.; Riffard, Q.; Romani, A.; Rossi, B.; Rossi, N.; Sablone, D.; Sands, W.; Sanfilippo, S.; Savarese, C.; Schlitzer, B.; Segreto, E.; Semenov, D. A.; Singh, P. N.; Skorokhvatov, M. D.; Smirnov, O.; Sotnikov, A.; Stanford, C.; Suvorov, Y.; Tartaglia, R.; Testera, G.; Tonazzo, A.; Trinchese, P.; Unzhakov, E. V.; Verducci, M.; Vishneva, A.; Vogelaar, B.; Wada, M.; Walker, S.; Wang, H.; Wang, Y.; Watson, A. W.; Westerdale, S.; Wilhelmi, J.; Wojcik, M. M.; Xiang, X.; Xiao, X.; Yang, C.; Ye, Z.; Zhu, C.; Zuzel, G.

2017-10-01

A Geant4-based Monte Carlo package named G4DS has been developed to simulate the response of DarkSide-50, an experiment operating since 2013 at LNGS, designed to detect WIMP interactions in liquid argon. In the process of WIMP searches, DarkSide-50 has achieved two fundamental milestones: the rejection of electron recoil background with a power of ~107, using the pulse shape discrimination technique, and the measurement of the residual 39Ar contamination in underground argon, ~3 orders of magnitude lower with respect to atmospheric argon. These results rely on the accurate simulation of the detector response to the liquid argon scintillation, its ionization, and electron-ion recombination processes. This work provides a complete overview of the DarkSide Monte Carlo and of its performance, with a particular focus on PARIS, the custom-made liquid argon response model.

The DarkSide awakens

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Davini, S.; Agnes, P.; Agostino, L.; Albuquerque, I. F. M.; Alexander, T.; Alton, A. K.; Arisaka, K.; Back, H. O.; Baldin, B.; Biery, K.; Bonfini, G.; Bossa, M.; Bottino, B.; Brigatti, A.; Brodsky, J.; Budano, F.; Bussino, S.; Cadeddu, M.; Cadonati, L.; Cadoni, M.; Calaprice, F.; Canci, N.; Candela, A.; Cao, H.; Cariello, M.; Carlini, M.; Catalanotti, S.; Cavalcante, P.; Chepurnov, A.; Cocco, A. G.; Covone, G.; D'Angelo, D.; D'Incecco, M.; De Cecco, S.; De Deo, M.; De Vincenzi, M.; Derbin, A.; Devoto, A.; Di Eusanio, F.; Di Pietro, G.; Edkins, E.; Empl, A.; Fan, A.; Fiorillo, G.; Fomenko, K.; Foster, G.; Franco, D.; Gabriele, F.; Galbiati, C.; Giganti, C.; Goretti, A. M.; Granato, F.; Grandi, L.; Gromov, M.; Guan, M.; Guardincerri, Y.; Hackett, B. R.; Herner, K. R.; Hungerford, E. V.; Ianni, Aldo; Ianni, Andrea; James, I.; Jollet, C.; Keeter, K.; Kendziora, C. L.; Kobychev, V.; Koh, G.; Korablev, D.; Korga, G.; Kubankin, A.; Li, X.; Lissia, M.; Lombardi, P.; Luitz, S.; Ma, Y.; Machulin, I. N.; Mandarano, A.; Mari, S. M.; Maricic, J.; Marini, L.; Martoff, C. J.; Meregaglia, A.; Meyers, P. D.; Miletic, T.; Milincic, R.; Montanari, D.; Monte, A.; Montuschi, M.; Monzani, M. E.; Mosteiro, P.; Mount, B. J.; Muratova, V. N.; Musico, P.; Napolitano, J.; Orsini, M.; Ortica, F.; Pagani, L.; Pallavicini, M.; Pantic, E.; Parmeggiano, S.; Pelczar, K.; Pelliccia, N.; Perasso, S.; Pocar, A.; Pordes, S.; Pugachev, D. A.; Qian, H.; Randle, K.; Ranucci, G.; Razeto, A.; Reinhold, B.; Renshaw, A. L.; Romani, A.; Rossi, B.; Rossi, N.; Rountree, S. D.; Sablone, D.; Saggese, P.; Saldanha, R.; Sands, W.; Sangiorgio, S.; Savarese, C.; Segreto, E.; Semenov, D. A.; Shields, E.; Singh, P. N.; Skorokhvatov, M. D.; Smirnov, O.; Sotnikov, A.; Stanford, C.; Suvorov, Y.; Tartaglia, R.; Tatarowicz, J.; Testera, G.; Tonazzo, A.; Trinchese, P.; Unzhakov, E. V.; Vishneva, A.; Vogelaar, B.; Wada, M.; Walker, S.; Wang, H.; Wang, Y.; Watson, A. W.; Westerdale, S.; Wilhelmi, J.; Wojcik, M. M.; Xiang, X.; Xu, J.; Yang, C.; Yoo, J.; Zavatarelli, S.; Zec, A.; Zhong, W.; Zhu, C.; Zuzel, G.

2016-05-01

The DarkSide program at LNGS aims to perform background-free WIMP searches using two phase liquid argon time projection chambers, with the ultimate goal of covering all parameters down to the so-called neutrino floor. One of the distinct features of the program is the use of underground argon with has a reduced content of the radioactive 39Ar compared to atmospheric argon. The DarkSide Collaboration is currently operating the DarkSide-50 experiment, the first such WIMP detector using underground argon. Operations with underground argon indicate a suppression of 39Ar by a factor (1.4 ± 0.2) × 103 relative to atmospheric argon. The new results obtained with DarkSide-50 and the plans for the next steps of the DarkSide program, the 20t fiducial mass DarkSide-20k detector and the 200 t fiducial Argo, are reviewed in this proceedings.

Influence of argon impurities on the elastic scattering of x-rays from imploding beryllium capsules

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saunders, A. M.; Chapman, D. A.; Kritcher, A. L.; Schoff, M.; Shuldberg, C.; Landen, O. L.; Glenzer, S. H.; Falcone, R. W.; Gericke, D. O.; Döppner, T.

2018-03-01

We investigate the effect of argon impurities on the elastic component of x-ray scattering spectra taken from directly driven beryllium capsule implosions at the OMEGA laser. The plasma conditions were obtained in a previous analysis [18] by fitting the inelastic scattering component. We show that the known argon impurity in the beryllium modifies the elastic scattering due to the larger number of bound electrons. We indeed find significant deviations in the elastic scattering from roughly 1 at.% argon contained in the beryllium. With knowledge of the argon impurity fraction, we use the elastic scattering component to determine the charge state of the compressed beryllium, as the fits are rather insensitive to the argon charge state. Finally, we discuss how doping small fractions of mid- or high-Z elements into low-Z materials could allow ionization balance studies in dense plasmas.

Structure and Abundance of Nitrous Oxide Complexes in Earth's Atmosphere.

PubMed

Salmon, Steven R; de Lange, Katrina M; Lane, Joseph R

2016-04-07

We have investigated the lowest energy structures and binding energies of a series of atmospherically relevant nitrous oxide (N2O) complexes using explicitly correlated coupled cluster theory. Specifically, we have considered complexes with nitrogen (N2-N2O), oxygen (O2-N2O), argon (Ar-N2O), and water (H2O-N2O). We have calculated rotational constants and harmonic vibrational frequencies for the complexes and the constituent monomers. Statistical mechanics was used to determine the thermodynamic parameters for complex formation as a function of temperature and pressure. These results, in combination with relevant atmospheric data, were used to estimate the abundance of N2O complexes in Earth's atmosphere as a function of altitude. We find that the abundance of N2O complexes in Earth's atmosphere is small but non-negligible, and we suggest that N2O complexes may contribute to absorption of terrestrial radiation and be relevant for understanding the atmospheric fate of N2O.

Theoretical and experimental evaluation of the effects of an argon gas mixture on the pressure drop through adult tracheobronchial airway replicas.

PubMed

Litwin, Patrick D; Reis Dib, Anna Luisa; Chen, John; Noga, Michelle; Finlay, Warren H; Martin, Andrew R

2017-06-14

Argon has the potential to be a novel inhaled therapeutic agent, owing to the neuroprotective and organoprotective properties demonstrated in preclinical studies. Before human trials are performed, an understanding of varying gas properties on airway resistance during inhalation is essential. This study predicts the effect of an 80% argon/20% oxygen gas mixture on the pressure drop through conducting airways, and by extension the airway resistance, and then verifies these predictions experimentally using 3-D printed adult tracheobronchial airway replicas. The predicted pressure drop was calculated using established analytical models of airway resistance, incorporating the change in viscosity and density of the 80% argon/20% oxygen mixture versus that of air. Predicted pressure drop for the argon mixture increased by approximately 29% compared to that for air. The experimental results were consistent with this prediction for inspiratory flows ranging from 15 to 90slpm. These results indicate that established analytical models may be used to predict increases in conducting airway resistance for argon/oxygen mixtures, compared with air. Such predictions are valuable in predicting average patient response to breathing argon/oxygen mixtures, and in selecting or designing delivery systems for use in administration of argon/oxygen mixtures to critically ill or injured patients. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Inhaled 45-50% argon augments hypothermic brain protection in a piglet model of perinatal asphyxia.

PubMed

Broad, Kevin D; Fierens, Igor; Fleiss, Bobbi; Rocha-Ferreira, Eridan; Ezzati, Mojgan; Hassell, Jane; Alonso-Alconada, Daniel; Bainbridge, Alan; Kawano, Go; Ma, Daqing; Tachtsidis, Ilias; Gressens, Pierre; Golay, Xavier; Sanders, Robert D; Robertson, Nicola J

2016-03-01

Cooling to 33.5°C in babies with neonatal encephalopathy significantly reduces death and disability, however additional therapies are needed to maximize brain protection. Following hypoxia-ischemia we assessed whether inhaled 45-50% Argon from 2-26h augmented hypothermia neuroprotection in a neonatal piglet model, using MRS and aEEG, which predict outcome in babies with neonatal encephalopathy, and immunohistochemistry. Following cerebral hypoxia-ischemia, 20 Newborn male Large White piglets<40h were randomized to: (i) Cooling (33°C) from 2-26h (n=10); or (ii) Cooling and inhaled 45-50% Argon (Cooling+Argon) from 2-26h (n=8). Whole-brain phosphorus-31 and regional proton MRS were acquired at baseline, 24 and 48h after hypoxia-ischemia. EEG was monitored. At 48h after hypoxia-ischemia, cell death (TUNEL) was evaluated over 7 brain regions. There were no differences in body weight, duration of hypoxia-ischemia or insult severity; throughout the study there were no differences in heart rate, arterial blood pressure, blood biochemistry and inotrope support. Two piglets in the Cooling+Argon group were excluded. Comparing Cooling+Argon with Cooling there was preservation of whole-brain MRS ATP and PCr/Pi at 48h after hypoxia-ischemia (p<0.001 for both) and lower (1)H MRS lactate/N acetyl aspartate in white (p=0.03 and 0.04) but not gray matter at 24 and 48h. EEG background recovery was faster (p<0.01) with Cooling+Argon. An overall difference between average cell-death of Cooling versus Cooling+Argon was observed (p<0.01); estimated cells per mm(2) were 23.9 points lower (95% C.I. 7.3-40.5) for the Cooling+Argon versus Cooling. Inhaled 45-50% Argon from 2-26h augmented hypothermic protection at 48h after hypoxia-ischemia shown by improved brain energy metabolism on MRS, faster EEG recovery and reduced cell death on TUNEL. Argon may provide a cheap and practical therapy to augment cooling for neonatal encephalopathy. Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Lunar exospheric argon modeling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grava, Cesare; Chaufray, J.-Y.; Retherford, K. D.; Gladstone, G. R.; Greathouse, T. K.; Hurley, D. M.; Hodges, R. R.; Bayless, A. J.; Cook, J. C.; Stern, S. A.

2015-07-01

Argon is one of the few known constituents of the lunar exosphere. The surface-based mass spectrometer Lunar Atmosphere Composition Experiment (LACE) deployed during the Apollo 17 mission first detected argon, and its study is among the subjects of the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) Lyman Alpha Mapping Project (LAMP) and Lunar Atmospheric and Dust Environment Explorer (LADEE) mission investigations. We performed a detailed Monte Carlo simulation of neutral atomic argon that we use to better understand its transport and storage across the lunar surface. We took into account several loss processes: ionization by solar photons, charge-exchange with solar protons, and cold trapping as computed by recent LRO/Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter (LOLA) mapping of Permanently Shaded Regions (PSRs). Recycling of photo-ions and solar radiation acceleration are also considered. We report that (i) contrary to previous assumptions, charge exchange is a loss process as efficient as photo-ionization, (ii) the PSR cold-trapping flux is comparable to the ionization flux (photo-ionization and charge-exchange), and (iii) solar radiation pressure has negligible effect on the argon density, as expected. We determine that the release of 2.6 × 1028 atoms on top of a pre-existing argon exosphere is required to explain the maximum amount of argon measured by LACE. The total number of atoms (1.0 × 1029) corresponds to ∼6700 kg of argon, 30% of which (∼1900 kg) may be stored in the cold traps after 120 days in the absence of space weathering processes. The required population is consistent with the amount of argon that can be released during a High Frequency Teleseismic (HFT) Event, i.e. a big, rare and localized moonquake, although we show that LACE could not distinguish between a localized and a global event. The density of argon measured at the time of LACE appears to have originated from no less than four such episodic events. Finally, we show that the extent of the PSRs that trap argon, 0.007% of the total lunar surface, is consistent with the presence of adsorbed water in such PSRs.

Long-distance stone transport and pigment use in the earliest Middle Stone Age.

PubMed

Brooks, Alison S; Yellen, John E; Potts, Richard; Behrensmeyer, Anna K; Deino, Alan L; Leslie, David E; Ambrose, Stanley H; Ferguson, Jeffrey R; d'Errico, Francesco; Zipkin, Andrew M; Whittaker, Scott; Post, Jeffrey; Veatch, Elizabeth G; Foecke, Kimberly; Clark, Jennifer B

2018-04-06

Previous research suggests that the complex symbolic, technological, and socioeconomic behaviors that typify Homo sapiens had roots in the middle Pleistocene <200,000 years ago, but data bearing on human behavioral origins are limited. We present a series of excavated Middle Stone Age sites from the Olorgesailie basin, southern Kenya, dating from ≥295,000 to ~320,000 years ago by argon-40/argon-39 and uranium-series methods. Hominins at these sites made prepared cores and points, exploited iron-rich rocks to obtain red pigment, and procured stone tool materials from ≥25- to 50-kilometer distances. Associated fauna suggests a broad resource strategy that included large and small prey. These practices imply notable changes in how individuals and groups related to the landscape and to one another and provide documentation relevant to human social and cognitive evolution. Copyright © 2018 The Authors, some rights reserved; exclusive licensee American Association for the Advancement of Science. No claim to original U.S. Government Works.

Results from the first use of low radioactivity argon in a dark matter search

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Agnes, P.; Agostino, L.; Albuquerque, I. F. M.; Alexander, T.; Alton, A. K.; Arisaka, K.; Back, H. O.; Baldin, B.; Biery, K.; Bonfini, G.; Bossa, M.; Bottino, B.; Brigatti, A.; Brodsky, J.; Budano, F.; Bussino, S.; Cadeddu, M.; Cadonati, L.; Cadoni, M.; Calaprice, F.; Canci, N.; Candela, A.; Cao, H.; Cariello, M.; Carlini, M.; Catalanotti, S.; Cavalcante, P.; Chepurnov, A.; Cocco, A. G.; Covone, G.; Crippa, L.; D'Angelo, D.; D'Incecco, M.; Davini, S.; De Cecco, S.; De Deo, M.; De Vincenzi, M.; Derbin, A.; Devoto, A.; Di Eusanio, F.; Di Pietro, G.; Edkins, E.; Empl, A.; Fan, A.; Fiorillo, G.; Fomenko, K.; Forster, G.; Franco, D.; Gabriele, F.; Galbiati, C.; Giganti, C.; Goretti, A. M.; Granato, F.; Grandi, L.; Gromov, M.; Guan, M.; Guardincerri, Y.; Hackett, B. R.; Herner, K.; Hungerford, E. V.; Ianni, Al.; Ianni, An.; James, I.; Jollet, C.; Keeter, K.; Kendziora, C. L.; Kobychev, V.; Koh, G.; Korablev, D.; Korga, G.; Kubankin, A.; Li, X.; Lissia, M.; Lombardi, P.; Luitz, S.; Ma, Y.; Machulin, I. N.; Mandarano, A.; Mari, S. M.; Maricic, J.; Marini, L.; Martoff, C. J.; Meregaglia, A.; Meyers, P. D.; Miletic, T.; Milincic, R.; Montanari, D.; Monte, A.; Montuschi, M.; Monzani, M.; Mosteiro, P.; Mount, B. J.; Muratova, V. N.; Musico, P.; Napolitano, J.; Nelson, A.; Odrowski, S.; Orsini, M.; Ortica, F.; Pagani, L.; Pallavicini, M.; Pantic, E.; Parmeggiano, S.; Pelczar, K.; Pelliccia, N.; Perasso, S.; Pocar, A.; Pordes, S.; Pugachev, D. A.; Qian, H.; Randle, K.; Ranucci, G.; Razeto, A.; Reinhold, B.; Renshaw, A. L.; Romani, A.; Rossi, B.; Rossi, N.; Rountree, D.; Sablone, D.; Saggese, P.; Saldanha, R.; Sands, W.; Sangiorgio, S.; Savarese, C.; Segreto, E.; Semenov, D. A.; Shields, E.; Singh, P. N.; Skorokhvatov, M. D.; Smirnov, O.; Sotnikov, A.; Stanford, C.; Suvorov, Y.; Tartaglia, R.; Tatarowicz, J.; Testera, G.; Tonazzo, A.; Trinchese, P.; Unzhakov, E. V.; Vishneva, A.; Vogelaar, B.; Wada, M.; Walker, S.; Wang, H.; Wang, Y.; Watson, A. W.; Westerdale, S.; Wilhelmi, J.; Wojcik, M. M.; Xiang, X.; Xu, J.; Yang, C.; Yoo, J.; Zavatarelli, S.; Zec, A.; Zhong, W.; Zhu, C.; Zuzel, G.; DarkSide Collaboration

2016-04-01

Liquid argon is a bright scintillator with potent particle identification properties, making it an attractive target for direct-detection dark matter searches. The DarkSide-50 dark matter search here reports the first WIMP search results obtained using a target of low-radioactivity argon. DarkSide-50 is a dark matter detector, using a two-phase liquid argon time projection chamber, located at the Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso. The underground argon is shown to contain 39Ar at a level reduced by a factor (1.4 ±0.2 )×103 relative to atmospheric argon. We report a background-free null result from (2616 ±43 ) kg d of data, accumulated over 70.9 live days. When combined with our previous search using an atmospheric argon, the 90% C.L. upper limit on the WIMP-nucleon spin-independent cross section, based on zero events found in the WIMP search regions, is 2.0 ×10-44 cm2 (8.6 ×10-44 cm2 , 8.0 ×10-43 cm2 ) for a WIMP mass of 100 GeV /c2 (1 TeV /c2 , 10 TeV /c2 ).

Results from the first use of low radioactivity argon in a dark matter search

DOE PAGES

Agnes, P.

2016-04-08

Liquid argon is a bright scintillator with potent particle identification properties, making it an attractive target for direct-detection dark matter searches. The DarkSide-50 dark matter search here reports the first WIMP search results obtained using a target of low-radioactivity argon. DarkSide-50 is a dark matter detector, using two-phase liquid argon time projection chamber, located at the Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso. The underground argon is shown to contain Ar-39 at a level reduced by a factor (1.4 +- 0.2) x 10 3 relative to atmospheric argon. We report a background-free null result from (2616 +- 43) kg d of data,more » accumulated over 70.9 live-days. When combined with our previous search using an atmospheric argon, the 90 % C.L. upper limit on the WIMP-nucleon spin-independent cross section based on zero events found in the WIMP search regions, is 2.0 x 10 -44 cm 2 (8.6 x 10 -44 cm 2, 8.0 x 10 -43 cm 2) for a WIMP mass of 100 GeV/c 2 (1 TeV/c 2 , 10 TeV/c 2).« less

A study of dielectric breakdown along insulators surrounding conductors in liquid argon

DOE PAGES

Lockwitz, Sarah; Jostlein, Hans

2016-03-22

High voltage breakdown in liquid argon is an important concern in the design of liquid argon time projection chambers, which are often used as neutrino and dark matter detectors. We have made systematic measurements of breakdown voltages in liquid argon along insulators surrounding negative rod electrodes where the breakdown is initiated at the anode. The measurements were performed in an open cryostat filled with commercial grade liquid argon exposed to air, and not the ultra-pure argon required for electron drift. While not addressing all high voltage concerns in liquid argon, these measurements have direct relevance to the design of highmore » voltage feedthroughs especially for averting the common problem of flash-over breakdown. The purpose of these tests is to understand the effects of materials, of breakdown path length, and of surface topology for this geometry and setup. We have found that the only material-specific effects are those due to their permittivity. We have found that the breakdown voltage has no dependence on the length of the exposed insulator. Lastly, a model for the breakdown mechanism is presented that can help inform future designs.« less

Composition of the atmosphere at the surface of Mars - Detection of argon-36 and preliminary analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Owen, T.; Biemann, K.

1976-01-01

The composition of the Martian atmosphere was determined by the mass spectrometer in the molecular analysis experiment. The presence of argon and nitrogen was confirmed and a value of 1 to 2750 plus or minus 500 for the ratio of argon-36 to argon-40 was established. A preliminary interpretation of these results suggests that Mars had a slightly more massive atmosphere in the past, but that much less total outgassing has occurred on Mars than on earth.

Properties of various plasma surface treatments for low-temperature Au–Au bonding

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yamamoto, Michitaka; Higurashi, Eiji; Suga, Tadatomo; Sawada, Renshi; Itoh, Toshihiro

2018-04-01

Atmospheric-pressure (AP) plasma treatment using three different types of gases (an argon-hydrogen mixed gas, an argon-oxygen mixed gas, and a nitrogen gas) and low-pressure (LP) plasma treatment using an argon gas were compared for Au–Au bonding with thin films and stud bumps at low temperature (25 or 150 °C) in ambient air. The argon-hydrogen gas mixture AP plasma treatment and argon LP plasma treatment were found to distinctly increase the shear bond strength for both samples at both temperatures. From X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis, the removal of organic contaminants on Au surfaces without the formation of hydroxyl groups and gold oxide is considered effective in increasing the Au–Au bonding strength at low temperature.

Pose Measurement Performance of the Argon Relative Navigation Sensor Suite in Simulated Flight Conditions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Galante, Joseph M.; Eepoel, John Van; Strube, Matt; Gill, Nat; Gonzalez, Marcelo; Hyslop, Andrew; Patrick, Bryan

2012-01-01

Argon is a flight-ready sensor suite with two visual cameras, a flash LIDAR, an on- board flight computer, and associated electronics. Argon was designed to provide sensing capabilities for relative navigation during proximity, rendezvous, and docking operations between spacecraft. A rigorous ground test campaign assessed the performance capability of the Argon navigation suite to measure the relative pose of high-fidelity satellite mock-ups during a variety of simulated rendezvous and proximity maneuvers facilitated by robot manipulators in a variety of lighting conditions representative of the orbital environment. A brief description of the Argon suite and test setup are given as well as an analysis of the performance of the system in simulated proximity and rendezvous operations.

Electron beam-generated Ar/N{sub 2} plasmas: The effect of nitrogen addition on the brightest argon emission lines

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lock, E. H., E-mail: evgeniya.lock@nrl.navy.mil, E-mail: scott.walton@nrl.navy.mil; Petrova, Tz. B.; Petrov, G. M.

2016-04-15

The effect of nitrogen addition on the emission intensities of the brightest argon lines produced in a low pressure argon/nitrogen electron beam-generated plasmas is characterized using optical emission spectroscopy. In particular, a decrease in the intensities of the 811.5 nm and 763.5 nm lines is observed, while the intensity of the 750.4 nm line remains unchanged as nitrogen is added. To explain this phenomenon, a non-equilibrium collisional-radiative model is developed and used to compute the population of argon excited states and line intensities as a function of gas composition. The results show that the addition of nitrogen to argon modifies the electron energymore » distribution function, reduces the electron temperature, and depopulates Ar metastables in exchange reactions with electrons and N{sub 2} molecules, all of which lead to changes in argon excited states population and thus the emission originating from the Ar 4p levels.« less

Measurement of the attenuation length of argon scintillation light in the ArDM LAr TPC

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Calvo, J.; Cantini, C.; Crivelli, P.; Daniel, M.; Di Luise, S.; Gendotti, A.; Horikawa, S.; Molina-Bueno, L.; Montes, B.; Mu, W.; Murphy, S.; Natterer, G.; Nguyen, K.; Periale, L.; Quan, Y.; Radics, B.; Regenfus, C.; Romero, L.; Rubbia, A.; Santorelli, R.; Sergiampietri, F.; Viant, T.; Wu, S.

2018-01-01

We report on a measurement of the attenuation length for the scintillation light in the tonne size liquid argon target of the ArDM dark matter experiment. The data was recorded in the first underground operation of the experiment in single-phase operational mode. The results were achieved by comparing the light yield spectra from 39Ar and 83mKr to a description of the ArDM setup with a model of full light ray tracing. A relatively low value close to 0.5 m was found for the attenuation length of the liquid argon bulk to its own scintillation light. We interpret this result as a presence of optically active impurities in the liquid argon which are not filtered by the installed purification systems. We also present analyses of the argon gas employed for the filling and discuss cross sections in the vacuum ultraviolet of various molecules in respect to purity requirements in the context of large liquid argon installations.

Management of Liver Cancer Argon-helium Knife Therapy with Functional Computer Tomography Perfusion Imaging.

PubMed

Wang, Hongbo; Shu, Shengjie; Li, Jinping; Jiang, Huijie

2016-02-01

The objective of this study was to observe the change in blood perfusion of liver cancer following argon-helium knife treatment with functional computer tomography perfusion imaging. Twenty-seven patients with primary liver cancer treated with argon-helium knife and were included in this study. Plain computer tomography (CT) and computer tomography perfusion (CTP) imaging were conducted in all patients before and after treatment. Perfusion parameters including blood flows, blood volume, hepatic artery perfusion fraction, hepatic artery perfusion, and hepatic portal venous perfusion were used for evaluating therapeutic effect. All parameters in liver cancer were significantly decreased after argon-helium knife treatment (p < 0.05 to all). Significant decrease in hepatic artery perfusion was also observed in pericancerous liver tissue, but other parameters kept constant. CT perfusion imaging is able to detect decrease in blood perfusion of liver cancer post-argon-helium knife therapy. Therefore, CTP imaging would play an important role for liver cancer management followed argon-helium knife therapy. © The Author(s) 2014.

Effects of Thermal Treatment on Tensile Creep and Stress-Rupture Behavior of Hi-Nicalon SiC Fibers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yun, H. M.; Goldsby, J. C.; Dicarlo, J. A.

1995-01-01

Tensile creep and stress-rupture studies were conducted on Hi-Nicalon SiC fibers at 1200 and 1400 C in argon and air. Examined were as-received fibers as well as fibers annealed from 1400 to 1800 C for 1 hour in argon before testing. The creep and rupture results for these annealed fibers were compared to those of the as-received fibers to determine the effects of annealing temperature, test temperature, and test environment. Argon anneals up to 1500 C degrade room temperature strength of Hi-Nicalon fibers, but improve fiber creep resistance in argon or air by as much as 100% with no significant degradation in rupture strength. Argon anneals above 1500 C continue to improve fiber creep resistance when tested in argon, but significantly degrade creep resistance and rupture strength when tested in air. Decrease in creep resistance in air is greater at 1200 C than at 1400 C. Mechanisms are suggested for the observed behavior.

Transition rate diagrams and excitation of titanium in a glow discharge in argon and neon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Weiss, Zdeněk; Steers, Edward B. M.; Pickering, Juliet C.

2018-06-01

Emission spectra of titanium in a Grimm-type glow discharge in argon and neon were studied using the formalism of transition rate diagrams. Ti I spectra in argon and neon discharges are similar, without signs of selective excitation, and populations of Ti I levels exhibit a decreasing trend as function of energy, except for some scatter. A major excitation process of Ti II in argon discharge is charge transfer from argon ions to neutral titanium. In neon discharge, a strong selective excitation was observed of Ti II levels at ≈13.3-13.4 eV relative to the Ti I ground state. It was attributed to charge transfer from doubly charged titanium ions to neutral titanium, while the Ti++ ions are produced by charge transfer and ionization of neutral titanium by neon ions. Cascade excitation is important for Ti II levels up to an energy of ≈13 eV relative to the Ti I ground state, both in argon and neon discharges.

On the spectroscopic constants, first electronic state, vibrational frequencies, and isomerization of hydroxymethylene (HCOH+)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Theis, Riley A.; Fortenberry, Ryan C.

2017-09-01

The hydroxymethylene cation (HCOH+) is believed to be chemically independent of the more stable formaldehyde cation isomer in interstellar chemistry and may likely be a precursor to methanol in chemical reaction networks. Previous work is corroborated here showing that the trans conformer of HCOH+ is 3.48 kcal/mol lower than the cis on the potential energy surface. The small energy difference between the conformers and the much larger dipole moment of cis-HCOH+ (2.73 D) make this conformer more likely to be observed than trans-HCOH+ via telescopic rotational spectroscopy. A strong adiabatic shift is also predicted in the first electronic excitation into the 1 2A‧‧/2 2A state out of either conformer into a C1 structure reducing the excitation wavelength from the near-ultraviolet all the way into the near-infrared. The full set of fundamental vibrational frequencies are also computed here at high-level. The 3306.0 cm-1 and 3225.3 cm-1 hydroxide stretches, respective of bare trans- and cis-HCOH+ , are in agreement with previous theory but are significantly higher than the frequencies determined from previous experiment utilizing argon tagging techniques. This shift is likely because the proton-bound complex created with the argon tag reduces the experimental frequencies. Lower-level computations including the argon tag bring the hydroxide stretches much closer to the experimental frequencies indicating that the predicted frequencies for bare HCOH+ are likely well-described.

Treatment of Tracheal Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma by Argon Plasma Coagulation During Pregnancy

PubMed Central

Kesrouani, Assaad; Dabar, Georges; Rahal, Samir; Ghorra, Claude

2015-01-01

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the tracheobronchial tree is a rare airway tumor (<1% of all lung tumors). In adults, the majority of primary tracheal tumors are malignant. Management during pregnancy is complex and requires weighing maternal and fetal prognosis. Reported cases describe surgical resection following cesarean section. We report the first case to be treated by Argon-Plasma Coagulation (APC) in pregnancy. A 35-year-old Caucasian woman G1P0, at 27 weeks of gestation was admitted to the emergency department because of hemoptysis and severe dyspnea. Bronchoscopy and biopsies diagnosed primary tracheal mucoepidermoid carcinoma. Following an episode of tracheal bleeding, she was intubated. After thorough explanations to the family and obtaining informed consent, therapeutic bronchoscopy, under general anesthesia using a rigid bronchoscope, was performed. The tumor was cored out with the tip of the bronchoscope and removed with an alligator forceps. The tumor bed was coagulated with APC. The obstetrical team was ready to intervene in case of maternal emergency. Immediate follow-up was good, and she left the hospital 4 days later. She delivered at 39 weeks of gestation by cesarean section because of dystocia. Five years later, the patient is doing well without any signs or symptoms of recurrence. Pediatric follow-up is normal. Argon Plasma Coagulation for treatment of mucoepidermoid tracheal carcinoma is feasible during pregnancy. Reporting this case could lead to less aggressive management of mucoepidermoid carcinoma in pregnant patients. PMID:26011218

Influence of displacement damage on deuterium and helium retention in austenitic and ferritic-martensitic alloys considered for ADS service

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Voyevodin, V. N.; Karpov, S. A.; Kopanets, I. E.; Ruzhytskyi, V. V.; Tolstolutskaya, G. D.; Garner, F. A.

2016-01-01

The behavior of ion-implanted hydrogen (deuterium) and helium in austenitic 18Cr10NiTi stainless steel, EI-852 ferritic steel and ferritic/martensitic steel EP-450 and their interaction with displacement damage were investigated. Energetic argon irradiation was used to produce displacement damage and bubble formation to simulate nuclear power environments. The influence of damage morphology and the features of radiation-induced defects on deuterium and helium trapping in structural alloys was studied using ion implantation, the nuclear reaction D(3He,p)4He, thermal desorption spectrometry and transmission electron microscopy. It was found in the case of helium irradiation that various kinds of helium-radiation defect complexes are formed in the implanted layer that lead to a more complicated spectra of thermal desorption. Additional small changes in the helium spectra after irradiation with argon ions to a dose of ≤25 dpa show that the binding energy of helium with these traps is weakly dependent on the displacement damage. It was established that retention of deuterium in ferritic and ferritic-martensitic alloys is three times less than in austenitic steel at damage of ∼1 dpa. The retention of deuterium in steels is strongly enhanced by presence of radiation damages created by argon ion irradiation, with a shift in the hydrogen release temperature interval of 200 K to higher temperature. At elevated temperatures of irradiation the efficiency of deuterium trapping is reduced by two orders of magnitude.

78 FR 13052 - Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to OMB for Review and Approval; Comment...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-02-26

... Furnaces and Argon Oxygen Decarburization Vessels (Renewal) AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA... www.regulations.gov . Title: NSPS for Steel Plants: Electric Arc Furnaces and Argon Oxygen.... Respondents/Affected Entities: Owners or operator of electric arc furnaces and argon oxygen decarburization...

21 CFR 868.1075 - Argon gas analyzer.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Argon gas analyzer. 868.1075 Section 868.1075 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES ANESTHESIOLOGY DEVICES Diagnostic Devices § 868.1075 Argon gas analyzer. (a) Identification. An...

21 CFR 868.1075 - Argon gas analyzer.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Argon gas analyzer. 868.1075 Section 868.1075 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES ANESTHESIOLOGY DEVICES Diagnostic Devices § 868.1075 Argon gas analyzer. (a) Identification. An...

The LArIAT experiment: first measurement of the inclusive total pion cross-section in Argon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

de María Blaszczyk, Flor

2018-05-01

In light of future large neutrino experiments such as DUNE, an excellent understanding of LArTPCs is required. The Liquid Argon In A Test-beam (LArIAT) experiment, located in the Fermilab Test Beam Facility, is designed to characterize the performance of LArTPCs and improve the reconstruction algorithms but also to measure the cross-sections of charged particles in Argon. The goals and experimental layout will be presented, as well as the world’s first inclusive total pion interaction cross-section on Argon measured by LArIAT.

ARCS 3 ionospheric artificial argon ion beam injections - Waves near the heavy ion gyrofrequencies

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Erlandson, R. E.; Cahill, L. J., Jr.; Kaufmann, R. L.; Arnoldy, R. L.; Pollock, C. J.

1989-01-01

Low-frequency electric field data below the proton gyrofrequency are presented for the duration of the argon ion beam experiment conducted as part of the Argon Release for Controlled Studies (ARCS) program. An argon ion beam was injected from the subpayload antiparallel or perpendicular to the magnetic field at altitudes from 250 to 405 km. During the injections, the wave spectra were broadband near the subpayload and narrow-band near heavy ion gyrofrequencies at perpendicular separation distances between 42 and 254 m. It is suggested that the narrow-band waves are associated with both the perpendicular argon ion beam and an unexpected flux of low-energy ions which peaked in energy near 15 eV and pitch angle near 90 deg with respect to the magnetic field.

Decomposition of poly(amide-imide) film enameled on solid copper wire using atmospheric pressure non-equilibrium plasma.

PubMed

Sugiyama, Kazuo; Suzuki, Katsunori; Kuwasima, Shusuke; Aoki, Yosuke; Yajima, Tatsuhiko

2009-01-01

The decomposition of a poly(amide-imide) thin film coated on a solid copper wire was attempted using atmospheric pressure non-equilibrium plasma. The plasma was produced by applying microwave power to an electrically conductive material in a gas mixture of argon, oxygen, and hydrogen. The poly(amide-imide) thin film was easily decomposed by argon-oxygen mixed gas plasma and an oxidized copper surface was obtained. The reduction of the oxidized surface with argon-hydrogen mixed gas plasma rapidly yielded a metallic copper surface. A continuous plasma heat-treatment process using a combination of both the argon-oxygen plasma and argon-hydrogen plasma was found to be suitable for the decomposition of the poly(amide-imide) thin film coated on the solid copper wire.

Soft Argon-Propane Dielectric Barrier Discharge Ionization.

PubMed

Schütz, Alexander; Lara-Ortega, Felipe J; Klute, Felix David; Brandt, Sebastian; Schilling, Michael; Michels, Antje; Veza, Damir; Horvatic, Vlasta; García-Reyes, Juan F; Franzke, Joachim

2018-03-06

Dielectric barrier discharges (DBDs) have been used as soft ionization sources (DBDI) for organic mass spectrometry (DBDI-MS) for approximately ten years. Helium-based DBDI is often used because of its good ionization efficiency, low ignition voltage, and homogeneous plasma conditions. Argon needs much higher ignition voltages than helium when the same discharge geometry is used. A filamentary plasma, which is not suitable for soft ionization, may be produced instead of a homogeneous plasma. This difference results in N 2 , present in helium and argon as an impurity, being Penning-ionized by helium but not by metastable argon atoms. In this study, a mixture of argon and propane (C 3 H 8 ) was used as an ignition aid to decrease the ignition and working voltages, because propane can be Penning-ionized by argon metastables. This approach leads to homogeneous argon-based DBDI. Furthermore, operating DBDI in an open environment assumes that many uncharged analyte molecules do not interact with the reactant ions. To overcome this disadvantage, we present a novel approach, where the analyte is introduced in an enclosed system through the discharge capillary itself. This nonambient DBDI-MS arrangement is presented and characterized and could advance the novel connection of DBDI with analytical separation techniques such as gas chromatography (GC) and high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) in the near future.

Behavior of Excited Argon Atoms in Inductively Driven Plasmas

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

HEBNER,GREGORY A.; MILLER,PAUL A.

1999-12-07

Laser induced fluorescence has been used to measure the spatial distribution of the two lowest energy argon excited states, 1s{sub 5} and 1s{sub 4}, in inductively driven plasmas containing argon, chlorine and boron trichloride. The behavior of the two energy levels with plasma conditions was significantly different, probably because the 1s{sub 5} level is metastable and the 1s{sub 4} level is radiatively coupled to the ground state but is radiation trapped. The argon data is compared with a global model to identify the relative importance of processes such as electron collisional mixing and radiation trapping. The trends in the datamore » suggest that both processes play a major role in determining the excited state density. At lower rfpower and pressure, excited state spatial distributions in pure argon were peaked in the center of the discharge, with an approximately Gaussian profile. However, for the highest rfpowers and pressures investigated, the spatial distributions tended to flatten in the center of the discharge while the density at the edge of the discharge was unaffected. The spatially resolved excited state density measurements were combined with previous line integrated measurements in the same discharge geometry to derive spatially resolved, absolute densities of the 1s{sub 5} and 1s{sub 4} argon excited states and gas temperature spatial distributions. Fluorescence lifetime was a strong fi.mction of the rf power, pressure, argon fraction and spatial location. Increasing the power or pressure resulted in a factor of two decrease in the fluorescence lifetime while adding Cl{sub 2} or BCl{sub 3} increased the fluorescence lifetime. Excited state quenching rates are derived from the data. When Cl{sub 2} or BCl{sub 3} was added to the plasma, the maximum argon metastable density depended on the gas and ratio. When chlorine was added to the argon plasma, the spatial density profiles were independent of chlorine fraction. While it is energetically possible for argon excited states to dissociate some of the molecular species present in this discharge, it does not appear to be a significant source of dissociation. The major source of interaction between the argon and the molecular species BCl{sub 3} and Cl{sub 2} appears to be through modification of the electron density.« less

Spontaneous sulfur dioxide activation by Group V metal (V, Nb, Ta) atoms in excess argon at cryogenic temperatures.

PubMed

Liu, Xing; Wang, Xuefeng; Wang, Qiang; Andrews, Lester

2013-06-28

Reactions of laser-ablated V, Nb and Ta atoms with SO2 in excess argon during condensation gave new absorptions in the M=O stretching region, which were assigned to metal sulfide oxides SMO2 and anions SMO2(-) (M = V, Nb, Ta). The metal oxide complex OV(η(2)-SO) was also identified through the V=O and the characteristic side-on coordinated S-O stretching modes. The assignments of major vibrational modes were confirmed by appropriate S(18)O2 and (34)SO2 isotopic shifts, and density functional frequency calculations. DFT calculations were employed to study the behavior of reactions of Group V bare metal atoms with SO2, and a representative profile was derived which not only showed the preferred coordinating fashion of metal atoms but also tracked the path of S-O bond activation. The η(2)-O,O' bridge coordinated complexes are preferred with energy decreases of ca. 50 kcal mol(-1) for all three metals, which facilitate the activation of two S-O bonds in succession and finally direct the reaction to the most stable molecules SMO2 (M = V, Nb, Ta) along the potential energy surface (PES). Finally the SMO2 molecules capture electrons to give anions SMO2(-) with about 3.6 eV electron affinities based on DFT calculations.

Comparison in the analytical performance between krypton and argon glow discharge plasmas as the excitation source for atomic emission spectrometry.

PubMed

Wagatsuma, Kazuaki

2009-04-01

The emission characteristics of ionic lines of nickel, cobalt, and vanadium were investigated when argon or krypton was employed as the plasma gas in glow discharge optical emission spectrometry. A dc Grimm-style lamp was employed as the excitation source. Detection limits of the ionic lines in each iron-matrix alloy sample were compared between the krypton and the argon plasmas. Particular intense ionic lines were observed in the emission spectra as a function of the discharge gas (krypton or argon), such as the Co II 258.033 nm for krypton and the Co II 231.707 nm for argon. The explanation for this is that collisions with the plasma gases dominantly populate particular excited levels of cobalt ion, which can receive the internal energy from each gas ion selectively, for example, the 3d(7)4p (3)G(5) (6.0201 eV) for krypton and the 3d(7)4p (3)G(4) (8.0779 eV) for argon. In the determination of nickel as well as cobalt in iron-matrix samples, more sensitive ionic lines could be found in the krypton plasma rather than the argon plasma. Detection limits in the krypton plasma were 0.0039 mass% Ni for the Ni II 230.299-nm line and 0.002 mass% Co for the Co II 258.033-nm line. However, in the determination of vanadium, the argon plasma had better analytical performance, giving a detection limit of 0.0023 mass% V for the V II 309.310-nm line.

Argon laser photocoagulation versus intrastromal voriconazole injection in treatment of mycotic keratitis

PubMed Central

Khater, Mohammad M.; El-Shorbagy, Mohammad S.; Selima, Adel A.

2016-01-01

AIM To compare argon laser photocoagulation and intrastromal injection of voriconazole as adjunctive treatment modalities in cases of resistant mycotic corneal ulcers. METHODS Two groups each of them included 20 cases of resistant mycotic corneal ulcers. Both groups treated with local and systemic specific antimicrobial drugs guided with culture and sensitivity results. In one group argon laser photocoagulation was used as an adjunctive therapy to the specific antifungal drugs and in the other group, intrastromal injection of voriconazole was done besides the specific antifungal drugs. The 40 cases included in the study were proven according to culture and sensitivity to be 28 cases with pure fungal results and 12 cases with mixed (fungal and bacterial). In argon laser group, argon laser irradiation of the corneal ulcer was performed using argon laser 532 nm wavelength (Carl Zeiss LSL 532s AG; Meditec, Inc.) after fluorescein staining. In the other group, voriconazole solution (500 µg/mL) was prepared and injected in the corneal stroma. All cases were followed up for 3mo after healing was achieved. RESULTS Complete healing of the epithelial defect and resolution of stromal infiltration with no adverse effects were achieved in argon laser group in duration ranged from 2-4wk in 90% of cases. In voriconazole group 4 cases needed amniotic membrane graft due to thinning and 16 cases healed in duration ranged from 2-6wk (80% of cases). CONCLUSION Argon laser photocoagulation is superior to intrastromal voriconazole injection in treatment of resistant fungal corneal ulcers. PMID:26949639

Solution and shock-induced exsolution of argon in vitreous carbon

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gazis, Carey; Ahrens, Thomas J.

1991-01-01

To add to the knowledge of noble gas solution and exsolution in carbonaceus material, experiments were performed on vitreous carbon. Ar-rich vitreous carbon samples were prepared under vapor-saturated conditions using argon as the pressurizing medium. Solubility data were obtained for temperatures of 773 to 973 K and pressures of 250 to 1500 bars. Up to 7 wt pct Ar was dissolved in the carbon. The solubility data were compared to a thermodynamic model of argon atoms dissolving into a fixed population of 'holes' in the carbon. Two variations of the model yielded estimates of the enthalpy of solution of Ar in vitreous carbon equal to about -4700 cal/mole. Preliminary shock experiments showed that 28 percent of the total argon was released by driving 4 GPa shocks into the argon-rich carbon. It was demonstrated that shock-induced argon loss is not simply caused by the impact-induced diminution of grain size. The present value of shock pressure required for partial impact devolatilization of Ar from carbon is below the range (5-30 GPa) at which H2O is released from phyllosilicates.

Performance characterization and transient investigation of multipropellant resistojets

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Braunscheidel, Edward P.

1989-01-01

The multipropellant resistojet thruster design initially was characterized for performance in a vacuum tank using argon, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and hydrogen, with gas inlet pressures ranging from 13.7 to 310 kPa (2 to 45 psia) over a heat exchanger temperature range of ambient to 1200 C (2200 F). Specific impulse, the measure of performance, had values ranging from 120 to 600 seconds for argon and hydrogen respectively, with a constant heat exchanger temperature of 1200 C (2200 F). When operated under ambient conditions typical specific impulse values obtained for argon and hydrogen ranged from 55 to 290 seconds, respectively. Performance measured with several mixtures of argon and nitrogen showed no significant deviation from predictions obtained by directly weighting the argon and nitrogen individual performance results. Another aspect of the program investigating transient behavior, showed responses depended heavily on the start-up scenario used. Steady state heater temperatures were achieved in 20 to 75 minutes for argon, and in 10 to 90 minutes for hydrogen. Steady state specific impulses were achieved in 25 to 60, and 20 to 60 minutes respectively.

Sequential PLD in oxygen/argon gas mixture of Al-doped ZnO thin films with improved electrical and optical properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Coman, Tudor; Timpu, Daniel; Nica, Valentin; Vitelaru, Catalin; Rambu, Alicia Petronela; Stoian, George; Olaru, Mihaela; Ursu, Cristian

2017-10-01

Highly conductive transparent Al-doped ZnO (AZO) thin films were obtained at room temperature through sequential PLD (SPLD) from Zn and Al metallic targets in an oxygen/argon gas mixture. We have investigated the structural, electrical and optical properties as a function of the oxygen/argon pressure ratio in the chamber. The measured Hall carrier concentration was found to increase with argon injection from 1.3 × 1020 to 6.7 × 1020 cm-3, while the laser shots ratio for Al/Zn targets ablation was kept constant. This increase was attributed to an enhancement of the substitution doping into the ZnO lattice. The argon injection also leads to an increase of the Hall mobility up to 20 cm2 V-1 s-1, attributed to a reduction of interstitial-type defects. Thus, the approach of using an oxygen/argon gas mixture during SPLD from metallic targets allows obtaining at room temperature AZO samples with high optical transmittance (about 90%) and low electrical resistivity (down to 5.1 × 10-4 Ω cm).

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Agnes, P.; et al.

A Geant4-based Monte Carlo package named G4DS has been developed to simulate the response of DarkSide-50, an experiment operating since 2013 at LNGS, designed to detect WIMP interactions in liquid argon. In the process of WIMP searches, DarkSide-50 has achieved two fundamental milestones: the rejection of electron recoil background with a power of ~10^7, using the pulse shape discrimination technique, and the measurement of the residual 39Ar contamination in underground argon, ~3 orders of magnitude lower with respect to atmospheric argon. These results rely on the accurate simulation of the detector response to the liquid argon scintillation, its ionization, andmore » electron-ion recombination processes. This work provides a complete overview of the DarkSide Monte Carlo and of its performance, with a particular focus on PARIS, the custom-made liquid argon response model.« less

Neuroprotection against traumatic brain injury by xenon, but not argon, is mediated by inhibition at the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor glycine site.

PubMed

Harris, Katie; Armstrong, Scott P; Campos-Pires, Rita; Kiru, Louise; Franks, Nicholas P; Dickinson, Robert

2013-11-01

Xenon, the inert anesthetic gas, is neuroprotective in models of brain injury. The authors investigate the neuroprotective mechanisms of the inert gases such as xenon, argon, krypton, neon, and helium in an in vitro model of traumatic brain injury. The authors use an in vitro model using mouse organotypic hippocampal brain slices, subjected to a focal mechanical trauma, with injury quantified by propidium iodide fluorescence. Patch clamp electrophysiology is used to investigate the effect of the inert gases on N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors and TREK-1 channels, two molecular targets likely to play a role in neuroprotection. Xenon (50%) and, to a lesser extent, argon (50%) are neuroprotective against traumatic injury when applied after injury (xenon 43±1% protection at 72 h after injury [N=104]; argon 30±6% protection [N=44]; mean±SEM). Helium, neon, and krypton are devoid of neuroprotective effect. Xenon (50%) prevents development of secondary injury up to 48 h after trauma. Argon (50%) attenuates secondary injury, but is less effective than xenon (xenon 50±5% reduction in secondary injury at 72 h after injury [N=104]; argon 34±8% reduction [N=44]; mean±SEM). Glycine reverses the neuroprotective effect of xenon, but not argon, consistent with competitive inhibition at the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor glycine site mediating xenon neuroprotection against traumatic brain injury. Xenon inhibits N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors and activates TREK-1 channels, whereas argon, krypton, neon, and helium have no effect on these ion channels. Xenon neuroprotection against traumatic brain injury can be reversed by increasing the glycine concentration, consistent with inhibition at the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor glycine site playing a significant role in xenon neuroprotection. Argon and xenon do not act via the same mechanism.

Virial Coefficients for the Liquid Argon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Korth, Micheal; Kim, Saesun

2014-03-01

We begin with a geometric model of hard colliding spheres and calculate probability densities in an iterative sequence of calculations that lead to the pair correlation function. The model is based on a kinetic theory approach developed by Shinomoto, to which we added an interatomic potential for argon based on the model from Aziz. From values of the pair correlation function at various values of density, we were able to find viral coefficients of liquid argon. The low order coefficients are in good agreement with theoretical hard sphere coefficients, but appropriate data for argon to which these results might be compared is difficult to find.

Argon endolaser suture lysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cameron, Bruce D.; Joos, Karen M.; Shen, Jin-Hui

1996-05-01

Purpose: To develop a simple suture lysis technique for post-trabeculectomy examinations under anesthesia since slit lamp laser suture lysis in the clinic cannot be performed on infants and young children. Methods: An argon endolaser probe lysed 10-0 nylon suture through conjunctiva harvested from human cadaver eyes. Since suture lysis failed with the thick Hoskins lens, clear plastic from the suture package compressed the conjunctiva. The conjunctiva was examined histologically. Results: Argon laser suture lysis (250 mW, 0.1 sec, 488 - 514 nm) was achieved without conjunctival damage. Conclusion: The argon endolaser probe is effective for suture lysis when the slit lamp cannot be used.

Total body calcium analysis. [neutron irradiation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lewellen, T. K.; Nelp, W. B.

1974-01-01

A technique to quantitate total body calcium in humans is developed. Total body neutron irradiation is utilized to produce argon 37. The radio argon, which diffuses into the blood stream and is excreted through the lungs, is recovered from the exhaled breath and counted inside a proportional detector. Emphasis is placed on: (1) measurement of the rate of excretion of radio argon following total body neutron irradiation; (2) the development of the radio argon collection, purification, and counting systems; and (3) development of a patient irradiation facility using a 14 MeV neutron generator. Results and applications are discussed in detail.

Modeling Electronegative Impurity Concentrations in Liquid Argon Detectors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tang, Wei; Li, Yichen; Thorn, Craig; Qian, Xin

2017-01-01

Achieving long electron lifetime is crucial to reach the high performance of large Liquid Argon Time Projection Chamber (LArTPC) envisioned for next generation neutrino experiments. We have built up a quantitative model to describe the impurity distribution and transportation in a cryostat. Henrys constants of Oxygen and water, which describe the partition of impurities between gas argon and liquid argon, have been deduced through this model with the measurements in BNL 20-L LAr test stand. These results indicate the importance of the gas purification system and prospects on large LArTPC detectors will be discussed.

Argon recovery from hydrogen depleted ammonia plant purge gas using a HARP Plant

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Krishnamurthy, R.; Lerner, S.L.; Maclean, D.L.

1987-01-01

A number of ammonia plants employ membranes or cryogenic hydrogen recovery units to separate hydrogen contained in the purge gas for recycle to the ammonia synthesis loop. The resulting hydrogen depleted purge gas, which is usually used for fuel, is an attractive source of argon. This paper presents the novel features of a process which employs a combination of pressure swing adsorption (PSA) and cryogenic technology to separate the argon from this hydrogen depleted purge gas stream. This new proprietary Hybrid Argon Recovery Progress (HARP) plant is an effective alternative to a conventional all-cryogenic plant.

Argon Collection And Purification For Proliferation Detection

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Achey, R.; Hunter, D.

2015-10-09

In order to determine whether a seismic event was a declared/undeclared underground nuclear weapon test, environmental samples must be taken and analyzed for signatures that are unique to a nuclear explosion. These signatures are either particles or gases. Particle samples are routinely taken and analyzed under the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) verification regime as well as by individual countries. Gas samples are analyzed for signature gases, especially radioactive xenon. Underground nuclear tests also produce radioactive argon, but that signature is not well monitored. A radioactive argon signature, along with other signatures, can more conclusively determine whether an event wasmore » a nuclear test. This project has developed capabilities for collecting and purifying argon samples for ultra-low-background proportional counting. SRNL has developed a continuous gas enrichment system that produces an output stream containing 97% argon from whole air using adsorbent separation technology (the flow diagram for the system is shown in the figure). The vacuum swing adsorption (VSA) enrichment system is easily scalable to produce ten liters or more of 97% argon within twelve hours. A gas chromatographic separation using a column of modified hydrogen mordenite molecular sieve has been developed that can further purify the sample to better than 99% purity after separation from the helium carrier gas. The combination of these concentration and purification systems has the capability of being used for a field-deployable system for collecting argon samples suitable for ultra-low-background proportional counting for detecting nuclear detonations under the On-Site Inspection program of the CTBTO verification regime. The technology also has applications for the bulk argon separation from air for industrial purposes such as the semi-conductor industry.« less

Time-resolved explosion of intense-laser-heated clusters.

PubMed

Kim, K Y; Alexeev, I; Parra, E; Milchberg, H M

2003-01-17

We investigate the femtosecond explosive dynamics of intense laser-heated argon clusters by measuring the cluster complex transient polarizability. The time evolution of the polarizability is characteristic of competition in the optical response between supercritical and subcritical density regions of the expanding cluster. The results are consistent with time-resolved Rayleigh scattering measurements, and bear out the predictions of a recent laser-cluster interaction model [H. M. Milchberg, S. J. McNaught, and E. Parra, Phys. Rev. E 64, 056402 (2001)

A Study on Reactive Ion Etching of Barium Strontium Titanate Films Using Mixtures of Argon (Ar), Carbon Tetrafluoride (CF4), and Sulfur Hexafluoride (SF6)

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-07-01

BST) is a complex oxide material with ferroic properties which has been considered for applications ranging from non-volatile memory to microwave...utilizing self-aligned etching to create metal-insulator-metal (MIM) varactors . As part of this method we employed reactive ion etching (RIE) to remove BST...of BST removed vs. etch time for Ar:SF6. .........................................................4 Figure 3. SEM cross-section of varactor showing

Commissioning of the ArDM experiment at the Canfranc underground laboratory: first steps towards a tonne-scale liquid argon time projection chamber for Dark Matter searches

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Calvo, J.; Cantini, C.; Crivelli, P.

The Argon Dark Matter (ArDM) experiment consists of a liquid argon (LAr) time projection chamber (TPC) sensitive to nuclear recoils, resulting from scattering of hypothetical Weakly Interacting Massive Particles (WIMPs) on argon targets. With an active target mass of 850 kg ArDM represents an important milestone towards developments for large LAr Dark Matter detectors. Here we present the experimental apparatus currently installed underground at the Laboratorio Subterráneo de Canfranc (LSC), Spain. We show data on gaseous or liquid argon targets recorded in 2015 during the commissioning of ArDM in single phase at zero E-field (ArDM Run I). The data confirmsmore » the overall good and stable performance of the ArDM tonne-scale LAr detector.« less

The Liquid Argon Purity Demonstrator

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Adamowski, M.; Carls, B.; Dvorak, E.

2014-07-01

The Liquid Argon Purity Demonstrator was an R&D test stand designed to determine if electron drift lifetimes adequate for large neutrino detectors could be achieved without first evacuating the cryostat. We describe here the cryogenic system, its operations, and the apparatus used to determine the contaminant levels in the argon and to measure the electron drift lifetime. The liquid purity obtained by this system was facilitated by a gaseous argon purge. Additionally, gaseous impurities from the ullage were prevented from entering the liquid at the gas-liquid interface by condensing the gas and filtering the resulting liquid before returning to themore » cryostat. The measured electron drift lifetime in this test was greater than 6 ms, sustained over several periods of many weeks. Measurements of the temperature profile in the argon, to assess convective flow and boiling, were also made and are compared to simulation.« less

Calcium ionization balance and argon/calcium abundance in solar flares

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Antonucci, E.; Marocchi, D.; Gabriel, A. H.; Doschek, G. A.

1987-12-01

An earlier analysis of solar flare calcium spectra from XRP and P78-1 aimed at measuring the calcium ionization balance resulted in an ambiguity due to a line blend between the calcium q line and an Ar XVII line. In the present work the calcium line 'r' is included in the analysis in order to resolve this problem. It is shown that the correct calcium ionization balance is that indicated in the earlier paper as corresponding to an argon/calcium abundance ratio of 0.2. The argon/calcium abundance ratio in the group of solar flares studied is shown to be 0.2 + or - 0.2. It is further argued that while the abundance of heavy elements may be enhanced in energetic flare events, this enhancement is less for argon than for calcium, leading to an argon/calcium ratio smaller than that present in the quiet sun.

Death during laparoscopy: can 1 gas push out another? Danger of argon electrocoagulation.

PubMed

Sezeur, Alain; Partensky, Christian; Chipponi, Jacques; Duron, Jean-Jacques

2008-08-01

We report the death of a young man during a laparoscopic partial splenectomy performed with an argon plasma coagulator to remove a benign cyst. The report analyzes the very particular mechanism of a gas embolism, which caused death here. This analysis leads us to recommend a close attention on the use of argon coagulators during laparoscopy. The aim of this article is to draw surgeons' attention to the conclusions of a court-ordered expert assessment intended to elucidate the mechanisms responsible for the death of a 20-year-old man during a laparoscopic partial splenectomy performed with an argon plasma coagulator to remove a benign cyst.

Luminosity limits for liquid argon calorimetry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

J, Rutherfoord; B, Walker R.

2012-12-01

We have irradiated liquid argon ionization chambers with betas using high-activity Strontium-90 sources. The radiation environment is comparable to that in the liquid argon calorimeters which are part of the ATLAS detector installed at CERN's Large Hadron Collider. We measure the ionization current over a wide range of applied potential for two different source activities and for three different chamber gaps. These studies provide operating experience at exceptionally high ionization rates. We can operate these chambers either in the normal mode or in the space-charge limited regime and thereby determine the transition point between the two. From the transition point we indirectly extract the positive argon ion mobility.

The Mini-CAPTAIN Neutron Run and Future CAPTAIN Program

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cooper, Robert; CAPTAIN Collaboration

2016-09-01

The Cryogenic Apparatus for Precision Tests of Argon Interaction with Neutrinos (CAPTAIN) is an experimental program to measure critical neutrino interaction cross sections in argon for the DUNE long-baseline program. These cross sections are important for understanding and improving the energy resolution of measurements for neutrino oscillations and supernova detection in argon. The full CAPTAIN detector is a 5-ton fiducial volume liquid argon (LAr) time-projection chamber (TPC) with an independently triggered photon detection system (PDS) for fast-timing capabilities on accelerators. To test the full CAPTAIN concept, the 1-ton fiducial volume mini-CAPTAIN detector has been deployed. Mini-CAPTAIN is another LAr TPC with PDS. It was recently deployed to the Weapons Neutron Research (WNR) facility at Los Alamos National Laboratory to measure high-energy neutron interactions in argon. The WNR is a pulsed accelerator capable of delivering neutrons up to 800 MeV in energy. In this talk, I will report on the analysis of the first time-of-flight tagged, high-energy neutron response in liquid argon from our February 2016 run. I will also highlight a second neutron run at the WNR scheduled for Summer 2017 and discuss the implications these data have on the future CAPTAIN program.

The DarkSide Experiment: Present Status and Future

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zuzel, G.; Agnes, P.; Albuquerque, I. F. M.; Alexander, T.; Alton, A. K.; Asner, D. M.; Back, H. O.; Baldin, B.; Biery, K.; Bocci, V.; Bonfini, G.; Bonivento, W.; Bossa, M.; Bottino, B.; Brigatti, A.; Brodsky, J.; Budano, F.; Bussino, S.; Cadeddu, M.; Cadonati, L.; Cadoni, M.; Calaprice, F.; Canci, N.; Candela, A.; Caravati, M.; Cariello, M.; Carlini, M.; Catalanotti, S.; Cavalcante, P.; Chepurnov, A.; Cicalò, C.; Cocco, A. G.; Covone, G.; D'Angelo, D.; D'Incecco, M.; Davini, S.; De Cecco, S.; De Deo, M.; De Vincenzi, M.; Derbin, A.; Devoto, A.; Di Eusanio, F.; Di Pietro, G.; Dionisi, C.; Edkins, E.; Empl, A.; Fan, A.; Fiorillo, G.; Fomenko, K.; Forster, G.; Franco, D.; Gabriele, F.; Galbiati, C.; Giagu, S.; Giganti, C.; Giovanetti, G. K.; Goretti, A. M.; Granato, F.; Grandi, L.; Gromov, M.; Guan, M.; Guardincerri, Y.; Hackett, B. R.; Herner, K.; Hughes, D.; Humble, P.; Hungerford, E. V.; Ianni, Al.; Ianni, An.; James, I.; Johnson, T. N.; Jollet, C.; Keeter, K.; Kendziora, C. L.; Koh, G.; Korablev, D.; Korga, G.; Kubankin, A.; Li, X.; Lissia, M.; Loer, B.; Lombardi, P.; Longo, G.; Ma, Y.; Machulin, I. N.; Mandarano, A.; Mari, S. M.; Maricic, J.; Marini, L.; Martoff, C. J.; Meregaglia, A.; Meyers, P. D.; Milincic, R.; Miller, J. D.; Montanari, D.; Monte, A.; Mount, B. J.; Muratova, V. N.; Musico, P.; Napolitano, J.; Navrer Agasson, A.; Odrowski, S.; Orsini, M.; Ortica, F.; Pagani, L.; Pallavicini, M.; Pantic, E.; Parmeggiano, S.; Pelczar, K.; Pelliccia, N.; Pocar, A.; Pordes, S.; Pugachev, D. A.; Qian, H.; Randle, K.; Ranucci, G.; Razeti, M.; Razeto, A.; Reinhold, B.; Renshaw, A. L.; Rescigno, M.; Riffard, Q.; Romani, A.; Rossi, B.; Rossi, N.; Rountree, D.; Sablone, D.; Saggese, P.; Saldanha, R.; Sands, W.; Savarese, C.; Schlitzer, B.; Segreto, E.; Semenov, D. A.; Shields, E.; Singh, P. N.; Skorokhvatov, M. D.; Smirnov, O.; Sotnikov, A.; Stanford, C.; Suvorov, Y.; Tartaglia, R.; Tatarowicz, J.; Testera, G.; Tonazzo, A.; Trinchese, P.; Unzhakov, E. V.; Verducci, M.; Vishneva, A.; Vogelaar, B.; Wada, M.; Walker, S.; Wang, H.; Wang, Y.; Watson, A. W.; Westerdale, S.; Wilhelmi, J.; Wojcik, M. M.; Xiang, Xi.; Xiao, X.; Xu, J.; Yang, C.; Zec, A.; Zhong, W.; Zhu, C.

2017-01-01

DarkSide is a multi-stage program devoted to direct searches of Dark Matter particles with detectors based on double phase liquid Argon Time Projection Chamber. The DarkSide-50 setup is running underground at the Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso. First it was operated with Atmospheric Argon and during that run (1422 ± 67) kg×d of truly background-free exposure has been accumulated. Obtained data made it possible to set a 90% C.L. upper limit on the WIMP-nucleon cross section of 6.1 × 10-44 cm2 (for a WIMP mass of 100 GeV/c2). Presently the detector is filled with Underground Argon, which is depleted in 39Ar by a factor of (1.4 ± 0.2)×103 with respect to Atmospheric Argon. Acquired so far (2616 ± 43) kg×d (71 live days) in combination with the data from the Atmospheric Argon run give us the 90% C.L. upper limit on the WIMP-nucleon spin-independent cross section of 2.0×10-44 cm2 for a WIMP mass of 100 GeV/c2. Up to date this is the best limit obtained with an argon target.

Comparison of argon-based and nitrogen-based modified atmosphere packaging on bacterial growth and product quality of chicken breast fillets.

PubMed

Herbert, Ulrike; Rossaint, Sonja; Khanna, Meik-Ankush; Kreyenschmidt, Judith

2013-05-01

Poultry fillets were packaged under 6 different gas atmospheres (A: 15% Ar, 60% O2, 25% CO2; B: 15% N2, 60% O2, 25% CO2; C: 25% Ar, 45% O2, 30% CO2; D: 25% N2, 45% O2, 30% CO2; E: 82% Ar; 18% CO2; F: 82% N2, 18% CO2) and stored at 4°C. During storage, the growth of typical spoilage organisms (Brochothrix thermosphacta, Pseudomonas spp., Enterobacteriaceae, and Lactobacilli spp.) and total viable count were analyzed and modeled using the Gompertz function. Sensory analyses of the poultry samples were carried out by trained sensory panelists for color, odor, texture, drip loss, and general appearance. No significant difference in microbiological growth parameters was observed for fresh poultry stored under an argon-enriched atmosphere in comparison with nitrogen, except the B. thermosphacta stored under 82% argon. The sensory evaluation showed a significant effect of an argon-enriched atmosphere, particularly on color of meat stored under 15% argon (P < 0.05). In contrast, 25 and 82% argon concentrations in place of nitrogen showed no beneficial effect on sensory parameters.

Effects of argon addition on a-CNx film deposition by hot carbon filament chemical vapor deposition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Watanabe, Yoshihisa; Aono, Masami; Yamazaki, Ayumi; Kitazawa, Nobuaki; Nakamura, Yoshikazu

2002-07-01

Using a carbon filament which supplies carbon and heat, amorphous carbon nitride (a-CNx) films were prepared on Si (100) substrates by hot filament chemical vapor deposition. Deposition was performed in a low-pressure atmosphere of pure nitrogen and a gas mixture of nitrogen and argon. Effects of argon additions to the nitrogen atmosphere on the film microstructure and interface composition between the film and substrate were studied by field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). FESEM observations reveal that the film prepared in a pure nitrogen atmosphere has uniform nucleation and a densely packed columnar pieces structure. The film prepared in the nitrogen and argon gas mixture exhibits preferential nucleation and a tapered structure with macroscopic voids. Depth analyses using XPS reveal that the film prepared in pure nitrogen possesses a broad interface, which includes silicon carbide as well as a-CNx, whereas a sharp interface is discerned in the film prepared in the mixed nitrogen and argon gas. We observed that silicon carbide formation is suppressed by an argon addition to the nitrogen atmosphere during deposition. copyright 2002 American Vacuum Society.

Effect of hydrostatic pressure on gas solubilization in micelles.

PubMed

Meng, Bin; Ashbaugh, Henry S

2015-03-24

Molecular dynamics simulations of anionic sodium decylsulfate and nonionic pentaethylene glycol monodecyl ether micelles in water have been performed to examine the impact of hydrostatic pressure on argon solubilization as a function of pressure. The potential-of-mean force between the micelles and argon demonstrates that nonpolar gases are attracted to the interiors of both micelles. The affinity of argon for micelle interiors, however, decreases with increasing pressure as a result of the comparatively higher molar volume of argon inside assemblies. We evaluate solubility enhancement coefficients, which describe the drop in the solute chemical potential as a function of the micellized surfactant concentration, to quantify the impact of micellization on gas solubilization. While argon is similarly attracted to the hydrophobic cores of both micelles, the gas is more effectively sequestered within nonionic micelles compared with anionic micelles as a result of salting out by charged head groups and accompanying counterions. The solubility enhancement coefficients of both micelles decrease with increasing pressure, reflecting the changing forces observed in the potentials-of-mean force. An analytical liquid drop model is proposed to describe the pressure dependence of argon solubilization within micelles that captures the simulation solubility enhancement coefficients after fitting an effective micelle radius for each surfactant.

Modeling of Liquid Steel/Slag/Argon Gas Multiphase Flow During Tundish Open Eye Formation in a Two-Strand Tundish

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chatterjee, Saikat; Li, Donghui; Chattopadhyay, Kinnor

2018-04-01

Multiphase flows are frequently encountered in metallurgical operations. One of the most effective ways to understand these processes is by flow modeling. The process of tundish open eye (TOE) formation involves three-phase interaction between liquid steel, slag, and argon gas. The two-phase interaction involving argon gas bubbles and liquid steel can be modeled relatively easily using the discrete phase modeling technique. However, the effect of an upper slag layer cannot be captured using this approach. The presence of an upper buoyant phase can have a major effect on the behavior of TOEs. Hence, a multiphase model, including three phases, viz. liquid steel, slag, and argon gas, in a two-strand slab caster tundish, was developed to study the formation and evolution of TOEs. The volume of fluid model was used to track the interphase between liquid steel and slag phases, while the discrete phase model was used to trace the movement of the argon gas bubbles in liquid steel. The variation in the TOE areas with different amounts of aspirated argon gas was examined in the presence of an overlying slag phase. The mathematical model predictions were compared against steel plant measurements.

Ar Atmosphere: Implications for Structure and Composition of Mercury's Crust

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Killen, R. M.; Morgan, T. H.

2001-01-01

We examine the possibilities of sustaining an argon atmosphere by diffusion from the upper 10 km of crust, and alternatively by effusion from a molten or previously molten area at great depth . Ar-40 in the atmospheres of the planets is a measure of potassium abundance in the interiors since Ar-40 is a product of radiogenic decay of K-40 by electron capture with the subsequent emission of a 1.46 eV gamma-ray. Although the Ar-40 in the earth's atmosphere is expected to have accumulated since the late bombardment, Ar-40 in surface-bounded exospheres is eroded quickly by photoionization and electron impact ionization. Thus, the argon content in the exospheres of the Moon, Mercury and probably Europa is representative of current effusion rather than accumulation over the lifetime of the body. Argon content will be a function of K content, temperature, grain size distribution, connected pore volume and possible seismic activity. Although Mercury and the Moon differ in many details, we can train the solutions to diffusion equations to predict the average lunar atmosphere. Then these parameters can be varied for Hermean conditions. Assuming a lunar crustal potassium abundance of 300 ppm, the observed argon atmosphere requires equilibrium between the argon production in the upper 9 Km of the moon (1.135 x 10(exp -3) cm(exp -3) s(exp -1)) and its loss. Hodges et al. conclude that this loss rate and the observed time variability requires argon release through seismic activity, tapping a deep argon source. An important observation is that the extreme surface of the Moon is enhanced in argon rather than depleted, as one would expect from outgassing of radiogenic argon. Manka and Michel concluded that ion implantation explains the surface enhancement of Ar-40. About half of the argon ions produced in the lunar atmosphere would return to the surface, where they would become embedded in the rocks. Similarly, at Mercury we expect the surface rocks to be enhanced in Ar-40 wherever the magnetosphere has been open over time. Thus the measurement of surface composition will reveal the long-term effects of solar wind-magnetosphere interaction. Additional information is contained in the original extended abstract.

Development of a Laser Probe for Argon Isotope Studies.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McConville, Paul

Available from UMI in association with The British Library. The first objective of this study was to develop a laser outgassing facility for argon isotope studies. Apart from the laser and construction of the laser sample port, existing vacuum and mass spectrometer systems were used. Laser performance and optimum operating conditions were investigated. The second objective was test and evaluate the laser extraction technique by studies of simple geological samples. Previous laser ^{40} Ar-^{39}Ar dating studies by other workers had not systematically established the basis or characteristics of the method. Results from laser and complementary stepped heating studies of the ^{40}Ar-^ {39}Ar dating standard hornblende, hb3gr; a phlogopite sample from the Palabora (Phalaborwa) Complex; and biotites in a thin section of the Hamlet Bjerg granite from East Greenland, verified that: (1) Laser extraction reproduced within experimental error the stepped heating ^{40}Ar-^ {39}Ar and K-Ar ages of simple samples. (2) The precision of the technique i.e. the amount of sample required to give reliable ages, was limited in the present experiments largely by the level of the blanks and backgrounds to 10-100 ug samples. (3) Sample outgassing appeared to be limited to the order of 10 um outside the physical size of the laser pit, consistent with other estimates of the spatial definition in the literature. This could be understood by thermal diffusion and the length of the laser pulse. (4) The efficiency of the laser pulse in melting and outgassing mineral samples was shown to be dependent on silicate latent heats and mineral absorption at the laser wavelength. In addition, the ^{40} Ar-^{39}Ar age of the geologically significant Palabora Complex was determined as (2053 +/- 5) Ma. Excess argon led to a discrepancy between the laser and stepped heating ages of biotite and muscovite, (405 +/- 5) Ma, and laser ages of feldspars (510 +/- 20) Ma in the Hamlet Bjerg granite. This illustrated one advantage of in situ laser age determinations on mineral grains in thin section. (Abstract shortened by UMI.).

Effect of Argon Laser on Enamel Demineralization around Orthodontic Brackets: An In Vitro Study

PubMed Central

Miresmaeili, Amirfarhang; Etrati Khosroshahi, Mohammad; Motahary, Pouya; Rezaei-Soufi, Loghman; Mahjub, Hossein; Dadashi, Maryam; Farhadian, Nasrin

2014-01-01

Objective This study was designed to evaluate the effect of argon laser irradiation on development and progress of enamel demineralization around orthodontic brackets. Materials and Methods: Fifty caries-free, intact human premolars were randomly assigned to one of the following five equal groups: Groups 1 (control) and 2: The brackets were bonded using conventional halogen light for 40s and argon laser for 10s, respectively. Teeth in group 3 were lased with argon laser for 10s before bracket bonding with halogen light. Group 4 was the same as group 3 except that brackets were also bonded with argon laser. In group 5 samples were bonded conventionally, immersed in an artificial caries solution for two days and then irradiated for 10s with argon laser. All samples were subjected to demineralization by artificial caries solution for 10 days. After bracket removal, samples were buccolingually sectioned and evaluated by polarized light microscopy. Decalcified lesion depth in each section was measured by a trained examiner in a blind fashion. Data were analyzed in SPSS 14 using one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s HSD post hoc test. Results: The control group showed the greatest mean lesion depth while group 5 revealed the lowest. The laser-treated groups had significantly lower mean lesion depth compared with the control group (P<0.05) except for group 4 (P=0.192). Conclusion: Argon laser irradiation for 10s before or during bracket bonding can increase caries resistance of intact and demineralized enamel. PMID:25584052

The LArIAT Experiment

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Nutini, Irene

2017-09-20

A short overview of the Liquid Argon In A Testbeam (LArIAT) experiment hosted at Fermilab is reported. This program supports the Liquid Argon Time Projection Chamber (LArTPC) Neutrino Experiments at Fermilab. The LArIAT program consists of a calibration of a LArTPC in a dedicated charged particle beamline. The first total pion interaction cross section measurement ever made on argon is presented here (preliminary result).

A FUSE Search for Argon on Titan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gladstone, G. R.; Link, R.; Stern, S. A.; Festou, M.; Waite, J. H.

2002-09-01

The origin of Titan's thick nitrogen and methane atmosphere is a compelling enigma. One key and still missing observable concerns the abundances of noble gases in general, and argon in particular. Detection of sufficient argon could indicate that the N2 and CO now found in the atmosphere came in with ice during Titan's accretion. Alternatively, if there is very little argon, then we have to turn to models starting with frozen ammonia, methane and water ice, indicating a more important role for the Saturn sub-nebula, and requiring subsequent modification by photochemistry. Current estimates on the fraction of argon in Titan's atmosphere are crude, and based only on indirect evidence, and range up to 25%. On Sept. 21, 2000, using the Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE) satellite, we performed an observation of Titan to search for argon and to make a survey of Titan's dayglow in the 90--115 nm FUSE bandpass. No emissions were found in the 18 ks exposure, although only 7.4 ks were obtained when FUSE was in Earth's shadow where terrestrial airglow contamination is minimal. While no Ar, N, or N2 emissions were detected, 2-σ upper limits of 4 R (for Ar 104.8 nm) and 20 R (for N 113.4 nm) are found using the best of the FUSE data. There is a bump on the terrestrial geocorona H Lyβ emission at 102.5 nm which may be due to Titan and a Titan Torus. The signal in the bump is about 400 R. Model estimates suggest that the Lyβ brightness of Titan should be about 20 R and the Titan Torus in the 30--700 R range. For an assumed argon abundance of 5% the 104.8 nm emission is predicted to be 7 R, so the argon estimate is constraining already. The nitrogen estimate is very close to the model expectation of 15 R. An accurate determination of the abundance of argon on Titan would be useful in preparing for the arrival of the Cassini orbiter and Huygens probe at the Saturn system, so further FUSE observations of Titan are planned. We gratefully acknowledge support from NASA through FUSE grant NAG5-9972.

Measuring the Neutron Cross Section and Detector Response from Interactions in Liquid Argon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kamp, Nicholas; Collaboration, Captain

2017-09-01

The main objective of the CAPTAIN (Cryogenic Apparatus for Precision Tests of Argon Interactions with Neutrinos) program is to measure neutron and neutrino interactions in liquid argon. These results will be essential to the development of both short and long baseline neutrino experiments. The full CAPTAIN experiment involves a 10 ton liquid argon time projection chamber (LArTPC) that will take runs at a low-energy ( 10-50 MeV) stopped pion neutrino source. A two ton LArTPC, MiniCAPTAIN, will serve as a prototype for the full CAPTAIN detector. MiniCAPTAIN has been deployed to take data at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center in late July. During this run, it will both test new LArTPC technologies and measure the cross section and detector response of neutron interactions in liquid argon. The results will be helpful in characterizing neutral current neutrino interactions and identifying background in future neutrino detection experiments. This poster gives an overview of these results and a status update on the CAPTAIN collaboration.

[Effect of argon and nitrogen on the peritoneal macrophages in mice and their resistance to the UV damaging effect in vitro].

PubMed

Galchuk, S V; Turovetskiĭ, V B; Andreev, A I; Buravkova, L B

2001-01-01

Explored were effects of argon and nitrogen on intracellular pH in peritoneal macrophages in mice and resistance of cellular membranes to the UV damaging effect in vitro. Blasting argon or nitrogen along the surface of cell cultures in airtight chamber for 20 minutes was shown to decrease 5-folds the oxygen content of solution as compared with initial level with culture pH unchanged. Ten-minute blasting argon or nitrogen through the incubation chamber slightly elevates intracellular pH in macrophages. The standard cell incubation conditions recovered following approximately 60 minutes in hypoxic atmosphere, the ability of macrophages to build up fluorescein was degraded and they increased intracellular pH no matter the indifferent gas yet more marked in case of nitrogen in use. It was demonstrated that the normobaric gas environment with oxygen partly replaced by nitrogen or argon protects plasmatic membranes of cells from UV-induced damage.

Performance and emission characteristics of the thermal barrier coated SI engine by adding argon inert gas to intake mixture.

PubMed

Karthikeya Sharma, T

2015-11-01

Dilution of the intake air of the SI engine with the inert gases is one of the emission control techniques like exhaust gas recirculation, water injection into combustion chamber and cyclic variability, without scarifying power output and/or thermal efficiency (TE). This paper investigates the effects of using argon (Ar) gas to mitigate the spark ignition engine intake air to enhance the performance and cut down the emissions mainly nitrogen oxides. The input variables of this study include the compression ratio, stroke length, and engine speed and argon concentration. Output parameters like TE, volumetric efficiency, heat release rates, brake power, exhaust gas temperature and emissions of NOx, CO2 and CO were studied in a thermal barrier coated SI engine, under variable argon concentrations. Results of this study showed that the inclusion of Argon to the input air of the thermal barrier coated SI engine has significantly improved the emission characteristics and engine's performance within the range studied.

The CAPTAIN-MINERvA Experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yoo, Jieun; -Minerva Collaboration, Captain

2016-03-01

The CAPTAIN-MINERvA experiment aims to measure neutrino-argon interactions in the few GeV energy range, which corresponds to the first oscillation maximum for DUNE. It uses the CAPTAIN LArTPC as an active target in conjunction with MINERvA to measure the neutrino interactions and will provide the only high-statistics measurement of the neutrino-argon cross section above 2 GeV before DUNE. CAPTAIN is a liquid argon TPC which is currently being built at LANL. It will be moved to Fermilab and be used in conjunction with MINERvA. Using MINERvA as the tracking detector will allow us to measure the muon energy by dE/dx and thus more completely measure the incoming neutrino energy. And, by measuring the ratio of cross sections in argon to hydrocarbon in the scintillator, we will be able to make stringent tests of nuclear effect models. Thus, through this unique combination of detectors, CAPTAIN-MINERvA will be able to study neutrino-argon interactions and serve as an important source of input for DUNE.

Performance and emission characteristics of the thermal barrier coated SI engine by adding argon inert gas to intake mixture

PubMed Central

Karthikeya Sharma, T.

2014-01-01

Dilution of the intake air of the SI engine with the inert gases is one of the emission control techniques like exhaust gas recirculation, water injection into combustion chamber and cyclic variability, without scarifying power output and/or thermal efficiency (TE). This paper investigates the effects of using argon (Ar) gas to mitigate the spark ignition engine intake air to enhance the performance and cut down the emissions mainly nitrogen oxides. The input variables of this study include the compression ratio, stroke length, and engine speed and argon concentration. Output parameters like TE, volumetric efficiency, heat release rates, brake power, exhaust gas temperature and emissions of NOx, CO2 and CO were studied in a thermal barrier coated SI engine, under variable argon concentrations. Results of this study showed that the inclusion of Argon to the input air of the thermal barrier coated SI engine has significantly improved the emission characteristics and engine’s performance within the range studied. PMID:26644918

Analysis of time-resolved argon line spectra from OMEGA direct-drive implosions

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Florido, R.; Nagayama, T.; Mancini, R. C.

2008-10-15

We discuss the observation and data analysis of argon K-shell line spectra from argon-doped deuterium-filled OMEGA direct-drive implosion cores based on data recorded with two streaked crystal spectrometers. The targets were 870 {mu}m in diameter, 27 {mu}m wall thickness plastic shells filled with 20 atm of deuterium gas, and a tracer amount of argon for diagnostic purposes. The argon K-shell line spectrum is primarily emitted at the collapse of the implosion and its analysis provides a spectroscopic diagnostic of the core implosion conditions. The observed spectra includes the He{alpha}, Ly{alpha}, He{beta}, He{gamma}, Ly{beta}, and Ly{gamma} line emissions and their associatedmore » He- and Li-like satellites thus covering a broad photon energy range from 3100 to 4200 eV with a spectral resolution power of approximately 500. The data analysis relies on detailed atomic and spectral models that take into account nonequilibrium collisional-radiative atomic kinetics, Stark-broadened line shapes, and radiation transport calculations.« less

An investigation of the source of air Ar contamination in KAr dating

USGS Publications Warehouse

Mussett, A.E.; Brent, Dalrymple G.

1968-01-01

Precision of young KAr ages is limited by air argon contamination. A series of experiments in which the exposure of basalt and sanidine samples to air argon was controlled, shows that most of the air contamination does not arise in the laboratory. Because of this, it seems unlikely that air argon contamination can be significantly reduced by special sample handling and preparation techniques. ?? 1968.

Near-Infrared Scintillation of Liquid Argon: Recent Results Obtained with the NIR Facility at Fermilab

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Escobar, C. O.; Rubinov, P.; Tilly, E.

After a short review of previous attempts to observe and measure the near-infrared scintillation in liquid argon, we present new results obtained with NIR, a dedicated cryostat at the Fermilab Proton Assembly Building (PAB). The new results give confidence that the near-infrared light can be used as the much needed light signal in large liquid argon time projection chambers.11 pages,

The DarkSide experiment: Present status and future

DOE PAGES

Zuzel, G.; Agnes, P.; Albuquerque, I. F. M.; ...

2017-01-01

Here, DarkSide is a multi-stage program devoted to direct searches of Dark Matter particles with detectors based on double phase liquid Argon Time Projection Chamber. The DarkSide-50 setup is running underground at the Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso. First it was operated with Atmospheric Argon and during that run (1422 ± 67) kg×d of truly background-free exposure has been accumulated. Obtained data made it possible to set a 90% C.L. upper limit on the WIMP-nucleon cross section of 6.1 × 10 –44 cm 2 (for a WIMP mass of 100 GeV/c 2). Presently the detector is filled with Underground Argon,more » which is depleted in 39Ar by a factor of (1.4 ± 0.2)×10 3 with respect to Atmospheric Argon. Acquired so far (2616 ± 43) kg×d (71 live days) in combination with the data from the Atmospheric Argon run give us the 90% C.L. upper limit on the WIMP-nucleon spin-independent cross section of 2.0×10 –44 cm 2 for a WIMP mass of 100 GeV/c 2. Up to date this is the best limit obtained with an argon target.« less

Effects of oxygen concentration on atmospheric pressure dielectric barrier discharge in Argon-Oxygen Mixture

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Xuechun; Li, Dian; Wang, Younian

2016-09-01

A dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) can generate a low-temperature plasma easily at atmospheric pressure and has been investigated for applications in trials in cancer therapy, sterilization, air pollution control, etc. It has been confirmed that reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a key role in the processes. In this work, we use a fluid model to simulate the plasma characteristics for DBD in argon-oxygen mixture. The effects of oxygen concentration on the plasma characteristics have been discussed. The evolution mechanism of ROS has been systematically analyzed. It was found that the ground state oxygen atoms and oxygen molecular ions are the dominated oxygen species under the considered oxygen concentrations. With the oxygen concentration increasing, the densities of electrons, argon atomic ions, resonance state argon atoms, metastable state argon atoms and excited state argon atoms all show a trend of decline. The oxygen molecular ions density is high and little influenced by the oxygen concentration. Ground state oxygen atoms density tends to increase before falling. The ozone density increases significantly. Increasing the oxygen concentration, the discharge mode begins to change gradually from the glow discharge mode to Townsend discharge mode. Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 11175034).

Argon gas analysis to predict water leakage into the W88

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Gillen, K.T.

1990-08-01

Analyses of the internal argon gas concentrations monitored on surveillance units of the W84 indicates that field aging of this weapon for times up to {approximately}4 years does not lead to important increases in the rate at which water leaks into the interior of the weapon. This implies that the EPDM environmental seals used on the W84 do not age significantly over this time period. By comparing the percentages of oxygen and argon in the internal atmosphere, an estimate of the oxygen consumption rate is made for a typical W84 unit. The argon gas analysis approach is then applied tomore » the W88, which is sealed with a new EPDM material. Predictive expressions are derived which relate the anticipated argon gas concentrations of future, field-returned units to their water leakage rates. The predictions are summarized in convenient plots, which can be immediately and easily applied to surveillance data as reported. Since the argon approach is sensitive enough to be useful over the entire lifetime of the W88, it can be used to point out leaking units and to determine whether long-term aging has any significant effect on the new EPDM material. 11 refs., 10 figs., 3 tabs.« less

Effect of atmosphere on the surface tension and viscosity of molten LiNbO 3 measured using the surface laser-light scattering method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nagasaka, Yuji; Kobayashi, Yusuke

2007-09-01

The surface tension and the viscosity of molten LiNbO 3 (LN) having the congruent composition have been measured simultaneously in a temperature range from 1537 to 1756 K under argon gas and dry-air atmospheres. The present measurement technique involves surface laser-light scattering (SLLS) that detects nanometer-order-amplitude surface waves usually regarded as ripplons excited by thermal fluctuations. This technique's non-invasive nature allows it to avoid the experimental difficulties of conventional techniques resulting from the insertion of an actuator in the melt. The results of surface tension measurement obtained under a dry-air atmosphere are about 5% smaller than those obtained under an argon atmosphere near the melting temperature, and the temperature dependence of the surface tension under a dry-air atmosphere is twice that under an argon atmosphere. The uncertainty of surface tension measurement is estimated to be ±2.6% under argon and ±1.9% under dry air. The temperature dependence of viscosity can be well correlated with the results of Arrhenius-type equations without any anomalous behavior near the melting point. The viscosities obtained under a dry-air atmosphere were slightly smaller than those obtained under an argon atmosphere. The uncertainty of viscosity measurement is estimated to be ±11.1% for argon and ±14.3% for dry air. Moreover, we observed the real-time dynamic behavior of the surface tension and the viscosity of molten LN in response to argon and dry-air atmospheres.

Dopant-assisted direct analysis in real time mass spectrometry with argon gas.

PubMed

Cody, Robert B; Dane, A John

2016-05-30

Dopants used with Atmospheric Pressure Photoionization (APPI) were examined with the Direct Analysis in Real Time (DART ® ) ion source operated with argon gas. Charge-exchange and proton transfer reactions were observed by adding toluene, anisole, chlorobenzene and acetone to the DART gas stream, complementing the information obtained by helium DART. Mass spectra were acquired with a time-of-flight mass spectrometer equipped with a DART ion source operated with argon gas. A syringe pump was used to introduce dopants directly into the DART gas stream through deactivated fused-silica capillary tubing. Samples including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), diesel fuel, trinitrotoluene and cannabinoids were deposited onto the sealed end of melting tube, allowed to dry, and the tube was then suspended in the dopant-enhanced DART gas stream. PAHs could be detected as molecular ions at concentrations in the low parts-per-billion range by using a solution of 0.5% anisole in toluene as a dopant. Argon DART analysis of a diesel fuel sample with the same dopant mixture showed a simpler mass spectrum than obtained by using helium DART. The argon DART mass spectrum was dominated by molecular ions for aromatic compounds, whereas the helium DART mass spectrum showed both molecular ions and protonated molecules. In contrast O 2 - attachment DART showed saturated hydrocarbons and oxygen-containing species. Mass spectra for trinitrotoluene with argon DART in negative-ion mode showed a prominent [M - H] - peak, whereas conventional helium DART showed both M - and [M - H] - . Lastly, in analogy to a report in the literature using APPI, positive ions produced by argon DART ionization for delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol showed distinctive product-ion mass spectra. Dopant-assisted argon DART operates by a mechanism that is analogous to those proposed for dopant-assisted atmospheric-pressure photoionization. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

[Spectroscopic diagnostics of DC argon plasma at atmospheric pressure].

PubMed

Tu, Xin; Lu, Sheng-yong; Yan, Jian-hua; Ma, Zeng-yi; Pan, Xin-chao; Cen, Ke-fa; Cheron, Bruno

2006-10-01

The optical emission spectra of DC argon plasma at atmospheric pressure were measured inside and outside the arc chamber. The electron temperature was determined from the Boltzmann plot, and the electron density was derived from Stark broadening of Ar I lines. The criteria for the existence of local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE)in the plasma was discussed. The results indicate that the DC argon plasma at atmospheric pressure under our experimental conditions is in LTE.

Onset of space charge effects in liquid argon ionization chambers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Toggerson, B.; Newcomer, A.; Rutherfoord, J.; Walker, R. B.

2009-09-01

Using a thin-gap liquid argon ionization chamber and Strontium-90 beta sources we have measured ionization currents over a wide range of gap potentials. These precision "HV plateau curves" advance the understanding of liquid argon sampling calorimeter signals, particularly at high ionization rates. The order of magnitude differences in the activities of the beta sources allow us to estimate where the ionization chamber is driven into the space-charge dominated regime.

Behavior of some singly ionized, heavy-ion impurities during compression in a theta-pinch plasma

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jalufka, N. W.

1975-01-01

The introduction of a small percentage of an impurity gas containing a desired element into a theta-pinch plasma is a standard procedure used to investigate the spectra and atomic processes of the element. This procedure assumes that the mixing ratio of impurity-to-fill gases remains constant during the collapse and heating phase. Spectroscopic investigations of the constant-mixing-ratio assumption for a 2% neon and argon impurity verifies the assumption only for the neon impurity. However, for the 2% argon impurity, only 20 to 25% of the argon is in the high-temperature compressed plasma. It is concluded that the constant-mixing-ratio assumption is not applicable to the argon impurity.

The CAPTAIN liquid argon neutrino experiment

DOE PAGES

Liu, Qiuguang

2015-01-01

The CAPTAIN liquid argon experiment is designed to make measurements of scientific importance to long-baseline neutrino physics and physics topics that will be explored by large underground detectors. The experiment employs two detectors – a primary detector with approximately 10-ton of liquid argon that will be deployed at different facilities for physics measurements and a prototype detector with 2-ton of liquid argon for configuration testing. The physics programs for CAPTAIN include measuring neutron interactions at Los Alamos Neutron Science Center, measuring neutrino interactions in medium energy regime (1.5–5 GeV) at Fermilab's NuMI beam, and measuring neutrino interactions in low energymore » regime (< 50 MeV) at stopped pion sources for supernova neutrino studies.« less

The role of the CN vibration in the activated dynamics of LiNC<−>LiCN isomerization in an argon solvent at high temperatures.

PubMed

Garcia-Muller, Pablo L; Hernandez, Rigoberto; Benito, R M; Borondo, F

2014-08-21

The isomerization between CN-Li and Li-CN in an argon bath provides a paradigmatic example of a reaction in a solvent with tunable coupling. In previous work, we found that the rates exhibited a turnover with the density of the argon bath in the limit that the CN bond was held fixed [P. L. Garcia-Muller, R. Hernandez, R. M. Benito, and F. Borondo, J. Chem. Phys. 137, 204301 (2012)]. Here, we report the effect of the CN bond vibration on the dynamics and the persistence of the turnover. As hypothesized earlier, the CN bond is indeed weakly coupled with the reaction path despite the presence of the argon cage.

Noble Gas-Uranium Coordination and Intersystem Crossing for the CUO(Ne)x(Ng)n (Ng = Ar, Kr, Xe) Complexes in Solid Neon

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Andrews, Lester; Liang, Binyong; Li, Jun

2004-02-15

Atomic uranium excited by laser ablation reacts with CO in excess neon to produce the novel CUO molecule, which forms weak complexes CUO(Ne)m with neon and stronger complexes CUO(Ne)x(Ng)n (Ng = Ar, Kr, Xe) when the heavier noble gas atoms are present. The heavier CUO(Ne)m-1(Ng) complexes are identified through the effects of CO isotopic and Ng substitution on the neon matrix infrared spectra and by comparison to DFT frequency calculations on model complexes CUO(Ng) (Ng = Ne, Ar, Kr, Xe). The U-C and U-O stretching frequencies of CUO(Ne)m-1(Ng) complexes are slightly red shifted from 1047 and 872 cm-1 frequencies formore » the 1Sigma+ CUO ground state neon complex, which identifies singlet ground state CUO(Ne)m-1(Ng) complexes in solid neon. The next singlet CUO(Ne)x(Ng)2 complexes in excess neon follow in like manner. However, stretching modes and the isotopic shifts of the higher CUO(Ne)x(Ng)n complex approach those of the pure argon matrix CUO(Ar)n complex, which characterizes triple t ground state complexes by comparison to DFT frequency calculations.« less

FLASH hydrodynamic simulations of experiments to explore the generation of cosmological magnetic fields

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Scopatz, A.; Fatenejad, M.; Flocke, N.; Gregori, G.; Koenig, M.; Lamb, D. Q.; Lee, D.; Meinecke, J.; Ravasio, A.; Tzeferacos, P.; Weide, K.; Yurchak, R.

2013-03-01

We report the results of FLASH hydrodynamic simulations of the experiments conducted by the University of Oxford High Energy Density Laboratory Astrophysics group and its collaborators at the Laboratoire pour l'Utilisation de Lasers Intenses (LULI). In these experiments, a long-pulse laser illuminates a target in a chamber filled with Argon gas, producing shock waves that generate magnetic fields via the Biermann battery mechanism. The simulations show that the result of the laser illuminating the target is a series of complex hydrodynamic phenomena.

Methane and hydrogen ignition with ethanol and butanol admixtures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Eremin, A. V.; Matveeva, N. A.; Mikheyeva, E. Yu

2018-01-01

This work is devoted to the investigation of combustion of simple and complex gaseous fuels: methane and hydrogen with admixtures of the most promising alcohols: ethanol and butanol. The process of ignition of investigated blends behind reflected shock waves in the temperature range of 1000-1600 K and pressure range of 4.5-6 bar was studied. The temperature dependences of ignition delay times for stoichiometric methane-oxygen-ethanol (or butanol) and hydrogen-oxygen-ethanol (or butanol) mixtures diluted in argon were obtained. The possible kinetic description is discussed.

Morphology and characteristics of laser-induced aluminum plasma in argon and in air: A comparative study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bai, Xueshi; Cao, Fan; Motto-Ros, Vincent; Ma, Qianli; Chen, Yanping; Yu, Jin

2015-11-01

In laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), ablation takes place in general in an ambient gas of the atmospheric pressure, often in air but also in noble gas such as argon or helium. The use of noble gas is known to significantly improve the performance of the technique. We investigate in this work the morphology and the characteristics of induced plasma in argon and in air. The purpose is to understand the mechanism of the analytical performance improvement by the use of argon ambient with respective to air ambient and the dependence on the other experimental parameters such as the laser fluence. The observation of plasma morphology in different ambient gases provides also information for better design of the detection system which optimizes the signal collection according to the used ambient gases. More specifically, the expansion of the plasma induced on an aluminum target with nanosecond infrared (1064 nm) laser pulse in two ambient gases, argon and the atmospheric air, has been studied with spectroscopic imaging at short delays and with emission spectroscopy at longer delays. With relatively low ablation laser fluence (65 J/cm2), similar morphologies have been observed in argon and in air over the early stage of plasma expansion, while diagnostics at longer delay shows stronger emission, higher electron density and temperature for plasma induced in argon. With higher ablation laser fluence (160 J/cm2) however, different expansion behaviors have been observed, with a stagnating aluminum vapor near the target surface in air while a propagating plume away from the target in argon. The craters left on the target surface show as well corresponding difference: in air, the crater is very shallow with a target surface chaotically affected by the laser pulse, indicating an effective re-deposition of the ablated material back to the crater; while in Ar a deeper crater is observed, indicating an efficient mass removal by laser ablation. At longer delays, a brighter, denser and hotter plasma is always observed in argon than in air as with lower ablation laser fluences. The observed different influences of the ambient gas on the plasma expansion behavior for different laser fluences are related to the different modes of laser-supported absorption waves, namely laser-supported combustion (LSC) wave and laser-supported detonation (LSD) wave.

Surface modification of gutta-percha cones by non-thermal plasma.

PubMed

Prado, Maíra; Menezes, Marilia Santana de Oliveira; Gomes, Brenda Paula Figueiredo de Almeida; Barbosa, Carlos Augusto de Melo; Athias, Leonardo; Simão, Renata Antoun

2016-11-01

This study was designed to evaluate the effects of Oxygen and Argon plasma on gutta-percha surfaces. A total of 185 flat smooth gutta-percha surfaces were used. Samples were divided into groups: control: no plasma treatment; Oxygen: treatment with Oxygen plasma for 1min; Argon: treatment with Argon plasma for 1min. Samples were evaluated topographically by scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy; and chemically by Fourier Transform-infrared Spectroscopy. A goniometer was used to determine the surface free energy and the wettability of the endodontic sealers. Additionally 60 bovine teeth were filled using pellets of gutta-percha (control, oxygen and argon plasma) and the sealers. Teeth were evaluated by push-out and microleakage tests. Data were statistically analyzed using specific tests. Argon plasma did not change the surface topography, while Oxygen plasma led to changes. Both treatments chemically modified the gutta-percha surface. Argon and Oxygen plasma increased the surface free energy and favored the wettability of AH Plus and Pulp Canal Sealer EWT. Regarding bond strength analysis, for AH Plus sealer, both plasma treatments on gutta-percha favored the bond strength to dentin. However, for Pulp Canal Sealer, there is no statistically significant influence. For leakage test, dye penetration occurred between sealer and dentin in all groups. In conclusion, Oxygen plasma led to both topographic and chemical changes in the gutta-percha surface, while Argon plasma caused only chemical changes. Both treatments increased the surface free energy, favoring the wettability of AH Plus and Pulp Canal Sealer EWT sealers and influenced positively in the adhesion and leakage. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effects of argon enriched low-oxygen atmospheres and of high-oxygen atmospheres on the kinetics of polyphenoloxidase (PPO).

PubMed

O'Beirne, David; Murphy, Eileen; Ni Eidhin, Deirdre

2011-01-01

The reported benefits of enrichment of air atmospheres with argon or oxygen for control of enzymatic browning were investigated by determining the effects of these atmospheres on PPO kinetics. Kinetics of purified apple PPO and a commercially available mushroom PPO were studied in an in vitro model system. Enrichment with argon produced greater inhibitory effects than the current industry practice of enrichment with nitrogen. Km(app) values (mM) for apple PPO in 3%O(2)/97%Ar, 3%O(2)/97%N(2), and air, were 133, 87, and 48, respectively. The data indicate that inhibition by both gases is competitive, and also support the hypothesis that the greater inhibitory effect of argon was proportional to the size of the Van der Waals radius of argon against nitrogen (1.91 Å against 1.54 Å). Much smaller inhibitory effects were observed in the presence of 80% O(2) (Km(app) 57 mM), and the nature of this inhibition was less clear. The results suggest that the benefits of argon enrichment may be relatively small, and may require critical enzyme, substrate, and gas levels to be successful. However, these benefits may be exploitable commercially in some fresh-cut products, and may allow less anoxic atmospheres to be used. Practical Application: Control of enzymatic browning without sulfites continues to be a challenge in some fresh-cut products. While sporadic benefits of these atmospheres in control of enzymatic browning have been reported, results have been inconsistent in commercial practice. The results suggest that the benefits of argon enrichment may be relatively small, and may require critical enzyme, substrate, and gas levels to be successful. However, these benefits may be exploitable commercially in some fresh-cut products, and allow less anoxic atmospheres to be used.

Anomalous optogalvanic line shapes of argon metastable transitions in a hollow cathode lamp

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ruyten, W. M.

1993-01-01

Anomalous optogalvanic line shapes were observed in a commercial hollow cathode lamp containing argon buffer gas. Deviations from Gaussian line shapes were particularly strong for transitions originating from the 3P2 metastable level of argon. The anomalous line shapes can be described reasonably well by the assumption that two regions in the discharge are excited simultaneously, each giving rise to a purely Gaussian line shape, but with different polarities, amplitudes, and linewidths.

LArGe: active background suppression using argon scintillation for the Gerda 0ν β β -experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Agostini, M.; Barnabé-Heider, M.; Budjáš, D.; Cattadori, C.; Gangapshev, A.; Gusev, K.; Heisel, M.; Junker, M.; Klimenko, A.; Lubashevskiy, A.; Pelczar, K.; Schönert, S.; Smolnikov, A.; Zuzel, G.

2015-10-01

LArGe is a Gerda low-background test facility to study novel background suppression methods in a low-background environment, for future application in the Gerda experiment. Similar to Gerda, LArGe operates bare germanium detectors submersed into liquid argon (1 m^3, 1.4 tons), which in addition is instrumented with photomultipliers to detect argon scintillation light. The scintillation signals are used in anti-coincidence with the germanium detectors to effectively suppress background events that deposit energy in the liquid argon. The background suppression efficiency was studied in combination with a pulse shape discrimination (PSD) technique using a BEGe detector for various sources, which represent characteristic backgrounds to Gerda. Suppression factors of a few times 10^3 have been achieved. First background data of LArGe with a coaxial HPGe detector (without PSD) yield a background index of (0.12-4.6)× 10^{-2} cts/(keV kg year) (90 % C.L.), which is at the level of Gerda Phase I. Furthermore, for the first time we monitor the natural ^{42}Ar abundance (parallel to Gerda), and have indication for the 2ν β β -decay in natural germanium. These results show the effectivity of an active liquid argon veto in an ultra-low background environment. As a consequence, the implementation of a liquid argon veto in Gerda Phase II is pursued.

Effect of sputtering parameters on optical and electrical properties of ITO films on PET substrates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tseng, Kun-San; Lo, Yu-Lung

2013-11-01

The optical and electrical properties of indium tin oxide (ITO) thin films deposited on flexible polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrates using a DC magnetron sputtering technique are investigated as a function of the deposition time, the argon flow rate and the target-substrate distance. It is found that all of the ITO films contain a high fraction of amorphous phase. The volume fraction of crystallite precipitates in the amorphous host increases with an increasing deposition time or a reducing argon flow rate. The deposition time and argon flow rate have higher effects on the optical transparency of the ITO films than the target-substrate distance has. Increasing film thickness is not the only reason for the transmittance reduced. It is found that an increase of the extinction coefficient by increasing deposition time or an increase of the refractive index by decreasing argon flow rate also reduces the transmittance of thin film. For a constant deposition time, the resistivity of the ITO films reduces with a reducing argon flow rate or a reducing target-substrate distance. For a constant argon flow rate, a critical value of the deposition time exists at which both the resistivity and the effect of the target-substrate distance are minimized. Finally, it is concluded that the film resistivity has low sensitivity to the target-substrate distance if the best deposition conditions which mostly attain the lowest resistivity are matched.

Effects of metastable species in helium and argon atmospheric pressure plasma jets (APPJs) on inactivation of periodontopathogenic bacteria

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yoon, Sung-Young; Kim, Kyoung-Hwa; Seol, Yang-Jo; Kim, Su-Jeong; Bae, Byeongjun; Huh, Sung-Ryul; Kim, Gon-Ho

2016-05-01

The helium and argon have been widely used as discharge gases in atmospheric pressure plasma jets (APPJs) for bacteria inactivation. The APPJs show apparent different in bullet propagation speed and bacteria inactivation rate apparently vary with discharge gas species. This work shows that these two distinctive features of APPJs can be linked through one factor, the metastable energy level. The effects of helium and argon metastable species on APPJ discharge mechanism for reactive oxygen nitrogen species (RONS) generation in APPJs are investigated by experiments and numerical estimation. The discharge mechanism is investigated by using the bullet velocity from the electric field which is obtained with laser induced fluorescence (LIF) measurement. The measured electric field also applied on the estimation of RONS generation, as electron energy source term in numerical particle reaction. The estimated RONS number is verified by comparing NO and OH densities to the inactivation rate of periodontitis bacteria. The characteristic time for bacteria inactivation of the helium-APPJ was found to be 1.63 min., which is significantly less than that of the argon-APPJ, 12.1 min. In argon-APPJ, the argon metastable preserve the energy due to the lack of the Penning ionization. Thus the surface temperature increase is significantly higher than helium-APPJ case. It implies that the metastable energy plays important role in both of APPJ bullet propagation and bacteria inactivation mechanism.

Pilot study about dose-effect relationship of ocular injury in argon laser photocoagulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, P.; Zhang, C. P.; Fu, X. B.; Zhang, T. M.; Wang, C. Z.; Qian, H. W.; San, Q.

2011-03-01

The aim of this article was to study the injury effect of either convergent or parallel argon laser beam on rabbit retina, get the dose-effect relationship for the two types of laser beams, and calculate the damage threshold of argon laser for human retinas. An argon laser therapeutic instrument for ophthalmology was used in this study. A total of 80 rabbit eyes were irradiated for 600 lesions, half of which were treated by convergent laser and the other half were done with parallel laser beam. After irradiation, slit lamp microscope and fundus photography were used to observe the lesions, change and the incidence of injury was processed statistically to get the damage threshold of rabbit retina. Based on results from the experiments on animals and the data from clinical cases of laser treatment, the photocoagulation damage thresholds of human retinas for convergent and parallel argon laser were calculated to be 0.464 and 0.285 mJ respectively. These data provided biological reference for safely operation when employing laser photocoagulation in clinical practice and other fields.

First scientific application of the membrane cryostat technology

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Montanari, David; Adamowski, Mark; Baller, Bruce R.

2014-01-29

We report on the design, fabrication, performance and commissioning of the first membrane cryostat to be used for scientific application. The Long Baseline Neutrino Experiment (LBNE) has designed and fabricated a membrane cryostat prototype in collaboration with IHI Corporation (IHI). Original goals of the prototype are: to demonstrate the membrane cryostat technology in terms of thermal performance, feasibility for liquid argon, and leak tightness; to demonstrate that we can remove all the impurities from the vessel and achieve the purity requirements in a membrane cryostat without evacuation and using only a controlled gaseous argon purge; to demonstrate that we canmore » achieve and maintain the purity requirements of the liquid argon during filling, purification, and maintenance mode using mole sieve and copper filters from the Liquid Argon Purity Demonstrator (LAPD) R and D project. The purity requirements of a large liquid argon detector such as LBNE are contaminants below 200 parts per trillion oxygen equivalent. This paper gives the requirements, design, construction, and performance of the LBNE membrane cryostat prototype, with experience and results important to the development of the LBNE detector.« less

The electronics, trigger and data acquisition system for the liquid argon time projection chamber of the DarkSide-50 search for dark matter

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Agnes, P.; Albuquerque, I. F. M.; Alexander, T.

The DarkSide-50 experiment at the Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso is a search for dark matter using a dual phase time projection chamber with 50 kg of low radioactivity argon as target. Light signals from interactions in the argon are detected by a system of 38 photo-multiplier tubes (PMTs), 19 above and 19 below the TPC volume inside the argon cryostat. We describe the electronics which processes the signals from the photo-multipliers, the trigger system which identifies events of interest, and the data-acquisition system which records the data for further analysis. The electronics include resistive voltage dividers on the PMTs,more » custom pre-amplifiers mounted directly on the PMT voltage dividers in the liquid argon, and custom amplifier/discriminators (at room temperature). After amplification, the PMT signals are digitized in CAEN waveform digitizers, and CAEN logic modules are used to construct the trigger, the data acquisition system for the TPC is based on the Fermilab "artdaq" software. The system has been in operation since early 2014.« less

Measurement of plasma decay processes in mixture of sodium and argon by coherent microwave scattering

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zhang Zhili; Shneider, Mikhail N.

2010-03-15

This paper presents the experimental measurement and computational model of sodium plasma decay processes in mixture of sodium and argon by using radar resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI), coherent microwave Rayleigh scattering of REMPI. A single laser beam resonantly ionizes the sodium atoms by means of 2+1 REMPI process. The laser beam can only generate the ionization of the sodium atoms and have negligible ionization of argon. Coherent microwave scattering in situ measures the total electron number in the laser-induced plasma. Since the sodium ions decay by recombination with electrons, microwave scattering directly measures the plasma decay processes of the sodiummore » ions. A theoretical plasma dynamic model, including REMPI of the sodium and electron avalanche ionization (EAI) of sodium and argon in the gas mixture, has been developed. It confirms that the EAI of argon is several orders of magnitude lower than the REMPI of sodium. The theoretical prediction made for the plasma decay process of sodium plasma in the mixture matches the experimental measurement.« less

The electronics, trigger and data acquisition system for the liquid argon time projection chamber of the DarkSide-50 search for dark matter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Agnes, P.; Albuquerque, I. F. M.; Alexander, T.; Alton, A. K.; Arisaka, K.; Asner, D. M.; Ave, M.; Back, H. O.; Baldin, B.; Biery, K.; Bocci, V.; Bonfini, G.; Bonivento, W.; Bossa, M.; Bottino, B.; Brigatti, A.; Brodsky, J.; Budano, F.; Bussino, S.; Cadeddu, M.; Cadoni, M.; Calaprice, F.; Canci, N.; Candela, A.; Cao, H.; Caravati, M.; Cariello, M.; Carlini, M.; Catalanotti, S.; Cataudella, V.; Cavalcante, P.; Chepurnov, A.; Cicaló, C.; Cocco, A. G.; Covone, G.; Crippa, L.; D'Angelo, D.; D'Incecco, M.; Davini, S.; de Candia, A.; De Cecco, S.; De Deo, M.; De Filippis, G.; De Rosa, G.; De Vincenzi, M.; Derbin, A.; Devoto, A.; Di Eusanio, F.; Dionisi, C.; Di Pietro, G.; Edkins, E.; Empl, A.; Fan, A.; Fiorillo, G.; Fomenko, K.; Forster, G.; Franco, D.; Gabriele, F.; Galbiati, C.; Giagu, S.; Giganti, C.; Giovanetti, G. K.; Goretti, A. M.; Granato, F.; Grandi, L.; Gromov, M.; Guan, M.; Guardincerri, Y.; Hackett, B. R.; Herner, K. R.; Hughes, D.; Humble, P.; Hungerford, E. V.; Ianni, A.; Ianni, A.; James, I.; Johnson, T. N.; Keeter, K.; Kendziora, C. L.; Kobychev, V.; Koh, G.; Korablev, D.; Korga, G.; Kubankin, A.; Li, X.; Lissia, M.; Loer, B.; Lombardi, P.; Longo, G.; Luitz, S.; Ma, Y.; Machado, A.; Machulin, I. N.; Mandarano, A.; Mari, S. M.; Maricic, J.; Marini, L.; Martoff, C. J.; Meyers, P. D.; Miletic, T.; Milincic, R.; Montanari, D.; Monte, A.; Montuschi, M.; Monzani, M. E.; Mosteiro, P.; Mount, B. J.; Muratova, V. N.; Musico, P.; Navrer Agasson, A.; Nelson, A.; Odrowski, S.; Oleinik, A.; Orsini, M.; Ortica, F.; Pagani, L.; Pallavicini, M.; Pantic, E.; Parmeggiano, S.; Pelczar, K.; Pelliccia, N.; Pocar, A.; Pordes, S.; Pugachev, D. A.; Qian, H.; Randle, K.; Ranucci, G.; Razeti, M.; Razeto, A.; Reinhold, B.; Renshaw, A. L.; Rescigno, M.; Riffard, Q.; Romani, A.; Rossi, B.; Rossi, N.; Rountree, S. D.; Sablone, D.; Saggese, P.; Saldanha, R.; Sands, W.; Sangiorgio, S.; Savarese, C.; Schlitzer, B.; Segreto, E.; Semenov, D. A.; Shields, E.; Singh, P. N.; Skorokhvatov, M. D.; Smirnov, O.; Sotnikov, A.; Stanford, C.; Suvorov, Y.; Tartaglia, R.; Tatarowicz, J.; Testera, G.; Tonazzo, A.; Trinchese, P.; Unzhakov, E. V.; Verducci, M.; Vishneva, A.; Vogelaar, R. B.; Wada, M.; Walker, S.; Wang, H.; Wang, Y.; Watson, A. W.; Westerdale, S.; Wojcik, M. M.; Xiang, X.; Xiao, X.; Xu, J.; Yang, C.; Yoo, J.; Zavatarelli, S.; Zec, A.; Zhong, W.; Zhu, C.; Zuzel, G.

2017-12-01

The DarkSide-50 experiment at the Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso is a search for dark matter using a dual phase time projection chamber with 50 kg of low radioactivity argon as target. Light signals from interactions in the argon are detected by a system of 38 photo-multiplier tubes (PMTs), 19 above and 19 below the TPC volume inside the argon cryostat. We describe the electronics which processes the signals from the photo-multipliers, the trigger system which identifies events of interest, and the data-acquisition system which records the data for further analysis. The electronics include resistive voltage dividers on the PMTs, custom pre-amplifiers mounted directly on the PMT voltage dividers in the liquid argon, and custom amplifier/discriminators (at room temperature). After amplification, the PMT signals are digitized in CAEN waveform digitizers, and CAEN logic modules are used to construct the trigger; the data acquisition system for the TPC is based on the Fermilab artdaq software. The system has been in operation since early 2014.

Interaction of argon and helium plasma jets and jets arrays with account for gravity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Babaeva, Natalia Yu.; Naidis, George V.; Panov, Vladislav A.; Wang, Ruixue; Zhao, Yong; Shao, Tao

2018-06-01

In this paper, we discuss results from an experimental and computational study of the properties of a single jet and two-tube jet arrays operating in argon and helium. The jets are positioned horizontally. It was shown in experiments that the helium plasma plume bends upward and the plumes in the two-tubes jet array tend to divert due to the jet-jet interaction. To investigate these potential interactions, a computational study was performed of one- and two-tube argon and helium jet arrays having variable spacing. The effects of buoyancy forces on the jet-to-jet interaction of the plasma plumes are also investigated. Velocities of ionization waves inside and outside the tubes are estimated and compared for the argon and helium ionization waves. We show that in helium jet-jet interactions primarily depend on the spacing between the tubes and on the buoyancy forces. The helium plumes tend to merge into one single stream before dissipating, while the argon plasma plumes are less sensitive to the spacing of the jet tubes.

Effects of radiator shapes on the bubble diving and dispersion of ultrasonic argon process.

PubMed

Liu, Xuan; Xue, Jilai; Zhao, Qiang; Le, Qichi; Zhang, Zhiqiang

2018-03-01

In this work, three ultrasonic radiators in different shapes have been designed in order to investigate the effects of radiator shapes on the argon bubble dispersion and diving as well as the degassing efficiency on magnesium melt. The radiator shape has a strong influence on the bubble diving and dispersion by ultrasound. A massive argon bubble slowly flows out from the radiator with the hemispherical cap, due to the covering hemispherical cap. Using a concave radiator can intensively crush the argon bubbles and drive them much deep into the water/melt, depending on the competition between the argon flow and opposite joint shear force from the concave surface. The evolution of wall bubbles involves the ultrasonic cavities carrying dissolved gas, migrating to the vessel wall, and escaping from the liquid. Hydrogen removal can be efficiently achieved using a concave radiator. The hydrogen content can be reduced from 22.3 μg/g down to 8.7 μg/g. Mechanical properties are significantly promoted, due to the structure refinement and efficient hydrogen removal. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The electronics, trigger and data acquisition system for the liquid argon time projection chamber of the DarkSide-50 search for dark matter

DOE PAGES

Agnes, P.; Albuquerque, I. F. M.; Alexander, T.; ...

2017-12-01

The DarkSide-50 experiment at the Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso is a search for dark matter using a dual phase time projection chamber with 50 kg of low radioactivity argon as target. Light signals from interactions in the argon are detected by a system of 38 photo-multiplier tubes (PMTs), 19 above and 19 below the TPC volume inside the argon cryostat. We describe the electronics which processes the signals from the photo-multipliers, the trigger system which identifies events of interest, and the data-acquisition system which records the data for further analysis. The electronics include resistive voltage dividers on the PMTs,more » custom pre-amplifiers mounted directly on the PMT voltage dividers in the liquid argon, and custom amplifier/discriminators (at room temperature). After amplification, the PMT signals are digitized in CAEN waveform digitizers, and CAEN logic modules are used to construct the trigger, the data acquisition system for the TPC is based on the Fermilab "artdaq" software. The system has been in operation since early 2014.« less

Validation of MCDS by comparison of predicted with experimental velocity distribution functions in rarefied normal shocks

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pham-Van-diep, Gerald C.; Erwin, Daniel A.

1989-01-01

Velocity distribution functions in normal shock waves in argon and helium are calculated using Monte Carlo direct simulation. These are compared with experimental results for argon at M = 7.18 and for helium at M = 1.59 and 20. For both argon and helium, the variable-hard-sphere (VHS) model is used for the elastic scattering cross section, with the velocity dependence derived from a viscosity-temperature power-law relationship in the way normally used by Bird (1976).

Interatomic scattering in energy dependent photoelectron spectra of Ar clusters

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Patanen, M.; Benkoula, S.; Nicolas, C.

2015-09-28

Soft X-ray photoelectron spectra of Ar 2p levels of atomic argon and argon clusters are recorded over an extended range of photon energies. The Ar 2p intensity ratios between atomic argon and clusters’ surface and bulk components reveal oscillations similar to photoelectron extended X-ray absorption fine structure signal (PEXAFS). We demonstrate here that this technique allows us to analyze separately the PEXAFS signals from surface and bulk sites of free-standing, neutral clusters, revealing a bond contraction at the surface.

Energy Deposition into a Collisional Gas from Optical Lattices Formed in an Optical Cavity (PREPRINT)

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-07-02

In order to cover a range of molecular species, argon , nitrogen, and methane were used as test gases. The polarizability to mass ratio of these gases...Japan, 21-25 July 2008. 14. ABSTRACT The Direct Simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) method was used to investigate the interaction between argon ...reducing the maximum temperature. The optimal intervening time was found to be 0.7, 1.0 and 0.25 ns for argon , nitrogen, and methane at one atmosphere

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Agnes, P.; Albuquerque, I. F. M.; Alexander, T.

Geant4-based Monte Carlo package named G4DS has been developed to simulate the response of DarkSide-50, an experiment operating since 2013 at LNGS, designed to detect WIMP interactions in liquid argon. In the process of WIMP searches, DarkSide-50 has achieved two fundamental milestones: the rejection of electron recoil background with a power of ~10^7, using the pulse shape discrimination technique, and the measurement of the residual 39Ar contamination in underground argon, ~3 orders of magnitude lower with respect to atmospheric argon.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Agnes, P.; et al.

The DarkSide-50 experiment, located at the “Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso (INFN)”, is based on low-radioactivity argon double phase time projection chamber, surrounded by an active liquid scintillator veto, designed for the zero background achievement. The liquid argon features sufficient self shielding and easy scalability to multi-tons scale. The impressive reduction of the 39Ar isotope (compared to the atmospheric argon), along with the excellent pulse shape discrimination, make this technology a possible candidate for the forthcoming generation of multi-ton Dark Matter experiments.

Nitrous-acid-mediated synthesis of iron-nitrosyl-porphyrin: pH-dependent release of nitric oxide.

PubMed

Bhuyan, Jagannath; Sarkar, Sabyasachi

2012-11-01

Two iron-nitrosyl-porphyrins, nitrosyl[meso-tetrakis(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenylporphyrin]iron(II) acetic acid solvate (3) and nitrosyl[meso-tetrakis(4-methoxyphenylporphyrin]iron(II) CH(2)Cl(2) solvate (4), were synthesized in quantitative yield by using a modified procedure with nitrous acid, followed by oxygen-atom abstraction by triphenylphosphine under an argon atmosphere. These nitrosyl porphyrins are in the {FeNO}(7) class. Under an argon atmosphere, these compounds are relatively stable over a broad range of pH values (4-8) but, under aerobic conditions, they release nitric oxide faster at high pH values than that at low pH values. The generated nitric-oxide-free iron(III)-porphyrin can be re-nitrosylated by using nitrous acid and triphenylphosphine. The rapid release of NO from these Fe(II) complexes at high pH values seems to be similar to that in nitrophorin, a nitric-oxide-transport protein, which formally possesses Fe(III). However, because the release of NO occurs from ferrous-nitrosyl-porphyrin under aerobic conditions, these compounds are more closely related to nitrobindin, a recently discovered heme protein. Copyright © 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Matrix isolation studies of the interactions of BF3 with water and substituted diethyl ethers. Chemical ionization mass spectrometric determination of the proton affinity of (CF3CH2)2O

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ball, David W.; Zehe, Michael J.

1993-01-01

BF3 was co-condensed with H2O, D2O, (C2H5)2O, (CF3CH2)2O, and (C2F5)2O in excess argon at 15 K. Infrared spectra of BF3/water isolated in solid argon provided a more complete analysis of the BF3--H2O complex than previously published. Infrared spectra of the matrices showed a definite Lewis acid-base interaction between BF3 and diethyl ether; a weak but definite interaction with bis (2,2,2-trifluorodiethyl) ether, and no observable interaction with perfluorodiethyl ether. Thus, the ether data indicate a clear trend between strength of interaction with BF3 and the degree of F substitution. To support and explain the emerging relationship between interaction strength and the basicity of the oxygen-containing molecule, the proton affinity of (CF3CH2)2O was measured using chemical ionization mass spectrometry. The implications of the results for lubricant/metal oxide surface interactions are discussed.

The source and significance of argon isotopes in fluid inclusions from areas of mineralization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kelley, S.; Turner, G.; Butterfield, A. W.; Shepherd, T. J.

1986-09-01

Argon isotopes in fluid inclusions in quartz veins associated with granite-hosted tungsten mineralization in the southwest and north of England have been investigated in detail by the 40Ar- 39Ar technique. The natural argon is present as a number of discrete components which can be identified through correlations with 39Ar, 38Ar and 37Ar induced by neutron bombardment of potassium, chlorine and calcium. The potassium-correlated component arises principally from in situ decay of potassium in solid phases in the inclusions. In the case of the Hemerdon tungsten deposit of southwest England the phases responsible are small (≈ 25 μm) captive authigenic micas which are shown to have been deposited from a fluid 268 ± 20 Ma ago, shortly after the emplacement of the host granite. The chlorine-correlated component is present in the brines which constitute the fluid phase of the inclusions. The argon in these hydrothermal fluids is made up in part of "parentless" or "excess" 40Ar leached from surrounding crustal rocks, and in part of dissolved ancient atmospheric argon. Absolute concentrations of both atmospheric and excess components in the brine can be estimated from ( 40ArCl ) ratios and independent determinations of the salinity of the inclusions. The absolute concentrations of the atmospheric argon are close to those found in modern meteoric water, while those of the excess component can be interpreted in terms of the degree of interaction betwen the circulating fluids and country rock. A calcium-correlated component, with a much higher ratio of excess to atmospheric argon than that in the brine, was found to be a dominant phase in one sample from the Hemerdon deposit, indicating the presence of a solid phase (probably a CaSO 4 daughter mineral). Inclusions of this composition represent fluids which have had a more prolonged interaction- with crustal rocks. The results obtained from this study provide a systematization and a framework for future multi-component argon studies of fluid inclusions, together with an indication of the wide range of information which can be inferred.

Interaction of N-hydroxyurea with strong proton donors: HCl and HF

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sałdyka, Magdalena

2014-11-01

An infrared spectroscopic and MP2/6-311++G(2d,2p) study of strong hydrogen bonded complexes of N-hydroxyurea (NH2CONHOH) with hydrogen halides (HCl and HF) trapped in solid argon matrices is reported. 1:1 and 1:2 complexes between N-hydroxyurea and hydrogen chloride, hydrogen fluoride have been identified in the NH2CONHOH/HCl/Ar, NH2CONHOH/HF/Ar matrices, respectively; their structures were determined by comparison of the spectra with the results of calculations. In the 1:1 complexes, identified for both hydrogen halide molecules, the cyclic structure stabilized by the X-H⋯O and N-H⋯X bonds is present; for the NH2CONHOH⋯HF system another isomeric 1:1 complex is also observed. Two 1:2 complexes were identified for the N-hydroxyurea-hydrogen chloride system characterised by the Cl-H⋯O and N-H⋯Cl bonds. The results of the study evidence that N-hydroxyurea is an oxygen base in the gas-phase with the carbonyl group as the strongest proton acceptor centre in the molecule.

40 CFR 60.270a - Applicability and designation of affected facility.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... Performance for Steel Plants: Electric Arc Furnaces and Argon-Oxygen Decarburization Vessels Constructed After... specialty steels: electric arc furnaces, argon-oxygen decarburization vessels, and dust-handling systems. (b...

40 CFR 60.270a - Applicability and designation of affected facility.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... Performance for Steel Plants: Electric Arc Furnaces and Argon-Oxygen Decarburization Vessels Constructed After... specialty steels: electric arc furnaces, argon-oxygen decarburization vessels, and dust-handling systems. (b...

40 CFR 60.270a - Applicability and designation of affected facility.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... Performance for Steel Plants: Electric Arc Furnaces and Argon-Oxygen Decarburization Vessels Constructed After... specialty steels: electric arc furnaces, argon-oxygen decarburization vessels, and dust-handling systems. (b...

40 CFR 60.270a - Applicability and designation of affected facility.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... Performance for Steel Plants: Electric Arc Furnaces and Argon-Oxygen Decarburization Vessels Constructed After... specialty steels: electric arc furnaces, argon-oxygen decarburization vessels, and dust-handling systems. (b...

40 CFR 60.270a - Applicability and designation of affected facility.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... Performance for Steel Plants: Electric Arc Furnaces and Argon-Oxygen Decarburization Vessels Constructed After... specialty steels: electric arc furnaces, argon-oxygen decarburization vessels, and dust-handling systems. (b...

Is there another major constituent in the atmosphere of Mars?. [radiogenic argon

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wood, G. P.

1974-01-01

In view of the possible finding of several tens percent of inert gas in the atmosphere of Mars by an instrument on the descent module of the USSR's Mars 6 spacecraft, the likelihood of the correctness of this result was examined. The basis for the well-known fact that the most likely candidate is radiogenic argon is described. It is shown that, for the two important methods of investigating the atmosphere, earth-based CO2 is infrared absorption spectroscopy and S-band occultation, within the estimated 1 standard deviation uncertainties of these methods about 20% argon can be accommodated. Within the estimated 3 standard deviation uncertainties, more than 35% is possible. It is also stated that even with 35% argon the maximum value of heat transfer rate on the Viking 75 entry vehicle does not exceed the design value.

Argon: Systematic Review on Neuro- and Organoprotective Properties of an “Inert” Gas

PubMed Central

Höllig, Anke; Schug, Anita; Fahlenkamp, Astrid V.; Rossaint, Rolf; Coburn, Mark

2014-01-01

Argon belongs to the group of noble gases, which are regarded as chemically inert. Astonishingly some of these gases exert biological properties and during the last decades more and more reports demonstrated neuroprotective and organoprotective effects. Recent studies predominately use in vivo or in vitro models for ischemic pathologies to investigate the effect of argon treatment. Promising data has been published concerning pathologies like cerebral ischemia, traumatic brain injury and hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy. However, models applied and administration of the therapeutic gas vary. Here we provide a systematic review to summarize the available data on argon’s neuro- and organoprotective effects and discuss its possible mechanism of action. We aim to provide a summary to allow further studies with a more homogeneous setting to investigate possible clinical applications of argon. PMID:25310646

The estimation of occupational dose in 15 MV varian clinac iX room by Argon-41 as an activation product of photoneutron

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Latifah, R.; Bunawas; Noor, J. A. E.

2018-03-01

Linear accelerator (linac) becomes the most commonly used treatment to damage and kill cancer cell. Photon and electron as the radiation beam are produced by accelerating electrons to very high energy. Neutrons are generated when incident high photon energy interacts with component of linac such as target, flattering filter and collimator via photoneutrons reaction. The neutrons can also produce activation of materials in treatment room to generate radioactive materials. We have estimated the concentration of Argon-41 as activated product from argon-40 in the linac room using foil activation. The results show that the Argon-41 concentration in linac room which is operated 15 MV for 1 treatment (1 minute) is 1440 Bq/m3. Accordingly that concentration, the occupational dose is 6.4 mSv per year.

2D laser-collision induced fluorescence in low-pressure argon discharges

DOE PAGES

Barnat, E. V.; Weatherford, B. R.

2015-09-25

Development and application of laser-collision induced fluorescence (LCIF) diagnostic technique is presented for the use of interrogating argon plasma discharges. Key atomic states of argon utilized for the LCIF method are identified. A simplified two-state collisional radiative model is then used to establish scaling relations between the LCIF, electron density, and reduced electric fields ( E/N). The procedure used to generate, detect and calibrate the LCIF in controlled plasma environments is discussed in detail. LCIF emanating from an argon discharge is then presented for electron densities spanning 10 9 e cm –3 to 10 12 e cm –3 and reducedmore » electric fields spanning 0.1 Td to 40 Td. Lastly, application of the LCIF technique for measuring the spatial distribution of both electron densities and reduced electric field is demonstrated.« less

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wang, Zhaoying; Liu, Bingwen; Zhao, Evan

For the first time, the use of an argon cluster ion sputtering source has been demonstrated to perform superiorly relative to traditional oxygen and cesium ion sputtering sources for ToF-SIMS depth profiling of insulating materials. The superior performance has been attributed to effective alleviation of surface charging. A simulated nuclear waste glass, SON68, and layered hole-perovskite oxide thin films were selected as model systems due to their fundamental and practical significance. Our study shows that if the size of analysis areas is same, the highest sputter rate of argon cluster sputtering can be 2-3 times faster than the highest sputtermore » rates of oxygen or cesium sputtering. More importantly, high quality data and high sputter rates can be achieved simultaneously for argon cluster sputtering while this is not the case for cesium and oxygen sputtering. Therefore, for deep depth profiling of insulating samples, the measurement efficiency of argon cluster sputtering can be about 6-15 times better than traditional cesium and oxygen sputtering. Moreover, for a SrTiO3/SrCrO3 bi-layer thin film on a SrTiO3 substrate, the true 18O/16O isotopic distribution at the interface is better revealed when using the argon cluster sputtering source. Therefore, the implementation of an argon cluster sputtering source can significantly improve the measurement efficiency of insulating materials, and thus can expand the application of ToF-SIMS to the study of glass corrosion, perovskite oxide thin films, and many other potential systems.« less

First Measurement of one Pion Production in Charged Current Neutrino and Antineutrino events on Argon

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Scanavini, Scanavini,Giacomo

This thesis presents a work done in the context of the Fermilab Neutrino Intensity Frontier. In this analysis, the cross section of single charged pion production in charged-current neutrino and antineutrino interactions with the argon nucleus target are measured. These measurements are performed using the Argon Neutrino Test (ArgoNeuT) detector exposed to the Fermilab Neutrino From The Main Injector (NuMI) beam operating in the low energy antineutrino mode. The signal is a charged-current μ interaction in the detector, with exactly one charged pion exiting the target nucleus, with momentum above 100 MeV/c. There shouldn’t be any 0 or kaons inmore » the final state. There is no restriction on other mesons or nucleons. Total and differential cross section measurements are presented. The results are reported in terms of outgoing muon angle and momentum, outgoing pion angle and angle between outgoing pion and muon. The total cross sections, averaged over the flux, are found to be 8.2 ± 0.9 (stat) +0.9 -1.1 (syst) × 10-38 cm2 per argon nuclei and 2.5 ± 0.4 (stat) ± 0.5 (syst) × 10-37 cm2 per argon nuclei for antineutrino and neutrino respectively at a mean neutrino energy of 3.6 GeV (antineutrinos) and 9.6 GeV (neutrinos). This is the first time the single pion production in charged-current interactions cross section is measured on argon nuclei.« less

The Effects of Added Hydrogen on Noble Gas Discharges Used as Ambient Desorption/Ionization Sources for Mass Spectrometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ellis, Wade C.; Lewis, Charlotte R.; Openshaw, Anna P.; Farnsworth, Paul B.

2016-09-01

We demonstrate the effectiveness of using hydrogen-doped argon as the support gas for the dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) ambient desorption/ionization (ADI) source in mass spectrometry. Also, we explore the chemistry responsible for the signal enhancement observed when using both hydrogen-doped argon and hydrogen-doped helium. The hydrogen-doped argon was tested for five analytes representing different classes of molecules. Addition of hydrogen to the argon plasma gas enhanced signals for gas-phase analytes and for analytes coated onto glass slides in positive and negative ion mode. The enhancements ranged from factors of 4 to 5 for gas-phase analytes and factors of 2 to 40 for coated slides. There was no significant increase in the background. The limit of detection for caffeine was lowered by a factor of 79 using H2/Ar and 2 using H2/He. Results are shown that help explain the fundamental differences between the pure-gas discharges and those that are hydrogen-doped for both argon and helium. Experiments with different discharge geometries and grounding schemes indicate that observed signal enhancements are strongly dependent on discharge configuration.

Inactivation of bacteria by a mixed argon and oxygen micro-plasma as a function of exposure time.

PubMed

Weng, Chih-Chiang; Wu, Yi-Te; Liao, Juinn-Der; Kao, Chi-Yuan; Chao, Chih-Cheng; Chang, Juu-En; Hsu, Bo-Wen

2009-04-01

A radio-frequency dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) was applied as a micro-plasma device for the inactivation of bacteria, e.g., Escherichia coli. The cultured bacteria were placed on a polydimethyl siloxane (PDMS) film and placed inside the DBD cavity. The bacteria were exposed to micro-plasmas of varying oxygen/argon ratios for different exposure times. The survival of the bacteria was measured by determining bacterial growth using optical methods. The excited oxygen species increased with the increase in the oxygen to argon ratio as measured by optical emission spectroscopy (OES), but the increase of excited oxygen species in argon micro-plasma did not enhance the inactivation of bacteria. In contrast, increases in the time the bacteria were exposed to the micro-plasma were of importance. The results show that a continuous plasma flow containing energetic and reactive species may result in electro-physical interactions with bacteria exposed to the plasma leading to their inactivation. For currently-employed DBD device, addition of 0.5% oxygen to the argon micro-plasma for an exposure time of 30 sec was optimum for the inactivation of E. coli.

Characterization of temporal variations in landfill gas components inside an open solid waste dump site in Sri Lanka.

PubMed

Nagamori, Masanao; Mowjood, M I M; Watanabe, Youichi; Isobe, Yugo; Ishigaki, Tomonori; Kawamoto, Ken

2016-12-01

A long-term monitoring of composition of landfill gases in the region with high rainfall was conducted using an argon assay in order to discuss air intrusion into the dump site. Gas samples were taken from vertical gas monitoring pipes installed along transects at two sections (called new and old) of an abandoned waste dump site in Sri Lanka. N 2 O concentrations varied especially widely, by more than three orders of magnitude (0.046-140 ppmv). The nitrogen/argon ratio of landfill gas was normally higher than that of fresh air, implying that denitrification occurred in the dump site. Argon assays indicate that both N 2 and N 2 O production occurred inside waste and more significantly in the old section. The Ar assay would help for evaluations of N 2 O emission in developing countries. A long-term monitoring of composition of landfill gases in the region with high rainfall was conducted using an argon assay in order to discuss air intrusion into the dump site. Argon assays indicate that both N 2 and N 2 O production occurred inside waste and more significantly in the old section.

Charge exchange of highly charged argon ions as a function of projectile energy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Allen, F. I.; Biedermann, C.; Radtke, R.; Fussmann, G.

2007-03-01

X-ray emission of highly charged argon ions following charge exchange collisions with argon atoms has been measured as a function of projectile energy. The ions are extracted from the Electron Beam Ion Trap (EBIT) in Berlin and selected according to their massto-charge ratios. Experiments focussed on hydrogen-like and bare argon ions which were decelerated from 125q eV/amu to below 0.25q eV/amu prior to interaction with an argon gas target. The x-ray spectra recorded probe the cascading transitions resulting from electron capture into Rydberg states and are found to vary significantly with collision velocity. This indicates a shift in the orbital angular momentum of the capture state. Hardness ratios are observed to increase with decreasing projectile energy though at a rate which differs from the results of simulations. For comparison, measurements of the x-ray emission following charge exchange within the trap were carried out and are in agreement with the findings of the EBIT group at LLNL. Both of these in situ measurements, however, are in discrepancy with the results of the experiments using extracted ions.

Numerical study on characteristics of radio-frequency discharge at atmospheric pressure in argon with small admixtures of oxygen

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Yinan; Liu, Yue

2017-07-01

In this paper, a 1D fluid model is developed to study the characteristics of a discharge in argon with small admixtures of oxygen at atmospheric pressure. This model consists of a series of equations, including continuity equations for electrons, positive ions, negative ions and neutral particles, the energy equation, and the Poisson equation for electric potential. Special attention has been paid to the electron energy dissipation and the mechanisms of electron heating, while the admixture of oxygen is in the range of 0.1%-0.6%. It is found that when the oxygen-to-argon ratio grows, the discharge is obviously divided into three stages: electron growth, electron reduction and the electron remaining unchanged. Furthermore, the cycle-averaged electric field, electron temperature, electron Ohmic heating, electron collisionless heating, electron energy dissipation and the net electron production are also studied in detail, and when the oxygen-to-argon ratio is relatively larger (R = 0.6%), double value peaks of electron Ohmic heating appear in the sheath. According to the results of the numerical simulation, various oxygen-to-argon ratios result in different amounts of electron energy dissipation and electron heating.

The influence of TIG-Arc physical characteristics on the penetration and weld width under different Ar and He supply conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dai, Hongbin; Shen, Xiuqiang; Wang, Haoran

2018-06-01

In the paper, the 5A03 aluminium alloy was employed to study the influence of TIG arc on the penetration and the weld width. And the split anode method with water-cooled copper plate was used to measure and record the distribution of arc current, under different flow ratio of argon and helium conditions. And a gas supply device controlled by a solenoid valve was employed to obtain the stable TIG welding arc of gas supply alternately at the frequency of 1 Hz and 4 Hz, and then collected the phenomenon of arc alternate by the high-speed camera. The experimental results indicated that the current density at the arc anode center of argon and helium supply alternately with different mixing ratio is lower than that of the pure argon-arc center. Nonetheless, the former is more uniform in current density within 2 mm from the arc center. Furthermore, it presented as a component arc of argon-arc and helium-arc switched, with the condition of argon and helium supply alternately at a frequency of 1 Hz and the arc power density is greater and concentrated, leading to the wider and deeper weld.

Shielding gas selection for increased weld penetration and productivity in GTA welding

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Leinonen, J.I.

1996-12-31

The effects of hydrogen and helium additions to the argon shielding gas on GTA weld pool profiles in the case of two austenitic stainless steel sheets 3 mm thick are investigated here in detail. One of the test steels shows good weldability, with a relatively deep, narrow weld pool profile, but the other is poorly weldable, with a shallow, wide weld pool when argon shielding gas is used. Bead-on-plate test welds were produced with arc shields of argon, argon with hydrogen additions of 2 to 18.2% and argon with helium additions of 20 to 80%. The hydrogen additions increases themore » depth of weld penetration in both test steels, but productivity with respect to maximum welding speed can be improved to an accepted level only with steel sheets of good weldability in terms of a relatively high depth/width (D/W) ratio. The depth of penetration in the test steel of good weldability increased somewhat with helium additions and the D/W ratio remained unchanged, while these parameters increased markedly in the poorly weldable steel when a He-20% Ar shielding gas was used and resembled those of the more weldable steel.« less

Antiapoptotic activity of argon and xenon

PubMed Central

Spaggiari, Sabrina; Kepp, Oliver; Rello-Varona, Santiago; Chaba, Kariman; Adjemian, Sandy; Pype, Jan; Galluzzi, Lorenzo; Lemaire, Marc; Kroemer, Guido

2013-01-01

Although chemically non-reactive, inert noble gases may influence multiple physiological and pathological processes via hitherto uncharacterized physical effects. Here we report a cell-based detection system for assessing the effects of pre-defined gas mixtures on the induction of apoptotic cell death. In this setting, the conventional atmosphere for cell culture was substituted with gas combinations, including the same amount of oxygen (20%) and carbon dioxide (5%) but 75% helium, neon, argon, krypton, or xenon instead of nitrogen. The replacement of nitrogen with noble gases per se had no effects on the viability of cultured human osteosarcoma cells in vitro. Conversely, argon and xenon (but not helium, neon, and krypton) significantly limited cell loss induced by the broad-spectrum tyrosine kinase inhibitor staurosporine, the DNA-damaging agent mitoxantrone and several mitochondrial toxins. Such cytoprotective effects were coupled to the maintenance of mitochondrial integrity, as demonstrated by means of a mitochondrial transmembrane potential-sensitive dye and by assessing the release of cytochrome c into the cytosol. In line with this notion, argon and xenon inhibited the apoptotic activation of caspase-3, as determined by immunofluorescence microscopy coupled to automated image analysis. The antiapoptotic activity of argon and xenon may explain their clinically relevant cytoprotective effects. PMID:23907115

Irradiation of silver and agar/silver nanoparticles with argon, oxygen glow discharge plasma, and mercury lamp.

PubMed

Ahmad, Mahmoud M; Abdel-Wahab, Essam A; El-Maaref, A A; Rawway, Mohammed; Shaaban, Essam R

2014-01-01

The irradiation effect of argon, oxygen glow discharge plasma, and mercury lamp on silver and agar/silver nanoparticle samples is studied. The irradiation time dependence of the synthesized silver and agar/silver nanoparticle absorption spectra and their antibacterial effect are studied and compared. In the agar/silver nanoparticle sample, as the irradiation time of argon glow discharge plasma or mercury lamp increases, the peak intensity and the full width at half maximum, FWHM, of the surface plasmon resonance absorption band is increased, however a decrease of the peak intensity with oxygen glow plasma has been observed. In the silver nanoparticle sample, as the irradiation time of argon, oxygen glow discharge plasma or mercury lamp increases, the peak intensity of the surface plasmon resonance absorption band is increased, however, there is no significant change in the FWHM of the surface plasmon resonance absorption band. The SEM results for both samples showed nanoparticle formation with mean size about 50 nm and 40 nm respectively. Throughout the irradiation time with the argon, oxygen glow discharge plasma or mercury lamp, the antibacterial activity of several kinds of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria has been examined.

Neutral gas temperature estimates and metastable resonance energy transfer for argon-nitrogen discharges

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Greig, A., E-mail: amelia.greig@anu.edu.au; Charles, C.; Boswell, R. W.

2016-01-15

Rovibrational spectroscopy band fitting of the nitrogen (N{sub 2}) second positive system is a technique used to estimate the neutral gas temperature of N{sub 2} discharges, or atomic discharges with trace amounts of a N{sub 2} added. For mixtures involving argon and N{sub 2}, resonant energy transfer between argon metastable atoms (Ar*) and N{sub 2} molecules may affect gas temperature estimates made using the second positive system. The effect of Ar* resonance energy transfer is investigated here by analyzing neutral gas temperatures of argon-N{sub 2} mixtures, for N{sub 2} percentages from 1% to 100%. Neutral gas temperature estimates are highermore » than expected for mixtures involving greater than 5% N{sub 2} addition, but are reasonable for argon with less than 5% N{sub 2} addition when compared with an analytic model for ion-neutral charge exchange collisional heating. Additional spatiotemporal investigations into neutral gas temperature estimates with 10% N{sub 2} addition demonstrate that although absolute temperature values may be affected by Ar* resonant energy transfer, spatiotemporal trends may still be used to accurately diagnose the discharge.« less

PREFACE: Workshop Photograph and Program

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

2011-07-01

Workshop photograph Workshop Program Sunday 28 March 201019:00-21:00 Reception at Okura Frontier Hotel Tsukuba(Buffet style dinner with drink) Monday 29 March 2010Introduction (Chair: André Rubbia (ETH Zurich))09:00 Welcome address (05') Atsuto Suzuki (KEK)09:05 Message from CERN on neutrino physics (10') Sergio Bertolucci (CERN)09:15 Message from FNAL on neutrino physics (10') Young Kee Kim (FNAL)09:25 Message from KEK on neutrino physics (10') Koichiro Nishikawa (KEK)09:35 Introductory remark on GLA2010 (10') Takuya Hasegawa (KEK) Special session (Chair: Koichiro Nishikawa (KEK))09:45 The ICARUS Liquid Argon TPC (45') Carlo Rubbia (CERN)10:30-11:00 Coffee break Main goals of Giant Liquid Argon Charge Imaging Experiments I (Chair: Takashi Kobayashi (KEK))11:00 Results from massive underground detectors (non accelerator) (30') Takaaki Kajita (ICRR, U. of Tokyo)11:30 Present long baseline neutrino experiments (30') Chang Kee Jung (SUNY Stony Brook)12:00-12:10 Workshop picture12:10-14:00 Lunch break Main goals of Giant Liquid Argon Charge Imaging Experiments II (Chair: Takashi Kobayashi (KEK))14:00 Physics goals of the next generation massive underground experiments (30') David Wark (Imperial College London)14:30 Near detectors for long baseline neutrino experiments (20') Tsuyoshi Nakaya (Kyoto U.) Lessons on Liquid Argon Charge Imaging technology from ongoing developments (Chair: Chang Kee Jung (SUNY Stony Brook))14:50 WARP (30') Claudio Montanari (U. of Pavia)15:20 ArDM (30') Alberto Marchionni (ETH Zurich)15:50 From ArgoNeuT to MicroBooNE (30') Bonnie Fleming (Yale U.)16:20 250L (30') Takasumi Maruyama (KEK)16:50 The DEAP/CLEAN project (20') Mark Boulay (Queen's U.)17:10-17:40 Coffee break Lessons from Xe based Liquids Imaging detectors (Chair: Flavio Cavanna (U. of L'Aquilla))17:30 MEG (20') Satoshi Mihara (KEK)17:50 The XENON project (20') Elena Aprile (Columbia U.)18:10 XMASS (20') Hiroyuki Sekiya (ICRR, U. of Tokyo) Studies on physics performance (Chair: Bonnie Fleming (Yale U.))18:30 Supernovae neutrino detection (20') Ines Gil-Botella (CIEMAT)18:50 Neutrino cross-section in Liquid Argon in the GeV range (15') Flavio Cavanna (U. of L'Aquila)19:05 Analysis of the ArgoNeuT neutrino data (15') Carl Bromberg (Michigan State U.)19:20 Neutrino event reconstruction (15') Gary Barker (U. of Warwick) Tuesday 30 March 2010Ways to improve the Liquid Argon Charge Imaging technology I (Chair: Christos Touramanis (U. of Liverpool))09:00 Liquid Argon LEM TPC (30') Filippo Resnati (ETH Zurich)09:30 Micromegas for charge readout of double phase liquid Argon large TPCs (20') Alain Delbart (Saclay)09:50 Development of Thick-GEMs for GEM-TPC Tracker (20') Fuminori Sakuma (RIKEN)10:10 Optical readout of the ionization (20') Neil Spooner (U. of Sheffield)10:30 Scintillation light readout (20') Kostas Mavrokoridis (U. of Liverpool)10:50-11:10 Coffee break Ways to improve the Liquid Argon Charge Imaging technology II (Chair: Alberto Marchionni (ETH Zurich))11:10 Development of cold electronics (30') Veljko Radeka (BNL)11:40 Development of a frontend ASIC and DAQ system Dario Autiero (IPN Lyon)12:00 CAEN digitizers (20') Carlo Tintori (CAEN)12:20 Recent results from Liquid Argon R&D activity (20') Masashi Tanaka (KEK)12:40 Results from the materials test stand and status of LAPD (20') Brian Rebel (FNAL)13:00 Purging and purification: 6 m3 @CERN (20') Alessandro Curioni (ETH Zurich)13:20-14:30 Lunch break14:30-20:00 Trip to J-PARC to visit T2K Beam Facility and Near Detector20:00-22:00 Workshop dinner at Okura Frontier Hotel Tsukuba Wednesday 31 March 2010Ways to improve the Liquid Argon Charge Imaging technology III (Chair: Takasumi Maruyama (KEK))09:00 ArgonTube and UV laser ionization (25') Biagio Rossi (U. of Bern)09:25 Detector magnetization (15') Andreas Badertscher (ETH Zurich)09:40 HV system (25') Sosuke Horikawa (ETH Zurich) Localization studies (Chair: Takuya Hasegawa (KEK))10:05 Okinoshima site study (20') Masakazu Yoshioka (KEK)10:25 LAGUNA sites study (30') Guido Nuijten (Rockplan)10:55 FNAL/DUSEL project (20') Regina Rameika (FNAL)11:15-11:35 Coffee break Future steps towards the realization of Giant Liquid Argon Charge Imaging detectors (Chair: Takuya Hasegawa (KEK))11:35 LBNE Liquid Argon option (30') Bruce Baller (FNAL)12:05 Towards a 100 kton Liquid Argon experiment (30') André Rubbia (ETH Zurich)12:35 Discussion (30')13:05 Final remark (05') Takuya Hasegawa (KEK)

Publications - GMC 38 | Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys

Science.gov Websites

DGGS GMC 38 Publication Details Title: Potassium-Argon age determinations for the General Petroleum Reference Coggeshall, N.D., 1975, Potassium-Argon age determinations for the General Petroleum Corp. Great

Cryotherapy

MedlinePlus

... a needle-like applicator called a cryoprobe, and liquid nitrogen or argon gas to create intense cold to freeze and destroy ... of the diseased tissue and then deliver the liquid nitrogen or argon gas. Living tissue, healthy or diseased, cannot withstand extremely ...

Characteristics of Electron Drift in an Ar-Hg Mixture

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Golyatina, R. I.; Maiorov, S. A.

2018-04-01

The characteristics of electron drift in a mixture of argon with mercury vapor at reduced electric fields of E/ N = 1-100 Td are calculated and analyzed with allowance for inelastic collisions. It is shown that even a minor additive of mercury to argon at a level of a fraction of percent substantially affects the discharge parameters, in particular, the characteristics of inelastic processes. The influence of the concentration of mercury vapor in argon on the kinetic characteristics, such as the diffusion and mobility coefficients and ionization frequency, is investigated.

Methods for using argon-39 to age-date groundwater using ultra-low-background proportional counting

DOE PAGES

Mace, Emily; Aalseth, Craig; Brandenberger, Jill; ...

2016-12-21

Argon-39 can be used as a tracer for age-dating glaciers, oceans, and more recently, groundwater. With a half-life of 269 years, 39Ar fills an intermediate age range gap (50–1,000 years) not currently covered by other common groundwater tracers. Therefore, adding this tracer to the data suite for groundwater studies provides an important tool for improving our understanding of groundwater systems. Lastly, we present the methods employed for arriving at an age-date for a given sample of argon degassed from groundwater.

Polarizability of Helium, Neon, and Argon: New Perspectives for Gas Metrology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gaiser, Christof; Fellmuth, Bernd

2018-03-01

With dielectric-constant gas thermometry, the molar polarizability of helium, neon, and argon has been determined with relative standard uncertainties of about 2 parts per million. A series of isotherms measured with the three noble gases and two different experimental setups led to this unprecedented level of uncertainty. These data are crucial for scientists in the field of gas metrology, working on pressure and temperature standards. Furthermore, with the new benchmark values for neon and argon, theoretical calculations, today about 3 orders of magnitude larger in uncertainty, can be checked and improved.

Polarizability of Helium, Neon, and Argon: New Perspectives for Gas Metrology.

PubMed

Gaiser, Christof; Fellmuth, Bernd

2018-03-23

With dielectric-constant gas thermometry, the molar polarizability of helium, neon, and argon has been determined with relative standard uncertainties of about 2 parts per million. A series of isotherms measured with the three noble gases and two different experimental setups led to this unprecedented level of uncertainty. These data are crucial for scientists in the field of gas metrology, working on pressure and temperature standards. Furthermore, with the new benchmark values for neon and argon, theoretical calculations, today about 3 orders of magnitude larger in uncertainty, can be checked and improved.

Boltzmann expansion in a radiofrequency conical helicon thruster operating in xenon and argon

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Charles, C.; Boswell, R.; Takahashi, K.

2013-06-03

A low pressure ({approx}0.5 mTorr in xenon and {approx}1 mTorr in argon) Boltzmann expansion is experimentally observed on axis within a magnetized (60 to 180 G) radiofrequency (13.56 MHz) conical helicon thruster for input powers up to 900 W using plasma parameters measured with a Langmuir probe. The axial forces, respectively, resulting from the electron and magnetic field pressures are directly measured using a thrust balance for constant maximum plasma pressure and show a higher fuel efficiency for argon compared to xenon.

Mars' South Polar Ar Enhancement: A Tracer for South Polar Seasonal Meridional Mixing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sprague, A. L.; Boynton, W. V.; Kerry, K. E.; Janes, D. M.; Hunten, D. M.; Kim, K. J.; Reedy, R. C.; Metzger, A. E.

2004-11-01

The gamma ray spectrometer on the Mars Odyssey spacecraft measured an enhancement of atmospheric argon over southern high latitudes during autumn followed by dissipation during winter and spring. Argon does not freeze at temperatures normal for southern winter (~145 kelvin) and is left in the atmosphere, enriched relative to carbon dioxide (CO2), as the southern seasonal cap of CO2 frost accumulates. Calculations of seasonal transport of argon into and out of southern high latitudes point to meridional (north-south) mixing throughout southern winter and spring.

Characterization of weakly ionized argon flows for radio blackout mitigation experiments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Steffens, L.; Koch, U.; Esser, B.; Gülhan, A.

2017-06-01

For reproducing the so-called E × B communication blackout mitigation scheme inside the L2K arc heated facility of the DLR in weakly ionized argon §ows, a §at plate model has been equipped with a superconducting magnet, electrodes, and a setup comprising microwave plasma transmission spectroscopy (MPTS). A thorough characterization of the weakly ionized argon §ow has been performed including the use of microwave interferometry (MWI), Langmuir probe measurements, Pitot probe pro¦les, and spectroscopic methods like diode laser absorption spectroscopy (DLAS) and emission spectroscopy.

Methods for using argon-39 to age-date groundwater using ultra-low-background proportional counting

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mace, Emily; Aalseth, Craig; Brandenberger, Jill

Argon-39 can be used as a tracer for age-dating glaciers, oceans, and more recently, groundwater. With a half-life of 269 years, 39Ar fills an intermediate age range gap (50-1,000 years) not currently covered by other common groundwater tracers. Therefore, adding this tracer to the data suite for groundwater studies provides an important tool for improving our understanding of groundwater systems. We present the methods employed for arriving at an age-date for a given sample of argon degassed from groundwater.

Methods for using argon-39 to age-date groundwater using ultra-low-background proportional counting

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mace, Emily; Aalseth, Craig; Brandenberger, Jill

Argon-39 can be used as a tracer for age-dating glaciers, oceans, and more recently, groundwater. With a half-life of 269 years, 39Ar fills an intermediate age range gap (50–1,000 years) not currently covered by other common groundwater tracers. Therefore, adding this tracer to the data suite for groundwater studies provides an important tool for improving our understanding of groundwater systems. Lastly, we present the methods employed for arriving at an age-date for a given sample of argon degassed from groundwater.

Postconditioning effects of argon or xenon on early graft function in a porcine model of kidney autotransplantation.

PubMed

De Deken, J; Rex, S; Lerut, E; Martinet, W; Monbaliu, D; Pirenne, J; Jochmans, I

2018-07-01

Ischaemia-reperfusion injury is inevitable during renal transplantation and can lead to delayed graft function and primary non-function. Preconditioning, reconditioning and postconditioning with argon and xenon protects against renal ischaemia-reperfusion injury in rodent models. The hypothesis that postconditioning with argon or xenon inhalation would improve graft function in a porcine renal autotransplant model was tested. Pigs (n = 6 per group) underwent left nephrectomy after 60 min of warm ischaemia (renal artery and vein clamping). The procured kidney was autotransplanted in a separate procedure after 18 h of cold storage, immediately after a right nephrectomy. Upon reperfusion, pigs were randomized to inhalation of control gas (70 per cent nitrogen and 30 per cent oxygen), argon (70 per cent and 30 per cent oxygen) or xenon (70 per cent and 30 per cent oxygen) for 2 h. The primary outcome parameter was peak plasma creatinine; secondary outcome parameters included further markers of graft function (creatinine course, urine output), graft injury (aspartate aminotransferase, heart-type fatty acid-binding protein, histology), apoptosis and autophagy (western blot, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labelling (TUNEL) staining), inflammatory mediators and markers of cell survival/growth (mRNA and tissue protein quantification), and animal survival. Results are presented as median (i.q.r.). ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used where indicated. Peak plasma creatinine levels were similar between the groups: control 20·8 (16·4-23·1) mg/dl, argon 21·4 (17·1-24·9) mg/dl and xenon 19·4 (17·5-21·0) mg/dl (P = 0·607). Xenon was associated with an increase in autophagy and proapoptotic markers. Creatinine course, urine output, injury markers, histology, survival and inflammatory mediators were not affected by the intervention. Postconditioning with argon or xenon did not improve kidney graft function in this experimental model. Surgical relevance Ischaemia-reperfusion injury is inevitable during renal transplantation and can lead to delayed graft function and primary non-function. Based on mainly small animal experiments, noble gases (argon and xenon) have been proposed to minimize this ischaemia-reperfusion injury and improve outcomes after transplantation. The hypothesis that postconditioning with argon or xenon inhalation would improve graft function was tested in a porcine kidney autotransplantation model. The peak plasma creatinine concentration was similar in the control, argon and xenon groups. No other secondary outcome parameters, including animal survival, were affected by the intervention. Xenon was associated with an increase in autophagy and proapoptotic markers. Despite promising results in small animal models, postconditioning with argon or xenon in a translational model of kidney autotransplantation was not beneficial. Clinical trials would require better results. © 2018 BJS Society Ltd Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

40Ar/39Ar systematics and argon diffusion in amber: implications for ancient earth atmospheres

USGS Publications Warehouse

Landis, G.P.; Snee, L.W.

1991-01-01

Argon isotope data indicate retained argon in bulk amber (matrix gas) is radiogenic [40Ar/39Ar ???32o] than the much more abundant surface absorbed argon [40Ar/39Ar ???295.5]. Neutron-induced 39Ar is retained in amber during heating experiments to 150?? -250??C, with no evidence of recoiled 39Ar found after irradiation. A maximum permissible volume diffusion coefficient of argon in amber (at ambient temperature) D???1.5 x 10-17 cm2S-1 is calculated from 39Ar retention. 40Ar/39Ar age calculations indicate Dominican Republic amber is ??? 45 Ma and North Dakota amber is ??? 89 Ma, both at least reasonable ages for the amber based upon stratigraphic and paleontological constraints and upon the small amount of radiogenic 40Ar. To date, over 300 gas analyses of ambers and resins of Cretaceous to Recent age that are geographically distributed among fifteen noted world locations identify mixtures of gases in different sites within amber (Berner and Landis, 1988). The presence of multiple mixing trends between compositionally distinct end-members gases within the same sample and evidence for retained radiogenic argon within the amber argue persuasivley against rapid exchange by diffusion of amber-contained gases with moder air. Only gas in primary bubbles entrapped between successive flows of tree resin has been interpreted as original "ancient air", which is an O2-rich end-member gas with air-like N2/Ar ratios. Gas analyses of these primary bubbles indicate atmospheric O2 levels in the Late Cretaceous of ??? 35%, and that atmospheric O2 dropped by early Tertiary time to near a present atmospheric level of 21% O2. A very low argon diffusion coefficient in amber persuasively argues for a gas in primary bubbles trapped in amber being ancient air (possibly modified only by O2 reaction with amber). ?? 1991.

Weighing Molecules on Mars

NASA Image and Video Library

2012-11-02

New results from the Sample Analysis at Mars, or SAM, instrument on NASA Curiosity rover detected about 2,000 times as much argon-40 as argon-36, which weighs less, confirming the connection between Mars and Martian meteorites found on Earth.

Trapping cold ground state argon atoms.

PubMed

Edmunds, P D; Barker, P F

2014-10-31

We trap cold, ground state argon atoms in a deep optical dipole trap produced by a buildup cavity. The atoms, which are a general source for the sympathetic cooling of molecules, are loaded in the trap by quenching them from a cloud of laser-cooled metastable argon atoms. Although the ground state atoms cannot be directly probed, we detect them by observing the collisional loss of cotrapped metastable argon atoms and determine an elastic cross section. Using a type of parametric loss spectroscopy we also determine the polarizability of the metastable 4s[3/2](2) state to be (7.3±1.1)×10(-39)  C m(2)/V. Finally, Penning and associative losses of metastable atoms in the absence of light assisted collisions, are determined to be (3.3±0.8)×10(-10)  cm(3) s(-1).

Flight qualified solid argon cooler for the BBXRT instrument. [Broad Band X Ray Telescope for ASTRO-1 payload

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cygnarowicz, Thomas A.; Schein, Michael E.; Lindauer, David A.; Scarlotti, Roger; Pederson, Robert

1990-01-01

A solid argon cooler (SAC) for attached Shuttle payloads has been developed and qualified to meet the need for low cost cooling of flight instruments to the temperature range of 60-120 K. The SACs have been designed and tested with the intent of flying them up to five times. Two coolers, as part of the Broad Band X-ray Telescope (BBXRT) instrument on the ASTRO-1 payload, are awaiting launch on Space Shuttle mission STS-35. This paper describes the design, testing and performance of the SAC and its vacuum maintenance system (VMS), used to maintain the argon as a solid during launch delays of up to 5 days. BBXRT cryogen system design features used to satisfy Shuttle safety requirements are discussed, along with SAC ground servicing equipment (GSE) and procedures used to fill, freeze and subcool the argon.

The quantitative analysis of silicon carbide surface smoothing by Ar and Xe cluster ions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ieshkin, A. E.; Kireev, D. S.; Ermakov, Yu. A.; Trifonov, A. S.; Presnov, D. E.; Garshev, A. V.; Anufriev, Yu. V.; Prokhorova, I. G.; Krupenin, V. A.; Chernysh, V. S.

2018-04-01

The gas cluster ion beam technique was used for the silicon carbide crystal surface smoothing. The effect of processing by two inert cluster ions, argon and xenon, was quantitatively compared. While argon is a standard element for GCIB, results for xenon clusters were not reported yet. Scanning probe microscopy and high resolution transmission electron microscopy techniques were used for the analysis of the surface roughness and surface crystal layer quality. The gas cluster ion beam processing results in surface relief smoothing down to average roughness about 1 nm for both elements. It was shown that xenon as the working gas is more effective: sputtering rate for xenon clusters is 2.5 times higher than for argon at the same beam energy. High resolution transmission electron microscopy analysis of the surface defect layer gives values of 7 ± 2 nm and 8 ± 2 nm for treatment with argon and xenon clusters.

Spectroscopic interpretation and velocimetry analysis of fluctuations in a cylindrical plasma recorded by a fast camera

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Oldenbuerger, S.; Brandt, C.; Brochard, F.

2010-06-15

Fast visible imaging is used on a cylindrical magnetized argon plasma produced by thermionic discharge in the Mirabelle device. To link the information collected with the camera to a physical quantity, fast camera movies of plasma structures are compared to Langmuir probe measurements. High correlation is found between light fluctuations and plasma density fluctuations. Contributions from neutral argon and ionized argon to the overall light intensity are separated by using interference filters and a light intensifier. Light emitting transitions are shown to involve a metastable neutral argon state that can be excited by thermal plasma electrons, thus explaining the goodmore » correlation between light and density fluctuations. The propagation velocity of plasma structures is calculated by adapting velocimetry methods to the fast camera movies. The resulting estimates of instantaneous propagation velocity are in agreement with former experiments. The computation of mean velocities is discussed.« less

The influence of oxygen additions on argon-shielded gas metal arc welding processes

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Joensson, P.G.; Murphy, A.B.; Szekely, J.

1995-02-01

It has been observed experimentally that small additions of oxygen to the argon shielding gas affect the general operation of GMAW processes. By theoretically modeling the arc column, it is shown that the addition of 2 to 5% oxygen to argon has an insignificant effect on the arc characteristics. This corresponds to the minor changes in the thermophysical transport and thermodynamic properties caused by the oxygen addition. Therefore, it is concluded that the addition of oxygen to the argon shielding gas mainly affects the anode and the cathode regions. From the literature, it was found that the formation of oxidesmore » initiates arcing at the cathode and decreases the movement of the cathode spots. These oxides can also improve the wetting conditions at the workpiece and the electrode. Finally, oxygen is found to affect the surface tension gradient and thereby the convective flow of liquid metal in the weld pool.« less

Synodic and Semiannual Oscillations of Argon-40 in the Lunar Exosphere

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hodges, R. Richard, Jr.; Mahaffy, Paul R.

2016-01-01

The neutral mass spectrometer on the Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer (LADEE) spacecraft collected a trove of exospheric data, including a set of high-quality measurements of radiogenic Ar-40 over a period of 142 days. Data synthesis studies, using well-established exosphere simulation tools, show that the LADEE argon data are consistent with an exosphere-regolith interaction that is dominated by adsorption and that the desorption process generates the Armand distribution of exit velocities. The synthesis work has uncovered an apparent semiannual oscillation of argon that is consistent with temporal sequestration in the seasonal cold traps created at the poles by the obliquity of the Moon. In addition, the LADEE data provide new insight into the pristine nature of lunar regolith, its spatially varying sorption properties, and the influence of sorption processes on the synodic oscillation of the argon exosphere.

Fundamental studies of coal liquefaction. Quarterly report No. 8, July 1, 1993--October 1, 1993

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ross, D.S.

In the last report the effects of water, tetralin, and argon were discussed as media during the heating of Illinois No. 6 coal. In studies in which the temperature was ramped from ambient to 460{degrees}C at 30{degrees}C/min particles were observed to shrink in the case of both water and tetralin, and first swell and then collapse back to particles with their starting shapes in the case of argon. The result with tetralin was expected, but that for water was not. Similarly, the results in argon were not in accord with some models of coal pyrolysis which suggest that coals fullymore » liquefy when heated (Solomon, et al.). The work described here includes discussion of additional work with Illinois No. 6 coal with argon and water, and new work with n-undecane as medium.« less

Relative efficacy of the argon green, argon blue-green, and krypton red lasers for 10-0 nylon subconjunctival laser suture lysis.

PubMed

Mudgil, A V; To, K W; Balachandran, R M; Janigian, R H; Tsiaras, W G

1999-01-01

To determine the optimal wavelength for subconjunctival laser suture lysis. 130 black monofilament 10-0 nylon sutures were sewn subconjunctivally into the bare sclera of enucleated rabbit globes. The lowest energy levels facilitating laser suture lysis were determined for the argon green (514.5 NM), argon blue-green (488.0 NM, 514.5 NM), and krypton red (647.1 NM) wavelengths. In addition, absorption spectroscopy was performed on the suture material and conjunctiva using the Perkin Elmer W/VIS Lambda 2 spectrometer. Krypton red produced the fewest buttonhole defects, and it was also the most efficient energy source for suture lysis (P = 0.0001) under nontenectomized conjunctiva. Absorbance spectra studies revealed peak absorbance at 628 NM for the 10-0 nylon suture material. Based on animal and absorption spectroscopy studies, krypton red may be a safer and more efficient wavelength for subconjunctival laser suture lysis.

Spectroscopic interpretation and velocimetry analysis of fluctuations in a cylindrical plasma recorded by a fast camera

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Oldenbürger, S.; Brandt, C.; Brochard, F.; Lemoine, N.; Bonhomme, G.

2010-06-01

Fast visible imaging is used on a cylindrical magnetized argon plasma produced by thermionic discharge in the Mirabelle device. To link the information collected with the camera to a physical quantity, fast camera movies of plasma structures are compared to Langmuir probe measurements. High correlation is found between light fluctuations and plasma density fluctuations. Contributions from neutral argon and ionized argon to the overall light intensity are separated by using interference filters and a light intensifier. Light emitting transitions are shown to involve a metastable neutral argon state that can be excited by thermal plasma electrons, thus explaining the good correlation between light and density fluctuations. The propagation velocity of plasma structures is calculated by adapting velocimetry methods to the fast camera movies. The resulting estimates of instantaneous propagation velocity are in agreement with former experiments. The computation of mean velocities is discussed.

Nuclear recoil measurements with the ARIS experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fan, Alden; ARIS Collaboration

2017-01-01

As direct dark matter searches become increasingly sensitive, it is important to fully characterize the target of the search. The goal of the Argon Recoil Ionization and Scintillation (ARIS) experiment is to quantify information related to the scintillation and ionization energy scale, quenching factor, ion recombination probability, and scintillation time response of nuclear recoils, as expected from WIMPs, in liquid argon. A time projection chamber with an active mass of 0.5 kg of liquid argon and capable of full 3D position reconstruction was exposed to an inverse kinematic neutron beam at the Institut de Physique Nucleaire d'Orsay in France. A scan of nuclear recoil energies was performed through coincidence with a set of neutron detectors to quantify properties of nuclear recoils in liquid argon at various electric fields. The difference in ionization and scintillation response with differing recoil track angle to the electric field was also studied. The preliminary results of the experiment will be presented.

Experimental evidence for blue-shifted hydrogen bonding in the fluoroform-hydrogen chloride complex: a matrix-isolation infrared and ab initio study.

PubMed

Gopi, R; Ramanathan, N; Sundararajan, K

2014-07-24

The 1:1 hydrogen-bonded complex of fluoroform and hydrogen chloride was studied using matrix-isolation infrared spectroscopy and ab initio computations. Using B3LYP and MP2 levels of theory with 6-311++G(d,p) and aug-cc-pVDZ basis sets, the structures of the complexes and their energies were computed. For the 1:1 CHF3-HCl complexes, ab initio computations showed two minima, one cyclic and the other acyclic. The cyclic complex was found to have C-H · · · Cl and C-F · · · H interactions, where CHF3 and HCl sub-molecules act as proton donor and proton acceptor, respectively. The second minimum corresponded to an acyclic complex stabilized only by the C-F · · · H interaction, in which CHF3 is the proton acceptor. Experimentally, we could trap the 1:1 CHF3-HCl cyclic complex in an argon matrix, where a blue-shift in the C-H stretching mode of the CHF3 sub-molecule was observed. To understand the nature of the interactions, Atoms in Molecules and Natural Bond Orbital analyses were carried out to unravel the reasons for blue-shifting of the C-H stretching frequency in these complexes.

Continuous wave cavity ring-down spectroscopy for velocity distribution measurements in plasma.

PubMed

McCarren, D; Scime, E

2015-10-01

We report the development of a continuous wave cavity ring-down spectroscopic (CW-CRDS) diagnostic for real-time, in situ measurement of velocity distribution functions of ions and neutral atoms in plasma. This apparatus is less complex than conventional CW-CRDS systems. We provide a detailed description of the CW-CRDS apparatus as well as measurements of argon ions and neutrals in a high-density (10(9) cm(-3) < plasma density <10(13) cm(-3)) plasma. The CW-CRDS measurements are validated through comparison with laser induced fluorescence measurements of the same absorbing states of the ions and neutrals.

Removing oxygen from a solvent extractant in an uranium recovery process

DOEpatents

Hurst, Fred J.; Brown, Gilbert M.; Posey, Franz A.

1984-01-01

An improvement in effecting uranium recovery from phosphoric acid solutions is provided by sparging dissolved oxygen contained in solutions and solvents used in a reductive stripping stage with an effective volume of a nonoxidizing gas before the introduction of the solutions and solvents into the stage. Effective volumes of nonoxidizing gases, selected from the group consisting of argon, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, helium, hydrogen, nitrogen, sulfur dioxide, and mixtures thereof, displace oxygen from the solutions and solvents thereby reduce deleterious effects of oxygen such as excessive consumption of elemental or ferrous and accumulation of complex iron phosphates or cruds.

Large inert-gas thrusters

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kaufman, H. R.; Robinson, R. S.

1981-01-01

Using present technology as a starting point, performance predictions were made for large thrusters. The optimum beam diameter for maximum thruster efficiency was determined for a range of specific impulse. This optimum beam diameter varied greatly with specific impulse, from about 0.6 m at 3000 seconds (and below) to about 4 m at 10,000 seconds with argon, and from about 0.6 m at 2,000 seconds (and below) to about 12 m at 10,000 seconds with Xe. These beams sizes would require much larger thrusters than those presently available, but would offer substantial complexity and cost reductions for large electric propulsion systems.

Influences of the residual argon gas and thermal annealing on Ta2O5 and SiO2 thin film filters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Wen-Jen; Chen, Chih-Min; Lai, Yin-Chieh

2005-04-01

Ion beam assisted deposition (IBAD) technique had widely used for improving stacking density and atomic mobility of thin films in many applications, especially adopted in optical film industries. Tantalum pentaoxide (Ta2O5) and silicon oxides (SiO2) optical thin films were deposited on the quartz glass substrate by using argon ion beam assisted deposition, and the influences of the residual argon gas and thermal annealing processes on the optical property, stress, compositional and microstructure evolution of the thin films were investigated in this study. Ta2O5 thin films were analyzed by XPS indicated that the ratio value of oxygen to tantalum was insufficient, at the same time, the residual argon gas in the thin films might result in film and device instabilities. Adopting oxygen-thermal annealing treatment at the temperature of 425°C, the thin films not only decreased the residual argon gas and the surface roughness, but also provided the sufficient stoichiometric ratio. Simultaneously, microstructure examination indicated few nano-crystallized structures and voids existed in Ta2O5 thin films, and possessed reasonable refractive index and lower extinction coefficient. By the way, we also suggested the IBAD system using the film compositional gas ion beam to replace the argon ion beam for assisting deposited optical films. The designed (HL)6H6LH(LH)6 multi-layers indicated higher insertion loss than the designed (HL)68H(LH)6 multi-layers. Therefore, using the high refractive index as spacer material represented lower insertion loss.

Argon metastable dynamics and lifetimes in a direct current microdischarge

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stefanović, Ilija; Kuschel, Thomas; Schröter, Sandra; Böke, Marc

2014-09-01

In this paper we study the properties of a pulsed dc microdischarge with the continuous flow of argon. Argon metastable lifetimes are measured by tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy (TDLAS) and are compared with calculated values which yield information about excitation and de-excitation processes. By increasing the gas flow-rate about 5 times from 10 to 50 sccm, the Arm lifetime increases from 1 to 5 μs due to the reduction of metastable quenching with gas impurities. Optical emission spectroscopy reveals nitrogen and water molecules as the main gas impurities. The estimated N2 density [N2] = 0.1% is too low to explain the measured metastable lifetimes. Water impurity was found to be the main de-excitation source of argon metastable atoms due to high quenching coefficients. The water impurity level of [H2O] = 0.15% to 1% is sufficient to bring calculated metastable lifetimes in line with experiments. The maximum value of water content in the discharge compared to the argon atoms is estimated to approximately 6%, due to the large surface to volume ratio of the microdischarge. The current pulse releases the water molecules from the electrode surface and they are either re-adsorbed in the time between 0.4 ms for [H2O] = 1% and 2.6 ms for [H2O] = 0.15% or pumped out of the discharge with the speed equal to the gas flow-rate. Depending on its partial pressure, the water impurity re-adsorption time is of the order of magnitude or less then the argon gas residence time.

Comparison of carbon dioxide and argon euthanasia: effects on behavior, heart rate, and respiratory lesions in rats.

PubMed

Burkholder, Tanya H; Niel, Lee; Weed, James L; Brinster, Lauren R; Bacher, John D; Foltz, Charmaine J

2010-07-01

In this study we compared rat (n = 16) responses to euthanasia with either gradual-fill CO(2) or rapid induction argon gas by evaluating the animals' heart rate via radiotelemetry, behavior, and vocalizations. We also evaluated the histologic effects of the gases. Rats were placed in an open test chamber 24 h before the start of the experiment. During baseline tests, rats were exposed to oxygen to evaluate the effects of the noise and movement of gas entering the chamber; 1 wk later, rats were euthanized by gas displacement with either 10%/min CO(2) or 50%/min argon gas. Rats tended to have higher heart rats and were more active during the baseline test, but these parameters were normal before the euthanasia experiment, suggesting that the rats had acclimated to the equipment. Heart rate, behavior, and ultrasonic vocalizations were recorded for 2 min after gas introduction in both groups. All rats appeared conscious throughout the test interval. The heart rates of rats exposed to argon did not change, whereas those of rats exposed to CO(2) declined significantly. Unlike those exposed to CO(2), rats euthanized with argon gas gasped and demonstrated seizure-like activity. There were no differences in the pulmonary lesions resulting from death by either gas. Our results suggest that argon as a sole euthanasia agent is aversive to rats. CO(2) using a 10%/min displacement may be less aversive than more rapid displacements. Future research investigating methods of euthanasia should allow sufficient time for the rats to acclimate to the test apparatus.

Comparison of Carbon Dioxide and Argon Euthanasia: Effects on Behavior, Heart Rate, and Respiratory Lesions in Rats

PubMed Central

Burkholder, Tanya H; Niel, Lee; Weed, James L; Brinster, Lauren R; Bacher, John D; Foltz, Charmaine J

2010-01-01

In this study we compared rat (n = 16) responses to euthanasia with either gradual-fill CO2 or rapid induction argon gas by evaluating the animals' heart rate via radiotelemetry, behavior, and vocalizations. We also evaluated the histologic effects of the gases. Rats were placed in an open test chamber 24 h before the start of the experiment. During baseline tests, rats were exposed to oxygen to evaluate the effects of the noise and movement of gas entering the chamber; 1 wk later, rats were euthanized by gas displacement with either 10%/min CO2 or 50%/min argon gas. Rats tended to have higher heart rats and were more active during the baseline test, but these parameters were normal before the euthanasia experiment, suggesting that the rats had acclimated to the equipment. Heart rate, behavior, and ultrasonic vocalizations were recorded for 2 min after gas introduction in both groups. All rats appeared conscious throughout the test interval. The heart rates of rats exposed to argon did not change, whereas those of rats exposed to CO2 declined significantly. Unlike those exposed to CO2, rats euthanized with argon gas gasped and demonstrated seizure-like activity. There were no differences in the pulmonary lesions resulting from death by either gas. Our results suggest that argon as a sole euthanasia agent is aversive to rats. CO2 using a 10%/min displacement may be less aversive than more rapid displacements. Future research investigating methods of euthanasia should allow sufficient time for the rats to acclimate to the test apparatus. PMID:20819391

[Comparison of the antibacterial efficacy of polyhexanide, cold atmospheric argon plasma and saline in the treatment of canine bite wounds].

PubMed

Winter, Selina; Nolff, Mirja Christine; Reese, Sven; Meyer-Lindenberg, Andrea

2018-04-01

To evaluate the bacterial contamination rate and to compare the efficacy of polyhexanide, cold argon plasma and saline at reducing bacterial bio-burden in dog bite wounds. Dogs with bite-wound injuries were included when surgical debridement was pursued with subsequent treatment using either polyhexanide-biguanide lavage (A), cold argon plasma treatment (B) or saline lavage (C). Culture swabs were taken after debridement as well as after lavageor argon treatment. Statistical analysis was performed using the chi-square test. A total of 40 dogs were enrolled in the study (A: n = 12; B: n = 10; C: n = 18). The majority of injuries were minor and 87.5% of patients had positive bacterial culture results pre-lavage, with 19.8% of isolates classified as multidrug resistant. A reduction in wound bioburden was achieved in 8/12 patients in group A, 5/10 patients in group B and 14/18 patients in group C. Complete decontamination was achieved in 5/12 patients in group A, 2/10 in group B and 9/18 in group C. None of these differences were statistically significant nor associated with the development of complications. No statistically significant differences were detected between the treatment groups; however, the cold argon plasma treatment provided the least effective decontamination. Bite wounds yield a high rate of bacterial contamination, with increasing multidrug-resistance rates. Based on these preliminary results, no superior effect was detected for lavage using polyhexanidebiguanide or cold argon plasma. Schattauer GmbH.

Effectiveness of pure argon for renal transplant preservation in a preclinical pig model of heterotopic autotransplantation.

PubMed

Faure, Alice; Bruzzese, Laurie; Steinberg, Jean-Guillaume; Jammes, Yves; Torrents, Julia; Berdah, Stephane V; Garnier, Emmanuelle; Legris, Tristan; Loundou, Anderson; Chalopin, Matthieu; Magalon, Guy; Guieu, Regis; Fenouillet, Emmanuel; Lechevallier, Eric

2016-02-04

In kidney transplantation, the conditions of organ preservation following removal influence function recovery. Current static preservation procedures are generally based on immersion in a cold-storage solution used under atmospheric air (approximately 78 kPa N2, 21 kPa O2, 1 kPa Ar). Research on static cold-preservation solutions has stalled, and modifying the gas composition of the storage medium for improving preservation was considered. Organoprotective strategies successfully used noble gases and we addressed here the effects of argon and xenon on graft preservation in an established preclinical pig model of autotransplantation. The preservation solution Celsior saturated with pure argon (Argon-Celsior) or xenon (Xenon-Celsior) at atmospheric pressure was tested versus Celsior saturated with atmospheric air (Air-Celsior). The left kidney was removed, and Air-Celsior (n = 8 pigs), Argon-Celsior (n = 8) or Xenon-Celsior (n = 6) was used at 4 °C to flush and store the transplant for 30 h, a duration that induced ischemic injury in our model when Air-Celsior was used. Heterotopic autotransplantation and contralateral nephrectomy were performed. Animals were followed for 21 days. The use of Argon-Celsior vs. Air-Celsior: (1) improved function recovery as monitored via creatinine clearance, the fraction of excreted sodium and tubulopathy duration; (2) enabled diuresis recovery 2-3 days earlier; (3) improved survival (7/8 vs. 3/8 pigs survived at postoperative day-21); (4) decreased tubular necrosis, interstitial fibrosis, apoptosis and inflammation, and preserved tissue structures as observed after the natural death/euthanasia; (5) stimulated plasma antioxidant defences during the days following transplantation as shown by monitoring the "reduced ascorbic acid/thiobarbituric acid reactive substances" ratio and Hsp27 expression; (6) limited the inflammatory response as shown by expression of TNF-alpha, IL1-beta and IL6 as observed after the natural death/euthanasia. Conversely, Xenon-Celsior was detrimental, no animal surviving by day-8 in a context where functional recovery, renal tissue properties and the antioxidant and inflammation responses were significantly altered. Thus, the positive effects of argon were not attributable to the noble gases as a group. The saturation of Celsior with argon improved early functional recovery, graft quality and survival. Manipulating the gas composition of a preservation medium constitutes therefore a promising approach to improve preservation.

Rotationally inelastic collisions of excited NaK and NaCs molecules with noble gas and alkali atom perturbers.

PubMed

Jones, J; Richter, K; Price, T J; Ross, A J; Crozet, P; Faust, C; Malenda, R F; Carlus, S; Hickman, A P; Huennekens, J

2017-10-14

We report measurements of rate coefficients at T ≈ 600 K for rotationally inelastic collisions of NaK molecules in the 2(A) 1 Σ + electronic state with helium, argon, and potassium atom perturbers. Several initial rotational levels J between 14 and 44 were investigated. Collisions involving molecules in low-lying vibrational levels (v = 0, 1, and 2) of the 2(A) 1 Σ + state were studied using Fourier-transform spectroscopy. Collisions involving molecules in a higher vibrational level, v = 16, were studied using pump/probe, optical-optical double resonance spectroscopy. In addition, polarization spectroscopy measurements were carried out to study the transfer of orientation in these collisions. Many, but not all, of the measurements were carried out in the "single-collision regime" where more than one collision is unlikely to occur within the lifetime of the excited molecule. The analysis of the experimental data, which is described in detail, includes an estimate of effects of multiple collisions on the reported rate coefficients. The most significant result of these experiments is the observation of a strong propensity for ΔJ = even transitions in collisions involving either helium or argon atoms; the propensity is much stronger for helium than for argon. For the initial rotational levels studied experimentally, almost all initial orientation is preserved in collisions of NaK 2(A) 1 Σ + molecules with helium. Roughly between 1/3 and 2/3 of the orientation is preserved in collisions with argon, and almost all orientation is destroyed in collisions with potassium atoms. Complementary measurements on rotationally inelastic collisions of NaCs 2(A) 1 Σ + with argon do not show a ΔJ = even propensity. The experimental results are compared with new theoretical calculations of collisions of NaK 2(A) 1 Σ + with helium and argon. The calculations are in good agreement with the absolute magnitudes of the experimentally determined rate coefficients and accurately reproduce the very strong propensity for ΔJ = even transitions in helium collisions and the less strong propensity for ΔJ = even transitions in argon collisions. The calculations also show that collisions with helium are less likely to destroy orientation than collisions with argon, in agreement with the experimental results.

Rotationally inelastic collisions of excited NaK and NaCs molecules with noble gas and alkali atom perturbers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jones, J.; Richter, K.; Price, T. J.; Ross, A. J.; Crozet, P.; Faust, C.; Malenda, R. F.; Carlus, S.; Hickman, A. P.; Huennekens, J.

2017-10-01

We report measurements of rate coefficients at T ≈ 600 K for rotationally inelastic collisions of NaK molecules in the 2(A)1Σ+ electronic state with helium, argon, and potassium atom perturbers. Several initial rotational levels J between 14 and 44 were investigated. Collisions involving molecules in low-lying vibrational levels (v = 0, 1, and 2) of the 2(A)1Σ+ state were studied using Fourier-transform spectroscopy. Collisions involving molecules in a higher vibrational level, v = 16, were studied using pump/probe, optical-optical double resonance spectroscopy. In addition, polarization spectroscopy measurements were carried out to study the transfer of orientation in these collisions. Many, but not all, of the measurements were carried out in the "single-collision regime" where more than one collision is unlikely to occur within the lifetime of the excited molecule. The analysis of the experimental data, which is described in detail, includes an estimate of effects of multiple collisions on the reported rate coefficients. The most significant result of these experiments is the observation of a strong propensity for ΔJ = even transitions in collisions involving either helium or argon atoms; the propensity is much stronger for helium than for argon. For the initial rotational levels studied experimentally, almost all initial orientation is preserved in collisions of NaK 2(A)1Σ+ molecules with helium. Roughly between 1/3 and 2/3 of the orientation is preserved in collisions with argon, and almost all orientation is destroyed in collisions with potassium atoms. Complementary measurements on rotationally inelastic collisions of NaCs 2(A)1Σ+ with argon do not show a ΔJ = even propensity. The experimental results are compared with new theoretical calculations of collisions of NaK 2(A)1Σ+ with helium and argon. The calculations are in good agreement with the absolute magnitudes of the experimentally determined rate coefficients and accurately reproduce the very strong propensity for ΔJ = even transitions in helium collisions and the less strong propensity for ΔJ = even transitions in argon collisions. The calculations also show that collisions with helium are less likely to destroy orientation than collisions with argon, in agreement with the experimental results.

Cryosurgery in Cancer Treatment: Questions and Answers

MedlinePlus

... is the use of extreme cold produced by liquid nitrogen (or argon gas) to destroy abnormal tissue . Cryosurgery is used to ... and tumors in the bone). For internal tumors, liquid nitrogen or argon gas is circulated through a hollow instrument called a ...

Active background suppression with the liquid argon scintillation veto of GERDA Phase II

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Agostini, M.; Allardt, M.; Bakalyarov, A. M.; Balata, M.; Barabanov, I.; Baudis, L.; Bauer, C.; Bellotti, E.; Belogurov, S.; Belyaev, S. T.; Benato, G.; Bettini, A.; Bezrukov, L.; Bode, T.; Borowicz, D.; Brudanin, V.; Brugnera, R.; Caldwell, A.; Cattadori, C.; Chernogorov, A.; D'Andrea, V.; Demidova, E. V.; Di Marco, N.; Domula, A.; Doroshkevich, E.; Egorov, V.; Falkenstein, R.; Frodyma, N.; Gangapshev, A.; Garfagnini, A.; Gooch, C.; Grabmayr, P.; Gurentsov, V.; Gusev, K.; Hakenmüller, J.; Hegai, A.; Heisel, M.; Hemmer, S.; Hofmann, W.; Hult, M.; Inzhechik, L. V.; Janicskó Csáthy, J.; Jochum, J.; Junker, M.; Kazalov, V.; Kihm, T.; Kirpichnikov, I. V.; Kirsch, A.; Kish, A.; Klimenko, A.; Kneißl, R.; Knöpfle, K. T.; Kochetov, O.; Kornoukhov, V. N.; Kuzminov, V. V.; Laubenstein, M.; Lazzaro, A.; Lebedev, V. I.; Lehnert, B.; Liao, H. Y.; Lindner, M.; Lippi, I.; Lubashevskiy, A.; Lubsandorzhiev, B.; Lutter, G.; Macolino, C.; Majorovits, B.; Maneschg, W.; Medinaceli, E.; Miloradovic, M.; Mingazheva, R.; Misiaszek, M.; Moseev, P.; Nemchenok, I.; Palioselitis, D.; Panas, K.; Pandola, L.; Pelczar, K.; Pullia, A.; Riboldi, S.; Rumyantseva, N.; Sada, C.; Salamida, F.; Salathe, M.; Schmitt, C.; Schneider, B.; Schönert, S.; Schreiner, J.; Schulz, O.; Schütz, A.-K.; Schwingenheuer, B.; Selivanenko, O.; Shevzik, E.; Shirchenko, M.; Simgen, H.; Smolnikov, A.; Stanco, L.; Vanhoefer, L.; Vasenko, A. A.; Veresnikova, A.; von Sturm, K.; Wagner, V.; Wegmann, A.; Wester, T.; Wiesinger, C.; Wojcik, M.; Yanovich, E.; Zhitnikov, I.; Zhukov, S. V.; Zinatulina, D.; Zuber, K.; Zuzel, G.

2017-09-01

The observation of neutrinoless double beta decay would allow to shed light onto the particle nature of neutrinos. Gerda is aiming to perform a background-free search for this process using high purity germanium detectors enriched in 76Ge operated in liquid argon. This goal relies on the application of active background suppression techniques. A low background light instrumentation has been installed for Phase II to detect events with coincident energy deposition in the nearby liquid argon. The intended background index of ˜10-3 cts/(keV·ky·yr) has been confirmed.

A 20-liter test stand with gas purification for liquid argon research

DOE PAGES

Li, Y.; Thorn, C.; Tang, W.; ...

2016-06-06

Here, we describe the design of a 20-liter test stand constructed to study fundamental properties of liquid argon (LAr). Moreover, this system utilizes a simple, cost-effective gas argon (GAr) purification to achieve high purity, which is necessary to study electron transport properties in LAr. An electron drift stack with up to 25 cm length is constructed to study electron drift, diffusion, and attachment at various electric fields. Finally, a gold photocathode and a pulsed laser are used as a bright electron source. The operational performance of this system is reported.

A 20-liter test stand with gas purification for liquid argon research

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Li, Y.; Thorn, C.; Tang, W.

Here, we describe the design of a 20-liter test stand constructed to study fundamental properties of liquid argon (LAr). Moreover, this system utilizes a simple, cost-effective gas argon (GAr) purification to achieve high purity, which is necessary to study electron transport properties in LAr. An electron drift stack with up to 25 cm length is constructed to study electron drift, diffusion, and attachment at various electric fields. Finally, a gold photocathode and a pulsed laser are used as a bright electron source. The operational performance of this system is reported.

Plasma of argon enhances the adhesion of murine osteoblasts on different graft materials.

PubMed

Canullo, Luigi; Genova, Tullio; Naenni, Nadja; Nakajima, Yasushi; Masuda, Katsuhiko; Mussano, Federico

2018-04-25

plasma of argon treatment was demonstrated to increase material surface energy leading to stronger and faster interaction with cells. The aim of the present in vitro study was to test the effect of plasma treatment on different graft materials. synthetic hydroxyapatite (Mg-HA), biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP), cancellous and cortical xenogeneic bone matrices (CaBM, CoBM) were used representing commonly used classes of bone substitute materials. Fifty serially numbered disks with a 10mm-diameter from each graft material were randomly divided into two groups: Test group (argon plasma treatment) and Control group (absence of treatment). Cell morphology (using pre-osteoblastic murine cells) and protein adsorption were analyzed at all samples from both the test and control group. Differences between groups were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney test setting the level of significance at p<0.05. plasma treatment significantly increased the protein adsorption at all samples. Similarly, plasma treatment significantly increased cell adhesion in all groups. data confirmed that non-atmospheric plasma of argon treatment led to an increase of protein adsorption and cell adhesion in all groups of graft material to a similar extent. plasma of argon is able to improve the surface conditions of graft materials. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

International comparison CCQM-K101: oxygen in nitrogen—a track B comparison and that the matrix contains argon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, Z.; Han, Q.; Wang, D.; Macé, T.; Kipphardt, H.; Maiwald, M.; Tuma, D.; Uehara, S.; Akima, D.; Shimosaka, T.; Jung, J.; Oh, S.-H.; van der Veen, A.; van Wijk, J. I. T.; Ziel, P. R.; Konopelko, L.; Valkova, M.; Mogale, David M.; Botha, A.; Brewer, P.; Murugan, A.; Doval Minnaro, M.; Miller, M.; Guenther, F.; Kelly, M. E.

2016-01-01

This key comparison aims to assess the capabilities of the participants to determine the amount-of-substance fraction oxygen in nitrogen. The GAWG has classified this as a track B comparison, due to the unexpected 50 μmol/mol argon mole fraction content of the transfer standards, which effects the achievable performance of some measurement techniques such a GC-TCD. The separation of oxygen and argon is challenging, and not all systems in use are equally well designed for it. As this analytical challenge due to a substantial fraction of argon in the transfer standards became a reality, the Gas Analysis Working Group (GAWG) decided to qualify this key comparison as a regular key comparison and not as a core comparison, which may be used to support calibration and measurement capabilities (CMCs) for oxygen in nitrogen, or for oxygen in nitrogen mixtures containing argon only (see also the section on support to CMCs). Main text To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/. The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCQM, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).

The DarkSide physics program and its recent results

DOE PAGES

D'Angelo, D.

2017-01-12

Here, DarkSide (DS) at Gran Sasso underground laboratory is a direct Dark Matter search program based on Time Projection Chambers (TPC) with liquid Argon from underground sources. The DarkSide-50 (DS-50) TPC, with 150 kg of Argon is installed inside active neutron and muon detectors. DS-50 has been taking data since November 2013 with Atmospheric Argon (AAr) and since April 2015 with Underground Argon (UAr), depleted in radioactive 39Ar by a factor ~1400. The exposure of 1422 kg d of AAr has demonstrated that the operation of DS-50 for three years in a background free condition is a solid reality, thanksmore » to the superb performance of the Pulse Shape Analysis. The first release of results from an exposure of 2616 kg d of UAr has shown no candidate Dark Matter events. We have set the best limit for Spin-Independent elastic nuclear scattering of WIMPs obtained by Argon-based detectors, corresponding to a cross-section of 2 10 –44 cm 2 at a WIMP mass of 100 GeV. We present the detector design and performance, the results from the AAr run and the first results from the UAr run and we briefly introduce the future of the DarkSide program.« less

[Tonsillotomy with the argon-supported monopolar needle--first clinical results].

PubMed

Huber, K; Sadick, H; Maurer, J T; Hörmann, K; Hammerschmitt, N

2005-09-01

Primary management of tonsillar hyperplasia in children is tonsillectomy. Recent data from clinical case-series are clearly in support of the hypothesis that tonsillotomy with the CO2-laser seems to be effective and is noted to have less postoperative bleeding and less pain as compared to tonsillectomy. For the first time we used a monopolar argon-supported needle for tonsillotomy in the following study. Fifty patients (age: 4.58 years; SD +/- 2.33) with benign tonsillar hyperplasia were recruited. For tonsillotomy we used the monopolar argon-supported needle. The outcome measures were postoperative pain, capability of oral intake, consumption of analgesics and postoperative bleeding. No postoperative bleeding occurred. Post-operative pain hardly occurred and could easily be controlled. The third postoperative day analgesics intake was under one portion per day (mean: 0.91; SD +/- 1.26). Capability of oral intake and swallowing was normal on the seventh postoperative day. It was concluded that tonsillotomy, using the monopolar argon-supported needle, is a valid treatment for benign tonsillar hyperplasia in children, which can be performed with slight post-operative pain and a low risk for postoperative bleeding. It offers good dissection and haemostasis abilities. Compared to the CO2-laser the monopolar argon-supported needle does not require any laser safety precautions.

The DarkSide physics program and its recent results

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

D'Angelo, D.; Agnes, P.; Agostino, L.; F. M. Albuquerque, I.; Alexander, T.; K. Alton, A.; Arisaka, K.; Back, H. O.; Baldin, B.; Biery, K.; Bonfini, G.; Bossa, M.; Bottino, B.; Brigatti, A.; Brodsky, J.; Budano, F.; Bussino, S.; Cadeddu, M.; Cadonati, L.; Cadoni, M.; Calaprice, F.; Canci, N.; Candela, A.; Cao, H.; Cariello, M.; Carlini, M.; Catalanotti, S.; Cavalcante, P.; Chepurnov, A.; Cocco, A. G.; Covone, G.; Crippa, L.; D'Incecco, M.; Davini, S.; De Cecco, S.; De Deo, M.; De Vincenzi, M.; Derbin, A.; Devoto, A.; Di Eusanio, F.; Di Pietro, G.; Edkins, E.; Empl, A.; Fan, A.; Fiorillo, G.; Fomenko, K.; Forster, G.; Franco, D.; Gabriele, F.; Galbiati, C.; Giganti, C.; M. Goretti, A.; Granato, F.; Grandi, L.; Gromov, M.; Guan, M.; Guardincerri, Y.; R. Hackett, B.; Herner, K.; V. Hungerford, E.; Ianni, Al.; Ianni, An.; James, I.; Jollet, C.; Keeter, K.; L. Kendziora, C.; Kobychev, V.; Koh, G.; Korablev, D.; Korga, G.; Kubankin, A.; Lissia, M.; Li, X.; Lombardi, P.; Luitz, S.; N. Machulin, I.; Mandarano, A.; Maricic, J.; Marini, L.; M. Mari, S.; J. Martoff, C.; Ma, Y.; Meregaglia, A.; D. Meyers, P.; Miletic, T.; Milincic, R.; Montanari, D.; Monte, A.; Montuschi, M.; Monzani, M.; Mosteiro, P.; J. Mount, B.; N. Muratova, V.; Musico, P.; Napolitano, J.; Nelson, A.; Odrowski, S.; Orsini, M.; Ortica, F.; Pagani, L.; Pallavicini, M.; Pantic, E.; Parmeggiano, S.; Pelczar, K.; Pelliccia, N.; Perasso, S.; Pocar, A.; Pordes, S.; A. Pugachev, D.; Qian, H.; Randle, K.; Ranucci, G.; Razeto, A.; Reinhold, B.; L. Renshaw, A.; Romani, A.; Rossi, B.; Rossi, N.; Rountree, D.; Sablone, D.; Saggese, P.; Saldanha, R.; Sands, W.; Sangiorgio, S.; Savarese, C.; Segreto, E.; A. Semenov, D.; Shields, E.; N. Singh, P.; D. Skorokhvatov, M.; Smirnov, O.; Sotnikov, A.; Stanford, C.; Suvorov, Y.; Tartaglia, R.; Tatarowicz, J.; Testera, G.; Tonazzo, A.; Trinchese, P.; V. Unzhakov, E.; Vishneva, A.; Vogelaar, B.; Wada, M.; Walker, S.; Wang, H.; Wang, Y.; W. Watson, A.; Westerdale, S.; Wilhelmi, J.; M. Wojcik, M.; Xiang, X.; Xu, J.; Yang, C.; Yoo, J.; Zavatarelli, S.; Zec, A.; Zhong, W.; Zhu, C.; Zuzel, G.

2017-07-01

DarkSide (DS) at Gran Sasso underground laboratory is a direct Dark Matter search program based on Time Projection Chambers (TPC) with liquid Argon from underground sources. The DarkSide-50 (DS-50) TPC, with 150kg of Argon is installed inside active neutron and muon detectors. DS-50 has been taking data since November 2013 with Atmospheric Argon (AAr) and since April 2015 with Underground Argon (UAr), depleted in radioactive ^{39} Ar by a factor {˜}1400 . The exposure of 1422kg d of AAr has demonstrated that the operation of DS-50 for three years in a background free condition is a solid reality, thanks to the superb performance of the Pulse Shape Analysis. The first release of results from an exposure of 2616kg d of UAr has shown no candidate Dark Matter events. We have set the best limit for Spin-Independent elastic nuclear scattering of WIMPs obtained by Argon-based detectors, corresponding to a cross-section of 2 10^{-44}{ cm2} at a WIMP mass of 100GeV. We present the detector design and performance, the results from the AAr run and the first results from the UAr run and we briefly introduce the future of the DarkSide program.

On the Noble-Gas Induced Intersystem Crossing for the CUO Molecule: Experimental and Theoretical investigations of CUO(Ng)n (Ng = Ar, Kr, Xe; n = 1, 2, 3, 4) Complexes in Solid Neon

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Liang, Binyong; Andrews, Lester S.; Li, Jun

2004-02-09

Uranium atoms excited by laser ablation react with CO in excess neon to produce the novel CUO molecule, which forms distinct Ng complexes (Ng = Ar, Kr, Xe) when the heavier noble gases are added. The CUO(Ng) complexes are identified through CO isotopic and Ng substitution on the neon matrix infrared spectra and by comparison to DFT frequency calculations. The U-C and U-O stretching frequencies of CUO(Ng) complexes are slightly red shifted from frequencies for the 1S+ CUO ground state, which identifies singlet ground state CUO(Ng) complexes. In solid neon the CUO molecule is also a complex CUO(Ne)n, and themore » CUO(Ne)n-1(Ng) complexes are likewise specified. The next singlet CUO(Ne)x(Ng)2 complexes in excess neon follow in like manner. However, the higher CUO(Ne)x(Ng)n complex (n = 3, 4) stretching modes approach pure argon matrix CUO(Ar)n values and isotopic behavior, which are characterized as triplet ground state complexes by DFT frequency calculations. This work suggests that the singlet-triplet crossing occurs with 3 Ar, 3 Kr or 4 Xe and a balance of Ne atoms coordinated to CUO in the neon matrix host.« less

Measurement of net electric charge and dipole moment of dust aggregates in a complex plasma.

PubMed

Yousefi, Razieh; Davis, Allen B; Carmona-Reyes, Jorge; Matthews, Lorin S; Hyde, Truell W

2014-09-01

Understanding the agglomeration of dust particles in complex plasmas requires knowledge of basic properties such as the net electrostatic charge and dipole moment of the dust. In this study, dust aggregates are formed from gold-coated mono-disperse spherical melamine-formaldehyde monomers in a radiofrequency (rf) argon discharge plasma. The behavior of observed dust aggregates is analyzed both by studying the particle trajectories and by employing computer models examining three-dimensional structures of aggregates and their interactions and rotations as induced by torques arising from their dipole moments. These allow the basic characteristics of the dust aggregates, such as the electrostatic charge and dipole moment, as well as the external electric field, to be determined. It is shown that the experimental results support the predicted values from computer models for aggregates in these environments.

Ab initio molecular orbital studies of the vibrational spectra of the van der Waals complexes of boron trifluoride with the noble gases.

PubMed

Ford, Thomas A

2005-05-01

The molecular structures, interaction energies, charge transfer properties and vibrational spectra of the van der Waals complexes formed between boron trifluoride and the noble gases neon, argon, krypton and xenon have been computed using second and fourth order Møller-Plesset perturbation theory and the Los Alamos National Laboratory LANL2DZ basis set. The complexes are all symmetric tops, with the noble gas atom acting as a sigma electron donor along the C3 axis of the BF3 molecule. The interaction energies are all vanishingly small, and the amount of charge transferred in each case is of the order of 0.01e. The directions of the wavenumber shifts of the symmetric bending (nu2) and antisymmetric stretching (nu3) modes of the BF3 fragment confirm those determined experimentally, and the shifts are shown to correlate well with the polarizability of the noble gas atom and the inverse sixth power of the intermonomer separation. The nu2 mode is substantially more sensitive to complexation than the nu3 vibration.

Laser-excited pulse propagation in a crystallized complex plasma

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nosenko, V.; Nunomura, S.; Goree, J.

2000-10-01

A complex plasma, so-called in analogy with complex fluids, is an ionized gas containing small solid particles. This medium is also called a dusty plasma. The particles acquire a large negative electric charge. In an experiment, polymer microspheres were shaken into a parallel-plate rf plasma. The particles were levitated by the electric field in the sheath above the lower electrode. The particles settled in a single horizontal layer, and were arranged in a hexagonal lattice. They were imaged using a video camera to record the particle motion. Like any crystal, this so-called ``plasma crystal'' sustains compressional sound waves, which can be launched as a pulse. By modulating an argon laser beam directed tangentially at the lattice, we launched a pulsed wave in the lattice. We evaluated the pulse shape and propagation speed, while varying the pulse power and duration. This allowed a test for dispersion and nonlinearity, as well as a test of whether the pulse has the properties of a shock.

A Lunar Chronology

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schaeffer, Oliver A.

1973-01-01

Discusses methods used in determination of absolute isotopic ages for the returned lunar material, including the uranium-lead, rubidium-strontium, and argon 40-argon 39 ratio methods. Indicates that there would exist a basin-forming bombardment period for the Moon extending over at least 300 million years. (CC)

Skin closure with dye-enhanced laser welding and fibrinogen.

PubMed

Wider, T M; Libutti, S K; Greenwald, D P; Oz, M C; Yager, J S; Treat, M R; Hugo, N E

1991-12-01

The topical application of wavelength-specific dye and fibrinogen has been used to enhance laser closure of vascular anastomoses. We compared the closure of skin incisions by two different dye-enhanced, fibrinogen-based laser welding systems [argon laser (power density 4.78 W/cm2) with fluorescein isothiocyanate dye (n = 32) and diode laser (power density 9.55 W/cm2) with indocyanine green dye (n = 32)] with closure by interrupted 5-0 nylon suture (n = 64) and examined tensile strength, hydroxyproline production, histology, and cosmesis. Two 3-cm full-thickness incisions were made on the shaved backs of 64 rats. One incision was closed with suture, whereas the other, after treatment with the appropriate dye, was welded with either argon- or diode-lasered fibrinogen. At postoperative days 5, 10, 15, and 28, the closure sites were harvested and sectioned for analysis. Initially, wounds closed with argon-lasered fibrinogen showed less inflammatory response, greater collagen production (34.61 +/- 0.74 mg/gm), and greater mean peak stress at rupture (64.85 lbs/in2) than those closed with suture (16.42 +/- 3.20 mg/gm, 26.68 lbs/in2) (p less than 0.05). By 15 days, both argon and diode laser closures are superior in strength and collagen production to suture closure (p less than 0.05). At 28 days, diode laser closures (1315.60 lbs/in2) are stronger than suture closures (998.09 lbs/in2), whereas both are stronger than argon laser closures (813.16 lbs/in2) (p less than 0.05). Cosmetically, argon-welded wounds consistently appeared finer and lacked cross-hatched suture scars.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Histology assessment of bipolar coagulation and argon plasma coagulation on digestive tract

PubMed Central

Garrido, Teresa; Baba, Elisa R; Wodak, Stephanie; Sakai, Paulo; Cecconello, Ivan; Maluf-Filho, Fauze

2014-01-01

AIM: To analyze the effect of bipolar electrocoagulation and argon plasma coagulation on fresh specimens of gastrointestinal tract. METHODS: An experimental evaluation was performed at Hospital das Clinicas of the University of São Paulo, on 31 fresh surgical specimens using argon plasma coagulation and bipolar electrocoagulation at different time intervals. The depth of tissue damage was histopathologically analyzed by single senior pathologist unaware of the coagulation method and power setting applied. To analyze the results, the mucosa was divided in superficial mucosa (epithelial layer of the esophagus and superficial portion of the glandular layer of the stomach and colon) intermediate mucosa (until the lamina propria of the esophagus and until the bottom of the glandular layer of the stomach and colon) and muscularis mucosa. Necrosis involvement of the layers was compared in several combinations of power and time interval. RESULTS: Involvement of the intermediate mucosa of the stomach and of the muscularis mucosa of the three organs was more frequent when higher amounts of energy were used with argon plasma. In the esophagus and in the colon, injury of the intermediate mucosa was frequent, even when small amounts of energy were used. The use of bipolar electrocoagulation resulted in more frequent involvement of the intermediate mucosa and of the muscularis mucosa of the esophagus and of the colon when higher amounts of energy were used. In the stomach, these involvements were rare. The risk of injury of the muscularis propria was significant only in the colon when argon plasma coagulation was employed. CONCLUSION: Tissue damage after argon plasma coagulation is deeper than bipolar electrocoagulation. Both of them depend on the amount of energy used. PMID:25031789

Time-dependent spectroscopy of plasma plume under laser welding conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hoffman, Jacek; Szymanski, Zygmunt

2004-07-01

Momentary emission spectra of iron and argon lines were measured in a plasma plume induced during welding with a continuous wave CO2 laser. Time-dependent spectra were registered using a fast gate, lens coupled microchannel plate image intensifier placed between a spectrograph and a 1254 silicon intensified target detector connected to an optical multichannel analyser. The results, together with the analysis of the colour images from a fast camera, show that in the case when argon is the shielding gas, two plasmas exist: the argon plasma and the iron plasma. It has been found that during strong bursts the plasma plume over the keyhole consists mainly of metal vapour, not being diluted by the shielding gas. No apparent mixing of the metal vapour and the shielding gas has been observed. The space-averaged electron densities determined from the Stark broadening of the 7503.87, 7514.65 Å Ar I lines amounts to (0.75-1.05) × 1023 m-3 depending on the distance from the surface. Assuming that argon is not mixed with the metal vapour and is in local thermodynamic equilibrium these electron densities correspond to the temperatures of 12-13 kK. At the peaks of strong vapour bursts the space-averaged electron densities determined from the Stark broadening of the 5383.37 Å Fe I line are (0.6-1) × 1023 m-3. Numerical simulations showed that the maximum densities in the plasma centre are considerably higher and amount to ~1.8 × 1023 m-3 and ~2.45 × 1023 m-3 in the case of the argon and metal plasma, respectively. Consequently the absorption of the laser beam in the plasma plume amounts to ~5% of the beam power in the case of argon and 10% in the case of metal plasma.

Atomistic Simulations of High-intensity XFEL Pulses on Diffractive Imaging of Nano-sized System Dynamics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ho, Phay; Knight, Christopher; Bostedt, Christoph; Young, Linda; Tegze, Miklos; Faigel, Gyula

2016-05-01

We have developed a large-scale atomistic computational method based on a combined Monte Carlo and Molecular Dynamics (MC/MD) method to simulate XFEL-induced radiation damage dynamics of complex materials. The MD algorithm is used to propagate the trajectories of electrons, ions and atoms forward in time and the quantum nature of interactions with an XFEL pulse is accounted for by a MC method to calculate probabilities of electronic transitions. Our code has good scalability with MPI/OpenMP parallelization, and it has been run on Mira, a petascale system at the Argonne Leardership Computing Facility, with particle number >50 million. Using this code, we have examined the impact of high-intensity 8-keV XFEL pulses on the x-ray diffraction patterns of argon clusters. The obtained patterns show strong pulse parameter dependence, providing evidence of significant lattice rearrangement and diffuse scattering. Real-space electronic reconstruction was performed using phase retrieval methods. We found that the structure of the argon cluster can be recovered with atomic resolution even in the presence of considerable radiation damage. This work was supported by the US Department of Energy, Office of Science, Office of Basic Energy Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Geosciences, and Biosciences Division.

Detection of argon in the coma of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko.

PubMed

Balsiger, Hans; Altwegg, Kathrin; Bar-Nun, Akiva; Berthelier, Jean-Jacques; Bieler, Andre; Bochsler, Peter; Briois, Christelle; Calmonte, Ursina; Combi, Michael; De Keyser, Johan; Eberhardt, Peter; Fiethe, Björn; Fuselier, Stephen A; Gasc, Sébastien; Gombosi, Tamas I; Hansen, Kenneth C; Hässig, Myrtha; Jäckel, Annette; Kopp, Ernest; Korth, Axel; Le Roy, Lena; Mall, Urs; Marty, Bernard; Mousis, Olivier; Owen, Tobias; Rème, Henri; Rubin, Martin; Sémon, Thierry; Tzou, Chia-Yu; Waite, J Hunter; Wurz, Peter

2015-09-01

Comets have been considered to be representative of icy planetesimals that may have contributed a significant fraction of the volatile inventory of the terrestrial planets. For example, comets must have brought some water to Earth. However, the magnitude of their contribution is still debated. We report the detection of argon and its relation to the water abundance in the Jupiter family comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko by in situ measurement of the Rosetta Orbiter Spectrometer for Ion and Neutral Analysis (ROSINA) mass spectrometer aboard the Rosetta spacecraft. Despite the very low intensity of the signal, argon is clearly identified by the exact determination of the mass of the isotope (36)Ar and by the (36)Ar/(38)Ar ratio. Because of time variability and spatial heterogeneity of the coma, only a range of the relative abundance of argon to water can be given. Nevertheless, this range confirms that comets of the type 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko cannot be the major source of Earth's major volatiles.

First measurement of surface nuclear recoil background for argon dark matter searches

DOE PAGES

Xu, Jingke; Stanford, Chris; Westerdale, Shawn; ...

2017-09-19

Here, one major background in direct searches for weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs) comes from the deposition of radon progeny on detector surfaces. A dangerous surface background is the 206Pb nuclear recoils produced by 210Po decays. In this paper, we report the first characterization of this background in liquid argon. The scintillation signal of low energy Pb recoils is measured to be highly quenched in argon, and we estimate that the 103 keV 206Pb recoil background will produce a signal equal to that of a ~5 keV (30 keV) electron recoil ( 40Ar recoil). In addition, we demonstrate that thismore » dangerous 210Po surface background can be suppressed, using pulse shape discrimination methods, by a factor of ~100 or higher, which can make argon dark matter detectors near background-free and enhance their potential for discovery of medium- and high-mass WIMPs. Lastly, we also discuss the impact on other low background experiments.« less

Attosecond transient absorption of argon atoms in the vacuum ultraviolet region: line energy shifts versus coherent population transfer

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Cao, Wei; Warrick, Erika R.; Neumark, Daniel M.

Using attosecond transient absorption, the dipole response of an argon atom in the vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) region is studied when an external electromagnetic field is present. An isolated attosecond VUV pulse populates Rydberg states lying 15 eV above the argon ground state. A synchronized few-cycle near infrared (NIR) pulse modifies the oscillating dipoles of argon impulsively, leading to alterations in the VUV absorption spectra. As the NIR pulse is delayed with respect to the VUV pulse, multiple features in the absorption profile emerge simultaneously including line broadening, sideband structure, sub-cycle fast modulations, and 5-10 fs slow modulations. These features indicatemore » the coexistence of two general processes of the light-matter interaction: the energy shift of individual atomic levels and coherent population transfer between atomic eigenstates, revealing coherent superpositions. Finally, an intuitive formula is derived to treat both effects in a unifying framework, allowing one to identify and quantify the two processes in a single absorption spectrogram.« less

Attosecond transient absorption of argon atoms in the vacuum ultraviolet region: line energy shifts versus coherent population transfer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cao, Wei; Warrick, Erika R.; Neumark, Daniel M.; Leone, Stephen R.

2016-01-01

Using attosecond transient absorption, the dipole response of an argon atom in the vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) region is studied when an external electromagnetic field is present. An isolated attosecond VUV pulse populates Rydberg states lying 15 eV above the argon ground state. A synchronized few-cycle near infrared (NIR) pulse modifies the oscillating dipoles of argon impulsively, leading to alterations in the VUV absorption spectra. As the NIR pulse is delayed with respect to the VUV pulse, multiple features in the absorption profile emerge simultaneously including line broadening, sideband structure, sub-cycle fast modulations, and 5-10 fs slow modulations. These features indicate the coexistence of two general processes of the light-matter interaction: the energy shift of individual atomic levels and coherent population transfer between atomic eigenstates, revealing coherent superpositions. An intuitive formula is derived to treat both effects in a unifying framework, allowing one to identify and quantify the two processes in a single absorption spectrogram.

Attosecond transient absorption of argon atoms in the vacuum ultraviolet region: line energy shifts versus coherent population transfer

DOE PAGES

Cao, Wei; Warrick, Erika R.; Neumark, Daniel M.; ...

2016-01-18

Using attosecond transient absorption, the dipole response of an argon atom in the vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) region is studied when an external electromagnetic field is present. An isolated attosecond VUV pulse populates Rydberg states lying 15 eV above the argon ground state. A synchronized few-cycle near infrared (NIR) pulse modifies the oscillating dipoles of argon impulsively, leading to alterations in the VUV absorption spectra. As the NIR pulse is delayed with respect to the VUV pulse, multiple features in the absorption profile emerge simultaneously including line broadening, sideband structure, sub-cycle fast modulations, and 5-10 fs slow modulations. These features indicatemore » the coexistence of two general processes of the light-matter interaction: the energy shift of individual atomic levels and coherent population transfer between atomic eigenstates, revealing coherent superpositions. Finally, an intuitive formula is derived to treat both effects in a unifying framework, allowing one to identify and quantify the two processes in a single absorption spectrogram.« less

Study of axial double layer in helicon plasma by optical emission spectroscopy and simple probe

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gao, ZHAO; Wanying, ZHU; Huihui, WANG; Qiang, CHEN; Chang, TAN; Jiting, OUYANG

2018-07-01

In this work we used a passive measurement method based on a high-impedance electrostatic probe and an optical emission spectroscope (OES) to investigate the characteristics of the double layer (DL) in an argon helicon plasma. The DL can be confirmed by a rapid change in the plasma potential along the axis. The axial potential variation of the passive measurement shows that the DL forms near a region of strong magnetic field gradient when the plasma is operated in wave-coupled mode, and the DL strength increases at higher powers in this experiment. The emission intensity of the argon atom line, which is strongly dependent on the metastable atom concentration, shows a similar spatial distribution to the plasma potential along the axis. The emission intensity of the argon atom line and the argon ion line in the DL suggests the existence of an energetic electron population upstream of the DL. The electron density upstream is much higher than that downstream, which is mainly caused by these energetic electrons.

Microwave plasma generation of arsine from hydrogen and solid arsenic

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Omstead, Thomas R.; Annapragada, Ananth V.; Jensen, Klavs F.

1990-12-01

The generation of arsine from the reactions of hydrogen and elemental arsenic in a microwave plasma reactor is described. The arsenic is evaporated from a solid source upstream and carried into the microwave plasma region by a mixture of hydrogen and argon. Stable reaction products, arsine and diarsine are observed by molecular beam sampled mass spectroscopy along with partially hydrogenated species (e.g., AsH and AsH2). The effect of composition and flow rate of the argon/hydrogen carrier gas mixture on the amount of arsine generated is investigated. The arsine production reaches a maximum for an argon-to-hydrogen ratio of unity indicating that metastable argon species act as energy transfer intermediates in the overall reaction. The generation of arsine and diarsine from easily handled solid arsenic by this technique makes it attractive as a possible arsenic source for the growth of compound semiconductors by low-pressure metalorganic chemical vapor deposition.

Detection of argon in the coma of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko

PubMed Central

Balsiger, Hans; Altwegg, Kathrin; Bar-Nun, Akiva; Berthelier, Jean-Jacques; Bieler, Andre; Bochsler, Peter; Briois, Christelle; Calmonte, Ursina; Combi, Michael; De Keyser, Johan; Eberhardt, Peter; Fiethe, Björn; Fuselier, Stephen A.; Gasc, Sébastien; Gombosi, Tamas I.; Hansen, Kenneth C.; Hässig, Myrtha; Jäckel, Annette; Kopp, Ernest; Korth, Axel; Le Roy, Lena; Mall, Urs; Marty, Bernard; Mousis, Olivier; Owen, Tobias; Rème, Henri; Rubin, Martin; Sémon, Thierry; Tzou, Chia-Yu; Waite, J. Hunter; Wurz, Peter

2015-01-01

Comets have been considered to be representative of icy planetesimals that may have contributed a significant fraction of the volatile inventory of the terrestrial planets. For example, comets must have brought some water to Earth. However, the magnitude of their contribution is still debated. We report the detection of argon and its relation to the water abundance in the Jupiter family comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko by in situ measurement of the Rosetta Orbiter Spectrometer for Ion and Neutral Analysis (ROSINA) mass spectrometer aboard the Rosetta spacecraft. Despite the very low intensity of the signal, argon is clearly identified by the exact determination of the mass of the isotope 36Ar and by the 36Ar/38Ar ratio. Because of time variability and spatial heterogeneity of the coma, only a range of the relative abundance of argon to water can be given. Nevertheless, this range confirms that comets of the type 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko cannot be the major source of Earth’s major volatiles. PMID:26601264

Metastable Ar(1 s5) density dependence on pressure and argon-helium mixture in a high pressure radio frequency dielectric barrier discharge

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Emmons, D. J.; Weeks, D. E.; Eshel, B.; Perram, G. P.

2018-01-01

Simulations of an α-mode radio frequency dielectric barrier discharge are performed for varying mixtures of argon and helium at pressures ranging from 200 to 500 Torr using both zero and one-dimensional models. Metastable densities are analyzed as a function of argon-helium mixture and pressure to determine the optimal conditions, maximizing metastable density for use in an optically pumped rare gas laser. Argon fractions corresponding to the peak metastable densities are found to be pressure dependent, shifting from approximately 15% Ar in He at 200 Torr to 10% at 500 Torr. A decrease in metastable density is observed as pressure is increased due to a diminution in the reduced electric field and a quadratic increase in metastable loss rates through A r2* formation. A zero-dimensional effective direct current model of the dielectric barrier discharge is implemented, showing agreement with the trends predicted by the one-dimensional fluid model in the bulk plasma.

Investigation of argon ion sputtering on the secondary electron emission from gold samples

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Jing; Cui, Wanzhao; Li, Yun; Xie, Guibai; Zhang, Na; Wang, Rui; Hu, Tiancun; Zhang, Hongtai

2016-09-01

Secondary electron (SE) yield, δ, is a very sensitive surface property. The values of δ often are not consistent for even identical materials. The influence of surface changes on the SE yield was investigated experimentally in this article. Argon ion sputtering was used to remove the contamination from the surface. Surface composition was monitored by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and surface topography was scanned by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and atomic force microscope (AFM) before and after every sputtering. It was found that argon sputtering can remove contamination and roughen the surface. An ;equivalent work function; is presented in this thesis to establish the relationship between SE yield and surface properties. Argon ion sputtering of 1.5keV leads to a significant increase of so called ;work function; (from 3.7 eV to 6.0 eV), and a decrease of SE yield (from 2.01 to 1.54). These results provided a new insight into the influence of surface changes on the SE emission.

DarkSide-50: A WIMP Search with a Two-phase Argon TPC

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Meyers, P. D.; Agnes, P.; Alton, D.; Arisaka, K.; Back, H. O.; Baldin, B.; Biery, K.; Bonfini, G.; Bossa, M.; Brigatti, A.; Brodsky, J.; Budano, F.; Cadonati, L.; Calaprice, F.; Canci, N.; Candela, A.; Cao, H.; Cariello, M.; Cavalcante, P.; Chavarria, A.; Chepurnov, A.; Cocco, A. G.; Crippa, L.; DAngelo, D.; D'Incecco, M.; Davini, S.; De Deo, M.; Derbin, A.; Di Eusanio, F.; Di Pietro, G.; Edkins, E.; Empl, A.; Fan, A.; Fiorillo, G.; Fomenko, K.; Forster, G.; Franco, D.; Gabriele, F.; Galbiati, C.; Goretti, A.; Grandi, L.; Gromov, M.; Guan, M.; Guardincerri, Y.; Hackett, B.; Herner, K.; Humble, P.; Hungerford, E. V.; Ianni, Al.; Ianni, An.; Joliet, C.; Keeter, K.; Kendziora, C.; Kidner, S.; Kobychev, V.; Koh, G.; Korablev, D.; Korga, G.; Kurlej, A.; Li, P.; Loer, B.; Lombardi, P.; Love, C.; Ludhova, L.; Luitz, S.; Ma, Y.; Machulin, I.; Mandarano, A.; Mari, S.; Maricic, J.; Martoff, C. J.; Meregaglia, A.; Meroni, E.; Meyers, P. D.; Milincic, R.; Montanari, D.; Montuschi, M.; Monzani, M. E.; Mosteiro, P.; Mount, B.; Muratova, V.; Musico, P.; Nelson, A.; Okounkova, M.; Orsini, M.; Ortica, F.; Pagani, L.; Pallavicini, M.; Pantic, E.; Papp, L.; Parmeggiano, S.; Parsells, R.; Pelczar, K.; Pelliccia, N.; Perasso, S.; Perfetto, F.; Pocar, A.; Pordes, S.; Qian, H.; Randle, K.; Ranucci, G.; Razeto, A.; Reinhold, B.; Romani, A.; Rossi, B.; Rossi, N.; Rountree, S. D.; Sablone, D.; Saggese, P.; Saldanha, R.; Sands, W.; Segreto, E.; Semenov, D.; Shields, E.; Skorokhvatov, M.; Smirnov, O.; Sotnikov, A.; Suvarov, Y.; Tartaglia, R.; Tatarowicz, J.; Testera, G.; Tonazzo, A.; Unzhakov, E.; Vogelaar, R. B.; Wada, M.; Wang, H.; Wang, Y.; Watson, A.; Westerdale, R.; Wojcik, M.; Wright, A.; Xu, J.; Yang, C.; Yoo, J.; Zavatarelli, S.; Zuzel, G.

DarkSide-50 is a two phase argon TPC for direct dark matter detection which is installed at the Gran Sasso underground laboratory, Italy. DarkSide-50 has a 50-kg active volume and will make use of underground argon low in 39Ar. The TPC is installed inside an active neutron veto made with boron-loaded high radiopurity liquid scintillator. The neutron veto is installed inside a 1000 m3 water Cherenkov muon veto. The DarkSide-50 TPC and cryostat are assembled in two radon-free clean rooms to reduce radioactive contaminants. The overall design aims for a background free exposure after selection cuts are applied. The expected sensitivity for WIMP-nucleon cross section is of the order of 10-45 cm2 for WIMP masses around 100 GeV/c2. The commissioning and performance of the detector are described. Details of the low-radioactivity underground argon and other unique features of the projects are reported.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Agnes, P.; Albuquerque, I. F. M.; Alexander, T.

The DarkSide-50 experiment at the Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso is a search for dark matter using a dual phase time projection chamber with 50 kg of low radioactivity argon as target. Light signals from interactions in the argon are detected by a system of 38 photo-multiplier tubes (PMTs), 19 above and 19 below the TPC volume inside the argon cryostat. We describe the electronics which processes the signals from the photo-multipliers, the trigger system which identifies events of interest, and the data-acquisition system which records the data for further analysis. The electronics include resistive voltage dividers on the PMTs,more » custom pre-amplifiers mounted directly on the PMT voltage dividers in the liquid argon, and custom amplifier/discriminators (at room temperature). After amplification, the PMT signals are digitized in CAEN waveform digitizers, and CAEN logic modules are used to construct the trigger, the data acquisition system for the TPC is based on the Fermilab "artdaq" software. The system has been in operation since early 2014.« less

Use of propane as a quench gas in argon-filled proportional counters and comparison with other quench gases

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Agrawal, P. C.; Ramsey, B. D.

1988-01-01

An experimental investigation of propane and six other quench gases was carried out in argon-filled proportional counters. The objective of the study was to find the best gas mixture for optimizing the gas gain and the energy resolution as well as to understand the role of the ionization potential of quench gases in determining these parameters. It was found that the best gas gains and energy resolutions are obtained with propane, ethane, and isobutane in that order. The ionization potentials of these three lie below the argon metastable potentials and have the lowest value of resonance defect compared to the other quench gases. The better results obtained with these mixtures can be explained by an increased ionization yield resulting from the Penning effect. Propylene and trans-2-butene give inferior performance compared to the above three gases. Methane and carbon dioxide, the most commonly used quench gases in the argon-filled detectors, provide the worst results.

Change Spectrum Characteristics Modification of Films Deposited by Magnetron Sputtering with the Assistance of Argon Ions Beam

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Umnov, S.; Asainov, O.

2015-04-01

Thin aluminum films were prepared using the method of magnetron sputtering with and without argon ion beam assistance. The influence of argon ion beam on the reflectivity in the UV range and the structure of aluminum films was studied. The structure of the films was studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffractometry (XRD) and atomic- force microscope (AFM). The study has shown that the films deposed with the assistance of the argon ion beam have more significant microstresses associated with an increase of crystallites microstructure defects as compared to the films deposed without ion assistance. Comparison of the measured reflectivity of aluminum films deposed without and with the assistance of the ion beam has shown that the films characterized by a higher level of microstructure def ects have increased reflectivity in the UV range. The studies suggest that the defects of thin aluminum films crystal structure influence its optical properties.

Theoretical investigation of the effect of hydrogen addition on the formation and properties of soliton in direct current argon plasma

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Saikia, P., E-mail: partha.008@gmail.com; Goswami, K. S.; Saikia, B. K.

2014-03-15

In this study the effect of hydrogen addition on the formation and properties of soliton in direct-current (DC) argon plasma is theoretically investigated. By coupling fluid equations with Poisons equation for such multi-component plasma, the Mach number and amplitude of the soliton are determined following pseudo potential method. Addition of hydrogen in argon discharge leads to the decrease of electron, Ar{sup +} ion density while a reverse trend was observed for ArH{sup +} and hydrogen like ions. It was found that presence of hydrogen like ions in argon plasma affects the formation of soliton with its amplitude significantly decreases asmore » concentration of hydrogen increases. On the other hand, increase in ion to electron temperature ratios of the lighter ions in the discharge also has a significant influence on the amplitude and formation of soliton. The inverse relation between solitons width and amplitude is found to be consistent for the entire range of study.« less

Exclusive muon neutrino charged current pion-less topologies. ArgoNeuT results and future prospects in LAr TPC detectors

DOE PAGES

Palamara, Ornella

2016-12-29

Results from the analysis of charged current pion-less (CC 0-pion) muon neutrino events in argon collected by the ArgoNeuT experiment on the NuMI beam at Fermilab are presented and compared with predictions from Monte Carlo simulations. A novel analysis method, based on the reconstruction of exclusive topologies, fully exploiting the Liquid argon Time Projection Chamber (LAr TPC) technique capabilities, is used to analyze the events, characterized by the presence at the vertex of a leading muon track eventually accompanied by one or more highly ionizing tracks, and study nuclear effects in neutrino interactions on argon nuclei. Multiple protons accompanying themore » leading muon are visible in the ArgoNeuT events, and measured with a proton reconstruction threshold of 21 MeV kinetic energy. As a result, measurements of (anti-)neutrino CC 0-pion inclusive and exclusive cross sections on argon nuclei are reported. Prospects for future, larger mass LAr TPC detectors are discussed.« less

A pixelated charge readout for Liquid Argon Time Projection Chambers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Asaadi, J.; Auger, M.; Ereditato, A.; Goeldi, D.; Hänni, R.; Kose, U.; Kreslo, I.; Lorca, D.; Luethi, M.; von Rohr, C. Rudolf; Sinclair, J.; Stocker, F.; Tognina, C.; Weber, M.

2018-02-01

Liquid Argon Time Projection Chambers (LArTPCs) are ideally suited to perform long-baseline neutrino experiments aiming to measure CP violation in the lepton sector, and determine the ordering of the three neutrino mass eigenstates. LArTPCs have used projective wire readouts for charge detection since their conception in 1977. However, wire readouts are notoriously fragile and therefore a limiting factor in the design of any large mass detectors. Furthermore, a wire readout also introduces intrinsic ambiguities in event reconstruction. Within the ArgonCube concept—the liquid argon component of the DUNE near detector—we are developing a pixelated charge readout for LArTPCs. Pixelated charge readout systems represent the single largest advancement in the sensitivity of LArTPCs. They are mechanically robust and provide direct 3D readout, serving to minimise reconstruction ambiguities, enabling more advanced triggers, further reducing event pile-up and improving background rejection. This article presents first results from a pixelated LArTPC prototype built and operated in Bern.

Studies of thin-film growth of sputtered hydrogenated amorphous silicon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moustakas, T. D.

1982-11-01

The anticipated potential use of hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-SiHx), or related materials, for large area thin film device applications has stimulated extensive research. Studies conducted by Ross and Messier (1981) have shown that the growth habit of the sputtered a-SiHx films is columnar. It is found that films produced at high argon pressure have columnar microstructure, while those produced at low argon pressure show no noticeable microstructure. The preferred interpretation for the lack of microstructure for the low argon pressure films is bombardment of the films by positive Ar(+) ions due to the substrate negative floating potential. Anderson et al. (1979) attribute the microstructural changes to the bombardment of the film by the neutral sputtered Si species from which the film grows. In connection with the present investigation, data are presented which clearly indicate that charged particle bombardment rather than neutral particle bombardment is the cause of the observed microstructural changes as a function of argon pressure.

The Mysterious Case of the Solar Argon Abundance Near Sunspots in Flares

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Doschek, George A.; Warren, Harry

2016-05-01

Recently Doschek et al. (2015, ApJL, 808, L7) reported on an observation of an enhancement of the abundance of Ar XIV relative to Ca XIV of about a factor of 30 near a sunspot during a flare, observed in spectra recorded by the Extreme-ultraviolet Imaging Spectrometer (EIS) on the Hinode spacecraft. This enhancement yields an argon/calcium abundance ratio 7 times greater than expected from the photospheric abundances. Such a large abundance anomaly is unprecedented in the solar atmosphere. We interpreted this result as due to an inverse First Ionization Potential (FIP) effect. Argon is a high-FIP element and calcium is a low-FIP element. In the published work two lines of Ar XIV were observed and one line was tentatively identified as an Ar XI line. The number of argon lines was limited by the limitations of the flare study that was executed. In this paper we report observing a similar enhancement in a full-CCD EIS flare spectrum in argon lines with reasonable statistics and lack of blending that lie within the EIS wavelength ranges. The observed lines include two Ar XI lines, four Ar XIII lines, six Ar XIV lines, and one Ar XV line. The enhancement is far less than reported in Doschek et al. (2015) but exhibits similar morphology. The argon abundance is close to a photospheric abundance in the enhanced area, and is only marginally an inverse FIP effect. However, as for the published cases, this newly discovered enhancement occurs in association with a sunspot in a small area only a few arcsec in size and therefore we feel it is produced by the same physics that produced the strong inverse FIP case. There is no enhancement effect observed in the normally high-FIP sulfur and oxygen line ratios relative to lines of low-FIP elements available to EIS. Calculations of path lengths in the strongest enhanced area in Doschek et al. (2015) indicate that the argon/calcium enhancement is due to a depletion of low-FIP elements. This work is supported by a NASA Hinode grant.

Results from the DarkSide-50 Dark Matter Experiment

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Fan, Alden

2016-01-01

While there is tremendous astrophysical and cosmological evidence for dark matter, its precise nature is one of the most significant open questions in modern physics. Weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs) are a particularly compelling class of dark matter candidates with masses of the order 100 GeV and couplings to ordinary matter at the weak scale. Direct detection experiments are aiming to observe the low energy (<100 keV) scattering of dark matter off normal matter. With the liquid noble technology leading the way in WIMP sensitivity, no conclusive signals have been observed yet. The DarkSide experiment is looking for WIMP darkmore » matter using a liquid argon target in a dual-phase time projection chamber located deep underground at Gran Sasso National Laboratory (LNGS) in Italy. Currently filled with argon obtained from underground sources, which is greatly reduced in radioactive 39Ar, DarkSide-50 recently made the most sensitive measurement of the 39Ar activity in underground argon and used it to set the strongest WIMP dark matter limit using liquid argon to date. This work describes the full chain of analysis used to produce the recent dark matter limit, from reconstruction of raw data to evaluation of the final exclusion curve. The DarkSide- 50 apparatus is described in detail, followed by discussion of the low level reconstruction algorithms. The algorithms are then used to arrive at three broad analysis results: The electroluminescence signals in DarkSide-50 are used to perform a precision measurement of ii longitudinal electron diffusion in liquid argon. A search is performed on the underground argon data to identify the delayed coincidence signature of 85Kr decays to the 85mRb state, a crucial ingredient in the measurement of the 39Ar activity in the underground argon. Finally, a full description of the WIMP search is given, including development of cuts, efficiencies, energy scale, and exclusion curve in the WIMP mass vs. spin-independent WIMP-nucleon scattering cross section plane. This work was supervised by Hanguo Wang and was completed in collaboration with members of the DarkSide collaboration.« less

Photoacoustic Studies on Iodine.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bhan, Avtar N.

A photoacoustic cavity was constructed which employs a temperature-controlled cylindrical cavity with optical windows at either end. It was operated in the lowest longitudinal mode using a small electret microphone for detecting the acoustic signal and a photomultiplier tube for detecting the optical signal. Molecular Iodine was used as the specimen gas and argon as the buffer gas. The photoacoustic characteristics of the system were studied. Iodine molecules, excited periodically by intensity modulated optical radiation (xenon discharge), de-excited by non-radiative processes which result in pressure waves having the same modulation frequency as that of the light. These pressure waves are detected as acoustical pulses by the microphone situated in the wall of the cavity. Studies were conducted for different pressures of buffer gas (100 torr to 800 torr) at several different Iodine pressures in the range between 0.3 and 1 torr. The longitudinal mode of excitation provides an opportunity to compare the response of the cavity under acoustical excitation with that under optical excitation. The relevant parameters in the investigation were: Q, the quality factor of the cavity; the resonant frequency, partial pressures of argon and Iodine; temperature; and the signal amplitude. It was found that the Q of the cavity was well -behaved following the theoretically predicted dependence on SQRT.(P and on T('- 3/4). The absorption coefficient of Iodine determined photometrically, increased with increasing argon pressure up to a limiting value of pressure that depended on Iodine concentration. The photoacoustic signal showed a similar increase with increasing argon pressure. This signal reached a limiting value at a pressure which corresponded closely with that found optically. This is taken to indicate that the extinction coefficient of Iodine in argon, at the level of dilution used in these studies, depends on the argon pressure. A method was developed for measuring the concentration of Iodine at low levels through application of the shift in the frequency of the longitudinal mode resonance of the cavity. Also, resonance technique was employed for determining the velocity of sound in argon. A value of 307.7 M/sec was established as compared with the value of 319 M/sec as reported in various standard handbooks.

Argon Bubble Transport and Capture in Continuous Casting with an External Magnetic Field Using GPU-Based Large Eddy Simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jin, Kai

Continuous casting produces over 95% of steel in the world today, hence even small improvements to this important industrial process can have large economic impact. In the continuous casting of steel process, argon gas is usually injected at the slide gate or stopper rod to prevent clogging, but entrapped bubbles may cause defects in the final product. Many defects in this process are related to the transient fluid flow in the mold region of the caster. Electromagnetic braking (EMBr) device is often used at high casting speed to modify the mold flow, reduce the surface velocity and fluctuation. This work studies the physics in continuous casting process including effects of EMBr on the motion of fluid flow in the mold region, and transport and capture of bubbles in the solidification processes. A computational effective Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) model and a high fidelity Large Eddy Simulation (LES) model are used to understand the motion of the molten steel flow. A general purpose multi-GPU Navier-Stokes solver, CUFLOW, is developed. A Coherent-Structure Smagorinsky LES model is implemented to model the turbulent flow. A two-way coupled Lagrangian particle tracking model is added to track the motion of argon bubbles. A particle/bubble capture model based on force balance at dendrite tips is validated and used to study the capture of argon bubbles by the solidifying steel shell. To investigate the effects of EMBr on the turbulent molten steel flow and bubble transport, an electrical potential method is implemented to solve the magnetohydrodynamics equations. Volume of Fluid (VOF) simulations are carried out to understand the additional resistance force on moving argon bubbles caused by adding transverse magnetic field. A modified drag coefficient is extrapolated from the results and used in the two-way coupled Eulerian-Lagrangian model to predict the argon bubble transport in a caster with EMBr. A hook capture model is developed to understand the effects of hooks on argon bubble capture.

The Advanced Glaucoma Intervention Study (AGIS): 5. Encapsulated bleb after initial trabeculectomy.

PubMed

Schwartz, A L; Van Veldhuisen, P C; Gaasterland, D E; Ederer, F; Sullivan, E K; Cyrlin, M N

1999-01-01

To compare the incidence of encapsulated bleb after trabeculectomy in eyes with and without previous argon laser trabeculoplasty and to assess other risk factors for encapsulated bleb development. After medical treatment failure, eyes enrolled in the Advanced Glaucoma Intervention Study (AGIS) were randomly assigned to sequences of interventions starting with either argon laser trabeculoplasty or trabeculectomy. In the present study we compared the clinical course for 1 year after trabeculectomy in 119 eyes with failed argon laser trabeculoplasty with that of 379 eyes without previous argon laser trabeculoplasty. Data on bleb encapsulation were collected at the time that the encapsulation was diagnosed, and 3 and 6 months later. Of multiple factors examined in the AGIS data for the risk of developing encapsulated bleb, only male gender and high school graduation without further formal education were statistically significant. Encapsulation occurred in 18.5% of eyes with previous argon laser trabeculoplasty failure and 14.5% of eyes without previous argon laser trabeculoplasty (unadjusted relative risk, 1.27; 95% confidence limits = 0.81, 2.00; P = .23). After adjusting for age, gender, educational achievement, prescribed systemic beta-blockers, diabetes, visual field score, and years since glaucoma diagnosis, this difference remains statistically not significant. Four weeks after trabeculectomy, mean intraocular pressure was 7.5 mm Hg higher in eyes with (22.5 mm Hg) than without (15.0 mm Hg) encapsulated bleb; at 1 year after trabeculectomy and the resumption of medical therapy when needed, this excess was reduced to 1.4 mm Hg. This study, as did two previous studies, found male gender to be a risk factor for bleb encapsulation. Four studies, including the present study, have reported a higher rate of encapsulation in eyes with previous argon laser trabeculoplasty; in two of the studies, one of which was the present study, the rate was not statistically significantly higher; in the other two studies the rate was significantly higher. The 4-week postoperative mean intraocular pressure was higher in eyes with than without encapsulated bleb; with the resumption of medical treatment the two means converged after 1 year.

Properties of radio-frequency heated argon confined uranium plasmas

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1976-01-01

Pure uranium hexafluoride (UF6) was injected into an argon confined, steady state, rf-heated plasma within a fused silica peripheral wall test chamber. Exploratory tests conducted using an 80 kW rf facility and different test chamber flow configurations permitted selection of the configuration demonstrating the best confinement characteristics and minimum uranium compound wall coating. The overall test results demonstrated applicable flow schemes and associated diagnostic techniques were developed for the fluid mechanical confinement and characterization of uranium within an rf plasma discharge when pure UF6 is injected for long test times into an argon-confined, high-temperature, high-pressure, rf-heated plasma.

Enhanced Densification and Hardness of Titanium Bodies Sintered by Advanced Hydrogen Sintering Process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Oh, Jung-Min; Koo, Ja-Geon; Lim, Jae-Won

2018-05-01

A new sintering technique for enhancing a densification and hardness of sintered titanium body by supplying hydrogen was developed (Hydrogen Sintering Process, HSP). The HSP was developed by only injecting hydrogen into an argon atmosphere during the core time. As a result, sound titanium sintered bodies with high density and hardness were obtained by the HSP. In addition, a pore size and number of the HSP specimens were smaller than those of the argon atmosphere specimen. It was found that the injecting hydrogen into the argon atmosphere by HSP can prevent the formation of oxide layers, resulting in enhanced densification and hardness.

Volume Measurements of Laser-generated Pits for in Situ Geochronology Using KArLE (Potassium-Argon Laser Experiment)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

French, R. A.; Cohen, B. A.; Miller, J. S.

2014-01-01

KArLE (Potassium-­-Argon Laser Experiment) has been developed for in situ planetary geochronology using the K - Ar (potassium-­-argon) isotope system, where material ablated by LIBS (Laser-­-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy) is used to calculate isotope abundances. We are determining the accuracy and precision of volume measurements of these pits using stereo and laser microscope data to better understand the ablation process for isotope abundance calculations. If a characteristic volume can be determined with sufficient accuracy and precision for specific rock types, KArLE will prove to be a useful instrument for future planetary rover missions.

Table and charts of equilibrium normal shock and shock tube properties for pure argon with velocities to 18 km/sec

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Miller, C. G., III; Wilder, S. E.

1976-01-01

Equilibrium thermodynamic and flow properties are presented in tabulated and graphical form for moving, standing, and reflected normal shock waves in pure argon. Properties include pressure, temperature, density, enthalpy, speed of sound, entropy, molecular-weight ratio, isentropic exponent, velocity, and species mole fractions. Incident (moving) shock velocities are varied from 2 to 18 km/sec for a range of initial pressure of 5 N/sq m to 500 kN/sq m. Working charts illustrating shock tube performance with argon test gas and heated helium and hydrogen driver gases are also presented.

Triple Photoionization of Neon and Argon Near Threshold

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bluett, Jaques B.; Lukić, Dragan; Sellin, Ivan A.; Whitfield, Scott B.; Wehlitz, Ralf

2003-05-01

The threshold behavior of the triple ionization cross-section of neon and argon was investigated using monochromatized synchrotron radiation and ion time-of-flight spectrometry. The Ne^3+ and Ar^3+ cross-sections are found to follow the Wannier power law(G.H. Wannier, Phys. Rev. 90), 817 (1953). consistent with a Wannier exponent of 2.162 predicted by theory. This is also consistent with the findings of Samson and Angel(J.A.R. Samson and G.C. Angel, Phys. Lett. 61), 1584 (1988). for the case of Ne. In the case of argon we find a much shorter range of validity than for neon.

Microstructural and strength stability of CVD SiC fibers in argon environment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bhatt, Ramakrishna T.; Hull, David R.

1991-01-01

The room temperature tensile strength and microstructure of three types of commercially available chemically vapor deposited silicon carbide fibers were measured after 1, 10, and 100 hour heat treatments under argon pressures of 0.1 to 310 MPa at temperatures to 2100 C. Two types of fiber had carbon-rich surface coatings and the other contained no coating. All three fiber types showed strength degradation beyond 1400 C. Time and temperature of exposure had greater influence on strength degradation than argon pressure. Recrystallization and growth of near stoichiometric SiC grains appears to be the dominant mechanism for the strength degradation.

Microstructural and strength stability of CVD SiC fibers in argon environments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bhatt, Ramakrishna T.; Hull, David R.

1991-01-01

The room temperature tensile strength and microstructure of three types of commercially available chemically vapor deposited silicon carbide fibers were measured after 1, 10, and 100 hour heat treatments under argon pressures of 0.1 to 310 MPa at temperatures to 2100 C. Two types of fiber had carbon-rich surface coatings and the other contained no coating. All three fiber types showed strength degradation beyond 1400 C. Time and temperature of exposure had greater influence on strength degradation than argon pressure. Recrystallization and growth of near stoichiometric SiC grains appears to be the dominant mechanism for the strength degradation.

AGE (Argon Geochronology Experiment): An Instrument for Geochronology on the Surface of Mars

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Swindle, T. D.; Bode, R.; Boynton, W. V.; Kring, D. A.; Williams, M.; Chutjian, A.; Darrach, M. R.; Cremers, D. A.; Wiens, R. C.; Baldwin, S. L.

2003-01-01

As our knowledge of the planet Mars continues to grow, one parameter that remains elusive is the absolute chronology of the planet s geological history. Although crater counts have provided a robust relative chronology, impactor fluxes are poorly enough known that there are places on Mars where the absolute age is uncertain by a factor of two or more. To resolve these uncertainties, it will be necessary to either analyze well-documented samples returned to the Earth from the Martian surface or to perform in situ measurements with sufficient precision. Sample return is still at least a decade away, and even then it might be from a biologically interesting area that might be geologically complex. Hence an in situ measurement, within an uncertainty of 20% or better, could greatly improve our knowledge of the history of Mars. With funding from the Planetary Instrument Definition and Development Program (PIDDP), we have been working on an instrument to perform potassium-argon (K-Ar) and cosmic-ray exposure (CRE) dating in situ on the surface of Mars. For either of these techniques, it is necessary to measure the abundance of one or more major or minor elements (K in the case of KAr; all majors and minors in the case of CRE) and the abundance and isotopes composition of a noble gas (Ar in the case of K-Ar; He, Ne and Ar for CRE dating). The technology for either of these types of measurements exists, but has never before been integrated for a spacecraft. We refer to the instrument as AGE, the Argon Geochronology Experiment (although we will measure the noble gases He and Ne as well for CRE ages). We report here on the basic components that go into such an instrument, both those that use existing technology and those that had to be developed to create the integrated package.

Lead Pipe Scale Analysis Using Broad-Beam Argon Ion Milling to Elucidate Drinking Water Corrosion

EPA Science Inventory

Herein, we compared the characterization of lead pipe scale removed from a drinking water distribution system using two different cross section methods (conventional polishing and argon ion beam etching). The pipe scale solids were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM...

Thermophysical properties of multi-shock compressed dense argon.

PubMed

Chen, Q F; Zheng, J; Gu, Y J; Chen, Y L; Cai, L C; Shen, Z J

2014-02-21

In contrast to the single shock compression state that can be obtained directly via experimental measurements, the multi-shock compression states, however, have to be calculated with the aid of theoretical models. In order to determine experimentally the multiple shock states, a diagnostic approach with the Doppler pins system (DPS) and the pyrometer was used to probe multiple shocks in dense argon plasmas. Plasma was generated by a shock reverberation technique. The shock was produced using the flyer plate impact accelerated up to ∼6.1 km/s by a two-stage light gas gun and introduced into the plenum argon gas sample, which was pre-compressed from the environmental pressure to about 20 MPa. The time-resolved optical radiation histories were determined using a multi-wavelength channel optical transience radiance pyrometer. Simultaneously, the particle velocity profiles of the LiF window was measured with multi-DPS. The states of multi-shock compression argon plasma were determined from the measured shock velocities combining the particle velocity profiles. We performed the experiments on dense argon plasmas to determine the principal Hugonoit up to 21 GPa, the re-shock pressure up to 73 GPa, and the maximum measure pressure of the fourth shock up to 158 GPa. The results are used to validate the existing self-consistent variational theory model in the partial ionization region and create new theoretical models.

Thermophysical properties of multi-shock compressed dense argon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Q. F.; Zheng, J.; Gu, Y. J.; Chen, Y. L.; Cai, L. C.; Shen, Z. J.

2014-02-01

In contrast to the single shock compression state that can be obtained directly via experimental measurements, the multi-shock compression states, however, have to be calculated with the aid of theoretical models. In order to determine experimentally the multiple shock states, a diagnostic approach with the Doppler pins system (DPS) and the pyrometer was used to probe multiple shocks in dense argon plasmas. Plasma was generated by a shock reverberation technique. The shock was produced using the flyer plate impact accelerated up to ˜6.1 km/s by a two-stage light gas gun and introduced into the plenum argon gas sample, which was pre-compressed from the environmental pressure to about 20 MPa. The time-resolved optical radiation histories were determined using a multi-wavelength channel optical transience radiance pyrometer. Simultaneously, the particle velocity profiles of the LiF window was measured with multi-DPS. The states of multi-shock compression argon plasma were determined from the measured shock velocities combining the particle velocity profiles. We performed the experiments on dense argon plasmas to determine the principal Hugonoit up to 21 GPa, the re-shock pressure up to 73 GPa, and the maximum measure pressure of the fourth shock up to 158 GPa. The results are used to validate the existing self-consistent variational theory model in the partial ionization region and create new theoretical models.

Effect of nanostructured surface configuration on evaporation and condensation characteristics of thin film liquid argon in a nano-scale confinement

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kuri, Subrata Kumar; Rakibuzzaman, S. M.; Sabah, Arefiny; Ahmed, Jannat; Hasan, Mohammad Nasim

2017-12-01

Molecular dynamics simulation has been carried out to go through the evaporation and condensation characteristics of thin liquid argon film in nanoscale confinement having nanostructured boundary. Nanoscale confinement under consideration consists of hot and cold parallel platinum plates at the bottom and top end of a model cuboid inside which the fluid domain comprised of liquid argon film at the bottom plate and vapor argon in between liquid argon and upper plate of the confinement. Three different confinement configurations have been considered here: (i) Both platinum plates are flat, (ii) Upper plate consisting of transverse slots and (iii) Both plates consisting of transverse slots. The height of the slots is 1.5 nm. Considering hydrophilic nature of top and bottom plates, two different high temperatures of the hot wall was set and an observation was made. For all the structures, equilibrium molecular dynamics (EMD) was performed to reach equilibrium state at 90 K. Then the lower wall is set to two different temperatures like 110 K and 250 K for all three models to perform non-equilibrium molecular dynamics (NEMD). Various system characteristics such as atomic distribution, wall heat flux, evaporative mass flux etc. have been obtained and discussed to have a clear understanding of the effect of nanotextured surface on phase change phenomena.

Seasonal Atmospheric Argon Variability Measured in the Equatorial Region of Mars by the Mars Exploration Rover Alpha Particle X-Ray Spectrometers: Evidence for an Annual Argon-Enriched Front

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

VanBommel, S. J.; Gellert, R.; Clark, B. C.; Ming, D. W.

2018-02-01

The Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity (MER-B) has been exploring the surface of Mars since landing in 2004. Its Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer (APXS) is primarily used to interrogate the chemical composition of rocks and soil samples in situ. Additionally, the APXS has measured the atmosphere of Mars with a regular cadence, monitoring the change in relative atmospheric argon density. Atmospheric measurements with the MER-B APXS span over six Mars years providing an unprecedented level of statistics for careful study of the ubiquitous APXS spectral background. Several models were applied to high-frequency long-duration Spirit rover atmospheric APXS measurements. The most stable model with the least uncertainty was applied to the MER-B data set. Seasonal variation of 10-15% in equatorial atmospheric argon density was observed - in agreement with existing literature and global climate models. Unseen in previous work and global climate models, an abrupt deviation from the model-predicted annual mixing ratio was measured by the MER-B APXS around Ls 150. The sharp change, 10% over 10° Ls, provides strong evidence for a northward migrating front, enriched in argon, sourced from the south pole at the end of southern winter. A similar weaker front is possibly observed around Ls 325, sourced from the northern polar region.

Time-dependent effects of low-temperature atmospheric-pressure argon plasma on epithelial cell attachment, viability and tight junction formation in vitro

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hoentsch, Maxi; von Woedtke, Thomas; Weltmann, Klaus-Dieter; Nebe, J. Barbara

2012-01-01

The application of physical plasma to living tissues is expected to promote wound healing by plasma disinfection and stimulation of tissue regeneration. However, the effects of plasma on healthy cells must be studied and understood. In our experiments we used an argon plasma jet (kINPen®09) to gain insights into time-dependent plasma effects on cell attachment, viability and tight junction formation in vitro. Murine epithelial cells mHepR1 were suspended in complete cell culture medium and were irradiated with argon plasma (direct approach) for 30, 60 and 120 s. Suspecting that physical plasma may exert its effect via the medium, cell culture medium alone was first treated with argon plasma (indirect approach) and immediately afterwards, cells were added and also cultured for 24 h. Cell morphology and vitality were verified using light microscopy and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Already after 30 s of treatment the mHepR1 cells lost their capability to adhere and the cell vitality decreased with increasing treatment time. Interestingly, the same inhibitory effect was observed in the indirect approach. Furthermore, the argon plasma-treated culture medium-induced large openings of the cell's tight junctions, were verified by the zonula occludens protein ZO-1, which we observed for the first time in confluently grown epithelial cells.

Darkside-20k: A 20 ton Liquid Argon Dark Matter Experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Back, Henning; Darkside-20k Collaboration

2016-03-01

The Darkside-20k detector is the next step in the Darkside dark matter search program at the Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso in Italy. The Darkside detectors have grown in fiducial mass starting with 10kg in Darkside10, to 50 kg in Darkside50, and finally a proposed 20,000 kg fiducial mass, Darkside20k. The Darkside detectors are dual-phase argon TPCs that combine the very powerful scintillation pulse-shape analysis and ionization information to discriminate against background events. Two unique aspects to the Darkside program is the use of an external neutron veto based on borated liquid scintillator, and the use of low radioactivity argon from underground sources as the target. Argon from the atmosphere has an 39Ar activity of 1Bq/kg, which would be the limiting background, but the underground argon is essentially free of 39Ar. Additionally, the detector is placed in a water Cherenkov muon veto. Combining all these techniques allows Darkside-20k to achieve a background-free 100 t-yr exposure accumulated in a 5 yr run. Darkside-20k is expected to start operations in 2020 with data taking starting in 2021, and will be sensitive to WIMP-nucleon interaction cross sections of 1×10-47 cm2 (1x10-46 cm2) for WIMPs of 1 TeV/c2 (10 TeV/c2) mass.

[Photodissociation of Acetylene and Acetone using Step-Scan Time-Resolved FTIR Emission Spectroscopy

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

McLaren, Ian A.; Wrobel, Jacek D.

1997-01-01

The photodissociation of acetylene and acetone was investigated as a function of added quenching gas pressures using step-scan time-resolved FTIR emission spectroscopy. Its main components consist of Bruker IFS88, step-scan Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrometer coupled to a flow cell equipped with Welsh collection optics. Vibrationally excited C2H radicals were produced from the photodissociation of acetylene in the unfocused experiments. The infrared (IR) emission from these excited C2H radicals was investigated as a function of added argon pressure. Argon quenching rate constants for all C2H emission bands are of the order of 10(exp -13)cc/molecule.sec. Quenching of these radicals by acetylene is efficient, with a rate constant in the range of 10(exp -11) cc/molecule.sec. The relative intensity of the different C2H emission bands did not change with the increasing argon or acetylene pressure. However, the overall IR emission intensity decreased, for example, by more than 50% when the argon partial pressure was raised from 0.2 to 2 Torr at fixed precursor pressure of 160mTorr. These observations provide evidence for the formation of a metastable C2H2 species, which are collisionally quenched by argon or acetylene. Problems encountered in the course of the experimental work are also described.

Correlating Metastable-Atom Density, Reduced Electric Field, and Electron Energy Distribution in the Initiation, Transient, and Post-Transient Stages of a Pulsed Argon Discharge

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Franek, James B.

Argon emission lines, particularly those in the near-infrared region (700-900nm), are used to determine plasma properties in low-temperature, partially ionized plasmas to determine effective electron temperature [Boffard et al., 2012], and argon excited state density [Boffard et al., 2009] using appropriately assumed electron energy distributions. While the effect of radiation trapping influences the interpretation of plasma properties from emission-line ratio analysis, eliminating the need to account for these effects by directly observing the 3px-to-1sy transitions [ Boffard et al., 2012] is preferable in most cases as this simplifies the analysis. In this dissertation, a 1-Torr argon, pulsed positive column in a hollow-cathode discharge is used to study the correlation between four quantities: 420.1-419.8nm emission-line ratio, metastable-atom density, reduced electric field, and electron energy distribution. The extended coronal model is used to acquire an expression for 420.1-419.8nm emission-line ratio, which is sensitive to direct electron-impact excitation of argon excited states as well as stepwise electron-impact excitation of argon excited states for the purpose of inferring plasma quantities from experimental measurements. Initial inspection of the 420.1-419.8nm emission-line ratio suggests the pulse may be empirically divided into three distinct stages labelled the Initiation Stage, Transient Stage, and Post-Transient stage. Using equilibrium electron energy distributions from simulation to deduce excitation rates [Adams et al., 2012] in the extended coronal model affords agreement between predicted and observed metastable density in the Post-Transient stage of the discharge [Franek et al., 2015]. Applying this model-assisted diagnostic technique to the characterization of plasma systems utilizing lower-resolution spectroscopic systems is not straightforward, however, as the 419.8nm and 420.1nm emission-line profiles are convolved and become insufficiently resolved for treating the convolution as two separate emission-lines. To remedy this, the argon 425.9nm emission-line is evaluated as a proxy for the 419.8 nm emission-line. Both emission-lines (419.8nm and 425.9nm) are attributed to direct excitation from the argon ground state. The intensity of the 425.9nm emission-line is compared to the intensity of the 419.8nm emission-line over a range of plasma conditions to infer the same plasma quantities from similar experimental measurements. Discrepancies between the observed intensities of the emission-lines (419.8nm, 425.9nm) are explained by electron-impact cross-sections of their parent states. It is shown that the intensity of the argon 425.9nm emission-line is similar to that of the 419.8nm emission-line. The difference between the observed emission lines (425.9nm, 419.8nm) is attributed to the electron energy distribution in the plasma.

Exploring the potential of short-baseline physics at Fermilab

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Miranda, O. G.; Pasquini, Pedro; Tórtola, M.; Valle, J. W. F.

2018-05-01

We study the capabilities of the short-baseline neutrino program at Fermilab to probe the unitarity of the lepton mixing matrix. We find the sensitivity to be slightly better than the current one. Motivated by the future DUNE experiment, we have also analyzed the potential of an extra liquid Argon near detector in the LBNF beamline. Adding such a near detector to the DUNE setup will substantially improve the current sensitivity on nonunitarity. This would help to remove C P degeneracies due to the new complex phase present in the neutrino mixing matrix. We also study the sensitivity of our proposed setup to light sterile neutrinos for various configurations.

Reduction of C Bonds Proceeds with Retention of Configuration: Stereochemical Investigation of the Heterogeneous Reduction by Dideuterium of (Homohypostrophene)Neopentyl(2-Norbornyl)Platinum(II) Complexes on Platinum Black.

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-04-23

ClIH16: C, 89.12; H, 10.88; Found: C, 88.85; H, 10.90. Synthesis of Grignard Reagents . Neopentylmagnesium chloride. Into a 500-mL round-bottomed flask... Grignard reagent several times using the following procedure. We placed 5.0 g (0.206 mol) of magnesium chips and a magnetic stir bar to a 200-mL round...Norbornylmagnesium bromide. This Grignard reagent was synthesized using a variation on established procedures. 58,60 We transferred under argon 50.0 mL (30.0 mmol

Continuous wave cavity ring-down spectroscopy for velocity distribution measurements in plasma

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

McCarren, D.; Lockheed Martin, Palmdale, California 93599; Scime, E., E-mail: earl.scime@mail.wvu.edu

2015-10-15

We report the development of a continuous wave cavity ring-down spectroscopic (CW-CRDS) diagnostic for real-time, in situ measurement of velocity distribution functions of ions and neutral atoms in plasma. This apparatus is less complex than conventional CW-CRDS systems. We provide a detailed description of the CW-CRDS apparatus as well as measurements of argon ions and neutrals in a high-density (10{sup 9} cm{sup −3} < plasma density <10{sup 13} cm{sup −3}) plasma. The CW-CRDS measurements are validated through comparison with laser induced fluorescence measurements of the same absorbing states of the ions and neutrals.

Method for oxygen reduction in a uranium-recovery process. [US DOE patent application

DOEpatents

Hurst, F.J.; Brown, G.M.; Posey, F.A.

1981-11-04

An improvement in effecting uranium recovery from phosphoric acid solutions is provided by sparging dissolved oxygen contained in solutions and solvents used in a reductive stripping stage with an effective volume of a nonoxidizing gas before the introduction of the solutions and solvents into the stage. Effective volumes of nonoxidizing gases, selected from the group consisting of argon, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, helium, hydrogen, nitrogen, sulfur dioxide, and mixtures thereof, displace oxygen from the solutions and solvents thereby reduce deleterious effects of oxygen such as excessive consumption of elemental or ferrous iron and accumulation of complex iron phosphates or cruds.

High density crystalline boron prepared by hot isostatic pressing in refractory metal containers

DOEpatents

Hoenig, C.L.

1993-08-31

Boron powder is hot isostatically pressed in a refractory metal container to produce a solid boron monolith with a bulk density at least 2.22 g/cc and up to or greater than 2.34 g/cc. The refractory metal container is formed of tantalum, niobium, tungsten, molybdenum or alloys thereof in the form of a canister or alternatively plasma sprayed or chemical vapor deposited onto a powder compact. Hot isostatic pressing at 1,800 C and 30 PSI (206.8 MPa) argon pressure for four hours produces a bulk density of 2.34 g/cc. Complex shapes can be made.

High density crystalline boron prepared by hot isostatic pressing in refractory metal containers

DOEpatents

Hoenig, Clarence L.

1993-01-01

Boron powder is hot isostatically pressed in a refractory metal container to produce a solid boron monolith with a bulk density at least 2.22 g/cc and up to or greater than 2.34 g/cc. The refractory metal container is formed of tantalum, niobium, tungsten, molybdenum or alloys thereof in the form of a canister or alternatively plasma sprayed or chemical vapor deposited onto a powder compact. Hot isostatic pressing at 1800.degree. C. and 30 KSI (206.8 MPa) argon pressure for four hours produces a bulk density of 2.34 g/cc. Complex shapes can be made.

High density-high purity graphite prepared by hot isostatic pressing in refractory metal containers

DOEpatents

Hoenig, Clarence L.

1994-01-01

Porous graphite in solid form is hot isostatically pressed in a refractory metal container to produce a solid graphite monolith with a bulk density greater than or equal to 2.10 g/cc. The refractory metal container is formed of tantalum, niobium, tungsten, molybdenum or alloys thereof in the form of a canister or alternatively plasma sprayed, chemically vapor deposited, or coated by some other suitable means onto graphite. Hot isostatic pressing at 2200.degree. C. and 30 KSI (206.8 MPa) argon pressure for two hours produces a bulk density of 2.10 g/cc. Complex shapes can be made.

High density-high purity graphite prepared by hot isostatic pressing in refractory metal containers

DOEpatents

Hoenig, C.L.

1994-08-09

Porous graphite in solid form is hot isostatically pressed in a refractory metal container to produce a solid graphite monolith with a bulk density greater than or equal to 2.10 g/cc. The refractory metal container is formed of tantalum, niobium, tungsten, molybdenum or alloys thereof in the form of a canister or alternatively plasma sprayed, chemically vapor deposited, or coated by some other suitable means onto graphite. Hot isostatic pressing at 2,200 C and 30 KSI (206.8 MPa) argon pressure for two hours produces a bulk density of 2.10 g/cc. Complex shapes can be made. 1 fig.

The DarkSide Program

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rossi, B.; Agnes, P.; Alexander, T.; Alton, A.; Arisaka, K.; Back, H. O.; Baldin, B.; Biery, K.; Bonfini, G.; Bossa, M.; Brigatti, A.; Brodsky, J.; Budano, F.; Calaprice, F.; Canci, N.; Candela, A.; Cariello, M.; Cavalcante, P.; Catalanotti, S.; Chavarria, A.; Chepurnov, A.; Cocco, A. G.; Covone, G.; D'Angelo, D.; D'Incecco, M.; De Deo, M.; Derbin, A.; Devoto, A.; Di Eusanio, F.; Edkins, E.; Empl, A.; Fan, A.; Fiorillo, G.; Fomenko, K.; Franco, D.; Gabriele, F.; Galbiati, C.; Goretti, A.; Grandi, L.; Guan, M. Y.; Guardincerri, Y.; Hackett, B.; Herner, K.; Hungerford, E. V.; Ianni, Al.; Ianni, An.; Kendziora, C.; Koh, G.; Korablev, D.; Korga, G.; Kurlej, A.; Li, P. X.; Lombardi, P.; Luitz, S.; Machulin, I.; Mandarano, A.; Mari, S.; Maricic, J.; Marini, L.; Martoff, C. J.; Meyers, P. D.; Montanari, D.; Montuschi, M.; Monzani, M. E.; Musico, P.; Odrowski, S.; Orsini, M.; Ortica, F.; Pagani, L.; Pallavicini, M.; Pantic, E.; Papp, L.; Parmeggiano, S.; Pelliccia, N.; Perasso, S.; Pocar, A.; Pordes, S.; Qian, H.; Randle, K.; Ranucci, G.; Razeto, A.; Reinhold, B.; Renshaw, A.; Romani, A.; Rossi, N.; Rountree, S. D.; Sablone, D.; Saldanha, R.; Sands, W.; Segreto, E.; Shields, E.; Smirnov, O.; Sotnikov, A.; Stanford, C.; Suvorov, Y.; Tartaglia, R.; Tatarowicz, J.; Testera, G.; Tonazzo, A.; Unzhakov, E.; Vogelaar, R. B.; Wada, M.; Walker, S.; Wang, H.; Watson, A.; Westerdale, S.; Wojcik, M.; Xiang, X.; Xu, J.; Yang, C. G.; Yoo, J.; Zavatarelli, S.; Zec, A.; Zhu, C.; Zuzel, G.

2016-07-01

DarkSide-50 at Gran Sasso underground laboratory (LNGS), Italy, is a direct dark matter search experiment based on a liquid argon TPC. DS-50 has completed its first dark matter run using atmospheric argon as target. The detector performances and the results of the first physics run are presented in this proceeding.

Observation of frequency cutoff for self-excited dust acoustic waves

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nosenko, V.; Zhdanov, S. K.; Morfill, G. E.; Kim, S.-H.; Heinrich, J.; Merlino, R. L.

2009-11-01

Complex (dusty) plasmas consist of fine solid particles suspended in a weakly ionized gas. Complex plasmas are excellent model systems to study wave phenomena down to the level of individual ``atoms''. Spontaneously excited dust acoustic waves were observed with high temporal resolution in a suspension of micron-size kaolin particles in a dc discharge in argon. Wave activity was found at frequencies as high as 400 Hz. At high wave numbers, the wave dispersion relation was acoustic-like (frequency proportional to wave number). At low wave numbers, the wave frequency did not tend to zero, but reached a cutoff frequency fc instead. The value of fc declined with distance from the anode. We propose a simple model that explains the observed cutoff by particle confinement in plasma. The existence of a cutoff frequency is very important for the propagation of waves: the waves excited above fc are propagating, and those below fc are evanescent.

Efficient photochemistry of coronene:water complexes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Noble, J. A.; Jouvet, C.; Aupetit, C.; Moudens, A.; Mascetti, J.

2017-03-01

The photochemistry of ices with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) has been extensively studied, but to date no investigation has been made of PAHs in interaction with low numbers (n< 4) of molecules of water. We performed photochemical matrix isolation studies of coronene:water complexes, probing the argon matrix with FTIR spectroscopy. We find that coronene readily reacts with water upon irradiation with a mercury vapour lamp to produce oxygenated PAH photoproducts, and we postulate a reaction mechanism via a charge transfer Rydberg state. This result suggests that oxygenated PAHs should be widely observed in regions of the ISM with sufficiently high water abundances, for example near the edges of molecular clouds where water molecules begin to form, but before icy layers are observed, that is at AV< 3. In order to explain the low derived observational abundances of oxygenated PAHs, additional destruction routes must be invoked.

RADIATION CHEMISTRY OF HIGH ENERGY CARBON, NEON AND ARGON IONS: INTEGRAL YIELDS FROM FERROUS SULFATE SOLUTIONS

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Christman, E.A.; Appleby, A.; Jayko, M.

1980-07-01

Chemical yields of Fe{sup 3+} have been measured from FeSO{sub 4} solutions irradiated in the presence and absence of oxygen with carbon, neon, and argon ions from the Berkeley Bevalac facility. G(Fe{sup 3+}) decreases with increasing beam penetration and with increasing atomic number of the incident ion. The results are compared with current theoretical expectations of the behavior of these particles in an aqueous absorber. The chemical yields are consistently higher than theoretically predicted, by amounts varying from <6.2% (carbon ions) to <13.2% (argon ions). The additional yields are possibly attributable to fragmentation of the primary particle beams.

Argon ion pollution of the magnetosphere

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lopez, R. E.

1985-01-01

Construction of a Solar Power Satellite (SPS) would require the injection of large quantities of propellant to transport material from Low Earth Orbit (LEO) to the construction site at Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO). This injection, in the form of approx 10 to the 32nd power, 2 KeV argon ions (and associated electrons) per SPS, is comparable to the content of the plasmasphere (approx 10 to the 31st power ions). In addition to the mass deposited, this represents a considerable injection of energy. The injection is examined in terms of a simple model for the expansion of the beam plasma. General features of the subsequent magnetospheric convection of the argon are also examined.

Low-pressure argon adsorption assessment of micropore connectivities in activated carbons.

PubMed

Zimny, T; Villieras, F; Finqueneisel, G; Cossarutto, L; Weber, J V

2006-01-01

Low-pressure argon adsorption has been used to study the energetic distribution of microporous activated carbons differing by their burn-off. The collected isotherms were analyzed using the derivative isotherm summation method. Some oscillations on the experimental curves for very low partial pressures were detected. The results are analyzed and discussed according to the literature and could be attributed to local overheating caused by spontaneous mass transfer of argon through constrictions between former pores and the new opening pore or deadend pores. We used the dynamic character of the experimental method and mainly the discrepancy of the quasi-equilibrium state to deduce key parameters related to the porosity topology.

Hypervelocity flows of argon produced in a free piston driven expansion tube

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Neely, A. J.; Stalker, R. J.

1992-01-01

An expansion tube with a free piston driver has been used to generate quasi-steady hypersonic flows in argon at flow velocities in excess of 9 km/s. Irregular test flow unsteadiness has limited the performance of previous expansion tubes. Test section measurements of pitot pressure, static pressure, and flat plate heat transfer rates are used to confirm the presence of quasi-steady flow, and comparisons are made with predictions for the equilibrium flow of an ideal, ionizing, monatomic gas. The results of this work indicate that expansion tubes can be used to generate quasi-steady hypersonic flows in argon at speeds in excess of Earth orbital velocity.

Method for the generation of variable density metal vapors which bypasses the liquidus phase

DOEpatents

Kunnmann, Walter; Larese, John Z.

2001-01-01

The present invention provides a method for producing a metal vapor that includes the steps of combining a metal and graphite in a vessel to form a mixture; heating the mixture to a first temperature in an argon gas atmosphere to form a metal carbide; maintaining the first temperature for a period of time; heating the metal carbide to a second temperature to form a metal vapor; withdrawing the metal vapor and the argon gas from the vessel; and separating the metal vapor from the argon gas. Metal vapors made using this method can be used to produce uniform powders of the metal oxide that have narrow size distribution and high purity.

Experimental investigations of argon and xenon ion sources

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kaufman, H. R.

1975-01-01

The multipole thruster was used to investigate the use of argon and xenon propellants as possible alternatives to the electric thruster propellants of mercury and cesium. The multipole approach was used because of its general high performance level. The design employed, using flat and cylindrical rolled sections of sheet metal, was selected for ease of fabrication, design, assembly, and modification. All testing was conducted in a vacuum facility and the pumping was accomplished by a 0.8 m diffusion pump together with liquid nitrogen cooled liner. Minimum discharge losses were in the 200-250 ev. ion range for both argon and xenon. Flatness parameters were typically in the 0.70-0.75 range.

Pressure data from a 64A010 airfoil at transonic speeds in heavy gas media of ratio of specific heats from 1.67 to 1.12

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gross, A. R.; Steinle, F. W., Jr.

1975-01-01

A NACA 64A010 pressure-instrumented airfoil was tested at transonic speeds over a range of angle of attack from -1 to 12 degrees at various Reynolds numbers ranging from 2 to 6 million in air, argon, Freon 12, and a mixture of argon and Freon 12 having a ratio of specific heats corresponding to air. Good agreement of results is obtained for conditions where compressibility is not significant and for the air and comparable argon-Freon 12 mixture. Comparison of heavy gas results with air, when adjusted for transonic similarity, show improved, but less than desired agreement.

Measurement of longitudinal electron diffusion in liquid argon

DOE PAGES

Li, Yichen; Tsang, Thomas; Thorn, Craig; ...

2016-02-07

In this paper, we report the measurement of longitudinal electron diffusion coefficients in liquid argon for electric fields between 100 and 2000 V/cm with a gold photocathode as a bright electron source. The measurement principle, apparatus, and data analysis are described. In the region between 100 and 350 V/cm, our results show a discrepancy with the previous measurement. In the region between 350 and 2000 V/cm, our results represent the world's best measurement. Over the entire measured electric field range, our results are systematically higher than the calculation of Atrazhev-Timoshkin. The quantum efficiency of the gold photocathode, the drift velocitymore » and longitudinal diffusion coefficients in gas argon are also presented.« less

Calculation of the Ionization Coefficient in the Townsend Discharge in the Mixture of Argon and Mercury Vapors with Temperature-Dependent Composition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bondarenko, G. G.; Dubinina, M. S.; Fisher, M. R.; Kristya, V. I.

2018-04-01

For a hybrid model of the low-current discharge considering, along with direct ionization of the mixture components by electrons, the Penning ionization of mercury atoms by metastable argon atoms, the ionization coefficient in the argon-mercury mixture used in illuminating lamps is calculated. The analytical approximation formula describing the dependence of the ionization coefficient of the mixture on the reduced electric field strength and temperature is obtained for sufficiently wide ranges of their variations, and its accuracy is estimated. It is demonstrated that the discharge ignition voltage calculated using this formula is in agreement with the results of simulation and the available experimental data.

Lenticular burns following argon panretinal photocoagulation.

PubMed Central

Bloom, S. M.; Mahl, C. F.; Schiller, S. B.

1992-01-01

Photocoagulation burns of the crystalline lens are a rare complication of posterior segment laser surgery. These burns occur more commonly in eyes with cataracts and with small, high-power, long-duration argon blue-green burns. We describe the first occurrence of lenticular burns caused by a fractured laser fibre optic cord. Images PMID:1340772

Mixed uranium dicarbide and uranium dioxide microspheres and process of making same

DOEpatents

Stinton, David P.

1983-01-01

Nuclear fuel microspheres are made by sintering microspheres containing uranium dioxide and uncombined carbon in a 1 mole percent carbon monoxide/99 mole percent argon atmosphere at 1550.degree. C. and then sintering the microspheres in a 3 mole percent carbon monoxide/97 mole percent argon atmosphere at the same temperature.

Pressure effects on the thermal stability of SiC fibers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jaskowiak, Martha H.; Dicarlo, James A.

1986-01-01

Commercially available polymer derived SiC fibers were treated at temperatures from 1000 to 2200 C in vacuum and argon gas pressure of 1 and 1360 atm. Effects of gas pressure on the thermal stability of the fibers were determined through property comparison between the pressure treated fibers and vacuum treated fibers. Investigation of the thermal stability included studies of the fiber microstructure, weight loss, grain growth, and tensile strength. The 1360 atm argon gas treatment was found to shift the onset of fiber weight loss from 1200 to above 1500 C. Grain growth and tensile strength degradation were correlated with weight loss and were thus also inhibited by high pressure treatments. Additional heat treatment in 1 atm argon of the fibers initially treated at 1360 atm argon caused further weight loss and tensile strength degradation, thus indicating that high pressure inert gas conditions would be effective only in delaying fiber strength degradation. However, if the high gas pressure could be maintained throughout composite fabrication, then the composites could be processed at higher temperatures.

Readiness of the ATLAS liquid argon calorimeter for LHC collisions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aad, G.; Abbott, B.; Abdallah, J.; Abdelalim, A. A.; Abdesselam, A.; Abdinov, O.; Abi, B.; Abolins, M.; Abramowicz, H.; Abreu, H.; Acharya, B. S.; Adams, D. L.; Addy, T. N.; Adelman, J.; Adorisio, C.; Adragna, P.; Adye, T.; Aefsky, S.; Aguilar-Saavedra, J. A.; Aharrouche, M.; Ahlen, S. P.; Ahles, F.; Ahmad, A.; Ahmed, H.; Ahsan, M.; Aielli, G.; Akdogan, T.; Åkesson, T. P. A.; Akimoto, G.; Akimov, A. V.; Aktas, A.; Alam, M. S.; Alam, M. A.; Albert, J.; Albrand, S.; Aleksa, M.; Aleksandrov, I. N.; Alessandria, F.; Alexa, C.; Alexander, G.; Alexandre, G.; Alexopoulos, T.; Alhroob, M.; Aliev, M.; Alimonti, G.; Alison, J.; Aliyev, M.; Allport, P. P.; Allwood-Spiers, S. E.; Almond, J.; Aloisio, A.; Alon, R.; Alonso, A.; Alviggi, M. G.; Amako, K.; Amelung, C.; Ammosov, V. V.; Amorim, A.; Amorós, G.; Amram, N.; Anastopoulos, C.; Andeen, T.; Anders, C. F.; Anderson, K. J.; Andreazza, A.; Andrei, V.; Anduaga, X. S.; Angerami, A.; Anghinolfi, F.; Anjos, N.; Antonaki, A.; Antonelli, M.; Antonelli, S.; Antunovic, B.; Anulli, F.; Aoun, S.; Arabidze, G.; Aracena, I.; Arai, Y.; Arce, A. T. H.; Archambault, J. P.; Arfaoui, S.; Arguin, J.-F.; Argyropoulos, T.; Arik, E.; Arik, M.; Armbruster, A. J.; Arnaez, O.; Arnault, C.; Artamonov, A.; Arutinov, D.; Asai, M.; Asai, S.; Asfandiyarov, R.; Ask, S.; Åsman, B.; Asner, D.; Asquith, L.; Assamagan, K.; Astbury, A.; Astvatsatourov, A.; Atoian, G.; Auerbach, B.; Auge, E.; Augsten, K.; Aurousseau, M.; Austin, N.; Avolio, G.; Avramidou, R.; Axen, D.; Ay, C.; Azuelos, G.; Azuma, Y.; Baak, M. A.; Baccaglioni, G.; Bacci, C.; Bach, A.; Bachacou, H.; Bachas, K.; Backes, M.; Badescu, E.; Bagnaia, P.; Bai, Y.; Bailey, D. C.; Bain, T.; Baines, J. T.; Baker, O. K.; Baker, M. D.; Dos Santos Pedrosa, F. Baltasar; Banas, E.; Banerjee, P.; Banerjee, S.; Banfi, D.; Bangert, A.; Bansal, V.; Baranov, S. P.; Baranov, S.; Barashkou, A.; Barber, T.; Barberio, E. L.; Barberis, D.; Barbero, M.; Bardin, D. Y.; Barillari, T.; Barisonzi, M.; Barklow, T.; Barlow, N.; Barnett, B. M.; Barnett, R. M.; Baron, S.; Baroncelli, A.; Barr, A. J.; Barreiro, F.; Barreiro Guimarães da Costa, J.; Barrillon, P.; Barros, N.; Bartoldus, R.; Bartsch, D.; Bastos, J.; Bates, R. L.; Bathe, S.; Batkova, L.; Batley, J. R.; Battaglia, A.; Battistin, M.; Bauer, F.; Bawa, H. S.; Bazalova, M.; Beare, B.; Beau, T.; Beauchemin, P. H.; Beccherle, R.; Becerici, N.; Bechtle, P.; Beck, G. A.; Beck, H. P.; Beckingham, M.; Becks, K. H.; Bedajanek, I.; Beddall, A. J.; Beddall, A.; Bednár, P.; Bednyakov, V. A.; Bee, C.; Begel, M.; Behar Harpaz, S.; Behera, P. K.; Beimforde, M.; Belanger-Champagne, C.; Bell, P. J.; Bell, W. H.; Bella, G.; Bellagamba, L.; Bellina, F.; Bellomo, M.; Belloni, A.; Belotskiy, K.; Beltramello, O.; Ben Ami, S.; Benary, O.; Benchekroun, D.; Bendel, M.; Benedict, B. H.; Benekos, N.; Benhammou, Y.; Benincasa, G. P.; Benjamin, D. P.; Benoit, M.; Bensinger, J. R.; Benslama, K.; Bentvelsen, S.; Beretta, M.; Berge, D.; Bergeaas Kuutmann, E.; Berger, N.; Berghaus, F.; Berglund, E.; Beringer, J.; Bernardet, K.; Bernat, P.; Bernhard, R.; Bernius, C.; Berry, T.; Bertin, A.; Besson, N.; Bethke, S.; Bianchi, R. M.; Bianco, M.; Biebel, O.; Biesiada, J.; Biglietti, M.; Bilokon, H.; Bindi, M.; Binet, S.; Bingul, A.; Bini, C.; Biscarat, C.; Bitenc, U.; Black, K. M.; Blair, R. E.; Blanchard, J.-B.; Blanchot, G.; Blocker, C.; Blocki, J.; Blondel, A.; Blum, W.; Blumenschein, U.; Bobbink, G. J.; Bocci, A.; Boehler, M.; Boek, J.; Boelaert, N.; Böser, S.; Bogaerts, J. A.; Bogouch, A.; Bohm, C.; Bohm, J.; Boisvert, V.; Bold, T.; Boldea, V.; Boldyrev, A.; Bondarenko, V. G.; Bondioli, M.; Boonekamp, M.; Booth, J. R. A.; Bordoni, S.; Borer, C.; Borisov, A.; Borissov, G.; Borjanovic, I.; Borroni, S.; Bos, K.; Boscherini, D.; Bosman, M.; Bosteels, M.; Boterenbrood, H.; Bouchami, J.; Boudreau, J.; Bouhova-Thacker, E. V.; Boulahouache, C.; Bourdarios, C.; Boyd, J.; Boyko, I. R.; Bozovic-Jelisavcic, I.; Bracinik, J.; Braem, A.; Branchini, P.; Brandenburg, G. W.; Brandt, A.; Brandt, G.; Brandt, O.; Bratzler, U.; Brau, B.; Brau, J. E.; Braun, H. M.; Brelier, B.; Bremer, J.; Brenner, R.; Bressler, S.; Breton, D.; Brett, N. D.; Britton, D.; Brochu, F. M.; Brock, I.; Brock, R.; Brodbeck, T. J.; Brodet, E.; Broggi, F.; Bromberg, C.; Brooijmans, G.; Brooks, W. K.; Brown, G.; Brubaker, E.; Bruckman de Renstrom, P. A.; Bruncko, D.; Bruneliere, R.; Brunet, S.; Bruni, A.; Bruni, G.; Bruschi, M.; Buanes, T.; Bucci, F.; Buchanan, J.; Buchholz, P.; Buckley, A. G.; Budagov, I. A.; Budick, B.; Büscher, V.; Bugge, L.; Bulekov, O.; Bunse, M.; Buran, T.; Burckhart, H.; Burdin, S.; Burgess, T.; Burke, S.; Busato, E.; Bussey, P.; Buszello, C. P.; Butin, F.; Butler, B.; Butler, J. M.; Buttar, C. M.; Butterworth, J. M.; Byatt, T.; Caballero, J.; Cabrera Urbán, S.; Caforio, D.; Cakir, O.; Calafiura, P.; Calderini, G.; Calfayan, P.; Calkins, R.; Caloba, L. P.; Caloi, R.; Calvet, D.; Camarri, P.; Cambiaghi, M.; Cameron, D.; Campabadal Segura, F.; Campana, S.; Campanelli, M.; Canale, V.; Canelli, F.; Canepa, A.; Cantero, J.; Capasso, L.; Capeans Garrido, M. D. M.; Caprini, I.; Caprini, M.; Capua, M.; Caputo, R.; Caracinha, D.; Caramarcu, C.; Cardarelli, R.; Carli, T.; Carlino, G.; Carminati, L.; Caron, B.; Caron, S.; Carrillo Montoya, G. D.; Carron Montero, S.; Carter, A. A.; Carter, J. R.; Carvalho, J.; Casadei, D.; Casado, M. P.; Cascella, M.; Caso, C.; Castaneda Hernadez, A. M.; Castaneda-Miranda, E.; Castillo Gimenez, V.; Castro, N.; Cataldi, G.; Catinaccio, A.; Catmore, J. R.; Cattai, A.; Cattani, G.; Caughron, S.; Cauz, D.; Cavalleri, P.; Cavalli, D.; Cavalli-Sforza, M.; Cavasinni, V.; Ceradini, F.; Cerqueira, A. S.; Cerri, A.; Cerrito, L.; Cerutti, F.; Cetin, S. A.; Cevenini, F.; Chafaq, A.; Chakraborty, D.; Chan, K.; Chapman, J. D.; Chapman, J. W.; Chareyre, E.; Charlton, D. G.; Chavda, V.; Cheatham, S.; Chekanov, S.; Chekulaev, S. V.; Chelkov, G. A.; Chen, H.; Chen, S.; Chen, T.; Chen, X.; Cheng, S.; Cheplakov, A.; Chepurnov, V. F.; Cherkaoui El Moursli, R.; Tcherniatine, V.; Chesneanu, D.; Cheu, E.; Cheung, S. L.; Chevalier, L.; Chevallier, F.; Chiarella, V.; Chiefari, G.; Chikovani, L.; Childers, J. T.; Chilingarov, A.; Chiodini, G.; Chizhov, M.; Choudalakis, G.; Chouridou, S.; Chren, D.; Christidi, I. A.; Christov, A.; Chromek-Burckhart, D.; Chu, M. L.; Chudoba, J.; Ciapetti, G.; Ciftci, A. K.; Ciftci, R.; Cinca, D.; Cindro, V.; Ciobotaru, M. D.; Ciocca, C.; Ciocio, A.; Cirilli, M.; Citterio, M.; Clark, A.; Cleland, W.; Clemens, J. C.; Clement, B.; Clement, C.; Clements, D.; Coadou, Y.; Cobal, M.; Coccaro, A.; Cochran, J.; Coelli, S.; Coggeshall, J.; Cogneras, E.; Cojocaru, C. D.; Colas, J.; Cole, B.; Colijn, A. P.; Collard, C.; Collins, N. J.; Collins-Tooth, C.; Collot, J.; Colon, G.; Coluccia, R.; Conde Muiño, P.; Coniavitis, E.; Consonni, M.; Constantinescu, S.; Conta, C.; Conventi, F.; Cook, J.; Cooke, M.; Cooper, B. D.; Cooper-Sarkar, A. M.; Cooper-Smith, N. J.; Copic, K.; Cornelissen, T.; Corradi, M.; Corriveau, F.; Corso-Radu, A.; Cortes-Gonzalez, A.; Cortiana, G.; Costa, G.; Costa, M. J.; Costanzo, D.; Costin, T.; Côté, D.; Coura Torres, R.; Courneyea, L.; Cowan, G.; Cowden, C.; Cox, B. E.; Cranmer, K.; Cranshaw, J.; Cristinziani, M.; Crosetti, G.; Crupi, R.; Crépé-Renaudin, S.; Cuenca Almenar, C.; Cuhadar Donszelmann, T.; Curatolo, M.; Curtis, C. J.; Cwetanski, P.; Czyczula, Z.; D'Auria, S.; D'Onofrio, M.; D'Orazio, A.; da Silva, P. V. M.; da Via, C.; Dabrowski, W.; Dai, T.; Dallapiccola, C.; Dallison, S. J.; Daly, C. H.; Dam, M.; Danielsson, H. O.; Dannheim, D.; Dao, V.; Darbo, G.; Darlea, G. L.; Davey, W.; Davidek, T.; Davidson, N.; Davidson, R.; Davison, A. R.; Dawson, I.; Dawson, J. W.; Daya, R. K.; de, K.; de Asmundis, R.; de Castro, S.; de Castro Faria Salgado, P. E.; de Cecco, S.; de Graat, J.; de Groot, N.; de Jong, P.; de La Cruz-Burelo, E.; de La Taille, C.; de Mora, L.; de Oliveira Branco, M.; de Pedis, D.; de Salvo, A.; de Sanctis, U.; de Santo, A.; de Vivie de Regie, J. B.; de Zorzi, G.; Dean, S.; Deberg, H.; Dedes, G.; Dedovich, D. V.; Defay, P. O.; Degenhardt, J.; Dehchar, M.; Del Papa, C.; Del Peso, J.; Del Prete, T.; Dell'Acqua, A.; Dell'Asta, L.; Della Pietra, M.; Della Volpe, D.; Delmastro, M.; Delruelle, N.; Delsart, P. A.; Deluca, C.; Demers, S.; Demichev, M.; Demirkoz, B.; Deng, J.; Deng, W.; Denisov, S. P.; Dennis, C.; Derkaoui, J. E.; Derue, F.; Dervan, P.; Desch, K.; Deviveiros, P. O.; Dewhurst, A.; Dewilde, B.; Dhaliwal, S.; Dhullipudi, R.; di Ciaccio, A.; di Ciaccio, L.; di Domenico, A.; di Girolamo, A.; di Girolamo, B.; di Luise, S.; di Mattia, A.; di Nardo, R.; di Simone, A.; di Sipio, R.; Diaz, M. A.; Diblen, F.; Diehl, E. B.; Dietrich, J.; Diglio, S.; Dindar Yagci, K.; Dingfelder, D. J.; Dionisi, C.; Dita, P.; Dita, S.; Dittus, F.; Djama, F.; Djilkibaev, R.; Djobava, T.; Do Vale, M. A. B.; Do Valle Wemans, A.; Dobbs, M.; Dobos, D.; Dobson, E.; Dobson, M.; Dodd, J.; Dogan, O. B.; Doherty, T.; Doi, Y.; Dolejsi, J.; Dolenc, I.; Dolezal, Z.; Dolgoshein, B. A.; Dohmae, T.; Donega, M.; Donini, J.; Dopke, J.; Doria, A.; Dos Anjos, A.; Dotti, A.; Dova, M. T.; Doxiadis, A.; Doyle, A. T.; Drasal, Z.; Driouichi, C.; Dris, M.; Dubbert, J.; Duchovni, E.; Duckeck, G.; Dudarev, A.; Dudziak, F.; Dührssen, M.; Duflot, L.; Dufour, M.-A.; Dunford, M.; Duperrin, A.; Duran Yildiz, H.; Dushkin, A.; Duxfield, R.; Dwuznik, M.; Düren, M.; Ebenstein, W. L.; Ebke, J.; Eckert, S.; Eckweiler, S.; Edmonds, K.; Edwards, C. A.; Eerola, P.; Egorov, K.; Ehrenfeld, W.; Ehrich, T.; Eifert, T.; Eigen, G.; Einsweiler, K.; Eisenhandler, E.; Ekelof, T.; El Kacimi, M.; Ellert, M.; Elles, S.; Ellinghaus, F.; Ellis, K.; Ellis, N.; Elmsheuser, J.; Elsing, M.; Ely, R.; Emeliyanov, D.; Engelmann, R.; Engl, A.; Epp, B.; Eppig, A.; Epshteyn, V. S.; Ereditato, A.; Eriksson, D.; Ermoline, I.; Ernst, J.; Ernst, M.; Ernwein, J.; Errede, D.; Errede, S.; Ertel, E.; Escalier, M.; Escobar, C.; Espinal Curull, X.; Esposito, B.; Etienne, F.; Etienvre, A. I.; Etzion, E.; Evans, H.; Fabbri, L.; Fabre, C.; Faccioli, P.; Facius, K.; Fakhrutdinov, R. M.; Falciano, S.; Falou, A. C.; Fang, Y.; Fanti, M.; Farbin, A.; Farilla, A.; Farley, J.; Farooque, T.; Farrington, S. M.; Farthouat, P.; Fassi, F.; Fassnacht, P.; Fassouliotis, D.; Fatholahzadeh, B.; Fayard, L.; Fayette, F.; Febbraro, R.; Federic, P.; Fedin, O. L.; Fedorko, I.; Fedorko, W.; Feligioni, L.; Felzmann, C. U.; Feng, C.; Feng, E. J.; Fenyuk, A. B.; Ferencei, J.; Ferland, J.; Fernandes, B.; Fernando, W.; Ferrag, S.; Ferrando, J.; Ferrari, A.; Ferrari, P.; Ferrari, R.; Ferrer, A.; Ferrer, M. L.; Ferrere, D.; Ferretti, C.; Fiascaris, M.; Fiedler, F.; Filipčič, A.; Filippas, A.; Filthaut, F.; Fincke-Keeler, M.; Fiolhais, M. C. N.; Fiorini, L.; Firan, A.; Fischer, G.; Fisher, M. J.; Flechl, M.; Fleck, I.; Fleckner, J.; Fleischmann, P.; Fleischmann, S.; Flick, T.; Flores Castillo, L. R.; Flowerdew, M. J.; Föhlisch, F.; Fokitis, M.; Fonseca Martin, T.; Forbush, D. A.; Formica, A.; Forti, A.; Fortin, D.; Foster, J. M.; Fournier, D.; Foussat, A.; Fowler, A. J.; Fowler, K.; Fox, H.; Francavilla, P.; Franchino, S.; Francis, D.; Franklin, M.; Franz, S.; Fraternali, M.; Fratina, S.; Freestone, J.; French, S. T.; Froeschl, R.; Froidevaux, D.; Frost, J. A.; Fukunaga, C.; Fullana Torregrosa, E.; Fuster, J.; Gabaldon, C.; Gabizon, O.; Gadfort, T.; Gadomski, S.; Gagliardi, G.; Gagnon, P.; Galea, C.; Gallas, E. J.; Gallas, M. V.; Gallop, B. J.; Gallus, P.; Galyaev, E.; Gan, K. K.; Gao, Y. S.; Gaponenko, A.; Garcia-Sciveres, M.; García, C.; García Navarro, J. E.; Gardner, R. W.; Garelli, N.; Garitaonandia, H.; Garonne, V.; Gatti, C.; Gaudio, G.; Gaumer, O.; Gauzzi, P.; Gavrilenko, I. L.; Gay, C.; Gaycken, G.; Gayde, J.-C.; Gazis, E. N.; Ge, P.; Gee, C. N. P.; Geich-Gimbel, Ch.; Gellerstedt, K.; Gemme, C.; Genest, M. H.; Gentile, S.; Georgatos, F.; George, S.; Gerlach, P.; Gershon, A.; Geweniger, C.; Ghazlane, H.; Ghez, P.; Ghodbane, N.; Giacobbe, B.; Giagu, S.; Giakoumopoulou, V.; Giangiobbe, V.; Gianotti, F.; Gibbard, B.; Gibson, A.; Gibson, S. M.; Gilbert, L. M.; Gilchriese, M.; Gilewsky, V.; Gillberg, D.; Gillman, A. R.; Gingrich, D. M.; Ginzburg, J.; Giokaris, N.; Giordani, M. P.; Giordano, R.; Giovannini, P.; Giraud, P. F.; Girtler, P.; Giugni, D.; Giusti, P.; Gjelsten, B. K.; Gladilin, L. K.; Glasman, C.; Glazov, A.; Glitza, K. W.; Glonti, G. L.; Godfrey, J.; Godlewski, J.; Goebel, M.; Göpfert, T.; Goeringer, C.; Gössling, C.; Göttfert, T.; Goggi, V.; Goldfarb, S.; Goldin, D.; Golling, T.; Gollub, N. P.; Gomes, A.; Gomez Fajardo, L. S.; Gonçalo, R.; Gonella, L.; Gong, C.; González de La Hoz, S.; Gonzalez Silva, M. L.; Gonzalez-Sevilla, S.; Goodson, J. J.; Goossens, L.; Gorbounov, P. A.; Gordon, H. A.; Gorelov, I.; Gorfine, G.; Gorini, B.; Gorini, E.; Gorišek, A.; Gornicki, E.; Goryachev, S. V.; Goryachev, V. N.; Gosdzik, B.; Gosselink, M.; Gostkin, M. I.; Gough Eschrich, I.; Gouighri, M.; Goujdami, D.; Goulette, M. P.; Goussiou, A. G.; Goy, C.; Grabowska-Bold, I.; Grafström, P.; Grahn, K.-J.; Granado Cardoso, L.; Grancagnolo, F.; Grancagnolo, S.; Grassi, V.; Gratchev, V.; Grau, N.; Gray, H. M.; Gray, J. A.; Graziani, E.; Green, B.; Greenshaw, T.; Greenwood, Z. D.; Gregor, I. M.; Grenier, P.; Griesmayer, E.; Griffiths, J.; Grigalashvili, N.; Grillo, A. A.; Grimm, K.; Grinstein, S.; Grishkevich, Y. V.; Groer, L. S.; Grognuz, J.; Groh, M.; Groll, M.; Gross, E.; Grosse-Knetter, J.; Groth-Jensen, J.; Grybel, K.; Guarino, V. J.; Guicheney, C.; Guida, A.; Guillemin, T.; Guler, H.; Gunther, J.; Guo, B.; Gupta, A.; Gusakov, Y.; Gutierrez, A.; Gutierrez, P.; Guttman, N.; Gutzwiller, O.; Guyot, C.; Gwenlan, C.; Gwilliam, C. B.; Haas, A.; Haas, S.; Haber, C.; Hackenburg, R.; Hadavand, H. K.; Hadley, D. R.; Haefner, P.; Härtel, R.; Hajduk, Z.; Hakobyan, H.; Haller, J.; Hamacher, K.; Hamilton, A.; Hamilton, S.; Han, H.; Han, L.; Hanagaki, K.; Hance, M.; Handel, C.; Hanke, P.; Hansen, J. R.; Hansen, J. B.; Hansen, J. D.; Hansen, P. H.; Hansl-Kozanecka, T.; Hansson, P.; Hara, K.; Hare, G. A.; Harenberg, T.; Harrington, R. D.; Harris, O. B.; Harris, O. M.; Harrison, K.; Hartert, J.; Hartjes, F.; Haruyama, T.; Harvey, A.; Hasegawa, S.; Hasegawa, Y.; Hashemi, K.; Hassani, S.; Hatch, M.; Haug, F.; Haug, S.; Hauschild, M.; Hauser, R.; Havranek, M.; Hawkes, C. M.; Hawkings, R. 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W.; Hughes, G.; Hughes-Jones, R. E.; Hurst, P.; Hurwitz, M.; Husemann, U.; Huseynov, N.; Huston, J.; Huth, J.; Iacobucci, G.; Iakovidis, G.; Ibragimov, I.; Iconomidou-Fayard, L.; Idarraga, J.; Iengo, P.; Igonkina, O.; Ikegami, Y.; Ikeno, M.; Ilchenko, Y.; Iliadis, D.; Ilyushenka, Y.; Imori, M.; Ince, T.; Ioannou, P.; Iodice, M.; Irles Quiles, A.; Ishikawa, A.; Ishino, M.; Ishmukhametov, R.; Isobe, T.; Issakov, V.; Issever, C.; Istin, S.; Itoh, Y.; Ivashin, A. V.; Iwanski, W.; Iwasaki, H.; Izen, J. M.; Izzo, V.; Jackson, J. N.; Jackson, P.; Jaekel, M.; Jahoda, M.; Jain, V.; Jakobs, K.; Jakobsen, S.; Jakubek, J.; Jana, D.; Jansen, E.; Jantsch, A.; Janus, M.; Jared, R. C.; Jarlskog, G.; Jarron, P.; Jeanty, L.; Jelen, K.; Jen-La Plante, I.; Jenni, P.; Jez, P.; Jézéquel, S.; Ji, W.; Jia, J.; Jiang, Y.; Jimenez Belenguer, M.; Jin, G.; Jin, S.; Jinnouchi, O.; Joffe, D.; Johansen, M.; Johansson, K. E.; Johansson, P.; Johnert, S.; Johns, K. A.; Jon-And, K.; Jones, G.; Jones, R. W. L.; Jones, T. W.; Jones, T. J.; Jonsson, O.; Joos, D.; Joram, C.; Jorge, P. M.; Juranek, V.; Jussel, P.; Kabachenko, V. V.; Kabana, S.; Kaci, M.; Kaczmarska, A.; Kado, M.; Kagan, H.; Kagan, M.; Kaiser, S.; Kajomovitz, E.; Kalinovskaya, L. V.; Kalinowski, A.; Kama, S.; Kanaya, N.; Kaneda, M.; Kantserov, V. A.; Kanzaki, J.; Kaplan, B.; Kapliy, A.; Kaplon, J.; Karagounis, M.; Karagoz Unel, M.; Kartvelishvili, V.; Karyukhin, A. N.; Kashif, L.; Kasmi, A.; Kass, R. D.; Kastanas, A.; Kastoryano, M.; Kataoka, M.; Kataoka, Y.; Katsoufis, E.; Katzy, J.; Kaushik, V.; Kawagoe, K.; Kawamoto, T.; Kawamura, G.; Kayl, M. S.; Kayumov, F.; Kazanin, V. A.; Kazarinov, M. Y.; Kazi, S. I.; Keates, J. R.; Keeler, R.; Keener, P. T.; Kehoe, R.; Keil, M.; Kekelidze, G. D.; Kelly, M.; Kennedy, J.; Kenyon, M.; Kepka, O.; Kerschen, N.; Kerševan, B. P.; Kersten, S.; Kessoku, K.; Khakzad, M.; Khalil-Zada, F.; Khandanyan, H.; Khanov, A.; Kharchenko, D.; Khodinov, A.; Kholodenko, A. G.; Khomich, A.; Khoriauli, G.; Khovanskiy, N.; Khovanskiy, V.; Khramov, E.; Khubua, J.; Kilvington, G.; Kim, H.; Kim, M. S.; Kim, P. C.; Kim, S. H.; Kind, O.; Kind, P.; King, B. T.; Kirk, J.; Kirsch, G. P.; Kirsch, L. E.; Kiryunin, A. E.; Kisielewska, D.; Kittelmann, T.; Kiyamura, H.; Kladiva, E.; Klein, M.; Klein, U.; Kleinknecht, K.; Klemetti, M.; Klier, A.; Klimentov, A.; Klingenberg, R.; Klinkby, E. B.; Klioutchnikova, T.; Klok, P. F.; Klous, S.; Kluge, E.-E.; Kluge, T.; Kluit, P.; Klute, M.; Kluth, S.; Knecht, N. S.; Kneringer, E.; Ko, B. R.; Kobayashi, T.; Kobel, M.; Koblitz, B.; Kocian, M.; Kocnar, A.; Kodys, P.; Köneke, K.; König, A. C.; Köpke, L.; Koetsveld, F.; Koevesarki, P.; Koffas, T.; Koffeman, E.; Kohn, F.; Kohout, Z.; Kohriki, T.; Kokott, T.; Kolanoski, H.; Kolesnikov, V.; Koletsou, I.; Koll, J.; Kollar, D.; Kolos, S.; Kolya, S. D.; Komar, A. A.; Komaragiri, J. R.; Kondo, T.; Kono, T.; Kononov, A. I.; Konoplich, R.; Konovalov, S. 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A.; Kus, V.; Kuykendall, W.; Kuznetsova, E.; Kvasnicka, O.; Kwee, R.; La Rosa, M.; La Rotonda, L.; Labarga, L.; Labbe, J.; Lacasta, C.; Lacava, F.; Lacker, H.; Lacour, D.; Lacuesta, V. R.; Ladygin, E.; Lafaye, R.; Laforge, B.; Lagouri, T.; Lai, S.; Lamanna, M.; Lampen, C. L.; Lampl, W.; Lancon, E.; Landgraf, U.; Landon, M. P. J.; Lane, J. L.; Lankford, A. J.; Lanni, F.; Lantzsch, K.; Lanza, A.; Laplace, S.; Lapoire, C.; Laporte, J. F.; Lari, T.; Larionov, A. V.; Larner, A.; Lasseur, C.; Lassnig, M.; Laurelli, P.; Lavrijsen, W.; Laycock, P.; Lazarev, A. B.; Lazzaro, A.; Le Dortz, O.; Le Guirriec, E.; Le Maner, C.; Le Menedeu, E.; Le Vine, M.; Leahu, M.; Lebedev, A.; Lebel, C.; Lecompte, T.; Ledroit-Guillon, F.; Lee, H.; Lee, J. S. H.; Lee, S. C.; Lefebvre, M.; Legendre, M.; Legeyt, B. C.; Legger, F.; Leggett, C.; Lehmacher, M.; Lehmann Miotto, G.; Lei, X.; Leitner, R.; Lelas, D.; Lellouch, D.; Lellouch, J.; Leltchouk, M.; Lendermann, V.; Leney, K. J. C.; Lenz, T.; Lenzen, G.; Lenzi, B.; Leonhardt, K.; Leroy, C.; Lessard, J.-R.; Lester, C. G.; Leung Fook Cheong, A.; Levêque, J.; Levin, D.; Levinson, L. J.; Levitski, M. S.; Levonian, S.; Lewandowska, M.; Leyton, M.; Li, H.; Li, J.; Li, S.; Li, X.; Liang, Z.; Liang, Z.; Liberti, B.; Lichard, P.; Lichtnecker, M.; Lie, K.; Liebig, W.; Liko, D.; Lilley, J. N.; Lim, H.; Limosani, A.; Limper, M.; Lin, S. C.; Lindsay, S. W.; Linhart, V.; Linnemann, J. T.; Liolios, A.; Lipeles, E.; Lipinsky, L.; Lipniacka, A.; Liss, T. M.; Lissauer, D.; Litke, A. M.; Liu, C.; Liu, D.; Liu, H.; Liu, J. B.; Liu, M.; Liu, S.; Liu, T.; Liu, Y.; Livan, M.; Lleres, A.; Lloyd, S. L.; Lobodzinska, E.; Loch, P.; Lockman, W. S.; Lockwitz, S.; Loddenkoetter, T.; Loebinger, F. K.; Loginov, A.; Loh, C. W.; Lohse, T.; Lohwasser, K.; Lokajicek, M.; Loken, J.; Lopes, L.; Lopez Mateos, D.; Losada, M.; Loscutoff, P.; Losty, M. J.; Lou, X.; Lounis, A.; Loureiro, K. F.; Lovas, L.; Love, J.; Love, P.; Lowe, A. J.; Lu, F.; Lu, J.; Lubatti, H. J.; Luci, C.; Lucotte, A.; Ludwig, A.; Ludwig, D.; Ludwig, I.; Ludwig, J.; Luehring, F.; Luisa, L.; Lumb, D.; Luminari, L.; Lund, E.; Lund-Jensen, B.; Lundberg, B.; Lundberg, J.; Lundquist, J.; Lutz, G.; Lynn, D.; Lys, J.; Lytken, E.; Ma, H.; Ma, L. L.; Maccarrone, G.; Macchiolo, A.; Maček, B.; Miguens, J. Machado; Mackeprang, R.; Madaras, R. J.; Mader, W. F.; Maenner, R.; Maeno, T.; Mättig, P.; Mättig, S.; Magalhaes Martins, P. J.; Magradze, E.; Magrath, C. A.; Mahalalel, Y.; Mahboubi, K.; Mahmood, A.; Mahout, G.; Maiani, C.; Maidantchik, C.; Maio, A.; Majewski, S.; Makida, Y.; Makouski, M.; Makovec, N.; Malecki, Pa.; Malecki, P.; Maleev, V. P.; Malek, F.; Mallik, U.; Malon, D.; Maltezos, S.; Malyshev, V.; Malyukov, S.; Mambelli, M.; Mameghani, R.; Mamuzic, J.; Manabe, A.; Mandelli, L.; Mandić, I.; Mandrysch, R.; Maneira, J.; Mangeard, P. S.; Manjavidze, I. D.; Manousakis-Katsikakis, A.; Mansoulie, B.; Mapelli, A.; Mapelli, L.; March, L.; Marchand, J. F.; Marchese, F.; Marcisovsky, M.; Marino, C. P.; Marques, C. N.; Marroquim, F.; Marshall, R.; Marshall, Z.; Martens, F. K.; Marti I Garcia, S.; Martin, A. J.; Martin, A. J.; Martin, B.; Martin, B.; Martin, F. F.; Martin, J. P.; Martin, T. A.; Martin Dit Latour, B.; Martinez, M.; Martinez Outschoorn, V.; Martini, A.; Martynenko, V.; Martyniuk, A. C.; Maruyama, T.; Marzano, F.; Marzin, A.; Masetti, L.; Mashimo, T.; Mashinistov, R.; Masik, J.; Maslennikov, A. L.; Massaro, G.; Massol, N.; Mastroberardino, A.; Masubuchi, T.; Mathes, M.; Matricon, P.; Matsumoto, H.; Matsunaga, H.; Matsushita, T.; Mattravers, C.; Maxfield, S. J.; May, E. N.; Mayne, A.; Mazini, R.; Mazur, M.; Mazzanti, M.; Mazzanti, P.; Mc Donald, J.; Mc Kee, S. P.; McCarn, A.; McCarthy, R. L.; McCubbin, N. A.; McFarlane, K. W.; McGlone, H.; McHedlidze, G.; McLaren, R. A.; McMahon, S. J.; McMahon, T. R.; McPherson, R. A.; Meade, A.; Mechnich, J.; Mechtel, M.; Medinnis, M.; Meera-Lebbai, R.; Meguro, T. M.; Mehdiyev, R.; Mehlhase, S.; Mehta, A.; Meier, K.; Meirose, B.; Melamed-Katz, A.; Mellado Garcia, B. R.; Meng, Z.; Menke, S.; Meoni, E.; Merkl, D.; Mermod, P.; Merola, L.; Meroni, C.; Merritt, F. S.; Messina, A. M.; Messmer, I.; Metcalfe, J.; Mete, A. S.; Meyer, J.-P.; Meyer, J.; Meyer, T. C.; Meyer, W. T.; Miao, J.; Micu, L.; Middleton, R. P.; Migas, S.; Mijović, L.; Mikenberg, G.; Mikuž, M.; Miller, D. W.; Mills, W. J.; Mills, C. M.; Milov, A.; Milstead, D. A.; Minaenko, A. A.; Miñano, M.; Minashvili, I. A.; Mincer, A. I.; Mindur, B.; Mineev, M.; Mir, L. M.; Mirabelli, G.; Misawa, S.; Miscetti, S.; Misiejuk, A.; Mitrevski, J.; Mitsou, V. A.; Miyagawa, P. S.; Mjörnmark, J. U.; Mladenov, D.; Moa, T.; Mockett, P.; Moed, S.; Moeller, V.; Mönig, K.; Möser, N.; Mohn, B.; Mohr, W.; Mohrdieck-Möck, S.; Moles-Valls, R.; Molina-Perez, J.; Moloney, G.; Monk, J.; Monnier, E.; Montesano, S.; Monticelli, F.; Moore, R. W.; Herrera, C. 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M.; Prieur, D.; Primavera, M.; Prokofiev, K.; Prokoshin, F.; Protopopescu, S.; Proudfoot, J.; Prudent, X.; Przysiezniak, H.; Psoroulas, S.; Ptacek, E.; Puigdengoles, C.; Purdham, J.; Purohit, M.; Puzo, P.; Pylypchenko, Y.; Qi, M.; Qian, J.; Qian, W.; Qian, Z.; Qin, Z.; Qing, D.; Quadt, A.; Quarrie, D. R.; Quayle, W. B.; Quinonez, F.; Raas, M.; Radeka, V.; Radescu, V.; Radics, B.; Rador, T.; Ragusa, F.; Rahal, G.; Rahimi, A. M.; Rahm, D.; Rajagopalan, S.; Rammes, M.; Ratoff, P. N.; Rauscher, F.; Rauter, E.; Raymond, M.; Read, A. L.; Rebuzzi, D. M.; Redelbach, A.; Redlinger, G.; Reece, R.; Reeves, K.; Reinherz-Aronis, E.; Reinsch, A.; Reisinger, I.; Reljic, D.; Rembser, C.; Ren, Z. L.; Renkel, P.; Rescia, S.; Rescigno, M.; Resconi, S.; Resende, B.; Reznicek, P.; Rezvani, R.; Richards, A.; Richards, R. A.; Richter, D.; Richter, R.; Richter-Was, E.; Ridel, M.; Rieke, S.; Rijpstra, M.; Rijssenbeek, M.; Rimoldi, A.; Rinaldi, L.; Rios, R. R.; Riu, I.; Rivoltella, G.; Rizatdinova, F.; Rizvi, E. R.; Roa Romero, D. A.; Robertson, S. H.; Robichaud-Veronneau, A.; Robinson, D.; Robinson, M.; Robson, A.; Rocha de Lima, J. G.; Roda, C.; Rodriguez, D.; Rodriguez Garcia, Y.; Roe, S.; Røhne, O.; Rojo, V.; Rolli, S.; Romaniouk, A.; Romanov, V. M.; Romeo, G.; Romero Maltrana, D.; Roos, L.; Ros, E.; Rosati, S.; Rosenbaum, G. A.; Rosenberg, E. I.; Rosselet, L.; Rossi, L. P.; Rotaru, M.; Rothberg, J.; Rottländer, I.; Rousseau, D.; Royon, C. R.; Rozanov, A.; Rozen, Y.; Ruan, X.; Ruckert, B.; Ruckstuhl, N.; Rud, V. I.; Rudolph, G.; Rühr, F.; Ruggieri, F.; Ruiz-Martinez, A.; Rumyantsev, L.; Rusakovich, N. A.; Rutherfoord, J. P.; Ruwiedel, C.; Ruzicka, P.; Ryabov, Y. F.; Ryadovikov, V.; Ryan, P.; Rybkin, G.; Rzaeva, S.; Saavedra, A. F.; Sadrozinski, H. F.-W.; Sadykov, R.; Sakamoto, H.; Salamanna, G.; Salamon, A.; Saleem, M.; Salihagic, D.; Salnikov, A.; Salt, J.; Salvachua Ferrando, B. M.; Salvatore, D.; Salvatore, F.; Salvucci, A.; Salzburger, A.; Sampsonidis, D.; Samset, B. H.; Sanchis Lozano, M. A.; Sandaker, H.; Sander, H. G.; Sanders, M. P.; Sandhoff, M.; Sandstroem, R.; Sandvoss, S.; Sankey, D. P. C.; Sanny, B.; Sansoni, A.; Santamarina Rios, C.; Santi, L.; Santoni, C.; Santonico, R.; Santos, D.; Santos, J.; Saraiva, J. G.; Sarangi, T.; Sarkisyan-Grinbaum, E.; Sarri, F.; Sasaki, O.; Sasaki, T.; Sasao, N.; Satsounkevitch, I.; Sauvage, G.; Savard, P.; Savine, A. Y.; Savinov, V.; Sawyer, L.; Saxon, D. H.; Says, L. P.; Sbarra, C.; Sbrizzi, A.; Scannicchio, D. A.; Schaarschmidt, J.; Schacht, P.; Schäfer, U.; Schaetzel, S.; Schaffer, A. C.; Schaile, D.; Schamberger, R. D.; Schamov, A. G.; Schegelsky, V. A.; Scheirich, D.; Schernau, M.; Scherzer, M. I.; Schiavi, C.; Schieck, J.; Schioppa, M.; Schlenker, S.; Schlereth, J. L.; Schmid, P.; Schmidt, M. P.; Schmieden, K.; Schmitt, C.; Schmitz, M.; Schott, M.; Schouten, D.; Schovancova, J.; Schram, M.; Schreiner, A.; Schroeder, C.; Schroer, N.; Schroers, M.; Schuler, G.; Schultes, J.; Schultz-Coulon, H.-C.; Schumacher, J.; Schumacher, M.; Schumm, B. A.; Schune, Ph.; Schwanenberger, C.; Schwartzman, A.; Schwemling, Ph.; Schwienhorst, R.; Schwierz, R.; Schwindling, J.; Scott, W. G.; Searcy, J.; Sedykh, E.; Segura, E.; Seidel, S. C.; Seiden, A.; Seifert, F.; Seixas, J. M.; Sekhniaidze, G.; Seliverstov, D. M.; Sellden, B.; Seman, M.; Semprini-Cesari, N.; Serfon, C.; Serin, L.; Seuster, R.; Severini, H.; Sevior, M. E.; Sfyrla, A.; Shamim, M.; Shan, L. Y.; Shank, J. T.; Shao, Q. T.; Shapiro, M.; Shatalov, P. B.; Shaver, L.; Shaw, C.; Shaw, K.; Sherman, D.; Sherwood, P.; Shibata, A.; Shimojima, M.; Shin, T.; Shmeleva, A.; Shochet, M. J.; Shupe, M. A.; Sicho, P.; Sidoti, A.; Siebel, A.; Siegert, F.; Siegrist, J.; Sijacki, Dj.; Silbert, O.; Silva, J.; Silver, Y.; Silverstein, D.; Silverstein, S. B.; Simak, V.; Simic, Lj.; Simion, S.; Simmons, B.; Simonyan, M.; Sinervo, P.; Sinev, N. B.; Sipica, V.; Siragusa, G.; Sisakyan, A. N.; Sivoklokov, S. Yu.; Sjoelin, J.; Sjursen, T. B.; Skubic, P.; Skvorodnev, N.; Slater, M.; Slavicek, T.; Sliwa, K.; Sloper, J.; Sluka, T.; Smakhtin, V.; Smirnov, S. Yu.; Smirnov, Y.; Smirnova, L. N.; Smirnova, O.; Smith, B. C.; Smith, D.; Smith, K. M.; Smizanska, M.; Smolek, K.; Snesarev, A. A.; Snow, S. W.; Snow, J.; Snuverink, J.; Snyder, S.; Soares, M.; Sobie, R.; Sodomka, J.; Soffer, A.; Solans, C. A.; Solar, M.; Solfaroli Camillocci, E.; Solodkov, A. A.; Solovyanov, O. V.; Soluk, R.; Sondericker, J.; Sopko, V.; Sopko, B.; Sosebee, M.; Sosnovtsev, V. V.; Sospedra Suay, L.; Soukharev, A.; Spagnolo, S.; Spanò, F.; Speckmayer, P.; Spencer, E.; Spighi, R.; Spigo, G.; Spila, F.; Spiwoks, R.; Spousta, M.; Spreitzer, T.; Spurlock, B.; Denis, R. D. St.; Stahl, T.; Stamen, R.; Stancu, S. N.; Stanecka, E.; Stanek, R. W.; Stanescu, C.; Stapnes, S.; Starchenko, E. A.; Stark, J.; Staroba, P.; Starovoitov, P.; Stastny, J.; Staude, A.; Stavina, P.; Stavropoulos, G.; Steinbach, P.; Steinberg, P.; Stekl, I.; Stelzer, B.; Stelzer, H. J.; Stelzer-Chilton, O.; Stenzel, H.; Stevenson, K.; Stewart, G.; Stockton, M. C.; Stoerig, K.; Stoicea, G.; Stonjek, S.; Strachota, P.; Stradling, A.; Straessner, A.; Strandberg, J.; Strandberg, S.; Strandlie, A.; Strauss, M.; Strizenec, P.; Ströhmer, R.; Strom, D. M.; Strong, J. A.; Stroynowski, R.; Strube, J.; Stugu, B.; Stumer, I.; Soh, D. A.; Su, D.; Suchkov, S. I.; Sugaya, Y.; Sugimoto, T.; Suhr, C.; Suk, M.; Sulin, V. V.; Sultansoy, S.; Sumida, T.; Sun, X.; Sundermann, J. E.; Suruliz, K.; Sushkov, S.; Susinno, G.; Sutton, M. R.; Suzuki, T.; Suzuki, Y.; Sviridov, Yu. M.; Sykora, I.; Sykora, T.; Szymocha, T.; Sánchez, J.; Ta, D.; Tackmann, K.; Taffard, A.; Tafirout, R.; Taga, A.; Takahashi, Y.; Takai, H.; Takashima, R.; Takeda, H.; Takeshita, T.; Talby, M.; Talyshev, A.; Tamsett, M. C.; Tanaka, J.; Tanaka, R.; Tanaka, S.; Tanaka, S.; Tappern, G. P.; Tapprogge, S.; Tardif, D.; Tarem, S.; Tarrade, F.; Tartarelli, G. F.; Tas, P.; Tasevsky, M.; Tassi, E.; Taylor, C.; Taylor, F. E.; Taylor, G. N.; Taylor, R. P.; Taylor, W.; Teixeira-Dias, P.; Ten Kate, H.; Teng, P. K.; Terada, S.; Terashi, K.; Terron, J.; Terwort, M.; Testa, M.; Teuscher, R. J.; Tevlin, C. M.; Thadome, J.; Thananuwong, R.; Thioye, M.; Thoma, S.; Thomas, J. P.; Thomas, T. L.; Thompson, E. N.; Thompson, P. D.; Thompson, P. D.; Thompson, R. J.; Thompson, A. S.; Thomson, E.; Thun, R. P.; Tic, T.; Tikhomirov, V. O.; Tikhonov, Y. A.; Timmermans, C. J. W. P.; Tipton, P.; Tique Aires Viegas, F. J.; Tisserant, S.; Tobias, J.; Toczek, B.; Todorov, T.; Todorova-Nova, S.; Toggerson, B.; Tojo, J.; Tokár, S.; Tokushuku, K.; Tollefson, K.; Tomasek, L.; Tomasek, M.; Tomasz, F.; Tomoto, M.; Tompkins, D.; Tompkins, L.; Toms, K.; Tong, G.; Tonoyan, A.; Topfel, C.; Topilin, N. D.; Torrence, E.; Torró Pastor, E.; Toth, J.; Touchard, F.; Tovey, D. R.; Tovey, S. N.; Trefzger, T.; Tremblet, L.; Tricoli, A.; Trigger, I. M.; Trincaz-Duvoid, S.; Trinh, T. N.; Tripiana, M. F.; Triplett, N.; Trivedi, A.; Trocmé, B.; Troncon, C.; Trzupek, A.; Tsarouchas, C.; Tseng, J. C.-L.; Tsiafis, I.; Tsiakiris, M.; Tsiareshka, P. V.; Tsionou, D.; Tsipolitis, G.; Tsiskaridze, V.; Tskhadadze, E. G.; Tsukerman, I. I.; Tsulaia, V.; Tsung, J.-W.; Tsuno, S.; Tsybychev, D.; Turala, M.; Turecek, D.; Turk Cakir, I.; Turlay, E.; Tuts, P. M.; Twomey, M. S.; Tylmad, M.; Tyndel, M.; Tzanakos, G.; Uchida, K.; Ueda, I.; Uhlenbrock, M.; Uhrmacher, M.; Ukegawa, F.; Unal, G.; Underwood, D. G.; Undrus, A.; Unel, G.; Unno, Y.; Urbaniec, D.; Urkovsky, E.; Urquijo, P.; Urrejola, P.; Usai, G.; Uslenghi, M.; Vacavant, L.; Vacek, V.; Vachon, B.; Vahsen, S.; Valenta, J.; Valente, P.; Valentinetti, S.; Valkar, S.; Valladolid Gallego, E.; Vallecorsa, S.; Valls Ferrer, J. A.; van Berg, R.; van der Graaf, H.; van der Kraaij, E.; van der Poel, E.; van der Ster, D.; van Eldik, N.; van Gemmeren, P.; van Kesteren, Z.; van Vulpen, I.; Vandelli, W.; Vandoni, G.; Vaniachine, A.; Vankov, P.; Vannucci, F.; Varela Rodriguez, F.; Vari, R.; Varnes, E. W.; Varouchas, D.; Vartapetian, A.; Varvell, K. E.; Vasilyeva, L.; Vassilakopoulos, V. I.; Vazeille, F.; Vegni, G.; Veillet, J. J.; Vellidis, C.; Veloso, F.; Veness, R.; Veneziano, S.; Ventura, A.; Ventura, D.; Venturi, M.; Venturi, N.; Vercesi, V.; Verducci, M.; Verkerke, W.; Vermeulen, J. C.; Vetterli, M. C.; Vichou, I.; Vickey, T.; Viehhauser, G. H. A.; Villa, M.; Villani, E. G.; Villaplana Perez, M.; Villate, J.; Vilucchi, E.; Vincter, M. G.; Vinek, E.; Vinogradov, V. B.; Viret, S.; Virzi, J.; Vitale, A.; Vitells, O. V.; Vivarelli, I.; Vives Vaques, F.; Vlachos, S.; Vlasak, M.; Vlasov, N.; Vogt, H.; Vokac, P.; Volpi, M.; Volpini, G.; von der Schmitt, H.; von Loeben, J.; von Radziewski, H.; von Toerne, E.; Vorobel, V.; Vorobiev, A. P.; Vorwerk, V.; Vos, M.; Voss, R.; Voss, T. T.; Vossebeld, J. H.; Vranjes, N.; Vranjes Milosavljevic, M.; Vrba, V.; Vreeswijk, M.; Vu Anh, T.; Vudragovic, D.; Vuillermet, R.; Vukotic, I.; Wagner, P.; Wahlen, H.; Walbersloh, J.; Walder, J.; Walker, R.; Walkowiak, W.; Wall, R.; Wang, C.; Wang, H.; Wang, J.; Wang, J. C.; Wang, S. M.; Ward, C. P.; Warsinsky, M.; Wastie, R.; Watkins, P. M.; Watson, A. T.; Watson, M. F.; Watts, G.; Watts, S.; Waugh, A. T.; Waugh, B. M.; Webel, M.; Weber, J.; Weber, M. D.; Weber, M.; Weber, M. S.; Weber, P.; Weidberg, A. R.; Weingarten, J.; Weiser, C.; Wellenstein, H.; Wells, P. S.; Wen, M.; Wenaus, T.; Wendler, S.; Wengler, T.; Wenig, S.; Wermes, N.; Werner, M.; Werner, P.; Werth, M.; Werthenbach, U.; Wessels, M.; Whalen, K.; Wheeler-Ellis, S. J.; Whitaker, S. P.; White, A.; White, M. J.; White, S.; Whiteson, D.; Whittington, D.; Wicek, F.; Wicke, D.; Wickens, F. J.; Wiedenmann, W.; Wielers, M.; Wienemann, P.; Wiglesworth, C.; Wiik, L. A. M.; Wildauer, A.; Wildt, M. A.; Wilhelm, I.; Wilkens, H. G.; Williams, E.; Williams, H. H.; Willis, W.; Willocq, S.; Wilson, J. A.; Wilson, M. G.; Wilson, A.; Wingerter-Seez, I.; Winklmeier, F.; Wittgen, M.; Wolter, M. W.; Wolters, H.; Wosiek, B. K.; Wotschack, J.; Woudstra, M. J.; Wraight, K.; Wright, C.; Wright, D.; Wrona, B.; Wu, S. L.; Wu, X.; Wulf, E.; Xella, S.; Xie, S.; Xie, Y.; Xu, D.; Xu, N.; Yamada, M.; Yamamoto, A.; Yamamoto, S.; Yamamura, T.; Yamanaka, K.; Yamaoka, J.; Yamazaki, T.; Yamazaki, Y.; Yan, Z.; Yang, H.; Yang, U. K.; Yang, Y.; Yang, Z.; Yao, W.-M.; Yao, Y.; Yasu, Y.; Ye, J.; Ye, S.; Yilmaz, M.; Yoosoofmiya, R.; Yorita, K.; Yoshida, R.; Young, C.; Youssef, S. P.; Yu, D.; Yu, J.; Yu, M.; Yu, X.; Yuan, J.; Yuan, L.; Yurkewicz, A.; Zaidan, R.; Zaitsev, A. M.; Zajacova, Z.; Zambrano, V.; Zanello, L.; Zarzhitsky, P.; Zaytsev, A.; Zeitnitz, C.; Zeller, M.; Zema, P. F.; Zemla, A.; Zendler, C.; Zenin, O.; Zenis, T.; Zenonos, Z.; Zenz, S.; Zerwas, D.; Zevi Della Porta, G.; Zhan, Z.; Zhang, H.; Zhang, J.; Zhang, Q.; Zhang, X.; Zhao, L.; Zhao, T.; Zhao, Z.; Zhemchugov, A.; Zheng, S.; Zhong, J.; Zhou, B.; Zhou, N.; Zhou, Y.; Zhu, C. G.; Zhu, H.; Zhu, Y.; Zhuang, X.; Zhuravlov, V.; Zilka, B.; Zimmermann, R.; Zimmermann, S.; Zimmermann, S.; Ziolkowski, M.; Zitoun, R.; Živković, L.; Zmouchko, V. V.; Zobernig, G.; Zoccoli, A.; Zur Nedden, M.; Zutshi, V.

2010-12-01

The ATLAS liquid argon calorimeter has been operating continuously since August 2006. At this time, only part of the calorimeter was readout, but since the beginning of 2008, all calorimeter cells have been connected to the ATLAS readout system in preparation for LHC collisions. This paper gives an overview of the liquid argon calorimeter performance measured in situ with random triggers, calibration data, cosmic muons, and LHC beam splash events. Results on the detector operation, timing performance, electronics noise, and gain stability are presented. High energy deposits from radiative cosmic muons and beam splash events allow to check the intrinsic constant term of the energy resolution. The uniformity of the electromagnetic barrel calorimeter response along η (averaged over φ) is measured at the percent level using minimum ionizing cosmic muons. Finally, studies of electromagnetic showers from radiative muons have been used to cross-check the Monte Carlo simulation. The performance results obtained using the ATLAS readout, data acquisition, and reconstruction software indicate that the liquid argon calorimeter is well-prepared for collisions at the dawn of the LHC era.

Waves generated in the vicinity of an argon plasma gun in the ionosphere

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cahill, L. J., Jr.; Arnoldy, R. L.; Lysak, R. L.; Peria, W.; Lynch, K. A.

1993-01-01

Wave and particle observations were made in the close vicinity of an argon plasma gun carned to over 600 km altitude on a sounding rocket. The gun was carned on a subpayload, separated from the main payload early in the flight. Twelve-second argon ion ejections were energized alternately with a peak energy of 100 or 200 eV. They produced waves, with multiple harmonics, in the range of ion cyclotron waves, 10 to 1000 Hz at rocket altitudes. Many of these waves could not be identified as corresponding to the cyclotron frequencies of any of the ions, argon or ambient, known to be present. In addition, the wave frequencies were observed to rise and fall and to change abruptly during a 12-s gun operation. The wave amplitudes, near a few hundred Hertz, were of the order of O. 1 V/m. Some of the waves may be ion-ion hybrid waves. Changes in ion populations were observed at the main payload and at the subpayload during gun operations. A gun-related, field-aligned, electron population also appeared.

The importance of accurate interaction potentials in the melting of argon nanoclusters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pahl, E.; Calvo, F.; Schwerdtfeger, P.

The melting temperatures of argon clusters ArN (N = 13, 55, 147, 309, 561, and 923) and of bulk argon have been obtained from exchange Monte Carlo simulations and are compared using different two-body interaction potentials, namely the standard Lennard-Jones (LJ), Aziz and extended Lennard-Jones (ELJ) potentials. The latter potential has many advantages: while maintaining the computational efficiency of the commonly used LJ potential, it is as accurate as the Aziz potential but the computer time scales more favorably with increasing cluster size. By applying the ELJ form and extrapolating the cluster data to the infinite system, we are able to extract the melting point of argon already in good agreement with experimental measurements. By considering the additional Axilrod-Teller three-body contribution as well, we calculate a melting temperature of T meltELJ = 84.7 K compared to the experimental value of T meltexp = 83.85 K, whereas the LJ potential underestimates the melting point by more than 7 K. Thus melting temperatures within 1 K accuracy are now feasible.

Waves generated in the vicinity of an argon plasma gun in the ionosphere

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cahill, L. J., Jr.; Arnoldy, R. L.; Lysak, R. L.; Peria, W.; Lynch, K. A.

1993-06-01

Wave and particle observations were made in the close vicinity of an argon plasma gun carned to over 600 km altitude on a sounding rocket. The gun was carned on a subpayload, separated from the main payload early in the flight. Twelve-second argon ion ejections were energized alternately with a peak energy of 100 or 200 eV. They produced waves, with multiple harmonics, in the range of ion cyclotron waves, 10 to 1000 Hz at rocket altitudes. Many of these waves could not be identified as corresponding to the cyclotron frequencies of any of the ions, argon or ambient, known to be present. In addition, the wave frequencies were observed to rise and fall and to change abruptly during a 12-s gun operation. The wave amplitudes, near a few hundred Hertz, were of the order of O. 1 V/m. Some of the waves may be ion-ion hybrid waves. Changes in ion populations were observed at the main payload and at the subpayload during gun operations. A gun-related, field-aligned, electron population also appeared.

Spectral properties of gaseous uranium hexafluoride at high temperature

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Krascella, N. L.

1980-01-01

A study to determine relative spectral emission and spectral absorption data for UF6-argon mixtures at elevated temperatures is discussed. These spectral data are required to assist in the theoretical analysis of radiation transport in the nuclear fuel-buffer gas region of a plasma core reactor. Relative emission measurements were made for UF6-argon mixtures over a range of temperatures from 650 to 1900 K and in the wavelength range from 600 to 5000 nanometers. All emission results were determined for a total pressure of 1.0 atm. Uranium hexafluoride partial pressures varied from about 3.5 to 12.7 mm Hg. Absorption measurements were attempted at 600, 625, 650 and 675 nanometers for a temperature of 1000 K. The uranium partial pressure for these determinations was 25 mm Hg. The results exhibit appreciable emission for hot UF6-argon mixtures at wavelengths between 600 and 1800 nanometers and no measurable absorption. The equipment used to evaluate the spectral properties of the UF6-argon mixtures included a plasma torch-optical plenum assembly, the monochromator, and the UF6 transfer system. Each is described.

The effect of cerium oxide argon-annealed coatings on the high temperature oxidation of a FeCrAl alloy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nguyen, C. T.; Buscail, H.; Cueff, R.; Issartel, C.; Riffard, F.; Perrier, S.; Poble, O.

2009-09-01

Ceria coatings were applied in order to improve the adherence of alumina scales developed on a model Fe-20Cr-5Al alloy during oxidation at high temperature. These coatings were performed by argon annealing of a ceria sol-gel coating at temperatures ranging between 600 and 1000 °C. The influence of these coatings on the alloy oxidation behaviour was studied at 1100 °C. In situ X-ray diffraction (XRD) was performed to characterize the coating crystallographic nature after annealing and during the oxidation process. The alumina scale morphologies were studied by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The present work shows that the alumina scale morphology observed on cerium sol-gel coated alloy was very convoluted. On the cerium sol-gel coated alloy, argon annealing results in an increase of the oxidation rate in air, at 1100 °C. The 600 °C argon annealing temperature results in a good alumina scale adherence under thermal cycling conditions at 1100 °C.

Design and construction of a home-made and cheaper argon arc lamp

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sabaeian, Mohammad; Nazari-Tarkarani, Zeinab; Ebrahimzadeh, Azadeh

2018-05-01

The authors report on the design and construction of an argon arc lamp which provides noticeably a cheaper instrument for laser and medical applications. Cesium-doped tungsten and pure tungsten rods were used, respectively, for the lamp cathode and anode. To seal the glassy tube, a 50-50 Fe-Ni alloy was successfully used as a medium to attach the tungsten electrodes to the borosilicate glass tube. Starting voltage of the lamp versus the gas pressure, operation voltage-current diagram at various gas pressures, and lamp spectrum in the various pressures were measured. A comparison was made with krypton arc lamp. The lamp operation was satisfactory without any crack or fracture during lightening operation. The results showed that the lamp-lightening threshold voltage depends linearly on the pressure and arc length in such a way that there is an increase in the voltage by raising these two parameters. We have also observed that by increasing the argon pressure, there is a shifting in emission spectrum from the ultraviolet to the visible region. Comparison with krypton arc lamp indicated that argon lamp needs a higher threshold lightening voltage.

Influence of oxygen in atmospheric-pressure argon plasma jet on sterilization of Bacillus atrophaeous spores

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lim, Jin-Pyo; Uhm, Han S.; Li, Shou-Zhe

2007-09-01

A nonequilibrium Ar /O2 plasma discharge at atmospheric pressure was carried out in a coaxial cylindrical reactor with a stepped electrode configuration powered by a 13.56MHz rf power supplier. The argon glow discharge with high electron density produces oxygen reactive species in large quantities. Argon plasma jets penetrate deep into ambient air and create a path for oxygen radicals to sterilize microbes. A sterilization experiment with bacterial endospores indicates that an argon-oxygen plasma jet very effectively kills endospores of Bacillus atrophaeus (ATCC 9372), thereby demonstrating its capability to clean surfaces and its usefulness for reinstating contaminated equipment as free from toxic biological warfare agents. The decimal reduction time (D values) of the Ar /O2 plasma jet at an exposure distance of 0.5-1.5cm ranges from 5 to 57s. An actinometric comparison of the sterilization data shows that atomic oxygen radicals play a significant role in plasma sterilization. When observed under a scanning electron microscope, the average size of the spores appears to be greatly reduced due to chemical reactions with the oxygen radicals.

Growth-inducing effects of argon plasma on soybean sprouts via the regulation of demethylation levels of energy metabolism-related genes.

PubMed

Zhang, Jiao Jiao; Jo, Jin Oh; Huynh, Do Luong; Mongre, Raj Kumar; Ghosh, Mrinmoy; Singh, Amit Kumar; Lee, Sang Baek; Mok, Young Sun; Hyuk, Park; Jeong, Dong Kee

2017-02-07

This study was conducted to determine the effects of argon plasma on the growth of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] sprouts and investigate the regulation mechanism of energy metabolism. The germination and growth characteristics were modified by argon plasma at different potentials and exposure durations. Upon investigation, plasma treatment at 22.1 kV for 12 s maximized the germination and seedling growth of soybean, increasing the concentrations of soluble protein, antioxidant enzymes, and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) as well as up-regulating ATP a1, ATP a2, ATP b1, ATP b2, ATP b3, target of rapamycin (TOR), growth-regulating factor (GRF) 1-6, down-regulating ATP MI25 mRNA expression, and increasing the demethylation levels of the sequenced region of ATP a1, ATP b1, TOR, GRF 5, and GRF 6 of 6-day-old soybean sprouts. These observations indicate that argon plasma promotes soybean seed germination and sprout growth by regulating the demethylation levels of ATP, TOR, and GRF.

Stark effect of Ar I lines for electric field strength diagnostics in the cathode sheath of glow discharge

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vasiljević, Milica M.; Spasojević, Djordje; Šišović, Nikola M.; Konjević, Nikola

2017-09-01

We present a study of argon glow discharge which shows that measured wavenumber DC Stark shifts Δ ν of two neutral argon lines, Ar I 518.75 nm and Ar I 522.127 nm, can be used for reliable determination of the electric field strength F distribution in the cathode sheath region of the discharge. In order to experimentally determine the coefficient c in quadratic correlation Δ ν =cF2 , manifested in a low field range (up to 15 kV/cm), the discharge is seeded with a small admixture of hydrogen, and the values of F are measured via Stark polarization spectroscopy of the hydrogen Balmer beta line. Once known, this can be used for the determination of F by a simple and inexpensive spectroscopic Stark shift measurement in discharges with other argon admixtures or pure argon. Reported shift results are in good agreement with data extrapolated from measurements performed at high electric fields (over 100 kV/cm) by Windholz (Phys. Scr., 21 (1980) 67).

On the difference between breakdown and quench voltages of argon plasma and its relation to 4p–4s atomic state transitions

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Forati, Ebrahim, E-mail: forati@ieee.org; Piltan, Shiva; Sievenpiper, Dan, E-mail: dsievenpiper@ucsd.edu

Using a relaxation oscillator circuit, breakdown (V{sub BD}) and quench (V{sub Q}) voltages of a DC discharge microplasma between two needle probes are measured. High resolution modified Paschen curves are obtained for argon microplasmas including a quench voltage curve representing the voltage at which the plasma turns off. It is shown that for a point to point microgap (e.g., the microgap between two needle probes) which describes many realistic microdevices, neither Paschen's law applies nor field emission is noticeable. Although normally V{sub BD} > V{sub Q,} it is observed that depending on environmental parameters of argon, such as pressure and the drivingmore » circuitry, plasma can exist in a different state with equal V{sub BD} and V{sub Q.} Using emission line spectroscopy, it is shown that V{sub BD} and V{sub Q} are equal if the atomic excitation by the electric field dipole moment dominantly leads to one of the argon's metastable states (4P{sub 5} in our study)« less

A Supersonic Argon/Air Coaxial Jet Experiment for Computational Fluid Dynamics Code Validation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Clifton, Chandler W.; Cutler, Andrew D.

2007-01-01

A non-reacting experiment is described in which data has been acquired for the validation of CFD codes used to design high-speed air-breathing engines. A coaxial jet-nozzle has been designed to produce pressure-matched exit flows of Mach 1.8 at 1 atm in both a center jet of argon and a coflow jet of air, creating a supersonic, incompressible mixing layer. The flowfield was surveyed using total temperature, gas composition, and Pitot probes. The data set was compared to CFD code predictions made using Vulcan, a structured grid Navier-Stokes code, as well as to data from a previous experiment in which a He-O2 mixture was used instead of argon in the center jet of the same coaxial jet assembly. Comparison of experimental data from the argon flowfield and its computational prediction shows that the CFD produces an accurate solution for most of the measured flowfield. However, the CFD prediction deviates from the experimental data in the region downstream of x/D = 4, underpredicting the mixing-layer growth rate.

Readiness of the ATLAS liquid argon calorimeter for LHC collisions

DOE PAGES

Aad, G.; Abbott, B.; Abdallah, J.; ...

2010-08-20

The ATLAS liquid argon calorimeter has been operating continuously since August 2006. At this time, only part of the calorimeter was readout, but since the beginning of 2008, all calorimeter cells have been connected to the ATLAS readout system in preparation for LHC collisions. This paper gives an overview of the liquid argon calorimeter performance measured in situ with random triggers, calibration data, cosmic muons, and LHC beam splash events. Results on the detector operation, timing performance, electronics noise, and gain stability are presented. High energy deposits from radiative cosmic muons and beam splash events allow to check the intrinsicmore » constant term of the energy resolution. The uniformity of the electromagnetic barrel calorimeter response along η (averaged over Φ) is measured at the percent level using minimum ionizing cosmic muons. Finally, studies of electromagnetic showers from radiative muons have been used to cross-check the Monte Carlo simulation. The performance results obtained using the ATLAS readout, data acquisition, and reconstruction software indicate that the liquid argon calorimeter is well-prepared for collisions at the dawn of the LHC era.« less

CAPTAIN-Minerνa. Neutrino-Argon Scattering in a Medium-Energy Neutrino Beam

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mauger, Christopher M.

2015-10-29

The NuMI facility at Fermilab is currently providing an extremely intense beam of neutrinos for the NOνA, MINERνA and MINOS+ experiments. By installing the 5-ton CAPTAIN liquid argon TPC in front of the MINERνA detector in the NuMI beamline and combining the data from the CAPTAIN, MINERνA and MINOS+ detectors, a broad program of few-GeV neutrino cross section measurements on argon can be pursued. These measurements will be extremely helpful for future oscillation experiments. By directly comparing the cross sections on argon to MINERνA’s scintillator (CH) target, a new level of precision can be achieved in the measurements of themore » effects of the nucleus on neutrino interactions. These effects are of interest to not only the particle physics but also the nuclear physics community. This document describes in detail the physics goals of the CAPTAIN-MINERνA experiment, in addition to a first estimate of the technical resources required to install, commission and operate the CAPTAIN detector in front of the MINERVA detector.« less

Le Laser A Argon Ionise : Applications Therapeutiques

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brunetaud, J. M.; Mosquet, L.; Mordon, S.; Rotteleur, G.

1984-03-01

Le laser a argon ionise est un laser a emission continue, reglee en general en multiraies de 487 a 544 nm. Le rayonnement de ce laser est bien absorbe par les tissus vivants, avec une action preferentielle au niveau des pigments rouges (hemoglobine, myoglobine) et noirs (melanine). Le laser a argon est princi-palement utilise en therapeutique pour ses effets thermiques : en fonction du choix des parametres (puissance optique, surface exposee, temps d'exposition) on peut obtenir une coagulation (temperature optimale au niveau des tissus 60° - 80°) ou une volatisation (temperature superieure a 100°). Si la zone volatilisee est tres etroite (inferieure a 0,5 mm) on obtient un effet de coupe. Par rapport aux deux autres lasers egalement utilises pour leurs effets thermiques (CO2 et Nd. YAG) l'argon a des effets intermediaires : la coagulation sera plus superficielle qu'avec le Nd. YAG et la volatisation plus profonde qu'avec le CO2. Lors de la coupe, la necrose sur les berges sera egalement plus importante qu'avec le CO2.

Variation of Argon Impurity Assimilation with Runaway Electron Current in DIII-D

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hollmann, Eric; Bykov, I.; Moyer, R. A.; Rudakov, D. L.; Briesemeister, A.; Shiraki, D.; Herfindal, J. L.; Austin, M. E.; Lasnier, C. J.; Carlstrom, T. N.; Eidietis, N. W.; Paz-Soldan, C.; van Zeeland, M.

2017-10-01

Measurements of the effect of runaway electron (RE) pressure upon argon impurity assimilation in DIII-D are reported. Intentionally created post-disruption RE beams are ramped to different plasma currents to vary the RE pressure, while impurity levels are varied by injecting argon gas (in addition to Ar already present from the small pellet used to create the disruption). Based on comparisons of current decay rates and hard x-ray, spectroscopic, interferometer, and Thomson scattering data, it is found that argon is not mixed uniformly through the plasma radially but appears to be preferentially moved out of the center of the plasma toward the walls, relative to the main species (deuterium). This exclusion appears to be stronger at higher plasma current, indicating that this force originates from the runaway electrons. Supported by the US DOE under DE-FG02-07ER54917, DE-AC05-00OR22725, DE-FG02-04ER54758, DE-FC02-04ER54698, DE-AC52-07N27344, DE-FG03-95ER54309, and DE-FG02-04ER54762.

Endoscopic treatment of chronic radiation proctopathy.

PubMed

Wilson, Sydney A; Rex, Douglas K

2006-09-01

Chronic radiation proctopathy is a complication of pelvic radiation therapy. The acute phase of radiation injury to the rectum occurs during or up to 3 months following radiation. Acute radiation injury can continue into a chronic phase or chronic radiation proctopathy may develop after a latent period of several months or years. Symptoms associated with the condition include diarrhea, rectal pain, bleeding, tenesmus, and stricture formation. Of the various symptoms, only bleeding from radiation-induced telangiectasias is amenable to endoscopic therapy. This paper summarizes the findings of experts in the field on endoscopic treatment of bleeding from chronic radiation proctopathy. Medical management is generally ineffective in controlling bleeding from chronic radiation proctopathy. Surgical intervention has a high incidence of morbidity. Promising advances have been made in endoscopic therapy, including formalin, neodymium/yttrium aluminum garnet, argon and potassium titanyl phosphate laser treatments, as well as argon plasma coagulation. Argon plasma coagulation presents an effective, efficient, inexpensive and reasonably safe noncontact method for destruction of radiation telangiectasias. Based on currently available data and trends, argon plasma coagulation is the favored treatment for bleeding from chronic radiation proctopathy.

Nanoscale Investigation of Grain Growth in RF-Sputtered Indium Tin Oxide Thin Films by Scanning Probe Microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lamsal, B. S.; Dubey, M.; Swaminathan, V.; Huh, Y.; Galipeau, D.; Qiao, Q.; Fan, Q. H.

2014-11-01

This work studied the electronic characteristics of the grains and grain boundaries of indium tin oxide (ITO) thin films using electrostatic and Kelvin probe force microscopy. Two types of ITO films were compared, deposited using radiofrequency magnetron sputtering in pure argon or 99% argon + 1% oxygen, respectively. The average grain size and surface roughness increased with substrate temperature for the films deposited in pure argon. With the addition of 1% oxygen, the increase in the grain size was inhibited above 150°C, which was suggested to be due to passivation of the grains by the excess oxygen. Electrostatic force microscopy and Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM) images confirmed that the grain growth was defect mediated and occurred at defective interfaces at high temperatures. Films deposited at room temperature with 1% oxygen showed crystalline nature, while films deposited with pure argon at room temperature were amorphous as observed from KPFM images. The potential drop across the grain and grain boundary was determined by taking surface potential line profiles to evaluate the electronic properties.

Growth-inducing effects of argon plasma on soybean sprouts via the regulation of demethylation levels of energy metabolism-related genes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Jiao Jiao; Jo, Jin Oh; Huynh, Do Luong; Mongre, Raj Kumar; Ghosh, Mrinmoy; Singh, Amit Kumar; Lee, Sang Baek; Mok, Young Sun; Hyuk, Park; Jeong, Dong Kee

2017-02-01

This study was conducted to determine the effects of argon plasma on the growth of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] sprouts and investigate the regulation mechanism of energy metabolism. The germination and growth characteristics were modified by argon plasma at different potentials and exposure durations. Upon investigation, plasma treatment at 22.1 kV for 12 s maximized the germination and seedling growth of soybean, increasing the concentrations of soluble protein, antioxidant enzymes, and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) as well as up-regulating ATP a1, ATP a2, ATP b1, ATP b2, ATP b3, target of rapamycin (TOR), growth-regulating factor (GRF) 1-6, down-regulating ATP MI25 mRNA expression, and increasing the demethylation levels of the sequenced region of ATP a1, ATP b1, TOR, GRF 5, and GRF 6 of 6-day-old soybean sprouts. These observations indicate that argon plasma promotes soybean seed germination and sprout growth by regulating the demethylation levels of ATP, TOR, and GRF.

Effect of Alternate Supply of Shielding Gases of Tungsten Inert Gas Welding on Mechanical Properties of Austenitic Stainless Steel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shinde, Neelam Vilas; Telsang, Martand Tamanacharya

2016-07-01

In the present study, an attempt is made to study the effect of alternate supply of the shielding gas in comparison with the conventional method of TIG welding with pure argon gas. The two sets of combination are used as 10-10 and 40-20 s for alternate supply of the Argon and Helium shielding gas respectively. The effect of alternate supply of shielding gas is studied on the mechanical properties like bend test, tensile test and impact test. The full factorial experimental design is applied for three set of combinations. The ANOVA is used to find significant parameters for the process and regression analysis used to develop the mathematical model. The result shows that the alternate supply of the shielding gas for 10-10 s provides better result for the bend, tensile and impact test as compared with the conventional argon gas and the alternate supply of 40-20 s argon and helium gas respectively. Welding speed can be increased for alternate supply of the shielding gas that can reduce the total welding cost.

Low energy collisions of spin-polarized metastable argon atoms with ground state argon atoms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Taillandier-Loize, T.; Perales, F.; Baudon, J.; Hamamda, M.; Bocvarski, V.; Ducloy, M.; Correia, F.; Fabre, N.; Dutier, G.

2018-04-01

The collision between a spin-polarized metastable argon atom in Ar* (3p54s, 3P2, M = +2) state slightly decelerated by the Zeeman slower-laser technique and a co-propagating thermal ground state argon atom Ar (3p6, 1S0), both merged from the same supersonic beam, but coming through adjacent slots of a rotating disk, is investigated at the center of mass energies ranging from 1 to 10 meV. The duration of the laser pulse synchronised with the disk allows the tuning of the relative velocity and thus the collision energy. At these sub-thermal energies, the ‘resonant metastability transfer’ signal is too small to be evidenced. The explored energy range requires using indiscernibility amplitudes for identical isotopes to have a correct interpretation of the experimental results. Nevertheless, excitation transfers are expected to increase significantly at much lower energies as suggested by previous theoretical predictions of potentials 2g(3P2) and 2u(3P2). Limits at ultra-low collisional energies of the order of 1 mK (0.086 μeV) or less, where gigantic elastic cross sections are expected, will also be discussed. The experimental method is versatile and could be applied using different isotopes of Argon like 36Ar combined with 40Ar, as well as other rare gases among which Krypton should be of great interest thanks to the available numerous isotopes present in a natural gas mixture.

Atmospheric pressure argon surface discharges propagated in long tubes: physical characterization and application to bio-decontamination

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kovalova, Zuzana; Leroy, Magali; Jacobs, Carolyn; Kirkpatrick, Michael J.; Machala, Zdenko; Lopes, Filipa; Laux, Christophe O.; DuBow, Michael S.; Odic, Emmanuel

2015-11-01

Pulsed corona discharges propagated in argon (or in argon with added water vapor) at atmospheric pressure on the interior surface of a 49 cm long quartz tube were investigated for the application of surface bio-decontamination. H2O molecule dissociation in the argon plasma generated reactive species (i.e. OH in ground and excited states) and UV emission, which both directly affected bacterial cells. In order to facilitate the evaluation of the contribution of UV radiation, a DNA damage repair defective bacterial strain, Escherichia coli DH-1, was used. Discharge characteristics, including propagation velocity and plasma temperature, were measured. Up to ~5.5 and ~5 log10 reductions were observed for E. coli DH-1 bacteria (from 106 initial load) exposed 2 cm and 44 cm away from the charged electrode, respectively, for a 20 min plasma treatment. The factors contributing to the observed bactericidal effect include desiccation, reactive oxygen species (OH) plus H2O2 accumulation in the liquid phase, and UV-B (and possibly VUV) emission in dry argon. The steady state temperature measured on the quartz tube wall did not exceeded 29 °C the contribution of heating, along with that of H2O2 accumulation, was estimated to be low. The effect of UV-B emission alone or in combination with the other stress factors of the plasma process was examined for different operating conditions.

Evaporation characteristics of thin film liquid argon in nano-scale confinement: A molecular dynamics study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hasan, Mohammad Nasim; Shavik, Sheikh Mohammad; Rabbi, Kazi Fazle; Haque, Mominul

2016-07-01

Molecular dynamics simulation has been carried out to explore the evaporation characteristics of thin liquid argon film in nano-scale confinement. The present study has been conducted to realize the nano-scale physics of simultaneous evaporation and condensation inside a confined space for a three phase system with particular emphasis on the effect of surface wetting conditions. The simulation domain consisted of two parallel platinum plates; one at the top and another at the bottom. The fluid comprised of liquid argon film at the bottom plate and vapor argon in between liquid argon and upper plate of the domain. Considering hydrophilic and hydrophobic nature of top and bottom surfaces, two different cases have been investigated: (i) Case A: Both top and bottom surfaces are hydrophilic, (ii) Case B: both top and bottom surfaces are hydrophobic. For all cases, equilibrium molecular dynamics (EMD) was performed to reach equilibrium state at 90 K. Then the lower wall was set to four different temperatures such as 110 K, 120 K, 130 K and 140 K to perform non-equilibrium molecular dynamics (NEMD). The variation of temperature and density as well as the variation of system pressure with respect to time were closely monitored for each case. The heat fluxes normal to top and bottom walls were estimated and discussed to illuminate the effectiveness of heat transfer in both hydrophilic and hydrophobic confinement at various boundary temperatures of the bottom plate.

ICP-MS with hexapole collision cell for isotope ratio measurements of Ca, Fe, and Se.

PubMed

Boulyga, S F; Becker, J S

2001-07-01

To avoid mass interferences on analyte ions caused by argon ions and argon molecular ions via reactions with collision gases, an rf hexapole filled with helium and hydrogen has been used in inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), and its performance has been studied. Up to tenfold improvement in sensitivity was observed for heavy elements (m > 100 u), because of better ion transmission through the hexapole ion guide. A reduction of argon ions Ar+ and the molecular ions of argon ArX+ (X = O, Ar) by up to three orders of magnitude was achieved in a hexapole collision cell of an ICP-MS ("Platform ICP", Micromass, Manchester, UK) as a result of gas-phase reactions with hydrogen when the hexapole bias (HB) was set to 0 V; at an HB of 1.6 V argon, and argon-based ions of masses 40 u, 56 u, and 80 u, were reduced by approximately four, two, and five orders of magnitude, respectively. The signal-to-noise ratio 80Se/ 40Ar2+ was improved by more than five orders of magnitude under optimized experimental conditions. Dependence of mass discrimination on collision-cell properties was studied in the mass range 10 u (boron) to 238 u (uranium). Isotopic analysis of the elements affected by mass-spectrometric interference, Ca, Fe, and Se, was performed using a Meinhard nebulizer and an ultrasonic nebulizer (USN). The measured isotope ratios were comparable with tabulated values from IUPAC. Precision of 0.26%, 0.19%, and 0.12%, respectively, and accuracy of 0.13% 0.25%, and 0.92%, respectively, was achieved for isotope ratios 44Ca/ 40Ca and 56Fe/57Fe in 10 microg L(-1) solution nebulized by means of a USN and for 78Se/80Se in 100 microg L(-1) solution nebulized by means of a Meinhard nebulizer.

Group 4 transition metal CH2=MF2, CHF=MF2, and HC/MF3 complexes formed by C-F activation and alpha-fluorine transfer.

PubMed

Lyon, Jonathan T; Andrews, Lester

2007-06-11

Group 4 transition metal methylidene difluoride complexes (CH2=MF2) are formed by the reaction of methylene fluoride with laser-ablated metal atoms and are isolated in an argon matrix. Isotopic substitution of the CH2F2 precursor and theoretical computations (B3LYP and CCSD) confirm product identifications and assignments. Our calculations indicate that the CH2=MF2 complexes have near C2v symmetry and are considerably more stable than other possible products (CH2(mu-F)MF and CHF=MHF). The primary reaction exothermicity provides more than enough energy to activate the initial bridge-bonded CH2(mu-F)MF products on the triplet potential energy surface to complete an alpha-F transfer to form the very stable CH2=MF2 products. Analogous experiments with CHF3 produce CHF=TiF2, which is not distorted at the C-H bond, whereas the heavier group 4 metals form lower-energy triplet HC/MF3 complexes, which contain weak degenerate C(p)-M(d) pi-bonding interactions. Comparisons are made with the CH2=MHF methylidene species, which showed considerable agostic distortions.

Experimental and theoretical studies of structural and photophysical properties of a novel heteroleptic cyclometalated iridium(III) complex with 8-hydroxyquinoline-phenylazo ligand

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maity, Amit; Sinha, Debopam; Rajak, Kajal Krishna

2018-04-01

One novel heteroleptic iridium(III) complex with cyclometalated 2-phenylquinoline(2-phq) was synthesized by the stoichiometric reaction of [Ir(2-phq)2Cl]2, i.e, Bis-[μ-chlorodi-(2-phenylquinoline)iridium(III)] and HL ligand, where L- is deprotonated form of azo ligand prepared from 8-hydroxyquinoline and aniline in a 1:1 proportion of dichloromethane and ethanol solvent at argon atmosphere in presence of mild base triethylamine in stoichiometric ratio. The prepared complex was characterized by 1H NMR, ESI-mass spectrometry, IR spectroscopy and most accurately by X-ray single crystallography. The photo physical properties like absorption and emission, i.e, photoluminescence in liquid state as well as solid state were studied exclusively. The experimental electrochemical study was also done with cyclic voltammetry. The theoretical investigations of the photo physical properties were done by DFT and TDDFT calculations. The ground state excitation transitions of the complex arise from 1ILCT and 1MLCT transition. The UV-Vis and photoluminescence transition was also investigated by NTO analysis. The triplet state emission transition was characterized by 3MLCT and some portion of 3ILCT transition.

Structural and Thermodynamic Properties of the Argon Dimer: A Computational Chemistry Exercise in Quantum and Statistical Mechanics

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Halpern, Arthur M.

2010-01-01

Using readily available computational applications and resources, students can construct a high-level ab initio potential energy surface (PES) for the argon dimer. From this information, they can obtain detailed molecular constants of the dimer, including its dissociation energy, which compare well with experimental determinations. Using both…

A first walk on the DarkSide

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Davini, S.; Agnes, P.; Alexander, T.; Alton, A.; Arisaka, K.; Back, H. O.; Baldin, B.; Biery, K.; Bonfini, G.; Bossa, M.; Brigatti, A.; Brodsky, J.; Budano, F.; Calaprice, F.; Canci, N.; Candela, A.; Cariello, M.; Cavalcante, P.; Chavarria, A.; Chepurnov, A.; Cocco, A. G.; D'Angelo, D.; D'Incecco, M.; De Deo, M.; Derbin, A.; Devoto, A.; Di Eusanio, F.; Edkins, E.; Empl, A.; Fan, A.; Fiorillo, G.; Fomenko, K.; Franco, D.; Gabriele, F.; Galbiati, C.; Goretti, A.; Grandi, L.; Guan, M. Y.; Guardincerri, Y.; Hackett, B.; Herner, K.; Hungerford, E. V.; Ianni, Al.; Ianni, An.; Kendziora, C.; Koh, G.; Korablev, D.; Korga, G.; Kurlej, A.; Li, P. X.; Lombardi, P.; Luitz, S.; Machulin, I.; Mandarano, A.; Mari, S.; Maricic, J.; Marini, L.; Martoff, C. J.; Meyers, P. D.; Montanari, D.; Montuschi, M.; Monzani, M. E.; Musico, P.; Odrowski, S.; Orsini, M.; Ortica, F.; Pagani, L.; Pantic, E.; Papp, L.; Parmeggiano, S.; Pelliccia, N.; Perasso, S.; Pocar, A.; Pordes, S.; Qian, H.; Randle, K.; Ranucci, G.; Razeto, A.; Reinhold, B.; Renshaw, A.; Romani, A.; Rossi, B.; Rossi, N.; Rountree, S. D.; Sablone, D.; Saldanha, R.; Sands, W.; Segreto, E.; Shields, E.; Smirnov, O.; Sotnikov, A.; Stanford, C.; Suvorov, Y.; Tatarowicz, J.; Testera, G.; Tonazzo, A.; Unzhakov, E.; Vogelaar, R. B.; Wada, M.; Walker, S.; Wang, H.; Watson, A.; Westerdale, S.; Wojcik, M.; Xiang, X.; Xu, J.; Yang, C. G.; Yoo, J.; Zavatarelli, S.; Zec, A.; Zhu, C.; Zuzel, G.

2016-04-01

DarkSide-50 (DS-50) at Gran Sasso underground laboratory (LNGS), Italy, is a direct dark matter search experiment based on a TPC with liquid argon. DS-50 has completed its first dark matter run using atmospheric argon as target. The DS-50 detector performances and the results of the first physics run are reviewed in this proceeding.

A first walk on the DarkSide

DOE PAGES

Davini, S.; Agnes, P.; Alexander, T.; ...

2016-05-31

DarkSide-50 (DS-50) at Gran Sasso underground laboratory (LNGS), Italy, is a direct dark matter search experiment based on a TPC with liquid argon. DS-50 has completed its first dark matter run using atmospheric argon as target. Here, the DS-50 detector performances and the results of the first physics run are reviewed in this proceeding.

Two systems developed for purifying inert atmospheres

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Foster, M. S.; Johnson, C. E.; Kyle, M. L.

1969-01-01

Two systems, one for helium and one for argon, are used for purifying inert atmospheres. The helium system uses an activated charcoal bed at liquid nitrogen temperature to remove oxygen and nitrogen. The argon system uses heated titanium sponge to remove nitrogen and copper wool beds to remove oxygen. Both use molecular sieves to remove water vapor.

Mechanical Properties of Structural Polymers. Computer Simulations and Key Experiments

DTIC Science & Technology

1992-09-30

Technology", edited by R.W. Cahn, P. Haasen, and E.J. Kramer, (VCH: Weinheim, Germany) (vol. editor H. Mughrabi ) Vol. 6, in the press (1992). 14. A.S. Argon...34, Acta Metall. et Mater., submitted for publication. 5 32. A. Galeski, Z. Bartczak, A.S. Argon and R.E. Cohen, "Morphological Al - terations during

Ion velocity distribution functions in argon and helium discharges: detailed comparison of numerical simulation results and experimental data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Huihui; Sukhomlinov, Vladimir S.; Kaganovich, Igor D.; Mustafaev, Alexander S.

2017-02-01

Using the Monte Carlo collision method, we have performed simulations of ion velocity distribution functions (IVDF) taking into account both elastic collisions and charge exchange collisions of ions with atoms in uniform electric fields for argon and helium background gases. The simulation results are verified by comparison with the experiment data of the ion mobilities and the ion transverse diffusion coefficients in argon and helium. The recently published experimental data for the first seven coefficients of the Legendre polynomial expansion of the ion energy and angular distribution functions are used to validate simulation results for IVDF. Good agreement between measured and simulated IVDFs shows that the developed simulation model can be used for accurate calculations of IVDFs.

Near-Infrared Scintillation of Liquid Argon

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Tilly, Elizabeth; Escobar, Carlos

2017-01-01

Liquid argon is well known to scintillate in the vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) range which is inherently difficult to detect. There has been recent evidence to suggest that it also emits near infrared (NIR) light. If this is the case, many large-scale time projection chambers and other similar detectors will be able to maximize light collection while minimizing cost. The goal of this project is to confirm and quantify this NIR emission. In order to accomplish this, an α-source was placed in a volume of highly purified liquid argon and observed using an infrared PMT with a filter excluding light withmore » wavelength <715 nm. Performing a simple counting experiment, there were indications of NIR scintillation. Further analysis is in progress.« less

Rapid solidification of metallic particulates

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Grant, N. J.

1982-01-01

In order to maximize the heat transfer coefficient the most important variable in rapid solidification is the powder particle size. The finer the particle size, the higher the solidification rate. Efforts to decrease the particle size diameter offer the greatest payoff in attained quench rate. The velocity of the liquid droplet in the atmosphere is the second most important variable. Unfortunately the choices of gas atmospheres are sharply limited both because of conductivity and cost. Nitrogen and argon stand out as the preferred gases, nitrogen where reactions are unimportant and argon where reaction with nitrogen may be important. In gas atomization, helium offers up to an order of magnitude increase in solidification rate over argon and nitrogen. By contrast, atomization in vacuum drops the quench rate several orders of magnitude.

Excited argon 1s5 production in micro-hollow cathode discharges for use as potential rare gas laser sources

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peterson, Richard D.; Eshel, Ben; Rice, Christopher A.; Perram, Glen P.

2018-02-01

The diode-pumped rare gas laser (DPRGL) has been suggested as a potential high-gain, high-energy laser which requires densities on the order of 1013 cm-3 at pressures around 1 atmosphere for efficient operation. Argon 1s5 number densities have been measured in micro-hollow cathode discharges with electrode gaps of 127 and 254 μm and hole diameters from 100-400 μm. The dependency of the metastable argon (1s5) density on total gas pressure, electrode gap distance and hole diameter were explored. The measured densities were all in the range of 0.5 - 2 × 1013 cm-3 with the 400 μm hole diameters being the lowest.

Single-grain 40Ar-39Ar ages of glauconies: implications for the geologic time scale and global sea level variations

PubMed

Smith; Evensen; York; Odin

1998-03-06

The mineral series glaucony supplies 40% of the absolute-age database for the geologic time scale of the last 250 million years. However, glauconies have long been suspected of giving young potassium-argon ages on bulk samples. Laser-probe argon-argon dating shows that glaucony populations comprise grains with a wide range of ages, suggesting a period of genesis several times longer ( approximately 5 million years) than previously thought. An estimate of the age of their enclosing sediments (and therefore of time scale boundaries) is given by the oldest nonrelict grains in the glaucony populations, whereas the formation times of the younger grains appear to be modulated by global sea level.

Generation of runaway electrons beams during the breakdown of high-pressure gases

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tarasenko, V. F.; Burachenko, A. G.; Baksht, E. Kh

2017-11-01

Generation of run-away electrons in SF6, CO2, argon and nitrogen at high and super high pressures is studied. Super-short avalanches electron beams (SAEB) was obtained and measured with a collector at pressures up to 0.3, 0.7, 1.0 and 1.2 MPa in SF6, CO2, argon and nitrogen, respectively. The SAEB duration was shown to be ∼60 ps (FWHM) and gas composition has only minor effect on the duration. It was found that in a gap of 4 mm in SF6, CO2, argon and nitrogen at pressure up to 0.3, 0.7, 1.0 и 1.2 MPa the voltage pulse duration (FWHM) and amplitude increase with pressure.

Fatigue crack growth and low cycle fatigue of two nickel base superalloys

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stoloff, N. S.; Duquette, D. J.; Choe, S. J.; Golwalkar, S.

1983-01-01

The fatigue crack growth and low cycle fatigue behavior of two P/M superalloys, Rene 95 and Astroloy, in the hot isostatically pressed (HIP) condition, was determined. Test variables included frequency, temperature, environment, and hold times at peak tensile loads (or strains). Crack initiation sites were identified in both alloys. Crack growth rates were shown to increase in argon with decreasing frequency or with the imposition of hold times. This behavior was attributed to the effect of oxygen in the argon. Auger analyses were performed on oxide films formed in argon. Low cycle fatigue lives also were degraded by tensile hold, contrary to previous reports in the literature. The role of environment in low cycle fatigue behavior is discussed.

Argon content of the Martian atmosphere at the Viking 1 landing site - Analysis by X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Clark, B. C.; Toulmin, P., III; Rose, H. J., Jr.; Baird, A. K.; Keil, K.

1976-01-01

Spectra provided by the Viking 1 X-ray fluorescence spectrometer operating in the calibration mode (without a soil sample in the analysis chamber) were analyzed to determine the argon content of the Martian atmosphere at the landing site. This was found to be less than or equal to 0.15 millibar, or not more than 2% by volume, consistent with data obtained by the entry mass spectrometer and by the mass spectrometer on the lander. It is anticipated that analysis of the K content of surface samples using X-ray fluorescence data will provide information on the evolution of the atmosphere, since most atmospheric argon is apparently produced by decay of K-40.

Matrix Isolation and ab initio study of the noncovalent complexes between formamide and acetylene.

PubMed

Mardyukov, Artur; Sánchez-García, Elsa; Sander, Wolfram

2009-02-12

Matrix isolation spectroscopy in combination with ab initio calculations is a powerful technique for the identification of weakly bound intermolecular complexes. Here, weak complexes between formamide and acetylene are studied, and three 1:1 complexes with binding energies of -2.96, -2.46, and -1.79 kcal/mol have been found at the MP2 level of theory (MP2/cc-pVTZ + ZPE + BSSE). The two most stable dimers A and B are identified in argon and nitrogen matrices by comparison between the experimental and calculated infrared frequencies. Both complexes are stabilized by the formamide C=O...HC acetylene and H...pi interactions. Large shifts have been observed experimentally for the C-H stretching vibrations of the acetylene molecule, in very good agreement with the calculated values. Eight 1:2 FMA-acetylene trimers (T-A to T-H) with binding energies between -5.44 and -2.62 kcal/mol (MP2/aug-cc-pVDZ + ZPE + BSSE) were calculated. The two most stable trimers T-A and T-B are very close in energy and have similar infrared spectra. Several weak bands that are in agreement with the calculated frequencies of the trimers T-A and T-B are observed under matrix isolation conditions. However, the differences are too small for a definitive assignment.

Coordination of ScO+ and YO+ by multiple Ar, Kr, and Xe atoms in noble gas matrixes: a matrix isolation infrared spectroscopic and theoretical study.

PubMed

Zhao, Yanying; Gong, Yu; Chen, Mohua; Ding, Chuanfan; Zhou, Mingfei

2005-12-29

The combination of matrix isolation infrared spectroscopic and quantum chemical calculation results provide strong evidence that scandium and yttrium monoxide cations, ScO+ and YO+, coordinate multiple noble gas atoms in forming noble gas complexes. The results showed that ScO+ coordinates five Ar, Kr, or Xe atoms, and YO+ coordinates six Ar or Kr and five Xe atoms in solid noble gas matrixes. Hence, the ScO+ and YO+ cations trapped in solid noble gas matrixes should be regarded as the [ScO(Ng)5]+ (Ng = Ar, Kr, or Xe), [YO(Ng)6]+ (Ng = Ar or Kr) or [YO(Xe)5]+ complexes. Experiments with dilute krypton or xenon in argon or krypton in xenon produced new IR bands, which are due to the stepwise formation of the [ScO(Ar)(5-n)(Kr)n]+, [ScO(Kr)(5-n)(Xe)n]+ (n = 1-5), [YO(Ar)(6-n)(Kr)n]+ (n = 1-6), and [YO(Ar)(6-n)(Xe)n]+ (n = 1-4) complexes.

Matrix isolation infrared spectra, assignment and DFT investigation on reactions of iron and manganese monoxides with CH3Cl.

PubMed

Zhao, Yanying; Fan, Kexue; Huang, Yongfei; Zheng, Xuming

2013-12-01

The reactions of iron and manganese monoxide molecules (FeO, and MnO) with monochloromethane in solid argon have been studied by matrix isolation infrared spectroscopy and quantum chemistry calculations. When annealing, the reactions of FeO and MnO with CH3Cl first form the OM-(η(Cl)-CH3Cl) (MMn, Fe) complexes, which can isomerize to CH3MOCl (MMn, Fe) upon 300<λ<580 nm irradiation. The products were characterized by isotopic IR studies with CD3Cl and (13)CH3Cl and density functional calculations. Based on theoretical calculations, the OFe-(η(Cl)-CH3Cl) and OMn-(η(Cl)-CH3Cl) complexes have (5)A' and (6)A' ground state with Cs symmetry, respectively. The accurate CCSD(T) single point calculations illustrate the CH3MOCl isomerism are 13.8 and 3.1 kcal/mol lower in energy than the OM-(η(Cl)-CH3Cl) (MMn, Fe) complexes. Copyright © 2013 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The Microwave Spectrum of Argon-Vinyl Chloride

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Leung, Helen O.; Marshall, Mark D.

2011-06-01

Through the systematic comparison of the structures of a series of complexes formed between protic acid and fluorine substituted ethylenes, we have been able to observe how tuning the properties of the functional groups (F and H atoms) in ethylene using additional F atoms causes these groups to compete or cooperate with each other in intermolecular interactions. A necessary step for expanding our work in the next natural direction by examining the effects of the less electronegative, but more polarizable Cl atom is the determination of the structures of protic acid-vinyl chloride complexes. Since the rich microwave spectrum of Ar-vinyl chloride has not previously been reported, it is essential to first characterize this rare gas complex. We have observed strong b-type and weak a-type transitions for both 35Cl and 37Cl versions of this species, all of which appear to be doubled. Although ab initio calculations suggest a sufficiently large value of μ_c, c-type lines remain elusive. Indeed, these same calculations reveal the presence of several minima on the interaction potential energy surface, which may provide an explanation.

Tribological properties of multifunctional coatings with Shape Memory Effect in abrasive wear

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Blednova, Zh. M.; Dmitrenko, D. V.; Balaev, E. U. O.

2018-01-01

The article gives research results of the abrasive wear process on samples made of Steel 1045, U10 and with applied composite surface layer "Nickel-Multicomponent material with Shape Memory Effect (SME) based on TiNi". For the tests we have chosen TiNiZr, which is in the martensite state and TiNiHfCu, which is in the austenitic state at the test temperature. The formation of the surface layer was carried out by high-speed oxygen-fuel deposition in a protective atmosphere of argon. In the wear test, Al2O3 corundum powder was used as an abrasive. It is shown that the wear rate of samples with a composite surface layer of multicomponent materials with SME is significantly reduced in comparison with the base, which is explained by reversible phase transformations of the surface layer with SME. After carrying out the additional surface plastic deformation (SPD), the resistance of the laminated composition to abrasion wear has greatly enhanced, due to the reinforcing effect of the SPD. It is recommended for products working in conditions of abrasive wear and high temperatures to use the complex formation technology of the surface composition "steel-nickel-material with high-temperature SME", including preparation of the substrate surface and the deposited material, high-speed spraying in the protective atmosphere of argon, followed by SPD.

Mg(1 + x)Ir(1 - x) (x = 0, 0.037 and 0.054), a binary intermetallic compound with a new orthorhombic structure type determined from powder and single-crystal X-ray diffraction.

PubMed

Cerný, Radovan; Renaudin, Guillaume; Favre-Nicolin, Vincent; Hlukhyy, Viktor; Pöttgen, Rainer

2004-06-01

The new binary compound Mg(1 + x)Ir(1 - x) (x = 0-0.054) was prepared by melting the elements in the Mg:Ir ratio 2:3 in a sealed tantalum tube under an argon atmosphere in an induction furnace (single crystals) or by annealing cold-pressed pellets of the starting composition Mg:Ir 1:1 in an autoclave under an argon atmosphere (powder sample). The structure was independently solved from high-resolution synchrotron powder and single-crystal X-ray data: Pearson symbol oC304, space group Cmca, lattice parameters from synchrotron powder data a = 18.46948 (6), b = 16.17450 (5), c = 16.82131 (5) A. Mg(1 + x)Ir(1 - x) is a topologically close-packed phase, containing 13 Ir and 12 Mg atoms in the asymmetric unit, and has a narrow homogeneity range. Nearly all the atoms have Frank-Kasper-related coordination polyhedra, with the exception of two Ir atoms, and this compound contains the shortest Ir-Ir distances ever observed. The solution of a rather complex crystal structure from powder diffraction, which was fully confirmed by the single-crystal method, shows the power of powder diffraction in combination with the high-resolution data and the global optimization method.

Ion Neutral Mass Spectrometer Measurements from Titan

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Waite, J. H., Jr.; Niemann, H.; Yelle, R. V.; Kasprzak, W.; Cravens, T.; Luhmann, J.; McNutt, R.; Ip, W.-H.; Gell, D.; Muller-Wordag, I. C. F.

2005-01-01

Introduction: The Ion Neutral Mass Spectrometer (INMS) aboard the Cassini orbiter has obtained the first in situ composition measurements of the neutral densities of molecular nitrogen, methane, argon, and a host of stable carbon-nitrile compounds in its first flyby of Titan. The bulk composition and thermal structure of the moon s upper atmosphere do not appear to be changed since the Voyager flyby in 1979. However, the more sensitive techniques provided by modern in-situ mass spectrometry also give evidence for large-spatial-scale large-amplitude atmospheric waves in the upper atmosphere and for a plethora of stable carbon-nitrile compounds above 1174 km. Furthermore, they allow the first direct measurements of isotopes of nitrogen, carbon, and argon, which provide interesting clues about the evolution of the atmosphere. The atmosphere was first accreted as ammonia and ammonia ices from the Saturn sub-nebula. Subsequent photochemistry likely converted the atmosphere into molecular nitrogen. The early atmosphere was 1.5 to 5 times more substantial and was lost via escape over the intervening 4.5 billion years due to the reduced gravity associated with the relatively small mass of Titan. Carbon in the form of methane has continued to outgas over time from the interior with much of it being deposited in the form of complex hydrocarbons on the surface and some of it also being lost to space.

High density hexagonal boron nitride prepared by hot isostatic pressing in refractory metal containers

DOEpatents

Hoenig, Clarence L.

1992-01-01

Boron nitride powder with less than or equal to the oxygen content of starting powder (down to 0.5% or less) is hot isostatically pressed in a refractory metal container to produce hexagonal boron nitride with a bulk density greater than 2.0 g/cc. The refractory metal container is formed of tantalum, niobium, tungsten, molybdenum or alloys thereof in the form of a canister or alternatively plasma sprayed or chemical vapor deposited onto a powder compact. Hot isostatic pressing at 1800.degree. C. and 30 KSI (206.8 MPa) argon pressure for four hours produces a bulk density of 2.21 g/cc. Complex shapes can be made.

Laser-induced rocket force on a microparticle in a complex (dusty) plasma

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Nosenko, V.; Ivlev, A. V.; Morfill, G. E.

2010-12-15

The interaction of a focused powerful laser beam with micron-sized melamine formaldehyde (MF) particles was studied experimentally. The microspheres had a thin palladium coating on their surface and were suspended in a radio frequency argon plasma as a single layer (plasma crystal). A particle hit by the laser beam usually accelerated in the direction of the laser beam, consistent with the radiation pressure force mechanism. However, random-direction acceleration up to the speeds on the order 1 m/s was sometimes observed. Rocket-force mechanism is proposed to account for the random-direction acceleration. Similar, but much less pronounced, effect was also observed formore » MF particles without palladium coating.« less

A model for the Global Quantum Efficiency for a TPB-based wavelength-shifting system used with photomultiplier tubes in liquid argon in MicroBooNE

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pate, S. F.; Wester, T.; Bugel, L.; Conrad, J.; Henderson, E.; Jones, B. J. P.; McLean, A. I. L.; Moon, J. S.; Toups, M.; Wongjirad, T.

2018-02-01

We present a model for the Global Quantum Efficiency (GQE) of the MicroBooNE optical units. An optical unit consists of a flat, circular acrylic plate, coated with tetraphenyl butadiene (TPB), positioned near the photocathode of a 20.2-cm diameter photomultiplier tube. The plate converts the ultra-violet scintillation photons from liquid argon into visible-spectrum photons to which the cryogenic phototubes are sensitive. The GQE is the convolution of the efficiency of the plates that convert the 128 nm scintillation light from liquid argon to visible light, the efficiency of the shifted light to reach the photocathode, and the efficiency of the cryogenic photomultiplier tube. We develop a GEANT4-based model of the optical unit, based on first principles, and obtain the range of probable values for the expected number of detected photoelectrons (NPE) given the known systematic errors on the simulation parameters. We compare results from four measurements of the NPE determined using alpha-particle sources placed at two distances from a TPB-coated plate in a liquid argon cryostat test stand. We also directly measured the radial dependence of the quantum efficiency, and find that this has the same shape as predicted by our model. Our model results in a GQE of 0.0055±0.0009 for the MicroBooNE optical units. While the information shown here is MicroBooNE specific, the approach to the model and the collection of simulation parameters will be widely applicable to many liquid-argon-based light collection systems.

Comparison of the Argon Triple-Point Temperature in Small Cells of Different Construction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kołodziej, B.; Kowal, A.; Lipiński, L.; Manuszkiewicz, H.; Szmyrka-Grzebyk, A.

2017-06-01

The argon triple point (T_{90} = 83.8058 \\hbox {K}) is a fixed point of the International Temperature Scale of Preston-Thomas (Metrologia 27:3, 1990). Cells for realization of the fixed point have been manufactured by several European metrology institutes (Pavese in Metrologia 14:93, 1978; Pavese et al. in Temperature, part 1, American Institute of Physics, College Park, 2003; Hermier et al. in Temperature, part 1, American Institute of Physics, College Park, 2003; Pavese and Beciet in Modern gas-based temperature and pressure measurement, Springer, New York, 2013). The Institute of Low Temperature and Structure Research has in its disposal a few argon cells of various constructions used for calibration of capsule-type standard platinum resistance thermometers (CSPRT) that were produced within 40 years. These cells differ in terms of mechanical design and thermal properties, as well as source of gas filling the cell. This paper presents data on differences between temperature values obtained during the realization of the triple point of argon in these cells. For determination of the temperature, a heat-pulse method was applied (Pavese and Beciet in Modern gas-based temperature and pressure measurement, Springer, New York, 2013). The comparisons were performed using three CSPRTs. The temperatures difference was determined in relation to a reference function W(T)=R(T_{90})/R(271.16\\hbox {K}) in order to avoid an impact of CSPRT resistance drift between measurements in the argon cells. Melting curves and uncertainty budgets of the measurements are given in the paper. A construction of measuring apparatus is also presented in this paper.

The impacts of effective stress and CO 2 sorption on the matrix permeability of shale reservoir rocks [The impacts of CO 2 sorption and effective stress on the matrix permeability of shale reservoir rocks

DOE PAGES

Wu, Wei; Zoback, Mark D.; Kohli, Arjun H.

2017-05-02

We assess the impacts of effective stress and CO 2 sorption on the bedding-parallel matrix permeability of the Utica shale through pressure pulse-decay experiments. We first measure permeability using argon at relatively high (14.6 MPa) and low (2.8 MPa) effective stresses to assess both pressure dependence and recoverability. We subsequently measure permeability using supercritical CO 2 and again using argon to assess changes due to CO 2 sorption. We find that injection of both argon and supercritical CO 2 reduces matrix permeability in distinct fashion. Samples with permeability higher than 10 –20 m 2 experience a large permeability reduction aftermore » treatment with argon, but a minor change after treatment with supercritical CO 2. However, samples with permeability lower than this threshold undergo a slight change after treatment with argon, but a dramatic reduction after treatment with supercritical CO 2. These results indicate that effective stress plays an important role in the evolution of relatively permeable facies, while CO 2 sorption dominates the change of ultra-low permeability facies. The permeability reduction due to CO 2 sorption varies inversely with initial permeability, which suggests that increased surface area from hydraulic stimulation with CO 2 may be counteracted by sorption effects in ultra-low permeability facies. As a result, we develop a conceptual model to explain how CO 2 sorption induces porosity reduction and volumetric expansion to constrict fluid flow pathways in shale reservoir rocks.« less

The impacts of effective stress and CO 2 sorption on the matrix permeability of shale reservoir rocks [The impacts of CO 2 sorption and effective stress on the matrix permeability of shale reservoir rocks

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wu, Wei; Zoback, Mark D.; Kohli, Arjun H.

We assess the impacts of effective stress and CO 2 sorption on the bedding-parallel matrix permeability of the Utica shale through pressure pulse-decay experiments. We first measure permeability using argon at relatively high (14.6 MPa) and low (2.8 MPa) effective stresses to assess both pressure dependence and recoverability. We subsequently measure permeability using supercritical CO 2 and again using argon to assess changes due to CO 2 sorption. We find that injection of both argon and supercritical CO 2 reduces matrix permeability in distinct fashion. Samples with permeability higher than 10 –20 m 2 experience a large permeability reduction aftermore » treatment with argon, but a minor change after treatment with supercritical CO 2. However, samples with permeability lower than this threshold undergo a slight change after treatment with argon, but a dramatic reduction after treatment with supercritical CO 2. These results indicate that effective stress plays an important role in the evolution of relatively permeable facies, while CO 2 sorption dominates the change of ultra-low permeability facies. The permeability reduction due to CO 2 sorption varies inversely with initial permeability, which suggests that increased surface area from hydraulic stimulation with CO 2 may be counteracted by sorption effects in ultra-low permeability facies. As a result, we develop a conceptual model to explain how CO 2 sorption induces porosity reduction and volumetric expansion to constrict fluid flow pathways in shale reservoir rocks.« less

Structural and spectroscopic characterization of DMF complexes with nitrogen, carbon dioxide, ammonia and water. Infrared matrix isolation and theoretical studies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sałdyka, Magdalena; Mielke, Zofia; Haupa, Karolina

2018-02-01

An infrared spectroscopic and MP2/6-311++G(2d,2p) study of the complexes between N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) and nitrogen, carbon dioxide, water, ammonia trapped in solid argon matrices is reported. The 1:1 molecular complexes have been identified in the DMF/B/Ar matrices (B = N2, CO, H2O, NH3); their structures were determined by comparison of the spectra with the results of calculations. The analysis of the experimental and theoretical data indicate that the DMF-N2, CO complexes present in the matrices are stabilized by (C=)O⋯N and (C=)O⋯C van der Waals interactions. In turn, in the DMF-H2O, NH3 complexes the (C=)O⋯H(OH) and (C=)O⋯H(NH2) hydrogen bonding is present in which the carbonyl group of DMF acts as a proton acceptor. In all systems studied the C-H⋯X (X = N, C, O) bonding is a second intermolecular force stabilizing the planar complexes. Some spectral features indicate that for DMF-H2O, DMF-NH3 systems the nonplanar structures with the C=O⋯H interaction are also present. The study demonstrated the strong sensitivity of the CH stretching wavenumber to an involvement of the C-H and/or C=O groups of DMF in an intermolecular interaction.

Synthesis, characterization, spectroscopic and theoretical studies of new zinc(II), copper(II) and nickel(II) complexes based on imine ligand containing 2-aminothiophenol moiety

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shafaatian, Bita; Mousavi, S. Sedighe; Afshari, Sadegh

2016-11-01

New dimer complexes of zinc(II), copper(II) and nickel(II) were synthesized using the Schiff base ligand which was formed by the condensation of 2-aminothiophenol and 2-hydroxy-5-methyl benzaldehyde. This tridentate Schiff base ligand was coordinated to the metal ions through the NSO donor atoms. In order to prevent the oxidation of the thiole group during the formation of Schiff base and its complexes, all of the reactions were carried out under an inert atmosphere of argon. The X-ray structure of the Schiff base ligand showed that in the crystalline form the SH groups were oxidized to produce a disulfide Schiff base as a new double Schiff base ligand. The molar conductivity values of the complexes in dichloromethane implied the presence of non-electrolyte species. The fluorescence properties of the Schiff base ligand and its complexes were also studied in dichloromethane. The products were characterized by FT-IR, 1H NMR, UV/Vis spectroscopies, elemental analysis, and conductometry. The crystal structure of the double Schiff base was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Furthermore, the density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed at the B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) level of theory for the determination of the optimized structures of Schiff base complexes.

Diamond film growth argon-carbon plasmas

DOEpatents

Gruen, Dieter M.; Krauss, Alan R.; Liu, Shengzhong; Pan, Xianzheng; Zuiker, Christopher D.

1998-01-01

A method and system for manufacturing diamond film. The method involves forming a carbonaceous vapor, providing a gas stream of argon, hydrogen and hydrocarbon and combining the gas with the carbonaceous vapor, passing the combined carbonaceous vapor and gas carrier stream into a chamber, forming a plasma in the chamber causing fragmentation of the carbonaceous and deposition of a diamond film on a substrate.

LArIAT: Worlds First Pion-Argon Cross-Section

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hamilton, Pip

2016-11-02

The LArIAT experiment has performed the world's first measurement of the total charged-current pion cross-section on an argon target, using the repurposed ArgoNeuT detector in the Fermilab test beam. Presented here are the results of that measurement, along with an overview of the LArIAT experiment and details of the LArIAT collaboration's plans for future measurements.

The Relationship between Balancing Reactions and Reaction Lifetimes: A Consideration of the Potassium-Argon Radiometric Method for Dating Minerals

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Howard, William A.

2005-01-01

A detailed examination of a commonly accepted practice in geology offers an example of how to stimulate critical thinking, teaches students how to read reactions, and challenges students to formulate better experiments for determining mineral ages more accurately. A demonstration of a Potassium-Argon radiometric method for dating minerals is…

First observation of low energy electron neutrinos in a liquid argon time projection chamber

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Acciarri, R.; Adams, C.; Asaadi, J.

Liquid argon time projection chambers (LArTPCs) produce remarkable fidelity in the observation of neutrino interactions. The superior capabilities of such detectors to reconstruct the spatial and calorimetric information of neutrino events have made them the detectors of choice in a number of experiments, specifically those looking to observe electron neutrino (more » $$\

Investigation of atmospheric pressure glow microdischarge between flat cathode and needle anode in helium and argon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Astafiev, Alexander; Belyaev, Vladimir; Zamchii, Roman; Kudryavtsev, Anatoly; Stepanova, Olga; Chen, Zhaoquan

2016-09-01

DC atmospheric-pressure glow microdischarge was generated between a flat cathode and needle anode with a diameter of 100 μm in a special chamber with helium or argon. Dependences of discharge parameters on an interelectrode gap was investigated with an original experimental setup based on a movable arm on the hinge joint which allowed changing the gap with a step of 5 μm. The gap was varied from 5 to 700 μm. Discharge current was 1-21 mA. Such discharge cell has a very low interelectrode capacitance and provides increasing the stability of the discharge against arc formation (transition to RC oscillations mode) at low currents of 1 mA. A weak dependence of discharge voltage across the gap was revealed in helium at 100-250 μm between the electrodes (normal discharge). In contrast to this, glow microdischarge in argon has a descending current-voltage characteristic and unstable nature. The discharge voltage depending on the gap changes significantly slower than in helium. According to our estimations, the strength of electrical field of positive glow in argon is 5 times lower than in helium. Saint Petersburg State University (Grant No. 0.37.218.2016).

An investigation into the role of metastable states on excited populations of weakly ionized argon plasmas, with applications for optical diagnostics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arnold, Nicholas; Loch, Stuart; Ballance, Connor; Thomas, Ed

2017-10-01

Low temperature plasmas (Te < 10 eV) are ubiquitous in the medical, industrial, basic, and dusty plasma communities, and offer an opportunity for researchers to gain a better understanding of atomic processes in plasmas. Here, we report on a new atomic dataset for neutral and low charge states of argon, from which rate coefficients and cross-sections for the electron-impact excitation of neutral argon are determined. We benchmark by comparing with electron impact excitation cross-sections available in the literature, with very good agreement. We have used the Atomic Data and Analysis Structure (ADAS) code suite to calculate a level-resolved, generalized collisional-radiative (GCR) model for line emission in low temperature argon plasmas. By combining our theoretical model with experimental electron temperature, density, and spectral measurements from the Auburn Linear eXperiment for Instability Studies (ALEXIS), we have developed diagnostic techniques to measure metastable fraction, electron temperature, and electron density. In the future we hope to refine our methods, and extend our model to plasmas other than ALEXIS. Supported by the U.S. Department of Energy. Grant Number: DE-FG02-00ER54476.

Direct Measurement of Impurity Transport in a Field Reversed Configuration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Roche, T.; Bolte, N.; Heidbrink, W. W.; McWilliams, R.; Wessel, F.

2011-10-01

An optical tomography system has been developed and implemented in the Flux Coil Generated Field Reversed Configuration (FCG-FRC) at Tri Alpha Energy. Sixteen chords view ~ 35 % of the FRC at the mid-plane. The chords are arranged in two identical fans of eight chords each. To measure transport of an impurity species, argon, an FRC is generated using either Nitrogen or Deuterium as the primary species. A puff valve is activated prior to the shot such that the argon begins to bleed in to the vacuum chamber as the FRC is formed. The gas is puffed at the optimal location for tomographic reconstruction. Each chord is collimated to illuminate a fiber optic cable which is fed to an array of photomultiplier tubes which are fitted with neutral density and band pass filters to allow the appropriate amount of light from the emitting, singly ionized, argon at 434 . 8 nm to be measured. Using a preliminary assumption that density of argon is proportional to light intensity gathered data have been used to reconstruct density profiles. These profiles often peak near the field null. The data are being analyzed to determine diffusive and convective transport coefficients.

Novel cryogenic sources for liquid droplet and solid filament beams

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grams, Michael P.

Two novel atomic and molecular beam sources have been created and tested consisting first of a superfluid helium liquid jet, and secondly a solid filament of argon. The superfluid helium apparatus is the second of its kind in the world and uses a modified liquid helium cryostat to inject a cylindrical stream of superfluid helium into vacuum through glass capillary nozzles with diameters on the order of one micron created on-site at Arizona State University. The superfluid beam is an entirely new way to study superfluid behavior, and has many new applications such as superfluid beam-surface scattering, beam-beam scattering, and boundary-free study of superfluidity. The solid beam of argon is another novel beam source created by flowing argon gas through a capillary 50 microns in diameter which is clamped by a small copper plate to a copper block kept at liquid nitrogen temperature. The gas subsequently cools and solidifies plugging the capillary. Upon heating, the solid plug melts and liquid argon exits the capillary and immediately freezes by evaporative cooling. The solid filaments may find application as wall-less cryogenic matrices, or targets for laser plasma sources of extreme UV and soft x-ray sources.

Continuous wave cavity ring down spectroscopy measurements of velocity distribution functions of argon ions in a helicon plasma.

PubMed

Chakraborty Thakur, Saikat; McCarren, Dustin; Carr, Jerry; Scime, Earl E

2012-02-01

We report continuous wave cavity ring down spectroscopy (CW-CRDS) measurements of ion velocity distribution functions (VDFs) in low pressure argon helicon plasma (magnetic field strength of 600 G, T(e) ≈ 4 eV and n ≈ 5 × 10(11) cm(-3)). Laser induced fluorescence (LIF) is routinely used to measure VDFs of argon ions, argon neutrals, helium neutrals, and xenon ions in helicon sources. Here, we describe a CW-CRDS diagnostic based on a narrow line width, tunable diode laser as an alternative technique to measure VDFs in similar regimes but where LIF is inapplicable. Being an ultra-sensitive, cavity enhanced absorption spectroscopic technique; CW-CRDS can also provide a direct quantitative measurement of the absolute metastable state density. The proof of principle CW-CRDS measurements presented here are of the Doppler broadened absorption spectrum of Ar II at 668.6138 nm. Extrapolating from these initial measurements, it is expected that this diagnostic is suitable for neutrals and ions in plasmas ranging in density from 1 × 10(9) cm(-3) to 1 × 10(13) cm(-3) and target species temperatures less than 20 eV.

Continuous wave cavity ring down spectroscopy measurements of velocity distribution functions of argon ions in a helicon plasma

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chakraborty Thakur, Saikat; McCarren, Dustin; Carr, Jerry; Scime, Earl E.

2012-02-01

We report continuous wave cavity ring down spectroscopy (CW-CRDS) measurements of ion velocity distribution functions (VDFs) in low pressure argon helicon plasma (magnetic field strength of 600 G, Te ≈ 4 eV and n ≈ 5 × 1011 cm-3). Laser induced fluorescence (LIF) is routinely used to measure VDFs of argon ions, argon neutrals, helium neutrals, and xenon ions in helicon sources. Here, we describe a CW-CRDS diagnostic based on a narrow line width, tunable diode laser as an alternative technique to measure VDFs in similar regimes but where LIF is inapplicable. Being an ultra-sensitive, cavity enhanced absorption spectroscopic technique; CW-CRDS can also provide a direct quantitative measurement of the absolute metastable state density. The proof of principle CW-CRDS measurements presented here are of the Doppler broadened absorption spectrum of Ar II at 668.6138 nm. Extrapolating from these initial measurements, it is expected that this diagnostic is suitable for neutrals and ions in plasmas ranging in density from 1 × 109 cm-3 to 1 × 1013 cm-3 and target species temperatures less than 20 eV.

Phototoxicity of argon laser irradiation on biofilms of Porphyromonas and Prevotella species.

PubMed

Henry, C A; Dyer, B; Wagner, M; Judy, M; Matthews, J L

1996-07-01

Species of Prevotella (Pr.) and Porphyromonas (Po.) and other microorganisms were cultivated as biofilms on agar medium and examined for their susceptibility to argon laser irradiation (continuous mode; wavelengths, 488-514 nm; fluences, 20-200 J cm(-2)). Fluences of 35 to 80 J cm(-2) inhibited biofilm growth in Po. endodontalis, Po. gingivalis, Pr. denticola, Pr. intermedia, Pr. melaninogenica and Pr. nigrescens. A fluence of 70 J cm(-2) did not affect biofilm growth in species of Bacillus, Candida, Enterobacter, Proteus, Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus and Streptococcus. The phototoxic effects of argon laser irradiation against Prevotella and Porphyromonas species were: (1) caused by the radiation alone; (2) modified by biofilm age; (3) dependent on the presence of atmospheric oxygen; (4) influenced by medium supplements of hemin, hemoglobin and blood; (5) greater when compared with other microbial species; (6) demonstrated without augmentation with an exogenous photosensitizer; and (7) apparently unrelated to the protoporphyrin content of the cells. Overall, these in vitro findings suggest that low doses of argon laser radiation may be effective in the treatment and/or prevention of clinical infections caused by biofilm-associated species of Prevotella or Porphyromonas.

Influence of oxygen in atmospheric-pressure argon plasma jet on sterilization of Bacillus atrophaeous spores

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lim, Jin-Pyo; Uhm, Han S.; Li, Shou-Zhe

2007-09-15

A nonequilibrium Ar/O{sub 2} plasma discharge at atmospheric pressure was carried out in a coaxial cylindrical reactor with a stepped electrode configuration powered by a 13.56 MHz rf power supplier. The argon glow discharge with high electron density produces oxygen reactive species in large quantities. Argon plasma jets penetrate deep into ambient air and create a path for oxygen radicals to sterilize microbes. A sterilization experiment with bacterial endospores indicates that an argon-oxygen plasma jet very effectively kills endospores of Bacillus atrophaeus (ATCC 9372), thereby demonstrating its capability to clean surfaces and its usefulness for reinstating contaminated equipment as freemore » from toxic biological warfare agents. The decimal reduction time (D values) of the Ar/O{sub 2} plasma jet at an exposure distance of 0.5-1.5 cm ranges from 5 to 57 s. An actinometric comparison of the sterilization data shows that atomic oxygen radicals play a significant role in plasma sterilization. When observed under a scanning electron microscope, the average size of the spores appears to be greatly reduced due to chemical reactions with the oxygen radicals.« less

Modeling ionization and recombination from low energy nuclear recoils in liquid argon

DOE PAGES

Foxe, M.; Hagmann, C.; Jovanovic, I.; ...

2015-03-27

Coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering (CENNS) is an as-yet undetected, flavor-independent neutrino interaction predicted by the Standard Model. Detection of CENNS could offer benefits for detection of supernova and solar neutrinos in astrophysics, or for detection of antineutrinos for nuclear reactor monitoring and nuclear nonproliferation. One challenge with detecting CENNS is the low energy deposition associated with a typical CENNS nuclear recoil. In addition, nuclear recoils result in lower ionization yields than those produced by electron recoils of the same energy. While a measurement of the nuclear recoil ionization yield in liquid argon in the keV energy range has been recentlymore » reported, a corresponding model for low-energy ionization yield in liquid argon does not exist. For this reason, a Monte Carlo simulation has been developed to predict the ionization yield at sub-10 keV energies. The model consists of two distinct components: (1) simulation of the atomic collision cascade with production of ionization, and (2) the thermalization and drift of ionization electrons in an applied electric field including local recombination. As an application of our results we report updated estimates of detectable ionization in liquid argon from CENNS at a nuclear reactor.« less

Comparison of microleakages of photo-cured composites using three different light sources: halogen lamp, LED and argon laser: an in vitro study.

PubMed

Tielemans, M; Compere, Ph; Geerts, S O; Lamy, M; Limme, M; De Moor, R J G; Delmé, K I M; Bertrand, M F; Rompen, E; Nammour, S

2009-01-01

In this study, we compared the microleakage of composite fillings cured with halogen bulb, LED and argon ion laser (488 nm). Twenty-four extracted human molars were divided randomly in three groups. Six cavities were prepared on the coronal part of each tooth. Standard cavities (1.7 x 2 mm) were prepared. Cavities were acid etched, sealed with Scotch Bond 1 and filled by a hybrid composite. Cavities were exposed to one light source, thermocycled and immersed in a 2% methylene blue dye solution. Dye penetration in the leakage of cavities was recorded using a digital optical microscope. Mean values of percentage of dye penetrations in microleakages of cavities were 49.303 +/- 5.178% for cavities cured with LED, 44.486 +/- 6.075% with halogen bulb and 36.647 +/- 5.936% for those cured by argon laser. Statistically significant difference exists between cavities cured by halogen vs LED (P < 0.01), halogen vs laser (P < 0.001) and LED vs laser (P < 0.001). The lowest microleakage was observed in the cavities and composites cured with argon ion laser.

ARGON, XENON, HYDROGEN, AND THE OXYGEN CONSUMPTION AND GLYCOLYSIS OF MOUSE TISSUE SLICES

PubMed Central

South, Frank E.; Cook, Sherburne F.

1954-01-01

The effects of xenon, argon, and hydrogen on the aerobic and anaerobic metabolism of mouse liver, brain, and sarcoma slices have been investigated. Xenon was found to alter the rates of metabolism of these tissues in a manner almost identical with helium. The gas increased the rate of oxygen consumption in all three tissues and significantly depressed that of anaerobic glycolysis in brain and liver. The depression of glycolysis in sarcoma was less pronounced and not highly significant. Although both the magnitude and statistical significance of the effects observed with argon were much smaller, there was a seeming adherence to the general pattern established by xenon and helium. Hydrogen while remaining essentially ineffective insofar as oxygen uptake was concerned, depressed glycolysis in both liver and brain slices but did not significantly affect sarcoma slices. The following points are stressed in the Discussion: (1) the magnitude and direction of effects exerted by helium, argon, xenon, hydrogen, and nitrogen do not conform with the relative values of molecular weight, density, and solubility of these gases; (2) the effect of these gases on tissue metabolism does not necessarily parallel that exerted upon the whole organism. PMID:13118104

The effect of UV radiation from oxygen and argon plasma on the adhesion of organosilicon coatings on polypropylene

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jaritz, M.; Behm, H.; Hopmann, Ch; Kirchheim, D.; Mitschker, F.; Awakowicz, P.; Dahlmann, R.

2017-01-01

The influence of ultraviolet (UV) radiation from oxygen and argon pretreatment plasmas on a plastic substrate has not been fully understood yet. In particular, its influence on the adhesion properties has not been sufficiently researched so far. This paper addresses this issue by comparing the bond strength of a plasmapolymerized silicon organic coating (SiO x C y H z ) on polypropylene (PP) after oxygen and argon plasma pretreatment and pretreatment by UV radiation emitted by the same plasmas. The UV radiation is isolated from the other species from the plasma by means of a magnesium fluoride (MgF2) optical filter. It could be shown that UV radiation originating from an oxygen plasma has a significant impact on both substrate surface chemistry and coating adhesion. The same maximum bond strength enhancement can be reached by pretreating the polypropylene surface either with pulsed oxygen plasma, or with only the UV radiation from this oxygen plasma. Also, similar surface chemistry and topography modifications are induced. For argon plasma no significant influence of its UV radiation on the substrate could be observed in this study.

Metabolic effects of artificial environments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jordan, J. P.

1971-01-01

The mechanisms by which inert gases influence metabolism were investigated from several viewpoints. Groups of rats were exposed at the thermal neutral temperature of the respective mixtures, to normoxic (P sub A 02 = 100 mm Hq) environments with argon, helium or nitrogen as the diluent at a total pressure of one atmosphere. The possible influence of diluent gases on oxygen transport to the cell was examined with hypoxic (P sub A O2 = 70 mm Hg) mixtures of the same diluent gases. Metabolic measurements included food, water, and oxygen consumption, CO2 production, hematocrit and the rate C-14O2 of expiration subsequent to intraperitoneal injection of acetate-1-C-14 or glucose UL-C-14. Argon-exposed animals showed a consistently decreased metabolic rate while, on the other hand, helium-exposed rats did not significantly alter metabolic rate relative to nitrogen. Certain indices, including acetate and glucose utilization, suggested that helium attenuated the imposed hypoxia at the cellular level while argon facilitated it as compared with nitrogen. These results suggest that metabolic influence of helium is largely thermal in nature while argon has a significant direct metabolic effect and that diluent gases may selectively influence oxygen availability to the interior of the cell.

Multiple-element semiquantitative analysis of one-milligram geochemical samples by D.C. arc emission spectrography

USGS Publications Warehouse

Rait, N.

1981-01-01

A modified method is described for a 1-mg sample multi-element semiquantitative spectrographic analysis. This method uses a direct-current arc source, carbon instead of graphite electrodes, and an 80% argon-20% oxygen atmosphere instead of air. Although this is a destructive method, an analysis can be made for 68 elements in all mineral and geochemical samples. Carbon electrodes have been an aid in improving the detection limits of many elements. The carbon has a greater resistance to heat conductance and develops a better tip, facilitating sample volatilization and counter balancing the cooling effect of a flow of the argon-oxygen mixture around the anode. Where such an argon-oxygen atmosphere is used instead of air, the cyanogen band lines are greatly diminished in intensity, and thus more spectral lines of analysis elements are available for use; the spectral background is also lower. The main advantage of using the carbon electrode and the 80% argon-20% oxygen atmosphere is the improved detection limits of 36 out of 68 elements. The detection limits remain the same for 23 elements, and are not as good for only nine elements. ?? 1981.

The search for 0νββ decay with the GERDA experiment: Status and prospects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Majorovits, B.

2015-08-01

The GERDA experiment is designed to search for neutrinoless double beta decay of 76Ge using HPGe detectors directly immersed into liquid argon. In its first phase the GERDA experiment has yielded a half life limit on this decay of T1/2 0 v>2.1 ṡ1025 . A background model has been developed. It explains the measured spectrum well, taking into account only components with distances to the detectors less then 2 cm. Competitive limits on Majoron accompanied double beta decay have been derived. Phase II of the experiment, now with additional liquid argon veto installed, is presently starting its commissioning phase. First commissioning spectra from calibration measurements are shown, proving that the liquid argon veto leads to a significant reduction of background events.

DEAP-3600 Dark Matter Search at SNOLAB

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boulay, Mark; DEAP Collaboration

2014-09-01

The DEAP-3600 experiment will search for dark matter particle interactions on 3.6 tonnes of liquid argon at SNOLAB. The argon is contained in a large ultralow-background acrylic vessel viewed by 255 8-inch photomultiplier tubes. Very good pulse-shape discrimination has been demonstrated for scintillation in argon, and the detector has been designed for a total background budget, including (alpha,n) and external neutron recoils, surface contamination from 210Pb and radon daughters, of 0.2 events per tonne-year, allowing an ultimate sensitivity to spin-independent scattering of 10-46 cm2 per nucleon at 100 GeV mass. Installation of the detector is currently being completed at SNOLAB. The status of the experiment and an overview of low background techniques employed will be presented.

Development of advanced inert-gas ion thrusters

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Poeschel, R. L.

1983-01-01

Inert gas ion thruster technology offers the greatest potential for providing high specific impulse, low thrust, electric propulsion on large, Earth orbital spacecraft. The development of a thruster module that can be operated on xenon or argon propellant to produce 0.2 N of thrust at a specific impulse of 3000 sec with xenon propellant and at 6000 sec with argon propellant is described. The 30 cm diameter, laboratory model thruster is considered to be scalable to produce 0.5 N thrust. A high efficiency ring cusp discharge chamber was used to achieve an overall thruster efficiency of 77% with xenon propellant and 66% with argon propellant. Measurements were performed to identify ion production and loss processes and to define critical design criteria (at least on a preliminary basis).

Ion beam sputter etching of orthopedic implanted alloy MP35N and resulting effects on fatigue

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wintucky, E. G.; Christopher, M.; Bahnuik, E.; Wang, S.

1981-01-01

The effects of two types of argon ion sputter etched surface structures on the tensile stress fatigue properties of orthopedic implant alloy MP35N were investigated. One surface structure was a natural texture resulting from direct bombardment by 1 keV argon ions. The other structure was a pattern of square holes milled into the surface by a 1 keV argon ion beam through a Ni screen mask. The etched surfaces were subjected to tensile stress only in fatigue tests designed to simulate the cyclic load conditions experienced by the stems of artificial hip joint implants. Both types of sputter etched surface structures were found to reduce the fatigue strength below that of smooth surface MP35N.

Simulation of propagation of the HPM in the low-pressure argon plasma

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhigang, LI; Zhongcai, YUAN; Jiachun, WANG; Jiaming, SHI

2018-02-01

The propagation of the high-power microwave (HPM) with a frequency of 6 GHz in the low-pressure argon plasma was studied by the method of fluid approximation. The two-dimensional transmission model was built based on the wave equation, the electron drift-diffusion equations and the heavy species transport equations, which were solved by means of COMSOL Multiphysics software. The simulation results showed that the propagation characteristic of the HPM was closely related to the average electron density of the plasma. The attenuation of the transmitted wave increased nonlinearly with the electron density. Specifically, the growth of the attenuation slowed down as the electron density increased uniformly. In addition, the concrete transmission process of the HPM wave in the low-pressure argon plasma was given.

Heat and metal transfer in gas metal arc welding using argon and helium

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Joensson, P.G.; Eagar, T.W.; Szekely, J.

1995-04-01

This article describes a theoretical investigation on the arc parameters and metal transfer in gas metal arc welding (GMAW) of mild steel using argon and helium shielding gases. Major differences in the predicted arc parameters were determined to be due to large differences in thermophysical properties. Various findings from the study include that an arc cannot be struck in a pure helium atmosphere without the assistance of metal vapor, that a strong electromagnetic cathode force affects the fluid flow and heat transfer in the helium arc, providing a possible explanation for the experimentally observed globular transfer mode and that themore » tapering of t electrode in an argon arc is caused by electron condensation on the side of the electrode.« less

Automatic-Control System for Safer Brazing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stein, J. A.; Vanasse, M. A.

1986-01-01

Automatic-control system for radio-frequency (RF) induction brazing of metal tubing reduces probability of operator errors, increases safety, and ensures high-quality brazed joints. Unit combines functions of gas control and electric-power control. Minimizes unnecessary flow of argon gas into work area and prevents electrical shocks from RF terminals. Controller will not allow power to flow from RF generator to brazing head unless work has been firmly attached to head and has actuated micro-switch. Potential shock hazard eliminated. Flow of argon for purging and cooling must be turned on and adjusted before brazing power applied. Provision ensures power not applied prematurely, causing damaged work or poor-quality joints. Controller automatically turns off argon flow at conclusion of brazing so potentially suffocating gas does not accumulate in confined areas.

Test of an argon cusp plasma for tin LPP power scaling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McGeoch, Malcolm W.

2015-03-01

Scaling the power of the tin droplet laser-produced-plasma (LPP) extreme ultraviolet (EUV) source to 500W has eluded the industry after a decade of effort. In 2014 we proposed [2] a solution: placing the laser-plasma interaction region within an argon plasma in a magnetic cusp. This would serve to ionize tin atoms and guide them to a large area annular beam dump. We have since demonstrated the feasibility of this approach. We present first results from a full-scale test plasma at power levels relevant to the generation of at least 200W, showing both that the argon cusp plasma is very stable, and that its geometrical properties are ideal for the transport of exhaust power and tin to the beam dump.

Electron kinetics in atmospheric-pressure argon and nitrogen microwave microdischarges

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Levko, Dmitry; Raja, Laxminarayan L.

2016-04-28

Electron kinetics in atmospheric-pressure argon and nitrogen microwave (4 GHz) microdischarges is studied using a self-consistent one-dimensional Particle-in-Cell Monte Carlo Collisions model. The reversal of electric field (i.e., inverted sheath formation) is obtained in nitrogen and is not obtained in argon. This is explained by the different energy dependencies of electron-neutral collision cross sections in atomic and molecular gases and, as a consequence, different drag force acting on electrons. A non-local behavior of electron energy distribution function is obtained in both gases owing to electrons are generated in the plasma sheath. In both gases, electron energy relaxation length is comparable withmore » the interelectrode gap, and therefore, they penetrate the plasma bulk with large energies.« less

[Plasma temperature of white-eye hexagonal pattern in dielectric barrier discharge].

PubMed

Zhao, Yang; Dong, Li-fang; Fu, Hong-yan

2015-01-01

By using the water-electrode discharge experimental setup, the white-eye hexagonal pattern is firstly observed and investigated in the dielectric barrier discharge with the mixture of argon and air whose content can be varied whenever necessary, and the study shows that the white-eye cell is an interleaving of three different hexagonal sub-structures: the spot, the ring, and the halo. The white-eye hexagonal pattern has the excellent discharge stability and sustainability during the experiment. Pictures recorded by ordinary camera with long exposure time in the same argon content condition show that the spot, the ring, and the halo of the white-eye hexagonal pattern have different brightness, which may prove that their plasma states are different. And, it is worth noting that there are obvious differences not only on the brightness but also on the color of the white-eye cell in conditions of different argon content, which shows that its plasma state also changed with the variation of the argon content. The white-eye hexagonal pattern is observed at a lower applied voltage so that the temperature of the water electrodes almost keeps unchanged during the whole experiment, which is advantageous for the long term stable measurement. The plasma state will not be affected by the temperature of the electrodes during the continuous discharge. Based on the above phenomena, plasma temperatures of the spot, the ring, and the halo in white-eye hexagonal pattern including molecule vibrational temperature and variations of electron density at different argon content are investigated by means of optical emission spectroscopy (OES). The emission spectra of the N2 second positive band(C3Πu-->B3Πg)are measured, and the molecule vibrational temperature of the spot, the ring, and the halo of the white-eye hexagonal pattern are calculated by the emission intensities. Furthermore, emission spectra of Ar I (2P2-->1S5)is collected and the changes of its width with different argon content are used to estimate the variations of electron density of the spot, the ring, and the halo of the white-eye hexagonal pattern. In the same argon content condition, the molecule vibrational temperatures of halo, ring, and spot in the white-eye hexagonal pattern are in descending order, while the electron densities of halo, ring, and spot are in ascending order. With argon content increasing from 70% to 90%, both the molecule vibrational temperature and the electron density of the spot increase, while both of them of the halo decrease. And the molecule vibrational temperature of the ring keeps constant, while its electron density decreases. The experimental results indicate that the plasma state of the spot, the halo and the ring in a white-eye cell of the white-eye hexagonal pattern is different. These results are of great importance to the investigation of the multilayer structure of the patterns in dielectric barrier discharge and applications in industry.

Microstructures and Argon age dating

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Forster, Marnie; Fitz Gerald, John; Lister, Gordon

2010-05-01

Microstructures can be dated using 40Ar/39Ar geochronology, but certain conditions apply. In particular the nature of the physical processes that took place during development of need be identified, and the pattern of gas release (and/or retention) during their evolution in nature, and subsequently in the mass spectrometer, during the measurement process. Most researchers cite temperature as the sole variable of importance. There is a belief that there is a single "closure temperature" or a "closure interval" above which the mineral is incapable of retaining radiogenic argon. This is a false conception. Closure is practically relevant only in circumstances that see a rock cooled relatively rapidly from temperatures that were high enough to prevent significant accumulation of radiogenic argon, to temperatures below which there is insignificant loss of radiogenic argon through the remainder of the geological history. These conditions accurately apply only to a limited subset - for example to rocks that cool rapidly from a melt and thereafter remain at or close to the Earth's surface, without subsequent ingress of fluids that would cause alteration and modification of microstructure. Some minerals in metamorphic rocks might display such "cooling ages" but in principle these data are difficult to interpret since they depend on the rate of cooling, the pressures that applied, and the subsequent geological history. Whereas the science of "cooling ages" is relatively well understood, the science of the Argon Partial Retention Zone is in its infancy. In the Argon PRZ it is evident that ages should (and do) show a strong correlation with microstructure. The difficulty is that, since diffusion of Argon is simultaneously multi-path and multi-scale, it is difficult to directly interrogate the distinct reservoirs that store gas populations and thus the age information that can be recorded as to the multiple events during the history of an individual microstructure. Laser methods invariably record mixing ages, since the spot sizes are large. Carefully designed furnace step-heating experiments on the other hand seem well capable of sequentially extracting ages from different microstructural reservoirs, and this can be tested by comparing samples with different proportions of these microstructures. Here we examine the role of microstructure in Argon ‘age dating' by comparing and contrasting observed measurements with theoretical predictions developed on the basis of modelling and simulation of the effects of multi-path and multi-scale diffusion. We analyse these results in the context of microstructures observed in white micas and K-feldspar, at both the scale of the optical microscope as well as utilising electron microscopy. Examples from three different tectonic settings will be provided to illustrate the effect of the different variables that apply: a) the extensional South Cyclades Shear Zone, Greece; b) granitoids exhumed from ultra-high-pressures in the Dora Maira, Italy; and c) leucogranites shed from the Ladakh Batholith into the Indus Formation, NW India.

Measured density of copper atoms in the ground and metastable states in argon magnetron discharge correlated with the deposition rate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Naghshara, H.; Sobhanian, S.; Khorram, S.; Sadeghi, N.

2011-01-01

In a dc-magnetron discharge with argon feed gas, densities of copper atoms in the ground state Cu(2S1/2) and metastable state Cu*(2D5/2) were measured by the resonance absorption technique, using a commercial hollow cathode lamp as light source. The operating conditions were 0.3-14 µbar argon pressure and 10-200 W magnetron discharge power. The deposition rate of copper in a substrate positioned at 18 cm from the target was also measured with a quartz microbalance. The gas temperature, in the range 300-380 K, was deduced from the emission spectral profile of N2(C 3Πu - B 3Πg) 0-0 band at 337 nm when trace of nitrogen was added to the argon feed gas. The isotope-shifts and hyperfine structures of electronic states of Cu have been taken into account to deduce the emission and absorption line profiles, and hence for the determination of atoms' densities from the measured absorption rates. To prevent error in the evaluation of Cu density, attributed to the line profile distortion by auto-absorption inside the lamp, the lamp current was limited to 5 mA. Density of Cu(2S1/2) atoms and deposition rate both increased with the enhanced magnetron discharge power. But at fixed power, the copper density augmented with argon pressure whereas the deposition rate followed the opposite trend. Whatever the gas pressure, the density of Cu*(2D5/2) metastable atoms remained below the detection limit of 1 × 1010 cm-3 for magnetron discharge powers below 50 W and hence increased much more rapidly than the density of Cu(2S1/2) atoms, over passing this later at some discharge power, whose value decreases with increasing argon pressure. This behaviour is believed to result from the enhancement of plasma density with increasing discharge power and argon pressure, which would increase the excitation rate of copper into metastable states. At fixed pressure, the deposition rate followed the same trend as the total density of copper atoms in the ground and metastable states. Two important conclusions of this work are (i) copper atoms sputtered from the target under ion bombardment are almost all in the ground state Cu(2S1/2) and hence in the plasma volume they can be excited into the metastable states; (ii) all atoms in the long-lived ground and metastable states contribute to the deposition of copper layer on the substrate.

Hypoxia, gas narcosis, and metabolic response to argon and nitrous oxide

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1972-01-01

Studies of the mechanism of inert gas influence on metabolism are reported. The studies reported include: metabolic response of hamsters to argon and nitrous oxide, membrane fatty acids and susceptability to narcotic gas influence, narcosis-induced histotoxic hypoxia, biochemical study of inert gas narcosis, hypoxia-induced protection against cardiovascular deterioration in the weightless state, and acute metabolic and physiologic response of goats to narcosis.

Steel refining possibilities in LF

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dumitru, M. G.; Ioana, A.; Constantin, N.; Ciobanu, F.; Pollifroni, M.

2018-01-01

This article presents the main possibilities for steel refining in Ladle Furnace (LF). These, are presented: steelmaking stages, steel refining through argon bottom stirring, online control of the bottom stirring, bottom stirring diagram during LF treatment of a heat, porous plug influence over the argon stirring, bottom stirring porous plug, analysis of porous plugs disposal on ladle bottom surface, bottom stirring simulation with ANSYS, bottom stirring simulation with Autodesk CFD.

Observation of Quartz Cathode-Luminescence in a Low Pressure Plasma Discharge

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Foster, John E.

2004-01-01

Intense, steady-state cathode-luminescence has been observed from exposure of quartz powder to a low pressure rf-excited argon plasma discharge. The emission spectra (400 to 850 nm) associated with the powder luminescence were documented as a function of bias voltage using a spectrometer. The emission was broad-band, essentially washing out the line spectra features of the argon plasma discharge.

Comment on “Systematic variations of argon diffusion in feldspars and implications for thermochronometry” by Cassata and Renne

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lovera, Oscar M.; Harrison, T. Mark; Boehnke, Patrick

2015-02-01

Cassata and Renne (2013) is a data-rich paper potentially providing opportunities to systematically test long-standing models of argon diffusion behavior in feldspars and we congratulate them on a heroic achievement. That said, several of their interpretations are highly problematic due to misconceptions of both the nature of their sample and diffusion modeling.

Diamond film growth argon-carbon plasmas

DOEpatents

Gruen, D.M.; Krauss, A.R.; Liu, S.Z.; Pan, X.Z.; Zuiker, C.D.

1998-12-15

A method and system are disclosed for manufacturing diamond film. The method involves forming a carbonaceous vapor, providing a gas stream of argon, hydrogen and hydrocarbon and combining the gas with the carbonaceous vapor, passing the combined carbonaceous vapor and gas carrier stream into a chamber, forming a plasma in the chamber causing fragmentation of the carbonaceous and deposition of a diamond film on a substrate. 29 figs.

Effect of low electric fields on alpha scintillation light yield in liquid argon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Agnes, P.; Albuquerque, I. F. M.; Alexander, T.; Alton, A. K.; Asner, D. M.; Back, H. O.; Baldin, B.; Biery, K.; Bocci, V.; Bonfini, G.; Bonivento, W.; Bossa, M.; Bottino, B.; Brigatti, A.; Brodsky, J.; Budano, F.; Bussino, S.; Cadeddu, M.; Cadoni, M.; Calaprice, F.; Canci, N.; Candela, A.; Caravati, M.; Cariello, M.; Carlini, M.; Catalanotti, S.; Cavalcante, P.; Chepurnov, A.; Cicalò, C.; Cocco, A. G.; Covone, G.; D'Angelo, D.; D'Incecco, M.; Davini, S.; De Cecco, S.; De Deo, M.; De Vincenzi, M.; Derbin, A.; Devoto, A.; Di Eusanio, F.; Di Pietro, G.; Dionisi, C.; Edkins, E.; Empl, A.; Fan, A.; Fiorillo, G.; Fomenko, K.; Forster, G.; Franco, D.; Gabriele, F.; Galbiati, C.; Giagu, S.; Giganti, C.; Giovanetti, G. K.; Goretti, A. M.; Granato, F.; Gromov, M.; Guan, M.; Guardincerri, Y.; Hackett, B. R.; Herner, K.; Hughes, D.; Humble, P.; Hungerford, E. V.; Ianni, A.; James, I.; Johnson, T. N.; Jollet, C.; Keeter, K.; Kendziora, C. L.; Koh, G.; Korablev, D.; Korga, G.; Kubankin, A.; Li, X.; Lissia, M.; Loer, B.; Lombardi, P.; Longo, G.; Ma, Y.; Machulin, I. N.; Mandarano, A.; Mari, S. M.; Maricic, J.; Marini, L.; Martoff, C. J.; Meregaglia, A.; Meyers, P. D.; Milincic, R.; Miller, J. D.; Montanari, D.; Monte, A.; Mount, B. J.; Muratova, V. N.; Musico, P.; Napolitano, J.; Navrer Agasson, A.; Odrowski, S.; Oleinik, A.; Orsini, M.; Ortica, F.; Pagani, L.; Pallavicini, M.; Pantic, E.; Parmeggiano, S.; Pelczar, K.; Pelliccia, N.; Pocar, A.; Pordes, S.; Pugachev, D. A.; Qian, H.; Randle, K.; Ranucci, G.; Razeti, M.; Razeto, A.; Reinhold, B.; Renshaw, A. L.; Rescigno, M.; Riffard, Q.; Romani, A.; Rossi, B.; Rossi, N.; Rountree, D.; Sablone, D.; Saggese, P.; Sands, W.; Savarese, C.; Schlitzer, B.; Segreto, E.; Semenov, D. A.; Shields, E.; Singh, P. N.; Skorokhvatov, M. D.; Smirnov, O.; Sotnikov, A.; Stanford, C.; Suvorov, Y.; Tartaglia, R.; Tatarowicz, J.; Testera, G.; Tonazzo, A.; Trinchese, P.; Unzhakov, E. V.; Verducci, M.; Vishneva, A.; Vogelaar, B.; Wada, M.; Walker, S.; Wang, H.; Wang, Y.; Watson, A. W.; Westerdale, S.; Wilhelmi, J.; Wojcik, M. M.; Xiang, X.; Xiao, X.; Xu, J.; Yang, C.; Zhong, W.; Zhu, C.; Zuzel, G.

2017-01-01

Measurements were made of scintillation light yield of alpha particles from the 222Rn decay chain within the DarkSide-50 liquid argon time projection chamber. The light yield was found to increase as the applied electric field increased, with alphas in a 200 V/cm electric field exhibiting a ~2% increase in light yield compared to alphas in no field.

Inert gas ion source program

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ramsey, W. D.

1978-01-01

THe original 12 cm hexagonal magneto-electrostatic containment discharge chamber has been optimized for argon and xenon operation. Argon mass utilization efficiencies of 65 to 77 percent were achieved at keeper-plus-main discharge energy consumptions of 200 to 458 eV/ion, respectively. Xenon performance of 84 to 96 percent mass utilization was realized at 203 to 350 eV/ion. The optimization process and test results are discussed.

Role of argon laser as an adjunctive therapy for treatment of resistant infected corneal ulcers

PubMed Central

Khater, Mohammad M; Selima, Adel A; El-Shorbagy, Mohammad S

2014-01-01

Purpose To evaluate the role of argon laser as an adjunctive therapy in ten patients with resistant infected corneal ulcers with or without hypopyon. Methods The study included 20 patients, split into two groups of ten, with resistant infected corneal ulcers with or without hypopyon. One group was considered as the control group and treated with local and systemic specific antimicrobial drugs guided with culture and sensitivity tests. The other group started with the same specific therapy as the control group for 1 week with no obvious improvement and then was further treated with argon laser. The ten patients in the control group included five cases of fungal ulcers, three mixed (fungal and bacterial) ulcers, and two viral ulcers. The ten patients in the other group included three cases of fungal ulcers, three mixed (fungal and viral) ulcers, three viral ulcers, and one bacterial ulcer as proven with microbial culture and sensitivity tests. Eight cases of the control group and seven cases of the other group were associated with hypopyon. Before laser treatment, a drop of benoxinate hydrochloride 0.4% and a single drop of fluorescein sodium 0.25% were instilled. Argon laser irradiation of the affected cornea was performed using an argon 532 nm wavelength (Carl Zeiss LSL 532s AG; Carl Zeiss Meditec AG, Jena, Germany). A spot size of 500 μm, pulse duration of 0.2 seconds, and power of 900 mW were used. All cases were followed up for 3 months after healing was achieved. Results During the first 4 weeks after laser treatment, all patients showed complete healing of the epithelial defect and resolution of stromal infiltration with no adverse effects. In the control group, four cases needed an amniotic membrane graft due to thinning and the other six cases were healed in a duration that ranged from 3 to 7 weeks. Conclusion Argon laser phototherapy is useful as an adjunctive treatment for resistant infected corneal ulcers. More cases are needed to get more reliable results and to confirm our findings. PMID:24920878

Collisional transfer of population and orientation in NaK

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wolfe, C. M.; Ashman, S.; Bai, J.; Beser, B.; Ahmed, E. H.; Lyyra, A. M.; Huennekens, J.

2011-05-01

Collisional satellite lines with |ΔJ| ≤ 58 have been identified in recent polarization spectroscopy V-type optical-optical double resonance (OODR) excitation spectra of the Rb2 molecule [H. Salami et al., Phys. Rev. A 80, 022515 (2009)]. Observation of these satellite lines clearly requires a transfer of population from the rotational level directly excited by the pump laser to a neighboring level in a collision of the molecule with an atomic perturber. However to be observed in polarization spectroscopy, the collision must also partially preserve the angular momentum orientation, which is at least somewhat surprising given the extremely large values of ΔJ that were observed. In the present work, we used the two-step OODR fluorescence and polarization spectroscopy techniques to obtain quantitative information on the transfer of population and orientation in rotationally inelastic collisions of the NaK molecules prepared in the 2(A)1Σ+(v' = 16, J' = 30) rovibrational level with argon and potassium perturbers. A rate equation model was used to study the intensities of these satellite lines as a function of argon pressure and heat pipe oven temperature, in order to separate the collisional effects of argon and potassium atoms. Using a fit of this rate equation model to the data, we found that collisions of NaK molecules with potassium atoms are more likely to transfer population and destroy orientation than collisions with argon atoms. Collisions with argon atoms show a strong propensity for population transfer with ΔJ = even. Conversely, collisions with potassium atoms do not show this ΔJ = even propensity, but do show a propensity for ΔJ = positive compared to ΔJ = negative, for this particular initial state. The density matrix equations of motion have also been solved numerically in order to test the approximations used in the rate equation model and to calculate fluorescence and polarization spectroscopy line shapes. In addition, we have measured rate coefficients for broadening of NaK 31Π ← 2(A)1Σ+spectral lines due to collisions with argon and potassium atoms. Additional broadening, due to velocity changes occurring in rotationally inelastic collisions, has also been observed.

Collisional transfer of population and orientation in NaK.

PubMed

Wolfe, C M; Ashman, S; Bai, J; Beser, B; Ahmed, E H; Lyyra, A M; Huennekens, J

2011-05-07

Collisional satellite lines with |ΔJ| ≤ 58 have been identified in recent polarization spectroscopy V-type optical-optical double resonance (OODR) excitation spectra of the Rb(2) molecule [H. Salami et al., Phys. Rev. A 80, 022515 (2009)]. Observation of these satellite lines clearly requires a transfer of population from the rotational level directly excited by the pump laser to a neighboring level in a collision of the molecule with an atomic perturber. However to be observed in polarization spectroscopy, the collision must also partially preserve the angular momentum orientation, which is at least somewhat surprising given the extremely large values of ΔJ that were observed. In the present work, we used the two-step OODR fluorescence and polarization spectroscopy techniques to obtain quantitative information on the transfer of population and orientation in rotationally inelastic collisions of the NaK molecules prepared in the 2(A)(1)Σ(+)(v' = 16, J' = 30) rovibrational level with argon and potassium perturbers. A rate equation model was used to study the intensities of these satellite lines as a function of argon pressure and heat pipe oven temperature, in order to separate the collisional effects of argon and potassium atoms. Using a fit of this rate equation model to the data, we found that collisions of NaK molecules with potassium atoms are more likely to transfer population and destroy orientation than collisions with argon atoms. Collisions with argon atoms show a strong propensity for population transfer with ΔJ = even. Conversely, collisions with potassium atoms do not show this ΔJ = even propensity, but do show a propensity for ΔJ = positive compared to ΔJ = negative, for this particular initial state. The density matrix equations of motion have also been solved numerically in order to test the approximations used in the rate equation model and to calculate fluorescence and polarization spectroscopy line shapes. In addition, we have measured rate coefficients for broadening of NaK 3(1)Π ← 2(A)(1)Σ(+)spectral lines due to collisions with argon and potassium atoms. Additional broadening, due to velocity changes occurring in rotationally inelastic collisions, has also been observed.

Role of argon laser as an adjunctive therapy for treatment of resistant infected corneal ulcers.

PubMed

Khater, Mohammad M; Selima, Adel A; El-Shorbagy, Mohammad S

2014-01-01

To evaluate the role of argon laser as an adjunctive therapy in ten patients with resistant infected corneal ulcers with or without hypopyon. The study included 20 patients, split into two groups of ten, with resistant infected corneal ulcers with or without hypopyon. One group was considered as the control group and treated with local and systemic specific antimicrobial drugs guided with culture and sensitivity tests. The other group started with the same specific therapy as the control group for 1 week with no obvious improvement and then was further treated with argon laser. The ten patients in the control group included five cases of fungal ulcers, three mixed (fungal and bacterial) ulcers, and two viral ulcers. The ten patients in the other group included three cases of fungal ulcers, three mixed (fungal and viral) ulcers, three viral ulcers, and one bacterial ulcer as proven with microbial culture and sensitivity tests. Eight cases of the control group and seven cases of the other group were associated with hypopyon. Before laser treatment, a drop of benoxinate hydrochloride 0.4% and a single drop of fluorescein sodium 0.25% were instilled. Argon laser irradiation of the affected cornea was performed using an argon 532 nm wavelength (Carl Zeiss LSL 532s AG; Carl Zeiss Meditec AG, Jena, Germany). A spot size of 500 μm, pulse duration of 0.2 seconds, and power of 900 mW were used. All cases were followed up for 3 months after healing was achieved. During the first 4 weeks after laser treatment, all patients showed complete healing of the epithelial defect and resolution of stromal infiltration with no adverse effects. In the control group, four cases needed an amniotic membrane graft due to thinning and the other six cases were healed in a duration that ranged from 3 to 7 weeks. Argon laser phototherapy is useful as an adjunctive treatment for resistant infected corneal ulcers. More cases are needed to get more reliable results and to confirm our findings.

INMS Titan Observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Waite, J. H., Jr.; Niemann, H.; Yelle, R. V.; Kasprzak, W. T.; Cravens, T. E.; Luhmann, J. G.; McNutt, R. L.; Ip, W.-H.; De La Haye, V.; Ledvina, S.; Mueller-Wordarg, I.; Borggren, N.

2005-08-01

The Ion Neutral Mass Spectrometer (INMS) aboard the Cassini Orbiter has obtained the first in situ composition measurements of the neutral densities of molecular nitrogen, methane, hydrogen, argon, and a host of stable carbon-nitrile ion and neutral compounds in the first and sixth flybys of Titan. The bulk composition and thermal structure of the moon's upper atmosphere appear to vary with latitude and local time. The new data set provides strong evidence for atmospheric waves in the upper atmosphere and for the existence of a warm, chemically complex corona. Furthermore, the data set provides direct measurements of isotopes of nitrogen, carbon, and argon, which reveal interesting clues about the evolution of the atmosphere. The atmosphere likely formed from outgassing as planetesimals composed of silicates, water ice, clathrates of methane, and ammonia hydrates coalesced. Subsequent photochemistry and/or shock-induced chemistry likely converted the atmospheric nitrogen into molecular nitrogen, which is inferred by the absence (<0.6 ppm) of 36Ar in the INMS data. (Ice clathrate delivery of N2 would have presumably also delivered 36Ar to the proto Titan.) The decrease of the 14N to 15N isotopic ratio with respect to the terrestrial value allows us to suggest an early atmosphere >1.5 to 100 times more substantial that was lost via escape over the intervening 4.5 billion years. Carbon in the form of methane has continued to outgas over time from the interior (as inferred from the elevated 12C to 13C ratio as compared to terrestrial values) with much of its subsequent photolysis products being deposited in the form of complex hydrocarbons on the surface ( 5 x 1027 s-1 as estimated from the H2 escape rate of 6.1 ± 0.2 x 109 cm-2 s-1 measured by INMS). This talk will highlight the composition, vertical structure, wave processes, and escape of Titan's atmosphere.

Influences of oxygen content on characteristics of atmospheric pressure dielectric barrier discharge in argon/oxygen mixtures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fang, Zhi; Shao, Tao; Wang, Ruixue; Yang, Jing; Zhang, Cheng

2016-04-01

The dielectric barrier discharge generated in argon/oxygen mixtures at atmospheric pressure is investigated, and the effect of oxygen content on discharge characteristics at applied voltage of 4.5 kV is studied by means of electrical measurements and optical diagnostics. The results show that the filaments in the discharge regime become more densely packed with the increasing in the oxygen content, and the distribution of the filaments is more uniform in the gap. An increase in the oxygen content results in a decrease in the average power consumed and transported charges, while there exists an optimal value of oxygen content for the production of oxygen radicals. The maximal yield of oxygen radicals is obtained in mixtures of argon with 0.3% oxygen addition, and the oxygen radicals then decrease with the further increase in the oxygen content. The oxygen/argon plasma is employed to modify surface hydrophilicity of the PET films to estimate the influence of oxygen content on the surface treatment, and the static contact angles before and after the treatments are measured. The lowest contact angle is obtained at a 0.3% addition of oxygen to argon, which is in accordance with the optimum oxygen content for oxygen radicals generation. The electron density and electron temperature are estimated from the measured current and optical emission spectroscopy, respectively. The electron density is found to reduce significantly at a higher oxygen content due to the increased electron attachment, while the estimated electron temperature do not change apparently with the oxygen content. Contribution to the Topical Issue "Recent Breakthroughs in Microplasma Science and Technology", edited by Kurt Becker, Jose Lopez, David Staack, Klaus-Dieter Weltmann and Wei Dong Zhu.

Effect of dry air on interface smoothening in reactive sputter deposited Co/Ti multilayer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Biswas, A.; Porwal, A.; Bhattacharya, Debarati; Prajapat, C. L.; Ghosh, Arnab; Nand, Mangla; Nayak, C.; Rai, S.; Jha, S. N.; Singh, M. R.; Bhattacharyya, D.; Basu, S.; Sahoo, N. K.

2017-09-01

Top surface roughness and interface roughness are one of the key elements which determine the performance of X-ray and neutron thin film multilayer devices. It has been observed that by mixing air with argon in sputtering ambience during deposition of Co layers, polarized neutron reflectivity (PNR) of Co/Ti supermirror polarizers can be improved substantially. Cross-sectional HRTEM measurement reveals that sharper interfaces in the supermirror can be achieved in case of deposition of the multilayer under mixed ambience of argon and air. In order to investigate this interface modification mechanism further, in this communication two sets of tri-layer Co/Ti/Co samples and 20-layer Co/Ti periodic multilayer samples have been prepared; in one set all the layers are deposited only under argon ambience and in the other set, Co layers are deposited under a mixed ambience of argon and air. These samples have been characterized by measuring specular and non-specular X-ray reflectivities (GIXR) with X-rays of 1.54 Å wavelength and polarized neutron reflectivity (PNR) with neutron of 2.5 Å wavelength at grazing angle of incidence. It has been observed that the X-ray and neutron specular reflectivities at Bragg peaks of 20 layer periodic multilayer increase when Co layers are deposited under mixed ambience of argon and air. The detail information regarding the effect of air on the interfaces and magnetic properties has been obtained by fitting the measured spectra. The above information has subsequently been supplemented by XRD and magnetic measurements on the samples. XPS and XANES measurements have also been carried out to investigate whether cobalt oxide or cobalt nitride layers are being formed due to use of air in sputtering ambience.

A model for the Global Quantum Efficiency for a TPB-based wavelength-shifting system used with photomultiplier tubes in liquid argon in MicroBooNE

DOE PAGES

Pate, S. F.; Wester, T.; Bugel, L.; ...

2018-02-28

We present a model for the Global Quantum Efficiency (GQE) of the MicroBooNE optical units. An optical unit consists of a flat, circular acrylic plate, coated with tetraphenyl butadiene (TPB), positioned near the photocathode of a 20.2-cm diameter photomultiplier tube. The plate converts the ultra-violet scintillation photons from liquid argon into visible-spectrum photons to which the cryogenic phototubes are sensitive. The GQE is the convolution of the efficiency of the plates that convert the 128 nm scintillation light from liquid argon to visible light, the efficiency of the shifted light to reach the photocathode, and the efficiency of the cryogenic photomultiplier tube. We develop a GEANT4-based model of the optical unit, based on first principles, and obtain the range of probable values for the expected number of detected photoelectrons (more » $$N_{\\rm PE}$$) given the known systematic errors on the simulation parameters. We compare results from four measurements of the $$N_{\\rm PE}$$ determined using alpha-particle sources placed at two distances from a TPB-coated plate in a liquid argon cryostat test stand. We also directly measured the radial dependence of the quantum efficiency, and find that this has the same shape as predicted by our model. Our model results in a GQE of $$0.0055\\pm0.0009$$ for the MicroBooNE optical units. While the information shown here is MicroBooNE specific, the approach to the model and the collection of simulation parameters will be widely applicable to many liquid-argon-based light collection systems.« less

A model for the Global Quantum Efficiency for a TPB-based wavelength-shifting system used with photomultiplier tubes in liquid argon in MicroBooNE

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Pate, S. F.; Wester, T.; Bugel, L.

We present a model for the Global Quantum Efficiency (GQE) of the MicroBooNE optical units. An optical unit consists of a flat, circular acrylic plate, coated with tetraphenyl butadiene (TPB), positioned near the photocathode of a 20.2-cm diameter photomultiplier tube. The plate converts the ultra-violet scintillation photons from liquid argon into visible-spectrum photons to which the cryogenic phototubes are sensitive. The GQE is the convolution of the efficiency of the plates that convert the 128 nm scintillation light from liquid argon to visible light, the efficiency of the shifted light to reach the photocathode, and the efficiency of the cryogenic photomultiplier tube. We develop a GEANT4-based model of the optical unit, based on first principles, and obtain the range of probable values for the expected number of detected photoelectrons (more » $$N_{\\rm PE}$$) given the known systematic errors on the simulation parameters. We compare results from four measurements of the $$N_{\\rm PE}$$ determined using alpha-particle sources placed at two distances from a TPB-coated plate in a liquid argon cryostat test stand. We also directly measured the radial dependence of the quantum efficiency, and find that this has the same shape as predicted by our model. Our model results in a GQE of $$0.0055\\pm0.0009$$ for the MicroBooNE optical units. While the information shown here is MicroBooNE specific, the approach to the model and the collection of simulation parameters will be widely applicable to many liquid-argon-based light collection systems.« less

Analysis of Alpha Backgrounds in DarkSide-50

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Monte, Alissa; DarkSide Collaboration

2017-01-01

DarkSide-50 is the current phase of the DarkSide direct dark matter search program, operating underground at the Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso in Italy. The detector is a dual-phase argon Time Projection Chamber (TPC), designed for direct detection of Weakly Interacting Massive Particles, and housed within an active veto system of liquid scintillator and water Cherenkov detectors. Since switching to a target of low radioactivity argon extracted from underground sources in April, 2016, the background is no longer dominated by naturally occurring 39Ar. However, alpha backgrounds from radon and its daughters remain, both from the liquid argon bulk and internal detector surfaces. I will present details of the analysis used to understand and quantify alpha backgrounds, as well as to understand other types of radon contamination that may be present, and our sensitivity to them.

Tensile strength of laser welded cobalt-chromium alloy with and without an argon atmosphere.

PubMed

Tartari, Anna; Clark, Robert K F; Juszczyk, Andrzej S; Radford, David R

2010-06-01

The tensile strength and depth of weld of two cobalt chromium alloys before and after laser welding with and without an argon gas atmosphere were investigated. Using two cobalt chromium alloys, rod shaped specimens (5 cm x 1.5 mm) were cast. Specimens were sand blasted, sectioned and welded with a pulsed Nd: YAG laser welding machine and tested in tension using an Instron universal testing machine. A statistically significant difference in tensile strength was observed between the two alloys. The tensile strength of specimens following laser welding was significantly less than the unwelded controls. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the micro-structure of the cast alloy was altered in the region of the weld. No statistically significant difference was found between specimens welded with or without an argon atmosphere.

Atomistic study of the graphene nanobubbles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Iakovlev, Evgeny; Zhilyaev, Petr; Akhatov, Iskander

2017-11-01

A two-dimensional (2D) heterostructures can be created using 2D crystals stacking method. Substance can be trapped between the layers which leads to formation of the surface nanobubbles. We study nanobubbles trapped between graphene layers with argon atoms inside using molecular dynamics approach. For bubbles with radius in range 7-34 nm the solid close-packed state of argon is found, although according to bulk argon phase diagram the fluid phase must be observed. The universal shape scaling (constant ratio of height to radius), which is found experimentally and proved by the theory of elasticity of membranes, is also observed in our atomistic simulations. An unusual pancake shape (extremely small height to radius ratio) is found for smallest nanobubble with radius 7 nm. The nanobubbles with similar shape were experimentally observed at the interface between water and hydrophobic surface.

Experimental thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity, and specific heat values for mixtures of nitrogen, oxygen, and argon

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Perkins, R. A.; Cieszkiewicz, M. T.

1991-01-01

Experimental measurements of thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity obtained with a transient hot-wire apparatus are reported for three mixtures of nitrogen, oxygen, and argon. Values of the specific heat, Cp, are calculated from these measured values and the density calculated with an equation of state. The measurements were made at temperatures between 65 and 303 K with pressures between 0.1 and 70 MPa. The data cover the vapor, liquid, and supercritical gas phases for the three mixtures. The total reported points are 1066 for the air mixture (78.11 percent nitrogen, 20.97 percent oxygen, and 0.92 percent argon), 1058 for the 50 percent nitrogen, 50 percent oxygen mixture, and 864 for the 25 percent nitrogen, 75 oxygen mixture. Empirical thermal conductivity correlations are provided for the three mixtures.

Direct Search for Dark Matter with DarkSide

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Agnes, P.; Alexander, T.; Alton, A.; Arisaka, K.; Back, H. O.; Baldin, B.; Biery, K.; Bonfini, G.; Bossa, M.; Brigatti, A.; Brodsky, J.; Budano, F.; Cadonati, L.; Calaprice, F.; Canci, N.; Candela, A.; Cao, H.; Cariello, M.; Cavalcante, P.; Chavarria, A.; Chepurnov, A.; Cocco, A. G.; Crippa, L.; D'Angelo, D.; D'Incecco, M.; Davini, S.; De Deo, M.; Derbin, A.; Devoto, A.; Di Eusanio, F.; Di Pietro, G.; Edkins, E.; Empl, A.; Fan, A.; Fiorillo, G.; Fomenko, K.; Forster, G.; Franco, D.; Gabriele, F.; Galbiati, C.; Goretti, A.; Grandi, L.; Gromov, M.; Guan, M. Y.; Guardincerri, Y.; Hackett, B.; Herner, K.; Hungerford, E. V.; Ianni, Al; Ianni, An; Jollet, C.; Keeter, K.; Kendziora, C.; Kidner, S.; Kobychev, V.; Koh, G.; Korablev, D.; Korga, G.; Kurlej, A.; Li, P. X.; Loer, B.; Lombardi, P.; Love, C.; Ludhova, L.; Luitz, S.; Ma, Y. Q.; Machulin, I.; Mandarano, A.; Mari, S.; Maricic, J.; Marini, L.; Martoff, C. J.; Meregaglia, A.; Meroni, E.; Meyers, P. D.; Milincic, R.; Montanari, D.; Montuschi, M.; Monzani, M. E.; Mosteiro, P.; Mount, B.; Muratova, V.; Musico, P.; Nelson, A.; Odrowski, S.; Okounkova, M.; Orsini, M.; Ortica, F.; Pagani, L.; Pallavicini, M.; Pantic, E.; Papp, L.; Parmeggiano, S.; Parsells, R.; Pelczar, K.; Pelliccia, N.; Perasso, S.; Pocar, A.; Pordes, S.; Pugachev, D.; Qian, H.; Randle, K.; Ranucci, G.; Razeto, A.; Reinhold, B.; Renshaw, A.; Romani, A.; Rossi, B.; Rossi, N.; Rountree, S. D.; Sablone, D.; Saggese, P.; Saldanha, R.; Sands, W.; Sangiorgio, S.; Segreto, E.; Semenov, D.; Shields, E.; Skorokhvatov, M.; Smirnov, O.; Sotnikov, A.; Stanford, C.; Suvorov, Y.; Tartaglia, R.; Tatarowicz, J.; Testera, G.; Tonazzo, A.; Unzhakov, E.; Vogelaar, R. B.; Wada, M.; Walker, S.; Wang, H.; Wang, Y.; Watson, A.; Westerdale, S.; Wojcik, M.; Wright, A.; Xiang, X.; Xu, J.; Yang, C. G.; Yoo, J.; Zavatarelli, S.; Zec, A.; Zhu, C.; Zuzel, G.

2015-11-01

The DarkSide experiment is designed for the direct detection of Dark Matter with a double phase liquid Argon TPC operating underground at Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso. The TPC is placed inside a 30 tons liquid organic scintillator sphere, acting as a neutron veto, which is in turn installed inside a 1 kt water Cherenkov detector. The current detector is running since November 2013 with a 50 kg atmospheric Argon fill and we report here the first null results of a Dark Matter search for a (1422 ± 67) kg.d exposure. This result correspond to a 90% CL upper limit on the WIMP-nucleon cross section of 6.1 × 10-44 cm2 (for a WIMP mass of 100 GeV/c2) and it's currently the most sensitive limit obtained with an Argon target.

Nickel ferrite aerogels with monodisperse nanoscale building blocks--the importance of processing temperature and atmosphere.

PubMed

Pettigrew, Katherine A; Long, Jeffrey W; Carpenter, Everett E; Baker, Colin C; Lytle, Justin C; Chervin, Christopher N; Logan, Michael S; Stroud, Rhonda M; Rolison, Debra R

2008-04-01

Using two-step (air/argon) thermal processing, sol-gel-derived nickel-iron oxide aerogels are transformed into monodisperse, networked nanocrystalline magnetic oxides of NiFe(2)O(4) with particle diameters that can be ripened with increasing temperature under argon to 4.6, 6.4, and 8.8 nm. Processing in air alone yields poorly crystalline materials; heating in argon alone leads to single phase, but diversiform, polydisperse NiFe(2)O(4), which hampers interpretation of the magnetic properties of the nanoarchitectures. The two-step method yields an improved model system to study magnetic effects as a function of size on the nanoscale while maintaining the particles within the size regime of single domain magnets, as networked building blocks, not agglomerates, and without stabilizing ligands capping the surface.

Coats' disease with macular oedema responsive to aflibercept and argon laser.

PubMed

Guixeres Esteve, M C; Pardo Saiz, A O

2017-07-01

A 14 year-old boy with Coats' disease in his right eye, presented with a visual acuity (VA) of 0.1, micro-aneurysms, exudates, a macular oedema of 959 microns, and peripheral telangiectasias. After 12 months follow-up with 6 ranibizumab injections and 3 sessions of argon laser photocoagulation, the macular oedema remained and VA was 0.2. Following 4 aflibercept injections and another 2 laser sessions, he had a good foveal slope and a VA of 0.5, with no recurrences in the last 12 months. Treatment with aflibercept and argon laser was effective in our patient with stage 2B Coats' disease and macular oedema unresponsive to ranibizumab. Copyright © 2016 Sociedad Española de Oftalmología. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

First-Principles Investigation to Ionization of Argon Under Conditions Close to Typical Sonoluminescence Experiments

PubMed Central

Kang, Wei; Zhao, Shijun; Zhang, Shen; Zhang, Ping; Chen, Q. F.; He, Xian-Tu

2016-01-01

Mott effect, featured by a sharp increase of ionization, is one of the unique properties of partially ionized plasmas, and thus of great interest to astrophysics and inertial confinement fusion. Recent experiments of single bubble sonoluminescence (SBSL) revealed that strong ionization took place at a density two orders lower than usual theoretical expectation. We show from the perspective of electronic structures that the strong ionization is unlikely the result of Mott effect in a pure argon plasma. Instead, first-principles calculations suggest that other ion species from aqueous environments can energetically fit in the gap between the continuum and the top of occupied states of argon, making the Mott effect possible. These results would help to clarify the relationship between SBSL and Mott effect, and further to gain an better understanding of partially ionized plasmas. PMID:26853107

Potassium-argon (argon-argon), structural fabrics

USGS Publications Warehouse

Cosca, Michael A.; Rink, W. Jack; Thompson, Jereon

2014-01-01

Definition: 40Ar/39Ar geochronology of structural fabrics: The application of 40Ar/39Ar methods to date development of structural fabrics in geologic samples. Introduction: Structural fabrics develop during rock deformation at variable pressures (P), temperatures (T), fluid compositions (X), and time (t). Structural fabrics are represented in rocks by features such as foliations and shear zones developed at the mm to km scale. In ideal cases, the P-T-X history of a given structural fabric can be constrained using stable isotope, cation exchange, and/or mineral equilibria thermobarometry (Essene 1989). The timing of structural fabric development can be assessed qualitatively using geologic field observations or quantitatively using isotope-based geochronology. High-precision geochronology of the thermal and fluid flow histories associated with structural fabric development can answer fundamental geologic questions including (1) when hydrothermal fluids transported and deposited ore minerals, ...

A Fast-Ion Source for LAPD

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, L.; Boehmer, H.; Edrich, D.; Heidbrink, W. W.; McWilliams, R.; Leneman, D.

2002-11-01

To measure the fast-ion transport as a function of gyroradius, a 3-cm diameter, 17 MHz, ˜ 80 W, ˜ 3 mA, argon source is under development for use in the LArge Plasma Device (LAPD). In tests on the Irvine Mirror, the source performs reliably when oriented either parallel to the magnetic field or at an oblique angle and in either a CW or pulsed mode of operation. A radial energy analyzer measures the profile of the 200-500 eV beam. Laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) of cold 3d^2G_9/2 argon metastables excited by the source is readily measured but the hot argon ions in the beam itself are more difficult to detect. In preliminary tests on LAPD, the source operated successfully. Planned physics experiments include measurements of collisional fast-ion diffusion and fluctuation-induced transport.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Jaques, A.

The data presented in these tables were gathered with the use of the Fortran program FLUIDS which was provided by the National Bureau of Standards. Fluid properties at transitional boundaries and points are those obtained with the best fit equation or formula for that particular fluid. Consequently, at such divergent points as the triple and critical points, the accuracy of the properties given by FLUIDS can be off up to 10% in some cases. In listing the critical and triple point conditions within, values were taken from the National Bureau of Standards' publication ''Thermodynamic Properties of Argon'', not from FLUIDS.more » Outside of these two points, however, the error in FLUIDS is minimal, thus all other data in these tables were obtained through FLUIDS. The Temperature-Entropy Chart for Argon is also taken from NBS' ''Thermodynamic Properties of Argon''.« less

Influence of argon and oxygen on charge-state-resolved ion energy distributions of filtered aluminum arcs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rosén, Johanna; Anders, André; Mráz, Stanislav; Atiser, Adil; Schneider, Jochen M.

2006-06-01

The charge-state-resolved ion energy distributions (IEDs) in filtered aluminum vacuum arc plasmas were measured and analyzed at different oxygen and argon pressures in the range of 0.5-8.0 mTorr. A significant reduction of the ion energy was detected as the pressure was increased, most pronounced in an argon environment and for the higher charge states. The corresponding average charge state decreased from 1.87 to 1.0 with increasing pressure. The IEDs of all metal ions in oxygen were fitted with shifted Maxwellian distributions. The results show that it is possible to obtain a plasma composition with a narrow charge-state distribution as well as a narrow IED. These data may enable tailoring thin film properties through selecting growth conditions that are characterized by predefined charge state and energy distributions.

Summary of the Second Workshop on Liquid Argon Time Projection Chamber Research and Development in the United States

DOE PAGES

Acciarri, R.; Adamowski, M.; Artrip, D.; ...

2015-07-28

The second workshop to discuss the development of liquid argon time projection chambers (LArTPCs) in the United States was held at Fermilab on July 8-9, 2014. The workshop was organized under the auspices of the Coordinating Panel for Advanced Detectors, a body that was initiated by the American Physical Society Division of Particles and Fields. All presentations at the workshop were made in six topical plenary sessions: i) Argon Purity and Cryogenics, ii) TPC and High Voltage, iii) Electronics, Data Acquisition and Triggering, iv) Scintillation Light Detection, v) Calibration and Test Beams, and vi) Software. This document summarizes the currentmore » efforts in each of these areas. It primarily focuses on the work in the US, but also highlights work done elsewhere in the world.« less

Effects of Dissolved Carbonate on Arsenate Adsorption and Surface Speciation at the Hematite-Water Interface

USGS Publications Warehouse

Arai, Y.; Sparks, D.L.; Davis, J.A.

2004-01-01

Effects of dissolved carbonate on arsenate [As(V)] reactivity and surface speciation at the hematite-water interface were studied as a function of pH and two different partial pressures of carbon dioxide gas [PCO2 = 10 -3.5 atm and ???0; CO2-free argon (Ar)] using adsorption kinetics, pseudo-equilibrium adsorption/titration experiments, extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopic (EXAFS) analyses, and surface complexation modeling. Different adsorbed carbonate concentrations, due to the two different atmospheric systems, resulted in an enhanced and/or suppressed extent of As(V) adsorption. As(V) adsorption kinetics [4 g L -1, [As(V)]0 = 1.5 mM and / = 0.01 M NaCl] showed carbonate-enhanced As(V) uptake in the air-equilibrated systems at pH 4 and 6 and at pH 8 after 3 h of reaction. Suppressed As(V) adsorption was observed in the air-equilibrated system in the early stages of the reaction at pH 8. In the pseudo-equilibrium adsorption experiments [1 g L-1, [As(V)] 0 = 0.5 mM and / = 0.01 M NaCl], in which each pH value was held constant by a pH-stat apparatus, effects of dissolved carbonate on As(V) uptake were almost negligible at equilibrium, but titrant (0.1 M HCl) consumption was greater in the air-equilibrated systems (PCO2 = 10-3.5 atm)than in the CO2-free argon system at pH 4-7.75. The EXAFS analyses indicated that As(V) tetrahedral molecules were coordinated on iron octahedral via bidentate mononuclear (???2.8 A??) and bidentate binuclear (???3.3 A??) bonding at pH 4.5-8 and loading levels of 0.46-3.10 ??M m-2. Using the results of the pseudoequilibrium adsorption data and the XAS analyses, the pH-dependent As(V) adsorption under the PCO2 = 10-3.5 atm and the CO2-free argon system was modeled using surface complexation modeling, and the results are consistent with the formation of nonprotonated bidentate surface species at the hematite surfaces. The results also suggest that the acid titrant consumption was strongly affected by changes to electrical double-layer potentials caused by the adsorption of carbonate in the air-equilibrated system. Overall results suggest that the effects of dissolved carbonate on As(V) adsorption were influenced by the reaction conditions [e.g., available surface sites, initial As(V) concentrations, and reaction times]. Quantifying the effects of adsorbed carbonate may be important in predicting As(V) transport processes in groundwater, where iron oxide-coated aquifer materials are exposed to seasonally fluctuating partial pressures of CO2(g).

Polarization correlation study of the electron-impact excitation of neon and argon

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Khakoo, M.A.; McConkey, J.W.

1986-08-11

The recent development of a circular polarization analyzer for the vacuum ultraviolet spectral region has enabled a Stokes parameter analysis to be carried out for the excitation of neon and argon by 80-eV incident electrons. The results show that the transfer of angular momentum to the atom is positive and is in fact surprisingly ''heliumlike.'' Small deviations from total coherence were observed and are discussed.

Volumetric direct nuclear pumped laser

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jalufka, N. W.; Hohl, F.; Deyoung, R. J.; Williams, M. D. (Inventor)

1978-01-01

A volumetric direct nuclear pumped laser was developed in which the gas is a mixture of He-3 and a minority gas from the group of argon, krypton, xenon, chlorine and fluorine. The mixture of He-3 and the minority gas produces lasing with a minority gas concentration of from 0.01 to 10 percent argon, 1 percent krypton, 0.01 to 5 percent xenon and small concentrations of chlorine or fluorine.

Design and construction of the MicroBooNE detector

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Acciarri, R.; Adams, C.; An, R.

This paper describes the design and construction of the MicroBooNE liquid argon time projection chamber and associated systems. MicroBooNE is the first phase of the Short Baseline Neutrino program, located at Fermilab, and will utilize the capabilities of liquid argon detectors to examine a rich assortment of physics topics. In this document details of design specifications, assembly procedures, and acceptance tests are reported.

Wear and Tribological Properties of Silicon-Containing Diamond-Like Carbon (Si-DLC) Coatings Synthesized with Nitrogen, Argon Plus Nitrogen, and Argon Ion Beams

DTIC Science & Technology

1998-06-01

of the (Ar + N)/Si-DLC and Ar/Si-DLC coatings. Meletis, Erdemir, and Fenske [10, 11] have attributed the smaller friction coefficient of their...vol. 15, p. 227,1986. 9. Rao, P., and E. H. Lee. /. of Mater. Sei., vol. 10, p. 2661,1996. 10. Meletis, E. I., A. Erdemir, and G. R. Fenske . Surface

An impact hypothesis for Venus argon anomalies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kaula, W. M.; Newman, W. I.

1997-03-01

The Ar-36+38 argon-excess anomally of Venus has been hypothesized to have its origin in the impact of an outer solar system body of about 100-km diameter. A critical evaluation is made of this hypothesis and its competitors; it is judged that its status must for the time being remain one of 'Sherlock Holmes' type, in that something so improbable must be accepted when all alternatives are eliminated.

The ATLAS Liquid Argon Electromagnetic Calorimeter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carminati, L.

2005-10-01

The construction of the ATLAS Liquid Argon Electromagnetic calorimeter has been completed and commissioning is in progress. After a brief description of the detector layout, readout electronics and calibration, a review of the present status of the integration and the detector qualification is reported. Finally a selection of performance results obtained during several test beams will be presented with particular attention to linearity, uniformity, position reconstruction and γ/π0 separation.

Design and construction of the MicroBooNE detector

DOE PAGES

Acciarri, R.; Adams, C.; An, R.; ...

2017-02-01

This paper describes the design and construction of the MicroBooNE liquid argon time projection chamber and associated systems. MicroBooNE is the first phase of the Short Baseline Neutrino program, located at Fermilab, and will utilize the capabilities of liquid argon detectors to examine a rich assortment of physics topics. In this document details of design specifications, assembly procedures, and acceptance tests are reported.

Current Status of the dark matter experiment DarkSide-50

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Marini, L.; Pagani, Ioanna; Agnes, P.

2016-07-12

DarkSide-50 is a dark matter direct search experiment at LNGS, searching for rare nuclear recoils possibly induced by WIMPs. It has two nested vetoes and a dual phase liquid argon TPC as dark matter detector. Key features of this experiment are the use of underground argon as radio-pure target and of muon and neutron active vetoes to suppress the background. The first data-taking campaign was running from November 2013 to April 2015 with an atmospheric argon target and a reduced efficiency neutron veto due to internal contamination. However, an upper limit on the WIMP-nucleon cross section of 6.1×10-44 cm2 atmore » 90% CL was obtained for a WIMP mass of 100 GeV/c2 and an exposure of (1422 ± 67) kg·d. At present DarkSide-50 started a 3 years run, intended to be background-free because the neutron veto was successfully recovered and underground argon replaced the atmospheric one. Additionally calibration campaigns for both the TPC and the neutron veto were completed. Thanks to the good performance of the background rejection, the results obtained so far suggest the scalability of DarkSide-50 to a ton-scale detector, which will play a key role into the dark matter search scenario.« less

Investigation on the effect of nonlinear processes on similarity law in high-pressure argon discharges

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fu, Yangyang; Parsey, Guy M.; Verboncoeur, John P.; Christlieb, Andrew J.

2017-11-01

In this paper, the effect of nonlinear processes (such as three-body collisions and stepwise ionizations) on the similarity law in high-pressure argon discharges has been studied by the use of the Kinetic Global Model framework. In the discharge model, the ground state argon atoms (Ar), electrons (e), atom ions (Ar+), molecular ions (Ar2+), and fourteen argon excited levels Ar*(4s and 4p) are considered. The steady-state electron and ion densities are obtained with nonlinear processes included and excluded in the designed models, respectively. It is found that in similar gas gaps, keeping the product of gas pressure and linear dimension unchanged, with the nonlinear processes included, the normalized density relations deviate from the similarity relations gradually as the scale-up factor decreases. Without the nonlinear processes, the parameter relations are in good agreement with the similarity law predictions. Furthermore, the pressure and the dimension effects are also investigated separately with and without the nonlinear processes. It is shown that the gas pressure effect on the results is less obvious than the dimension effect. Without the nonlinear processes, the pressure and the dimension effects could be estimated from one to the other based on the similarity relations.

Argon Shrouded Plasma Spraying of Tantalum over Titanium for Corrosion Protection in Fluorinated Nitric Acid Media

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vetrivendan, E.; Jayaraj, J.; Ningshen, S.; Mallika, C.; Kamachi Mudali, U.

2018-02-01

Argon shrouded plasma spraying (ASPS) was used to deposit a Ta coating on commercially pure Ti (CP-Ti) under inert argon, for dissolver vessel application in the aqueous spent fuels reprocessing plant with high plutonium content. Oxidation during plasma spraying was minimized by shrouding argon system. Porosity and oxide content were controlled by optimizing the spraying parameters, to obtain a uniform and dense Ta coating. The Ta particle temperature and velocity were optimized by judiciously controlling the spray parameters, using a spray diagnostic charge-coupled device camera. The corrosion resistance of the Ta coatings developed by ASPS was investigated by electrochemical studies in 11.5 M HNO3 and 11.5 M HNO3 + 0.05 M NaF. Similarly, the durability of the ASPS Ta coating/substrate was evaluated as per ASTM A262 Practice-C test in boiling nitric acid and fluorinated nitric acid for 240 h. The ASPS Ta coating exhibited higher corrosion resistance than the CP-Ti substrate, as evident from electrochemical studies, and low corrosion rate with excellent coating stability in boiling nitric, and fluorinated nitric acid. The results of the present study revealed that tantalum coating by ASPS is a promising strategy for improving the corrosion resistance in the highly corrosive reprocessing environment.

The effects of argon ion bombardment on the corrosion resistance of tantalum

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ramezani, A. H.; Sari, A. H.; Shokouhy, A.

2017-02-01

Application of ion beam has been widely used as a surface modification method to improve surface properties. This paper investigates the effect of argon ion implantation on surface structure as well as resistance against tantalum corrosion. In this experiment, argon ions with energy of 30 keV and in doses of 1 × 1017-10 × 1017 ions/cm2 were used. The surface bombardment with inert gases mainly produces modified topography and morphology of the surface. Atomic Force Microscopy was also used to patterned the roughness variations prior to and after the implantation phase. Additionally, the corrosion investigation apparatus wear was applied to compare resistance against tantalum corrosion both before and after ion implantation. The results show that argon ion implantation has a substantial impact on increasing resistance against tantalum corrosion. After the corrosion test, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyzed the samples' surface morphologies. In addition, the elemental composition is characterized by energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis. The purpose of this paper was to obtain the perfect condition for the formation of tantalum corrosion resistance. In order to evaluate the effect of the ion implantation on the corrosion behavior, potentiodynamic tests were performed. The results show that the corrosion resistance of the samples strongly depends on the implantation doses.

Argon laser phototherapy could eliminate the damage effects induced by the ionizing radiation "gamma radiation" in irradiated rabbits.

PubMed

Abdul-Aziz, Karolin Kamel; Tuorkey, M J

2010-04-02

The ionizing radiations could be taken in considerate as an integral part in our life, since, living organisms are actually exposed to a constant shower of ionizing radiations whether from the natural or artificial resources. The radio-protective efficiency of several chemicals has been confirmed in animal trails, whereas, due to their accumulative toxicity, their clinical utility is limited. Therefore, we aimed in the present work to investigate the possibility of using argon laser to recuperate the damaged tissues due to exposing to the ionizing radiation. The rabbits were used in this study, and they were designed as control, gamma irradiated, laser, and gamma plus laser groups. Lipid peroxidation, reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) in blood and liver were evaluated. As well as, the level of protein thiol was evaluated in the plasma among each group. Results of this study revealed the potential therapeutic performance of the treatment by laser argon to decline the damaging effect of the ionized radiation whether at systematic or local levels. In conclusion, argon laser therapy appears propitious protective effect against the hazard effects of gamma radiation. Copyright 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Performance and results of the LBNE 35 ton membrane cryostat prototype

DOE PAGES

Montanari, David; Adamowski, Mark; Hahn, Alan; ...

2015-07-15

We report on the performance and commissioning of the first membrane cryostat to be used for scientific application. The Long Baseline Neutrino Experiment (LBNE) has designed and fabricated a membrane cryostat prototype in collaboration with Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. (IHI). LBNE has designed and fabricated the supporting cryogenic system infrastructure and successfully commissioned and operated the first membrane cryostat. Original goals of the prototype are: to demonstrate the membrane cryostat technology in terms of thermal performance, feasibility for liquid argon and leak tightness; to demonstrate that we can remove all the impurities from the vessel and achieve the puritymore » requirements in a membrane cryostat without evacuation; to demonstrate that we can achieve and maintain the purity requirements of the liquid argon using mol sieve and copper filters. The purity requirements of a large liquid argon detector such as LBNE are contaminants below 200 parts per trillion (ppt) oxygen equivalent. LBNE is planning the design and construction of a large liquid argon detector. This presentation will present requirements, design and construction of the LBNE 35 ton membrane cryostat prototype, and detail the commissioning and performance. The experience and results of this prototype are extremely important for the development of the LBNE detector.« less

Current status of the dark matter experiment DarkSide-50

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marini, L.; Pagani, L.; Agnes, P.; Alexander, T.; Alton, A.; Arisaka, K.; Back, H. O.; Baldin, B.; Biery, K.; Bonfini, G.; Bossa, M.; Brigatti, A.; Brodsky, J.; Budano, F.; Cadonati, L.; Calaprice, F.; Canci, N.; Candela, A.; Cao, H.; Cariello, M.; Cavalcante, P.; Chavarria, A.; Chepurnov, A.; Cocco, A. G.; D'Angelo, D.; D'Incecco, M.; Davini, S.; De Deo, M.; Derbin, A.; Devoto, A.; Di Eusanio, F.; Di Pietro, G.; Edkins, E.; Empl, A.; Fan, A.; Fiorillo, G.; Fomenko, K.; Forster, G.; Franco, D.; Gabriele, F.; Galbiati, C.; Goretti, A.; Grandi, L.; Gromov, M.; Guan, M. Y.; Guardincerri, Y.; Hackett, B.; Herner, K.; Humble, P.; Hungerford, E. V.; Ianni, Al.; Ianni, An.; Jollet, C.; Keeter, K.; Kendziora, C.; Kidner, S.; Kobychev, V.; Koh, G.; Korablev, D.; Korga, G.; Kurlej, A.; Li, P. X.; Lombardi, P.; Love, C.; Ludhova, L.; Luitz, S.; Ma, Y. Q.; Machulin, I.; Mandarano, A.; Mari, S.; Maricic, J.; Martoff, C. J.; Meregaglia, A.; Meroni, E.; Meyers, P. D.; Milincic, R.; Montanari, D.; Montuschi, M.; Monzani, M. E.; Mosteiro, P.; Mount, B.; Muratova, V.; Musico, P.; Nelson, A.; Odrowski, S.; Okounkova, M.; Orsini, M.; Ortica, F.; Pallavicini, M.; Pantic, E.; Papp, L.; Parmeggiano, S.; Parsells, R.; Pelczar, K.; Pelliccia, N.; Perasso, S.; Pocar, A.; Pordes, S.; Pugachev, D.; Qian, H.; Randle, K.; Ranucci, G.; Razeto, A.; Reinhold, B.; Renshaw, A.; Romani, A.; Rossi, B.; Rossi, N.; Rountree, S. D.; Sablone, D.; Saggese, P.; Saldanha, R.; Sands, W.; Sangiorgio, S.; Segreto, E.; Semenov, D.; Shields, E.; Skorokhvatov, M.; Smirnov, O.; Sotnikov, A.; Stanford, C.; Suvorov, Y.; Tartaglia, R.; Tatarowicz, J.; Testera, G.; Tonazzo, A.; Unzhakov, E.; Vogelaar, R. B.; Wada, M.; Walker, S.; Wang, H.; Wang, Y.; Watson, A.; Westerdale, S.; Wojcik, M.; Wright, A.; Xiang, X.; Xu, J.; Yang, C. G.; Yoo, J.; Zavatarelli, S.; Zec, A.; Zhu, C.; Zuzel, G.; DarkSide Collaboration

2016-01-01

DarkSide-50 is a dark matter direct search experiment at LNGS, searching for rare nuclear recoils possibly induced by WIMPs. It has two nested vetoes and a dual phase liquid argon TPC as dark matter detector. Key features of this experiment are the use of underground argon as radio-pure target and of muon and neutron active vetoes to suppress the background. The first data-taking campaign was running from November 2013 to April 2015 with an atmospheric argon target and a reduced efficiency neutron veto due to internal contamination. However, an upper limit on the WIMP-nucleon cross section of 6.1×10-44 cm2 at 90% CL was obtained for a WIMP mass of 100 GeV/c2 and an exposure of (1422±67) kg . d . At present DarkSide-50 started a 3 years run, intended to be background-free because the neutron veto was successfully recovered and underground argon replaced the atmospheric one. Additionally calibration campaigns for both the TPC and the neutron veto were completed. Thanks to the good performance of the background rejection, the results obtained so far suggest the scalability of DarkSide-50 to a ton-scale detector, which will play a key role into the dark matter search scenario.

Simulations of Charged-Current Supernova νe Events in a Liquid Argon Time Projection Chamber

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gardiner, Steven; Grant, Christopher; Pantic, Emilija; Svoboda, Robert

2016-03-01

Although it is still in its infancy, the study of supernova neutrinos has proven to be a fertile topic for fundamental science. A mere two dozen events recorded from supernova 1987A, the only supernova neutrino source observed so far, have led to numerous publications on a wide variety of topics. This bountiful scientific harvest has prompted the neutrino physics community to prepare to make more detailed observations of the neutrinos that will be produced in the next nearby supernova. Because of their unique νe sensitivity, liquid argon time projection chamber (LArTPC) experiments such as DUNE (Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment) have the potential to make valuable contributions to this detection effort. To better understand the expected SN νe signal in a LArTPC, we have developed a Monte Carlo event generator called MARLEY (Model of Argon Reaction Low-Energy Yields) for charged-current νe reactions on argon. By combining MARLEY with LArSoft, a LArTPC simulation package, we have obtained the most detailed predictions currently available for the response of a LArTPC to supernova νe. We will discuss the implications of these results for the design and operation of LArTPCs sensitive to SN neutrinos.

An experimental investigation of gas fuel injection with X-ray radiography

DOE PAGES

Swantek, Andrew B.; Duke, D. J.; Kastengren, A. L.; ...

2017-04-21

In this paper, an outward-opening compressed natural gas, direct injection fuel injector has been studied with single-shot x-ray radiography. Three dimensional simulations have also been performed to compliment the x-ray data. Argon was used as a surrogate gas for experimental and safety reasons. This technique allows the acquisition of a quantitative mapping of the ensemble-average and standard deviation of the projected density throughout the injection event. Two dimensional, ensemble average and standard deviation data are presented to investigate the quasi-steady-state behavior of the jet. Upstream of the stagnation zone, minimal shot-to-shot variation is observed. Downstream of the stagnation zone, bulkmore » mixing is observed as the jet transitions to a subsonic turbulent jet. From the time averaged data, individual slices at all downstream locations are extracted and an Abel inversion was performed to compute the radial density distribution, which was interpolated to create three dimensional visualizations. The Abel reconstructions reveal that upstream of the stagnation zone, the gas forms an annulus with high argon density and large density gradients. Inside this annulus, a recirculation region with low argon density exists. Downstream, the jet transitions to a fully turbulent jet with Gaussian argon density distributions. This experimental data is intended to serve as a quantitative benchmark for simulations.« less

The DarkSide experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bottino, B.; Aalseth, C. E.; Acconcia, G.; Acerbi, F.; Agnes, P.; Agostino, L.; Albuquerque, I. F. M.; Alexander, T.; Alton, A.; Ampudia, P.; Ardito, R.; Arisaka, K.; Arnquist, I. J.; Asner, D. M.; Back, H. O.; Baldin, B.; Batignani, G.; Biery, K.; Bisogni, M. G.; Bocci, V.; Bondar, A.; Bonfini, G.; Bonivento, W.; Bossa, M.; Brigatti, A.; Brodsky, J.; Budano, F.; Bunker, R.; Bussino, S.; Buttafava, M.; Buzulutskov, A.; Cadeddu, M.; Cadoni, M.; Calandri, N.; Calaprice, F.; Calvo, J.; Campajola, L.; Canci, N.; Candela, A.; Cantini, C.; Cao, H.; Caravati, M.; Cariello, M.; Carlini, M.; Carpinelli, M.; Castellani, A.; Catalanotti, S.; Cavalcante, P.; Chepurnov, A.; Cicalò, C.; Citterio, M.; Cocco, A. G.; Corgiolu, S.; Covone, G.; Crivelli, P.; D'Angelo, D.; D'Incecco, M.; Daniel, M.; Davini, S.; De Cecco, S.; De Deo, M.; De Guido, G.; De Vincenzi, M.; Demontis, P.; Derbin, A.; Devoto, A.; Di Eusanio, F.; Di Pietro, G.; Dionisi, C.; Dolgov, A.; Dromia, I.; Dussoni, S.; Edkins, E.; Empl, A.; Fan, A.; Ferri, A.; Filip, C. O.; Fiorillo, G.; Fomenko, K.; Forster, G.; Franco, D.; Froudakis, G. E.; Gabriele, F.; Gabrieli, A.; Galbiati, C.; Gendotti, A.; Ghioni, M.; Ghisi, A.; Giagu, S.; Gibertoni, G.; Giganti, C.; Giorgi, M.; Giovannetti, G. K.; Gligan, M. L.; Gola, A.; Goretti, A.; Granato, F.; Grassi, M.; Grate, J. W.; Gromov, M.; Guan, M.; Guardincerri, Y.; Gulinatti, A.; Haaland, R. K.; Hackett, B.; Harrop, B.; Herner, K.; Hoppe, E. W.; Horikawa, S.; Hungerford, E.; Ianni, Al.; Ianni, An.; Ivashchuk, O.; James, I.; Johnson, T. N.; Jollet, C.; Keeter, K.; Kendziora, C.; Kobychev, V.; Koh, G.; Korablev, D.; Korga, G.; Kubankin, A.; Kuss, M. W.; Lissia, M.; Li, X.; Lodi, G. U.; Lombardi, P.; Longo, G.; Loverre, P.; Luitz, S.; Lussana, R.; Luzzi, L.; Ma, Y.; Machado, A. A.; Machulin, I.; Mais, L.; Mandarano, A.; Mapelli, L.; Marcante, M.; Mari, S.; Mariani, M.; Maricic, J.; Marinelli, M.; Marini, L.; Martoff, C. J.; Mascia, M.; Meregaglia, A.; Meyers, P. D.; Miletic, T.; Milincic, R.; Miller, J. D.; Moioli, S.; Monasterio, S.; Montanari, D.; Monte, A.; Montuschi, M.; Monzani, M. E.; Morrocchi, M.; Mosteiro, P.; Mount, B.; Mu, W.; Muratova, V. N.; Murphy, S.; Musico, P.; Napolitano, J.; Nelson, A.; Nosov, V.; Nurakhov, N. N.; Odrowski, S.; Oleinik, A.; Orsini, M.; Ortica, F.; Pagani, L.; Pallavicini, M.; Palmas, S.; Pantic, E.; Paoloni, E.; Parmeggiano, S.; Paternoster, G.; Pazzona, F.; Pelczar, K.; Pellegrini, L. A.; Pelliccia, N.; Perasso, S.; Peronio, P.; Perotti, F.; Perruzza, R.; Piemonte, C.; Pilo, F.; Pocar, A.; Pordes, S.; Pugachev, D.; Qian, H.; Radics, B.; Randle, K.; Ranucci, G.; Razeti, M.; Razeto, A.; Rech, I.; Regazzoni, V.; Regenfus, C.; Reinhold, B.; Renshaw, A.; Rescigno, M.; Ricotti, M.; Riffard, Q.; Rizzardini, S.; Romani, A.; Romero, L.; Rossi, B.; Rossi, N.; Rountree, D.; Rubbia, A.; Ruggeri, A.; Sablone, D.; Saggese, P.; Salatino, P.; Salemme, L.; Sands, W.; Sangiorgio, S.; Sant, M.; Santorelli, R.; Sanzaro, M.; Savarese, C.; Sechi, E.; Segreto, E.; Semenov, D.; Shchagin, A.; Shekhtman, L.; Shemyakina, E.; Shields, E.; Simeone, M.; Singh, P. N.; Skorokhvatov, M.; Smallcomb, M.; Smirnov, O.; Sokolov, A.; Sotnikov, A.; Stanford, C.; Suffritti, G. B.; Suvorov, Y.; Tamborini, D.; Tartaglia, R.; Tatarowicz, J.; Testera, G.; Tonazzo, A.; Tosi, A.; Trinchese, P.; Unzhakov, E.; Vacca, A.; Verducci, M.; Viant, T.; Villa, F.; Vishneva, A.; Vogelaar, B.; Wada, M.; Walker, S.; Wang, H.; Wang, Y.; Watson, A.; Westerdale, S.; Wilhelmi, J.; Wojcik, M.; Wu, S.; Xiang, X.; Xu, J.; Yang, C.; Yoo, J.; Zappa, F.; Zappalà, G.; Zavatarelli, S.; Zec, A.; Zhong, W.; Zhu, C.; Zullo, A.; Zullo, M.; Zuzel, G.

2017-01-01

DarkSide is a dark matter direct search experiment at Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso (LNGS). DarkSide is based on the detection of rare nuclear recoils possibly induced by hypothetical dark matter particles, which are supposed to be neutral, massive (m>10{ GeV}) and weakly interactive (WIMP). The dark matter detector is a two-phase time projection chamber (TPC) filled with ultra-pure liquid argon. The TPC is placed inside a muon and a neutron active vetoes to suppress the background. Using argon as active target has many advantages, the key features are the strong discriminant power between nuclear and electron recoils, the spatial reconstruction and easy scalability to multi-tons size. At the moment DarkSide-50 is filled with ultra-pure argon, extracted from underground sources, and from April 2015 it is taking data in its final configuration. When combined with the preceding search with an atmospheric argon target, it is possible to set a 90% CL upper limit on the WIMP-nucleon spin-independent cross section of 2.0×10^{-44} cm ^2 for a WIMP mass of 100 GeV/ c^2 . The next phase of the experiment, DarkSide-20k, will be the construction of a new detector with an active mass of ˜20 tons.

Ion Acceleration by Double Layers with Multi-Component Ion Species

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Good, Timothy; Aguirre, Evan; Scime, Earl; West Virginia University Team

2017-10-01

Current-free double layers (CFDL) models have been proposed to explain observations of magnetic field-aligned ion acceleration in plasmas expanding into divergent magnetic field regions. More recently, experimental studies of the Bohm sheath criterion in multiple ion species plasma reveal an equilibration of Bohm speeds at the sheath-presheath boundary for a grounded plate in a multipole-confined filament discharge. We aim to test this ion velocity effect for CFDL acceleration. We report high resolution ion velocity distribution function (IVDF) measurements using laser induced fluorescence downstream of a CFDL in a helicon plasma. Combinations of argon-helium, argon-krypton, and argon-xenon gases are ionized and measurements of argon or xenon IVDFs are investigated to determine whether ion acceleration is enhanced (or diminished) by the presence of lighter (or heavier) ions in the mix. We find that the predominant effect is a reduction of ion acceleration consistent with increased drag arising from increased gas pressure under all conditions, including constant total gas pressure, equal plasma densities of different ions, and very different plasma densities of different ions. These results suggest that the physics responsible for acceleration of multiple ion species in simple sheaths is not responsible for the ion acceleration observed in these expanding plasmas. Department of Physics, Gettysburg College.

Low Temperature Thermodynamic Equilibrium of CO2 Dimer Anion Species in Cryogenic Argon and Krypton Matrices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Goodrich, Michael E.; Moore, David T.

2016-06-01

The separated CO2 dimer anion, (CO2)(CO2-), is observed by FTIR spectroscopy in matrix isolation experiments at 1652 cm-1 upon deposition of high energy argon ions into an argon matrix doped with 0.5% CO2. It has previously been reported by Andrews that upon annealing the matrix to 25K, the separated species converts to an oxalate-like C2O4- species which appears at 1856 cm-1.a We have observed that subsequently holding the matrix at 10K caused the C2O4- species to fully convert back to (CO2)(CO2-). Upon further investigation, we determined that the two species reversibly interconvert between 19K and 23K, suggesting the species are in thermodynamic equilibrium. The associated van't Hoff plot has a linear trend and indicates an endothermic reaction driven by a large increase in entropy. An analogous experiment in a krypton matrix was performed, and the equilibrium was found to occur between 26K and 31K. Interestingly, analysis revealed the reaction in krypton is more endothermic, but has nearly the same entropy value as was observed in the argon experiment. aZhou, M.; Andrews, L.; J. Chem. Phys. 110, 2414 (1999).

First test of a high voltage feedthrough for liquid Argon TPCs connected to a 300 kV power supply

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cantini, C.; Gendotti, A.; Molina Bueno, L.; Murphy, S.; Radics, B.; Regenfus, C.; Rigaut, Y.-A.; Rubbia, A.; Sergiampietri, F.; Viant, T.; Wu, S.

2017-03-01

Voltages above a hundred kilo-volt will be required to generate the drift field of future very large liquid Argon Time Projection Chambers. One of the most delicate component is the feedthrough whose role is to safely deliver the very high voltage to the cathode through the thick insulating walls of the cryostat without compromising the purity of the argon inside. This requires a feedthrough that is typically meters long and carefully designed to be vacuum tight and have small heat input. Furthermore, all materials should be carefully chosen to allow operation in cryogenic conditions. In addition, electric fields in liquid argon should be kept below a threshold to reduce risks of discharges. The combination of all above requirements represents significant challenges from the design and manufacturing perspective. In this paper, we report on the successful operation of a feedthrough satisfying all the above requirements. The details of the feedthrough design and its manufacturing steps are provided. Very high voltages up to unprecedented voltages of -300 kV could be applied during long periods repeatedly. A source of instability was observed, which was specific to the setup configuration which was used for the test and not due to the feedthrough itself.

Measurement of the scintillation time spectra and pulse-shape discrimination of low-energy β and nuclear recoils in liquid argon with DEAP-1

DOE PAGES

Amaudruz, P. -A.; Batygov, M.; Beltran, B.; ...

2016-09-17

The DEAP-1 low-background liquid argon detector has been used to measure scintillation pulse shapes of beta decays and nuclear recoil events and to demonstrate the feasibility of pulse-shape discrimination down to an electron-equivalent energy of 20 keV ee. The relative intensities of singlet/triplet states in liquid argon have been measured as a function of energy between 15 and 500 keVee for both beta and nuclear recoils. Using a triple-coincidence tag we find the fraction of beta events that are misidentified as nuclear recoils to be less than 6 x 10 -8 between 43-86 keV ee and that the discrimination parametermore » agrees with a simple analytic model. The discrimination measurement is currently limited by nuclear recoils induced by cosmic-ray generated neutrons, and is expected to improve by operating the detector underground at SNOLAB. The analytic model predicts a beta misidentification fraction of 10 -10 for an electron-equivalent energy threshold of 20 keV ee. This reduction allows for a sensitive search for spin-independent scattering of WIMPs from 1000 kg of liquid argon with a WIMP-nucleon cross-section sensitivity of 10 -46 cm 2.« less

Measurement of the scintillation time spectra and pulse-shape discrimination of low-energy β and nuclear recoils in liquid argon with DEAP-1

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Amaudruz, P. -A.; Batygov, M.; Beltran, B.

The DEAP-1 low-background liquid argon detector has been used to measure scintillation pulse shapes of beta decays and nuclear recoil events and to demonstrate the feasibility of pulse-shape discrimination down to an electron-equivalent energy of 20 keV ee. The relative intensities of singlet/triplet states in liquid argon have been measured as a function of energy between 15 and 500 keVee for both beta and nuclear recoils. Using a triple-coincidence tag we find the fraction of beta events that are misidentified as nuclear recoils to be less than 6 x 10 -8 between 43-86 keV ee and that the discrimination parametermore » agrees with a simple analytic model. The discrimination measurement is currently limited by nuclear recoils induced by cosmic-ray generated neutrons, and is expected to improve by operating the detector underground at SNOLAB. The analytic model predicts a beta misidentification fraction of 10 -10 for an electron-equivalent energy threshold of 20 keV ee. This reduction allows for a sensitive search for spin-independent scattering of WIMPs from 1000 kg of liquid argon with a WIMP-nucleon cross-section sensitivity of 10 -46 cm 2.« less

Effect of laser peripheral iridotomy using argon and neodymium-YAG lasers on corneal endothelial cell density: 7-year longitudinal evaluation.

PubMed

Ono, Takashi; Iida, Masaharu; Sakisaka, Toshihiro; Minami, Keiichiro; Miyata, Kazunori

2018-03-01

To evaluate the changes in corneal endothelial cell density (ECD) over a 7-year period after laser peripheral iridotomy (LPI) using argon and neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) lasers. Retrospective case series. Eyes that underwent prophylactic LPI using argon and Nd:YAG lasers were followed up for 7 years. Central corneal endothelial cells were observed by use of noncontact specular microscopy preoperatively and at 1 and 7 years postoperatively. Changes in ECD and the associations between preoperative ECD and the total energy of the Nd:YAG laser were evaluated. Fifty-one eyes of 51 patients were followed up for 7 years. The ECD significantly decreased after LPI (P < 0.049), and the reduction rate at 1 year after the surgery (1.69 ± 4.80%, 95% CI: 0.34%-3.04%) was significantly higher than the annual reduction rates after 1 year (0.17 ± 0.85%/y, P = 0.036, 95% CI: -0.07% to 0.41%). No association was found between the preoperative ECD and the total laser energy. Long-term evaluation indicated that the reduction in ECD after argon-Nd:YAG laser LPI was present but small during the initial year and was negligible after 1 year.

An experimental investigation of gas fuel injection with X-ray radiography

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Swantek, Andrew B.; Duke, D. J.; Kastengren, A. L.

In this paper, an outward-opening compressed natural gas, direct injection fuel injector has been studied with single-shot x-ray radiography. Three dimensional simulations have also been performed to compliment the x-ray data. Argon was used as a surrogate gas for experimental and safety reasons. This technique allows the acquisition of a quantitative mapping of the ensemble-average and standard deviation of the projected density throughout the injection event. Two dimensional, ensemble average and standard deviation data are presented to investigate the quasi-steady-state behavior of the jet. Upstream of the stagnation zone, minimal shot-to-shot variation is observed. Downstream of the stagnation zone, bulkmore » mixing is observed as the jet transitions to a subsonic turbulent jet. From the time averaged data, individual slices at all downstream locations are extracted and an Abel inversion was performed to compute the radial density distribution, which was interpolated to create three dimensional visualizations. The Abel reconstructions reveal that upstream of the stagnation zone, the gas forms an annulus with high argon density and large density gradients. Inside this annulus, a recirculation region with low argon density exists. Downstream, the jet transitions to a fully turbulent jet with Gaussian argon density distributions. This experimental data is intended to serve as a quantitative benchmark for simulations.« less

Active iris vascular tufts bleeding successfully treated with argon laser photocoagulation.

PubMed

Sarmad, Ambreen; Alfaqawi, Fadi; Chakrabarti, Monali; Mitra, Arijit; Mushtaq, Bushra

2018-03-01

Iris vascular tufts (IVT) are rare biomicroscopic capillary outgrowths from the pupillary margins. Patients are usually asymptomatic until presenting with blurred vision due to spontaneous hyphema or with raised intraocular pressure. A 61-year-old woman presented to eye casualty with left eye (LE) blurred vision and discomfort for 1 day. Her external ocular examination was unremarkable and visual acuity was 6/6 in the right eye (RE) and 6/9 in the LE. Biomicroscopic examination revealed a 2-mm hyphema in her LE and bilateral multiple small IVT and active bleeding from IVT at the pupillary margin of the LE at the 5 o'clock position. Diagnosis of LE active bleeding from IVT was made and she underwent argon laser photocoagulation directed at the source of bleeding. The bleeding stopped immediately after the second burn. She was followed up for 3 months; her visual acuity was 6/5 and 6/6 in the RE and LE, respectively, with no further problems. Iris vascular tufts are benign and recurrent hemorrhages are unlikely. Therefore, definitive argon laser photocoagulation or surgical treatment are reserved to arrest further episodes of hyphema. Our case demonstrates the effective use of argon laser photocoagulation to completely arrest active bleeding from IVT and excellent recovery of hyphema with no further problems for 5 years.

Surgical Resection and Scarification for Chronic Seroma Post-Ventral Hernia Mesh Repair

PubMed Central

Vasilakis, Vasileios; Cook, Kristin; Wilson, Dorian

2014-01-01

Patient: Male, 52 Final Diagnosis: Seroma Symptoms: Abdominal discomfort • abdominal mass Medication: — Clinical Procedure: Excision and evacuation of the complex seroma Specialty: Surgery Objective: Unusual or unexpected effect of treatment Background: The aim of this report is to present a new surgical approach in the definitive management of challenging cases of abdominal wall seroma following herniorrhaphy with mesh. Case Report: We describe the case of a 56-year-old male with a 4-year history of a complex abdominal wall seroma. He had undergone fluid aspiration twice without success. On physical examination, the mass was supraumbilical and measured 15×10 cm. Computer tomography (CT) scan revealed a complex encapsulated formation overall measuring 10.1×17.3×17.3 cm in AP, transverse, and craniocaudal dimensions, respectively. In this case complete resection was not safe due to the anatomic relationship of the posterior aspect of the pseudocapsule and the mesh. Intraoperatively, the anterior and lateral aspects of the pseudocapsule were resected and an argon beam was used to scarify the residual posterior pseudocapsule and prevent recurrence. This technique was successful in preventing reaccumulation of the seroma. Conclusions: Capsulectomy and scarification of the remnant pseudocapsule is an acceptable and safe surgical option for complex chronic abdominal wall seromas. PMID:25430512

Michel electron reconstruction using cosmic-ray data from the MicroBooNE LArTPC

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Acciarri, R.; Adams, C.; An, R.; Anthony, J.; Asaadi, J.; Auger, M.; Bagby, L.; Balasubramanian, S.; Baller, B.; Barnes, C.; Barr, G.; Bass, M.; Bay, F.; Bishai, M.; Blake, A.; Bolton, T.; Bugel, L.; Camilleri, L.; Caratelli, D.; Carls, B.; Castillo Fernandez, R.; Cavanna, F.; Chen, H.; Church, E.; Cianci, D.; Cohen, E.; Collin, G. H.; Conrad, J. M.; Convery, M.; Crespo-Anadón, J. I.; Del Tutto, M.; Devitt, D.; Dytman, S.; Eberly, B.; Ereditato, A.; Escudero Sanchez, L.; Esquivel, J.; Fleming, B. T.; Foreman, W.; Furmanski, A. P.; Garcia-Gamez, D.; Garvey, G. T.; Genty, V.; Goeldi, D.; Gollapinni, S.; Graf, N.; Gramellini, E.; Greenlee, H.; Grosso, R.; Guenette, R.; Hackenburg, A.; Hamilton, P.; Hen, O.; Hewes, J.; Hill, C.; Ho, J.; Horton-Smith, G.; Huang, E.-C.; James, C.; de Vries, J. Jan; Jen, C.-M.; Jiang, L.; Johnson, R. A.; Joshi, J.; Jostlein, H.; Kaleko, D.; Karagiorgi, G.; Ketchum, W.; Kirby, B.; Kirby, M.; Kobilarcik, T.; Kreslo, I.; Laube, A.; Li, Y.; Lister, A.; Littlejohn, B. R.; Lockwitz, S.; Lorca, D.; Louis, W. C.; Luethi, M.; Lundberg, B.; Luo, X.; Marchionni, A.; Mariani, C.; Marshall, J.; Martinez Caicedo, D. A.; Meddage, V.; Miceli, T.; Mills, G. B.; Moon, J.; Mooney, M.; Moore, C. D.; Mousseau, J.; Murrells, R.; Naples, D.; Nienaber, P.; Nowak, J.; Palamara, O.; Paolone, V.; Papavassiliou, V.; Pate, S. F.; Pavlovic, Z.; Piasetzky, E.; Porzio, D.; Pulliam, G.; Qian, X.; Raaf, J. L.; Rafique, A.; Rochester, L.; von Rohr, C. Rudolf; Russell, B.; Schmitz, D. W.; Schukraft, A.; Seligman, W.; Shaevitz, M. H.; Sinclair, J.; Snider, E. L.; Soderberg, M.; Söldner-Rembold, S.; Soleti, S. R.; Spentzouris, P.; Spitz, J.; St. John, J.; Strauss, T.; Sutton, K. A.; Szelc, A. M.; Tagg, N.; Terao, K.; Thomson, M.; Toups, M.; Tsai, Y.-T.; Tufanli, S.; Usher, T.; Van de Water, R. G.; Viren, B.; Weber, M.; Wickremasinghe, D. A.; Wolbers, S.; Wongjirad, T.; Woodruff, K.; Yang, T.; Yates, L.; Zeller, G. P.; Zennamo, J.; Zhang, C.

2017-09-01

The MicroBooNE liquid argon time projection chamber (LArTPC) has been taking data at Fermilab since 2015 collecting, in addition to neutrino beam, cosmic-ray muons. Results are presented on the reconstruction of Michel electrons produced by the decay at rest of cosmic-ray muons. Michel electrons are abundantly produced in the TPC, and given their well known energy spectrum can be used to study MicroBooNE's detector response to low-energy electrons (electrons with energies up to ~ 50 MeV). We describe the fully-automated algorithm developed to reconstruct Michel electrons, with which a sample of ~ 14,000 Michel electron candidates is obtained. Most of this article is dedicated to studying the impact of radiative photons produced by Michel electrons on the accuracy and resolution of their energy measurement. In this energy range, ionization and bremsstrahlung photon production contribute similarly to electron energy loss in argon, leading to a complex electron topology in the TPC. By profiling the performance of the reconstruction algorithm on simulation we show that the ability to identify and include energy deposited by radiative photons leads to a significant improvement in the energy measurement of low-energy electrons. The fractional energy resolution we measure improves from over 30% to ~ 20% when we attempt to include radiative photons in the reconstruction. These studies are relevant to a large number of analyses which aim to study neutrinos by measuring electrons produced by νe interactions over a broad energy range.

Michel Electron Reconstruction Using Cosmic-Ray Data from the MicroBooNE LArTPC

DOE PAGES

Acciarri, R.

2017-09-14

The MicroBooNE liquid argon time projection chamber (LArTPC) has been taking data at Fermilab since 2015 collecting, in addition to neutrino beam, cosmic-ray muons. Results are presented on the reconstruction of Michel electrons produced by the decay at rest of cosmic-ray muons. Michel electrons are abundantly produced in the TPC, and given their well known energy spectrum can be used to study MicroBooNE's detector response to low-energy electrons (electrons with energies up to ~50 MeV). We describe the fully-automated algorithm developed to reconstruct Michel electrons, with which a sample of ~14,000 Michel electron candidates is obtained. Most of this article is dedicated to studying the impact of radiative photons produced by Michel electrons on the accuracy and resolution of their energy measurement. In this energy range, ionization and bremsstrahlung photon production contribute similarly to electron energy loss in argon, leading to a complex electron topology in the TPC. By profiling the performance of the reconstruction algorithm on simulation we show that the ability to identify and include energy deposited by radiative photons leads to a significant improvement in the energy measurement of low-energy electrons. The fractional energy resolution we measure improves from over 30% to ~20% when we attempt to include radiative photons in the reconstruction. These studies are relevant to a large number of analyses which aim to study neutrinos by measuring electrons produced bymore » $$\

Numerical Simulation of Slag Eye Formation and Slag Entrapment in a Bottom-Blown Argon-Stirred Ladle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Wei; Tang, Haiyan; Yang, Shufeng; Wang, Minghui; Li, Jingshe; Liu, Qing; Liu, Jianhui

2018-06-01

A transient mathematical model is developed for simulating the bubble-steel-slag-top gas four-phase flow in a bottom-blown argon-stirred ladle with a 70-ton capacity. The Lagrangian discrete phase model (DPM) is used for describing the moving behavior of bubbles in the steel and slag. To observe the formation process of slag eye, the volume of fluid (VOF) model is used to track the interfaces between three incompressible phases: metal/slag, metal/gas, and slag/gas. The complex multiphase turbulent flow induced by bubble-liquid interactions is solved by a large eddy simulation (LES) model. Slag eye area and slag droplet dispersion are investigated under different gas flow rates. The results show that the movement of bubbles, formation and collapse of slag eye, volatility of steel/slag interface and behavior of slag entrapment can be properly predicted in the current model. When the gas flow rate is 300 L/min, the circulation driven by the bubble plume will stir the entire ladle adequately and form a slag eye of the right size. At the same time, it will not cause strong erosion to the ladle wall, and the fluctuation of the interface is of adequate intensity, which will be helpful for improving the desulfurization efficiency; the slag entrapment behavior can also be decreased. Interestingly, with the motion of liquid steel circulation, the collision and coalescence of dispersed slag droplets occur during the floating process in the vicinity of the wall.

Collisions of ideal gas molecules with a rough/fractal surface. A computational study.

PubMed

Panczyk, Tomasz

2007-02-01

The frequency of collisions of ideal gas molecules (argon) with a rough surface has been studied. The rough/fractal surface was created using random deposition technique. By applying various depositions, the roughness of the surface was controlled and, as a measure of the irregularity, the fractal dimensions of the surfaces were determined. The surfaces were next immersed in argon (under pressures 2 x 10(3) to 2 x 10(5) Pa) and the numbers of collisions with these surfaces were counted. The calculations were carried out using a simplified molecular dynamics simulation technique (only hard core repulsions were assumed). As a result, it was stated that the frequency of collisions is a linear function of pressure for all fractal dimensions studied (D = 2, ..., 2.5). The frequency per unit pressure is quite complex function of the fractal dimension; however, the changes of that frequency with the fractal dimension are not strong. It was found that the frequency of collisions is controlled by the number of weakly folded sites on the surfaces and there is some mapping between the shape of adsorption energy distribution functions and this number of weakly folded sites. The results for the rough/fractal surfaces were compared with the prediction given by the Langmuir-Hertz equation (valid for smooth surface), generally the departure from the Langmuir-Hertz equation is not higher than 48% for the studied systems (i.e. for the surfaces created using the random deposition technique).

Nanofibers of fullerene C60 through interplay of ball-and-socket supermolecules.

PubMed

Hubble, Lee J; Raston, Colin L

2007-01-01

Mixing solutions of p-tBu-calix[5]arene and C(60) in toluene results in a 1:1 complex (C(60)) intersection(p-tBu-calix[5]arene), which precipitates as nanofibers. The principle structural unit is based on a host-guest ball-and-socket nanostructure of the two components, with an extended structure comprising zigzag/helical arrays of fullerenes (powder X-ray diffraction data coupled with molecular modeling). Under argon at temperatures above 309 degrees C, the fibers undergo selective volatilization of the calixarenes to afford C(60)-core nanostructures encapsulated in a graphitic material sheath, which exhibits a dramatic increase in surface area. Above 650 degrees C the material exhibits an ohmic conductance response, due to the encapsulation process.

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR EXAMINING FUEL ELEMENTS FOR LEAKAGE

DOEpatents

Smith, R.R.; Echo, M.W.; Doe, C.B.

1963-12-31

A process and a device for the continuous monitoring of fuel elements while in use in a liquid-metal-cooled, argonblanketed nuclear reactor are presented. A fraction of the argon gas is withdrawn, contacted with a negative electrical charge for attraction of any alkali metal formed from argon by neutron reaction, and recycled into the reactor. The electrical charge is introduced into water, and the water is examined for radioactive alkali metals. (AEC)

Microwave Argon Plasma Torch

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-07-01

31st ICPIG, July 14-19, 2013, Granada , Spain Microwave Argon plasma torch E. Benova1, M. Pencheva-Atanasova1,2, P. Marinova1, V. Marchev1, T...See also ADA594770. International Conference on Phenomena in Ionized Gases (31st) (ICPIG) Held in Granada , Spain on 14-19 July 2013, The original...18 31st ICPIG, July 14-19, 2013, Granada , Spain EEDF usually strongly differs from Maxwellian and chages along the plasma column (this is

Thermomechanical fatigue behavior of SiC/Ti-24Al-11Nb in air and argon environments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bartolotta, Paul A.; Verrilli, Michael J.

1992-01-01

A series of tension-tension, load-controlled thermomechanical fatigue (TMF) tests were conducted on a titanium aluminide composite in both laboratory air and a flowing argon environment. Results from these tests show that the environment plays an increasingly important role as applied stress levels are decreased. Differences in damage mechanisms between the two environments were observed which corresponds to observed variations in TMF lives.

Effect of low electric fields on alpha scintillation light yield in liquid argon

DOE PAGES

Agnes, P.; Albuquerque, I. F. M.; Alexander, T.; ...

2017-01-24

Measurements were made of scintillation light yield of alpha particles from themore » $$^{222}$$Rn decay chain within the DarkSide-50 liquid argon time projection chamber. Furthermore, the light yield was found to increase as the applied electric field increased, with alphas in a 200 V/cm electric field exhibiting a 2% increase in light yield compared to alphas in no field.« less

Searches for Bound Neutron-Antineutron Oscillation in Liquid Argon Time Projection Chambers

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hewes, Jeremy E.T.

2017-01-01

The next-generation Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment’s liquid argon detector represents an opportunity to probe previously unexplored parameter space for beyond-Standard Model processes. One such process is baryon number violating neutron-antineutron oscillation, the observation of which would have profound implications on our understanding of the origin of the matter-antimatter asymmetry in the universe, and provide strong hints as to the nature of neutrino mass. A GENIE n

A Novel Cosmic Ray Tagger System for Liquid Argon TPC Neutrino Detectors

DOE PAGES

Auger, Martin; Del Tutto, Marco; Ereditato, Antonio; ...

2017-02-22

The Fermilab Short Baseline Neutrino (SBN) program aims to observe and reconstruct thousands of neutrino-argon interactions with its three detectors (SBND, MicroBooNE and ICARUS-T600), using their hundred of tonnes Liquid Argon Time Projection Chambers to perform a rich physics analysis program, in particular focused in the search for sterile neutrinos. Given the relatively shallow depth of the detectors, the continuos flux of cosmic ray particles which crossing their volumes introduces a constant background which can be falsely identified as part of the event of interest. Here in this paper we present the Cosmic Ray Tagger (CRT) system, a novel techniquemore » to tag and identify these crossing particles using scintillation modules which measure their time and coordinates relative to events internal to the neutrino detector, mitigating therefore their effect in the event tracking reconstruction.« less

Surface modification of argon/oxygen plasma treated vulcanized ethylene propylene diene polymethylene surfaces for improved adhesion with natural rubber

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Basak, Ganesh C.; Bandyopadhyay, Abhijit; Neogi, Sudarsan; Bhowmick, Anil K.

2011-01-01

Vulcanized ethylene propylene diene polymethylene (EPDM) rubber surface was treated in a radio frequency capacitatively coupled low pressure argon/oxygen plasma to improve adhesion with compounded natural rubber (NR) during co-vulcanization. The plasma modified surfaces were analyzed by means of contact angle measurement, surface energy, attenuated total reflection-infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray sulfur mapping and atomic force microscopy. Several experimental variables such as plasma power, length of exposure time and composition of the argon-oxygen gas mixture were considered. It was delineated that plasma treatment changed both surface composition and roughness, and consequently increased peel strength. The change in surface composition was mainly ascribed to the formation of C-O and -Cdbnd O functional groups on the vulcanized surfaces. A maximum of 98% improvement in peel strength was observed after plasma treatment.

Polarization spectroscopy of the sodium dimer utilizing a triple-resonance technique in the presence of argon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arndt, Phillip; Horton, Timothy; McFarland, Jacob; Bayram, Burcin; Miami University Spectroscopy Team

2015-05-01

The collisional dynamics of molecular sodium in the 61Σg electronic state is under investigation using a triple resonance technique in the presence of argon. A continuous wave ring dye laser is used to populate specific rovibrational levels of the A1Σu electronic state. A pump-probe technique is then employed where the pump laser populates the 61Σg state, and the probe laser dumps the population to the B1Σu state. From this level, fluorescence is detected as the system decays to the X1Σg state. We measure the polarization of this signal in the presence of various argon pressures. We will present our current work as well as the processes involved in the experiment. Financial support from the National Science Foundation (Grant No. NSF-PHY-1309571) is gratefully acknowledged.

Pulsed electromagnetic gas acceleration

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jahn, R. G.; Vonjaskowsky, W. F.; Clark, K. E.

1975-01-01

Terminal voltage measurements with long cathodes in a high power, quasi-steady MPD discharge show that the critical current for the onset of voltage fluctuations, which was previously shown to be a function of cathode area, approaches an asymptote for cathodes of very large surface area. Floating potential measurements and photographs of the discharge luminosity indicate that the fluctuations are confined to the vicinity of the cathode and hence reflect a cathode emission process rather than a fundamental limit on MPD performance. Photoelectric measurements of particular argon neutral and ion transitions show that the higher electronic states are populated more heavily than would be calculated on the basis of Saha-Boltzmann equilibrium at the local electron temperature and number density. Preliminary optical depth measurements show that for a current of 4 kA and an argon mass flow of 12 g/sec, a population inversion exists between the upper and lower states of the 4880 A argon ion transition.

Influence of argon and oxygen on charge-state-resolved ion energydistributions of filtered aluminum arcs

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Rosen, Johanna; Anders, Andre; Mraz, Stanislav

2006-03-23

The charge-state-resolved ion energy distributions (IEDs) in filtered aluminum vacuum arc plasmas were measured and analyzed at different oxygen and argon pressures in the range 0.5 8.0 mTorr. A significant reduction of the ion energy was detected as the pressure was increased, most pronounced in an argon environment and for the higher charge states. The corresponding average charge state decreased from 1.87 to 1.0 with increasing pressure. The IEDs of all metal ions in oxygen were fitted with shifted Maxwellian distributions. The results show that it is possible to obtain a plasma composition with a narrow charge-state distribution as wellmore » as a narrow IED. These data may enable tailoring thin-film properties through selecting growth conditions that are characterized by predefined charge state and energy distributions.« less

Surface wet-ability modification of thin PECVD silicon nitride layers by 40 keV argon ion treatments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Caridi, F.; Picciotto, A.; Vanzetti, L.; Iacob, E.; Scolaro, C.

2015-10-01

Measurements of wet-ability of liquid drops have been performed on a 30 nm silicon nitride (Si3N4) film deposited by a PECVD reactor on a silicon wafer and implanted by 40 keV argon ions at different doses. Surface treatments by using Ar ion beams have been employed to modify the wet-ability. The chemical composition of the first Si3N4 monolayer was investigated by means of X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). The surface morphology was tested by Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). Results put in evidence the best implantation conditions for silicon nitride to increase or to reduce the wet-ability of the biological liquid. This permits to improve the biocompatibility and functionality of Si3N4. In particular experimental results show that argon ion bombardment increases the contact angle, enhances the oxygen content and increases the surface roughness.

Electrical and optical properties of Ar/NH{sub 3} atmospheric pressure plasma jet

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chang, Zheng-Shi, E-mail: changzhsh1984@163.com, E-mail: gjzhang@xjtu.edu.cn; Yao, Cong-Wei; Chen, Si-Le

Inspired by the Penning effect, we obtain a glow-like plasma jet by mixing ammonia (NH{sub 3}) into argon (Ar) gas under atmospheric pressure. The basic electrical and optical properties of an atmospheric pressure plasma jet (APPJ) are investigated. It can be seen that the discharge mode transforms from filamentary to glow-like when a little ammonia is added into the pure argon. The electrical and optical analyses contribute to the explanation of this phenomenon. The discharge mode, power, and current density are analyzed to understand the electrical behavior of the APPJ. Meanwhile, the discharge images, APPJ's length, and the components ofmore » plasma are also obtained to express its optical characteristics. Finally, we diagnose several parameters, such as gas temperature, electron temperature, and density, as well as the density number of metastable argon atoms of Ar/NH{sub 3} APPJ to help judge the usability in its applications.« less

Argon thermochronology of mineral deposits; a review of analytical methods, formulations, and selected applications

USGS Publications Warehouse

Snee, Lawrence W.

2002-01-01

40Ar/39Ar geochronology is an experimentally robust and versatile method for constraining time and temperature in geologic processes. The argon method is the most broadly applied in mineral-deposit studies. Standard analytical methods and formulations exist, making the fundamentals of the method well defined. A variety of graphical representations exist for evaluating argon data. A broad range of minerals found in mineral deposits, alteration zones, and host rocks commonly is analyzed to provide age, temporal duration, and thermal conditions for mineralization events and processes. All are discussed in this report. The usefulness of and evolution of the applicability of the method are demonstrated in studies of the Panasqueira, Portugal, tin-tungsten deposit; the Cornubian batholith and associated mineral deposits, southwest England; the Red Mountain intrusive system and associated Urad-Henderson molybdenum deposits; and the Eastern Goldfields Province, Western Australia.

Raman and PEELS studies of magnetron sputtered a-C

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zhang, S.; Jen, T.M.; Zeng, X.

Amorphous carbon coatings (a-C, a-C:H) of less than 100 nm thick were deposited on KBr pellets and silicon wafer substrate via magnetron sputtering of graphic target in argon, argon/hydrogen and argon/nitrogen atmosphere. Parallel electron energy loss spectroscopy (PEELS) analysis was used to quantify the sp{sup 2}/sp{sup 3} bonding in carbon films. Stand-alone films of amorphous carbon were produced by sputtering onto compressed KBr pellets and then floating off in distilled water for PEELS study. Raman spectroscopy was used to measure the peak intensity ratio of D-band to that of the G-band (I{sub d}/I{sub g}). It shows that higher sp{sup 3}more » fraction often associates with Raman peak ratio I{sub d}/I{sub g}. At the same time, G-band peak position P{sub g} decreases while sp{sup 3} fraction increases.« less

Measurements of the populations of metastable and resonance levels in the plasma of an RF capacitive discharge in argon

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Vasilieva, A. N.; Voloshin, D. G.; Kovalev, A. S., E-mail: kovalev@dnph.phys.msu.su

2015-05-15

The behavior of the populations of two metastable and two lower resonance levels of argon atoms in the plasma of an RF capacitive discharge was studied. The populations were measured by two methods: the method of emission self-absorption and the method based on measurements of the intensity ratios of spectral lines. It is shown that the populations of resonance levels increase with increasing power deposited in the discharge, whereas the populations of metastable levels is independent of the RF power. The distribution of the populations over energy levels is not equilibrium under these conditions. The population kinetics of argon atomicmore » levels in the discharge plasma is simulated numerically. The distribution function of plasma electrons recovered from the measured populations of atomic levels and numerical simulations is found to be non-Maxwellian.« less

Laser ablation of human atherosclerotic plaque without adjacent tissue injury

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Grundfest, W. S.; Litvack, F.; Forrester, J. S.; Goldenberg, T.; Swan, H. J. C.

1985-01-01

Seventy samples of human cadaver atherosclerotic aorta were irradiated in vitro using a 308 nm xenon chloride excimer laser. Energy per pulse, pulse duration and frequency were varied. For comparison, 60 segments were also irradiated with an argon ion and an Nd:YAG laser operated in the continuous mode. Tissue was fixed in formalin, sectioned and examined microscopically. The Nd:YAG and argon ion-irradiated tissue exhibited a central crater with irregular edges and concentric zones of thermal and blast injury. In contrast, the excimer laser-irradiated tissue had narrow deep incisions with minimal or no thermal injury. These preliminary experiments indicate that the excimer laser vaporizes tissue in a manner different from that of the continuous wave Nd:YAG or argon ion laser. The sharp incision margins and minimal damage to adjacent normal tissue suggest that the excimer laser is more desirable for general surgical and intravascular uses than are the conventionally used medical lasers.

In-vitro evaluation of three lasers for the potential treatment of equine pharyngeal lymphoid hyperplasia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tate, Lloyd P.; Weddle, Diann L.; Correa, Maria T.

1993-07-01

Three medical lasers, Argon, CO2, and Nd:YAG, were studied at power outputs of 5 watts, 5 watts, and 40 watts respectively. Laser irradiation was directed at the pharyngeal mucosa of sagittally split horses heads in a randomized fashion. Areas irradiated were measured immediately using hand held calipers, and after being prepared for microscopic examination to determine width and depth of penetration into the mucosa. The results indicated that tissue destruction produced by the CO2 laser was predictable compared to the Nd:YAG laser. The Argon laser, between 1 and 6 seconds of exposure, produced only superficial photoablation of mucosal tissue which did not extend into the muscular layer. The conclusion of this in vitro investigation was that the Argon laser irradiation applied transendoscopically may be a reasonable substitute for surgery and electrocautery commonly used to treat follicular lymphoid hyperplasia, a respiratory disease of young horses.

Mechanical properties of carbon steel depending on the rate of the dose build-up of nitrogen and argon ions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vorob'ev, V. L.; Bykov, P. V.; Bayankin, V. Ya.; Shushkov, A. A.; Vakhrushev, A. V.

2014-08-01

The effect of pulsed irradiation with argons and nitrogen ions on the mechanical properties, morphology, and structure of the surface layers of carbon steel St3 (0.2% C, 0.4% Mn, 0.15% Si, and Fe for balance) has been investigated depending on the rate of dose build-up at an average ion current density of 10, 20, and 40 μA/cm2. It has been established that the fatigue life and microhardness of surface layers increase in the entire studied range of dose build-up rates. This seems to be due to the hardening of the surface layers, which resulted from the generation of radiation defects and the irradiation-dynamic effect of fast ions. The sample irradiated by argon ions at the lowest of the selected dose build-up rates j av = 10 μA/cm2 withstands the largest number of cycles to failure.

Characterization of the supersonic flowing microwave discharge using two dimensional plasma tomography

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Nikolic, M.; Samolov, A.; Popovic, S.

2013-03-14

A tomographic numerical method based on the two-dimensional Radon formula for a cylindrical cavity has been employed for obtaining spatial distributions of the argon excited levels. The spectroscopy measurements were taken at different positions and directions to observe populations of excited species in the plasmoid region and the corresponding excitation temperatures. Excited argon states are concentrated near the tube walls, thus, confirming the assumption that the post discharge plasma is dominantly sustained by travelling surface wave. An automated optical measurement system has been developed for reconstruction of local plasma parameters of the plasmoid structure formed in an argon supersonic flowingmore » microwave discharge. The system carries out angle and distance measurements using a rotating, flat mirror, as well as two high precision stepper motors operated by a microcontroller-based system and several sensors for precise feedback control.« less