Estimation of the electron density and radiative energy losses in a calcium plasma source based on an electron cyclotron resonance discharge

The parameters of a calcium plasma source based on an electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) discharge were calculated. The analysis was performed as applied to an ion cyclotron resonance system designed for separation of calcium isotopes. The plasma electrons in the source were heated by gyrotron microwave radiation in the zone of the inhomogeneous magnetic field. It was assumed that, in such a combined trap, the energy of the extraordinary microwave propagating from the high-field side was initially transferred to a small group of resonance electrons. As a result, two electron components with different transverse temperatures—the hot resonance component and the cold nonresonance component—were created in the plasma. The longitudinal temperatures of both components were assumed to be equal. The entire discharge space was divided into a narrow ECR zone, where resonance electrons acquired transverse energy, and the region of the discharge itself, where the gas was ionized. The transverse energy of resonance electrons was calculated by solving the equations for electron motion in an inhomogeneous magnetic field. Using the law of energy conservation and the balance condition for the number of hot electrons entering the discharge zone and cooled due to ionization and elastic collisions, the density of hot electrons was estimated and the dependence of the longitudinal temperature T _e∥ of the main (cold) electron component on the energy fraction β lost for radiation was obtained.     

Experimental study of the dynamics of neutron emission from the GOL-3 multimirror trap

In experiments on the plasma heating and confinement in the GOL-3 multimirror trap, a deuterium plasma with a density of ～10¹⁵ cm^?3 and an ion temperature of 1–2 keV is confined for more than 1 ms. The plasma is heated by a relativistic electron beam. The ion temperature, which was measured by independent methods, reached 1.5–2 keV after the beginning of the beam injection. Since such a fast ion heating cannot be explained by the classical energy transfer from electrons to ions through binary collisions, a theoretical model of collective energy transfer was proposed. In order to verify this model, a new diagnostics was designed to study the dynamics of neutron emission from an individual mirror cell of the multimirror trap during electron beam injection. Intense neutron bursts predicted by this model were detected experimentally. Periodic neutron flux modulation caused by the macroscopic plasma flow along the solenoid was observed. The revealed mechanism of fast ion heating can be used to achieve fusion temperatures in the multimirror trap.     

Analytic approximations for describing the interactionof charged particles with the emitter of a radioisotope current source

Approximate formulas for the modeling of the interaction of fast alpha particles and suprathermal electrons with solid-state plasmas of the emitter films in a secondary-electron-emission radioisotope current source are derived. The approximate formulas are used to estimate the characteristic interaction parameters, in particular, the effective stopping power of the composite material of the emitter, the ranges of alpha particles, the optimum thickness of the emitter, and the maximum possible number of binary current cells. The results obtained can be used to optimize the parameters of a prototype model of such a source and to analyze its current-voltage characteristic. They can also be applied in Monte Carlo modeling of the generation of suprathermal electrons by fast ion fluxes in a solid-state plasma and ion flux-induced fast nonequilibrium secondary electron emission from metallic and dielectric films.     

Recent developments in ion-trap mass spectrometry and related technologies

Due to their versatility, quadrupole ion traps have become popular mass spectrometers in the growing field of proteomics. High sensitivity, user friendliness and low cost are the key features that have contributed to the success of the technology. However, mass measurement accuracy, resolution and mass range are still not comparable to the analytical performances obtained on other mass spectrometers. In the past 5 years, researchers have tried to overcome these drawbacks, focusing their attention on two different aspects of ion-trap mass spectrometry, development of novel types of ion traps and manipulation of the gas-phase ion chemistry, in order to obtain alternative techniques for tandem mass spectrometry analysis. In the field of trapping devices, improvements in instrumental design have led to the linear ion trap, digital ion trap and orbitrap. Activation methods based on electrons, chemically produced by an anion or from irradiation with an electron beam, have demonstrated their utility in providing complementary sequence information for improving confidence in protein identification.     

Recent developments in ion-trap mass spectrometry and related technologies

Due to their versatility, quadrupole ion traps have become popular mass spectrometers in the growing field of proteomics. High sensitivity, user friendliness and low cost are the key features that have contributed to the success of the technology. However, mass measurement accuracy, resolution and mass range are still not comparable to the analytical performances obtained on other mass spectrometers. In the past 5 years, researchers have tried to overcome these drawbacks, focusing their attention on two different aspects of ion-trap mass spectrometry, development of novel types of ion traps and manipulation of the gas-phase ion chemistry, in order to obtain alternative techniques for tandem mass spectrometry analysis. In the field of trapping devices, improvements in instrumental design have led to the linear ion trap, digital ion trap and orbitrap. Activation methods based on electrons, chemically produced by an anion or from irradiation with an electron beam, have demonstrated their utility in providing complementary sequence information for improving confidence in protein identification.     

Plasma Parameters Controlled by a Movable Ion Sheath

It is shown that plasma parameters, such as the electron density, electron temperature, and plasma potential, in multidipole discharge plasma can be controlled by a negatively biased movable metal plate. Here, plasma is produced in the target region by a flux of energetic electrons coming from the source region of a double plasma device. Further, the thickness of the ion sheath formed in front of the biased metal plate varies depending on its axial position inside the cage.     

Electron cyclotron resonance acceleration of electrons to relativistic energies by a microwave field in a mirror trap

Results are presented from experiments on the acceleration of electrons by a 2.45-GHz microwave field in an adiabatic mirror trap under electron cyclotron resonance conditions, the electric and wave vectors of the wave being orthogonal to the trap axis. At a microwave electric field of ≥10 V/cm and air pressures of 10^?6–10^?4 Torr (the experiments were also performed with helium and argon), a self-sustained discharge was initiated in which a fraction of plasma electrons were accelerated to energies of 0.3–0.5 MeV. After the onset of instability, the acceleration terminated; the plasma decayed; and the accelerated electrons escaped toward the chamber wall, causing the generation of X-ray emission. Estimates show that electrons can be accelerated to the above energies only in the regime of self-phased interaction with the microwave field, provided that the electrons with a relativistically increased mass penetrate into the region with a higher magnetic field. It is shown that the negative-mass instability also can contribute to electron acceleration. The dynamic friction of the fast electrons by neutral particles in the drift space between the resonance zones does not suppress electron acceleration, so the electrons pass into a runaway regime. Since the air molecules excited by relativistic runaway electrons radiate primarily in the red spectral region, this experiment can be considered as a model of high-altitude atmospheric discharges, known as “red sprites.”     

Evolution of a Langmuir wave in a weakly inhomogeneous plasma in a longitudinal electric field

The spatial evolution of a Langmuir wave excited by external sources in a weakly inhomogeneous electron plasma in a longitudinal electrostatic field is considered. It is shown that, in a longitudinal electrostatic field, a Langmuir wave can only be amplified in an inhomogeneous plasma provided that the current of trapped electrons exceeds that of untrapped electrons. In this case, as the wave propagates through the inhomogeneous region where its phase velocity increases, some untrapped electrons become trapped in the wave potential wells. As a result, the current of trapped electrons increases and the wave is amplified. Moreover, in the regions where the bulk electrons are localized, the minima of the wave are amplified to a greater extent than its maxima.     

Laboratory modeling of nonstationary processes in space cyclotron masers: First results and prospects

Results are presented from laboratory modeling of the dynamics of space cyclotron masers. A selfoscillatory mode of cyclotron instability in the nonequilibrium plasma of an ECR discharge in a magnetic mirror trap is found. The plasma comprises two electron populations: the background population with a density of N _e ～ 10¹³–10¹⁴ cm^?3 and temperature of T _e ≈ 300 eV and the energetic population with a density of N _e ～ 10¹⁰ cm^?3 and temperature of T _e ≈ 10 keV. Quasi-periodic pulsed precipitation of energetic electrons from the trap, accompanied by microwave bursts at frequencies below the electron gyrofrequency in the center of the trap, is detected. The study of the microwave plasma emission and the energetic electrons precipitated from the trap shows that the precipitation is related to the excitation of whistler-mode waves propagating nearly parallel to the trap axis. The observed instability has much in common with phenomena in space magnetic traps, such as radiation belts of magnetized planets and solar coronal loops. The experimental results demonstrate the opportunity of laboratory modeling of space cyclotron masers. The main tasks and possibilities of such modeling are discussed.     

Purification and properties of the alkaline phosphatase ofSerratia marcescens

1. A hypothesis based on the Hill-Bendall-model of photosynthetic electron transport is proposed to explain positive and negative photo-phobotaxis inPhormidium uncinatum. In the non-cyclic electron chain a pool is located into which photosystem II (e. g. by absorption by C-phycoerythrin, 561 nm) feeds electrons while photosystem I (e.g. 723 nm) drains electrons out of it.
2. Interruption of the electron flow into the pool causes a sudden decrease of the pool size and thus a positive phobic response. This happens e.g. when an organism leaves a trap which is illuminated by a wavelength absorbed by photosystem II pigments (e. g. 561 nm).
3. A negative reaction takes place when electrons are suddenly drained out of the pool; again the pool size decreases. This is the case when an organism enters a light trap illuminated by photosystem I light (723 nm).
4. The net flow of electrons into or out of the pool—and thus the reaction sense—can be manipulated by the relative excitation of the two photosystems or by blocking the electron influx by DCMU.

     

Postirradiation long-range energy transfer in a single crystal of cytosine monohydrate: an EPR study.

Thiocytosine molecules incorporated in the cytosine monohydrate crystal lattice act as traps for both electrons and holes. The radiation-induced cytosine ion radicals, C(+) and C(-), release their charge upon heating. The excess electrons and holes migrate long distances in the crystal lattice. The migration of holes has been demonstrated by the postirradiation, thermally activated accumulation of thiocytosine cation radicals, T(+), and the migration of electrons by formation of the S-centered radicals of an anionic nature. It is estimated that the migration length of the holes is at least 30 interbase distances, and the migration length of the electrons is more than 100 interbase distances. The selective formation of the cationic and anionic trap radicals, depending on the trap concentration, is discussed in terms of differences between the migration of electrons and holes.     

Possible mechanism for radial ion acceleration in a beam-plasma discharge

A mechanism is proposed that can lead to radial ion acceleration in a plasma discharge excited by an electron beam in a relatively weak longitudinal magnetic field. The mechanism operates as follows. The beam generates an azimuthally asymmetric slow potential wave, which traps electrons. Trapped magnetized electrons drift radially with a fairly high velocity under the combined action of the azimuthal wave field (which is constant for them) and a relatively weak external longitudinal magnetic field. The radial electron flux generates a radial charge-separation electric field, which accelerates unmagnetized plasma ions in the radial direction. The ion flux densities and energies achievable in experiments with kiloelectronvolt electron beams in magnetic fields of up to 100 G are estimated.     

Electron and nuclear dynamics in many-electron atoms, molecules and chlorophyll-protein complexes: a review

It has been shown [V.A. Shuvalov, Quantum dynamics of electrons in many-electron atoms of biologically important compounds, Biochemistry (Mosc.) 68 (2003) 1333-1354; V.A. Shuvalov, Quantum dynamics of electrons in atoms of biologically important molecules, Uspekhi biologicheskoi khimii, (Pushchino) 44 (2004) 79-108] that the orbit angular momentum L of each electron in many-electron atoms is L=mVr=nPlanck's and similar to L for one-electron atom suggested by N. Bohr. It has been found that for an atom with N electrons the total electron energy equation E=-(Z(eff))(2)e(4)m/(2n(2)Planck's(2)N) is more appropriate for energy calculation than standard quantum mechanical expressions. It means that the value of L of each electron is independent of the presence of other electrons in an atom and correlates well to the properties of virtual photons emitted by the nucleus and creating a trap for electrons. The energies for elements of the 1st up to the 5th rows and their ions (total amount 240) of Mendeleev' Periodical table were calculated consistent with the experimental data (deviations in average were 5 x 10(-3)). The obtained equations can be used for electron dynamics calculations in molecules. For H(2) and H(2)(+) the interference of electron-photon orbits between the atoms determines the distances between the nuclei which are in agreement with the experimental values. The formation of resonance electron-photon orbit in molecules with the conjugated bonds, including chlorophyll-like molecules, appears to form a resonance trap for an electron with E values close to experimental data. Two mechanisms were suggested for non-barrier primary charge separation in reaction centers (RCs) of photosynthetic bacteria and green plants by using the idea of electron-photon orbit interference between the two molecules. Both mechanisms are connected to formation of the exciplexes of chlorophyll-like molecules. The first one includes some nuclear motion before exciplex formation, the second one is related to the optical transition to a charge transfer state.     

Mechanism of Runaway Electron Generation at Gas Pressures from a Few Atmospheres to Several Tens of Atmospheres

The mechanism of runaway electron generation at gas pressures from a few atmospheres to several tens of atmospheres is proposed. According to this mechanism, the electrons pass into the runaway mode in the enhanced field zone that arises between a cathode micropoint—a source of field-emission electrons—and the region of the positive ion space charge accumulated near the cathode in the tails of the developing electron avalanches. As a result, volume gas ionization by runaway electrons begins with a time delay required for the formation of the enhanced field zone. This process determines the delay time of breakdown. The influence of the gas pressure on the formation dynamics of the space charge region is analyzed. At gas pressures of a few atmospheres, the space charge arises due to the avalanche multiplication of the very first field-emission electron, whereas at pressures of several tens of atmospheres, the space charge forms as a result of superposition of many electron avalanches with a relatively small number of charge carriers in each.     

Study of the development of relativistic plasma bunches in a long mirror trap by optical and X-ray imaging and numerical simulations

The work presents experimental results demonstrating the feasibility of autoresonance acceleration of electrons in a long mirror trap with a reverse magnetic field. It is shown that gyromagnetic autoresonance results in the formation of a plasma bunch with average electron energy of several hundred keV, which is confined for a long time in the trap. The results of computer simulations of the regime of reverse gyromagnetic autoresonance agree well with the experimental data.     

Application of electrochemical kinetics to photosynthesis and oxidative phosphorylation: The redox element hypothesis and the principle of parametric energy coupling

It is suggested that the transfer of electrons within the biological electron transfer chain is subject to the laws of electrochemical kinetics, when membrane-bound electron carriers are involved. Consequently, small tightly bound molecular complexes of two or more electron transfer proteins of different redox potential within an energy transducing membrane, which accept electrons from a donor at one membrane surface and donate it to an acceptor at the other, may be regarded as real and functioning molecular redox elements, which convert the free energy of electrons into electrochemical energy. Especially, the transfer of an electron from excited chlorophyll to an electron acceptor can be looked upon as an electrochemical oxidation of excited chlorophyll at such a complex. In this reaction the electron acceptor complex behaves like a polarized electrode, in which the electrochemical potential gradient is provided by a gradient of redox potential of its constituents.Calculations and qualitative considerations show that this concept leads to a consistent understanding of both primary and secondary reactions in photosynthesis (electron capture, delayed light emission, ion transfer, energy conversion) and can also be applied to oxidative phosphorylation. Within the proposed concept, ion transfer and the development of ion gradients have to be considered as results of electrochemical activity—not as intermediates for energy conversion. For energetic reasons, a non steady state, periodic energy coupling mechanism is postulated which functions by periodic changes of the capacity of the (electrochemically) charged energy transducing membrane, during which capacitive surplus energy is released as chemical energy. Energy transducing membranes may thus be considered as electrochemical parametric energy transformers. This concept explains active periodic conformation changes and mechanochemical processes of energy transducing membranes as energetically essential events, which trigger energy conversion according to the principle of variable parameter energy transformers.The electrochemical approach presented here has been suggested and is supported by the observation, that with respect to electron capture and conversion of excitation energy into electrochemical energy, the behaviour of excited chlorophyll at suitable solid state (semiconductor) electrodes is very similar to that of chlorophyll in photosynthetic reaction centers.     

Theory of the polarization bremsstrahlung from thermal electrons scattered by the Debye sphere of an ion in a plasma

The polarization bremsstrahlung from thermal electrons scattered by the Debye sphere of an ion in a plasma is studied in the quasiclassical approximation. The model of the local plasma frequency is used to check the validity of the asymptotic expression for the polarizability of the electron cloud of an ion in the high-frequency range. This asymptotic expression is then used to derive a formula for the intensity of the total effective polarization bremsstrahlung. The R factor (the ratio of the contribution from the polarization bremsstrahlung to the contribution from conventional static bremsstrahlung) is obtained as a function of the plasma coupling parameter and electron density in order to analyze the role of the polarization bremsstrahlung in the total bremsstrahlung of the thermal plasma electrons. The spectral intensity of the effective polarization bremsstrahlung is calculated in the rotational approximation, which was previously employed in the theory of conventional static bremsstrahlung. It is shown that the spectral intensity of the polarization bremsstrahlung from thermal electrons scattered by the Debye sphere around an ion, as compared with the polarization bremsstrahlung by fast superthermal electrons, decreases more gradually with increasing frequency.     

Dynamics of beam instability in a finite plasma volume: Numerical experiment

Results are presented from numerical simulations of the dynamics of beam instability in a finite plasma volume (plasma-filled cavity) in a weak magnetic field. It is shown that, in such a system, the low group velocity of the plasma waves excited by an electron beam can result in the generation and amplification of an electric field; strong electron heating in the axial region; and, as a consequence, the generation of a high potential at the axis. The quasistatic radial electric field so produced accelerates ions toward the periphery of the plasma column, forming a directed ion beam with an energy much higher than the thermal energy of the bulk plasma electrons.     

Synthesis of ZnSe and ZnSe:Cu quantum dots by a room temperature photochemical (UV‐assisted) approach using Na2SeO3 as Se source and investigating optical properties

In this study, ZnSe and ZnSe:Cu quantum dots (QDs) were synthesized using Na₂SeO₃ as the Se source by a rapid and room temperature photochemical (UV‐assisted) approach. Thioglycolic acid (TGA) was employed as the capping agent and UV illumination activated the chemical reactions. Synthesized QDs were successfully characterized using X‐ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), photoluminescence (PL) and UV–visible (UV–vis) spectroscopy, Fourier transform‐infrared (FT‐IR), and energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX). XRD analysis demonstrated the cubic zinc blend phase QDs. TEM images indicated that round‐shaped particles were formed, most of which had a diameter of about 4 nm. The band gap of the ZnSe QDs was higher than that for ZnSe in bulk. PL spectra indicated an emission with three peaks related to the excitonic, surface trap states and deep level (DL) states. The band gap and QD emission were tunable only by UV illumination time during synthesis. ZnSe:Cu showed green emission due to transition of electrons from the Conduction band (CB) or surface trap states to the ²T₂ acceptor levels of Cu²⁺. The emission was increased by increasing the Cu²⁺ ion concentration, such that the optimal value of PL intensity was obtained for the nominal mole ratio of Cu:Zn 1.5%.