Focusing of Novosibirsk Free Electron Laser (NovoFEL) radiation into paraxial segment

Abstract

We demonstrate results of studies of a silicon binary diffractive optical element (DOE) focusing a terahertz laser Gaussian beam into a paraxial segment. The characteristics of the DOE were examined on a Novosibirsk Free Electron Laser beam of 141-μm wavelength.     

Bose-Einstein Condensation of Magnons in Superfluid 3He

The possibility of Bose-Einstein condensation of excitations has been discussed for a long time. The phenomenon of the phase-coherent precession of magnetization in superfluid ³He and the related effects of spin superfluidity are based on the true Bose-Einstein condensation of magnons. Several different states of coherent precession has been observed in ³He-B: homogeneously precessing domain (HPD); persistent signal formed by Q-balls at very low temperatures; coherent precession with fractional magnetization; and a mode of the coherent precession in compressed aerogel. The coherent precession has been also found in ³He-A in compressed aerogel. Here we demonstrate that all these cases are examples of a Bose-Einstein condensation of magnons, with the magnon interaction term in the Gross-Pitaevskii equation being provided by different types of spin-orbit coupling in the background of the coherent precession.      

Mercury contamination in the vicinity of a derelict chlor-alkali plant Part II: contamination of the aquatic and terrestrial food chain and potential risks to the local population

This study investigated the environmental impact and level of risk associated with mercury (Hg) contamination near a derelict chlor-alkali plant in Pavlodar, Northern Kazakhstan. Several species of fish were sampled from the highly polluted Lake Balkyldak and the nearby river Irtysh, to assess the extent of Hg bioaccumulation in the aquatic food chain and potential human health risks. A small number of bovine tissue samples, water samples, soil and plant samples from a nearby village were also investigated in order to make a preliminary assessment of potential impacts on the terrestrial food chain. Mercury levels in fish caught from Lake Balkyldak ranged from 0.16 to 2.2 mg kg(-1) and the majority of fish exceeded current human health criteria for Hg. Interspecies comparisons indicated that Hg is accumulated in the order dace>carp>tench. Site-specific bioaccumulation factors (BAF) were calculated for THg, and were estimated for MeHg. Fish from the river Irtysh and floodplain oxbow lakes contained between 0.075 and 0.159 mg kg(-1) of Hg and can be regarded as uncontaminated. Soils were found to be impacted by past atmospheric emissions of Hg. Cattle grazing in the surroundings of the factory are exposed to Hg from contaminated soils, plants and surface water, but the consumption of contaminated fish from the lake appears to be the main route of exposure for humans.     

Microwave modification of Radiata pine railway sleepers for preservative treatment

The use of hardwood railway sleepers in Australia is limited by hardwood timber resources, thus softwood sleepers made from plantation Radiata pine (Pinus radiata) may replace them. Low permeability pine heartwood does not allow for good impregnation with preservatives. Microwave (MW) wood modification increases heartwood permeability and improves preservative distribution and uptake. The experimental study of MW sleeper modification and impregnation, allows for the rational MW process parameters and preservative treatment schedules to be determined, with an estimate of the effect of MW treatment on sleeper quality, and for recommendations to be provided to industry. On the basis of the research results a 400 kW commercial MW plant capable of an output of 100,000 sleepers per annum has been designed. The costs of MW sleeper processing are acceptable to industry and provide good opportunities for the commercialization.     

掺硫硒化镓晶体在太赫兹波段的光学特性

利用太赫兹时域光谱技术测量了掺硫硒化镓(GaSe1-xSx)晶体在太赫兹波段的光学参数,包括折射系数、吸收系数等.使用自由空间电光取样法获得了太赫兹电磁波的脉冲波形.对不同硫掺杂量的硒化镓晶体进行了研究,在硫的掺杂量为0,0.01,0.14,0.26,0.37时,在0.2-2.0THz测得了GaSe1.S.的折射系数、...     

Experimental force response of a grooved squeeze film damper

The effects of a circumferential feeding groove on the dynamic force response of a squeeze film damper are determined experimentally. Open end and sealed damper configurations are tested for different groove depths, Journal orbit radii, whirl frequency and fluid viscosity conditions. Significant levels of dynamic pressures are measured at the groove in dampers with groove depth-to-clearance ratios equal to 5 and 10. These pressures affect considerably the dynamic forces of the dampers tested. Large tangential (damping) forces are produced at the circumferential groove which contribute significantly to the damping characteristics of the test articles. For uncavitated lubricant conditions, radial forces of substantial magnitude are determined at the groove and at the thin film land where the squeeze film Reynolds numbers are typically less than 1.     

Investigation of Cr:Tm:Er:YAG laser crystals in a resonator with various degrees of spectral selectivity

It has been established that Tm(3+) ions do not prevent multiple-wavelength oscillation in Cr:Tm:Er:YAG laser crystals inserted inside of the completely nonselective mirror resonator. The output mirror spectral selectivity needed for single-wavelength oscillation at 2.697 mum for a considerable excess of pumping energy over the threshold has been determined experimentally. It has been shown that Tm(3+) optimum concentration in the crystals could be determined correctly in the described resonator scheme.