Observation of the shallow 2 Π 1 state of NaH.

The 2 1Π state of NaH has been observed up to the last bound vibrational level using pulsed optical-optical double resonance fluorescence depletion spectroscopy. A total of 20 rovibrational energy levels ( v = 2-4 and J = 1-9) were assigned to this electronic state by means of comparing the successive rovibrational spectra to the eigenvalues of the ab initio potential energy curve. The decrease of background fluorescence near the atomic asymptotic limit Na(3d) + H(1s) is an indication of reaching the dissociation limit of the NaH 2 1Π state. Unobserved rovibrational levels ( v = 0 and 1) are due to poor Franck-Condon overlap of 2 1Π â† A 1Σ+ transition within the accessible rovibrational levels of intermediate A 1Σ+ state of this work.

Observation of double-well potential of NaH C 1Σ+ state: Deriving the dissociation energy of its ground state.

Vibrational levels (v = 6-42) of the NaH C 1Σ+ state including the inner and outer wells and the near-dissociation region were observed by pulsed optical-optical double resonance fluorescence depletion spectroscopy. The absolute vibrational quantum number is identified by comparing the vibrational energy difference of this experiment with the ab initio calculations. The outer well with v up to 34 is analyzed using the Dunham expansion and a Rydberg-Klein-Rees (RKR) potential energy curve is constructed. A hybrid double-well potential combined with the RKR potential, the ab initio calculation, and a long-range potential is able to describe the whole NaH C 1Σ+ state including the higher vibrational levels (v = 35-42). The dissociation energy of the NaH C 1Σ+ state is determined to be De(C) = 6595.10 ± 5 cm-1 and then the dissociation energy of the NaH ground state De(X) = 15 807.87 ± 5 cm-1 can be derived.

Spectroscopic determination of the ground-state dissociation energy and isotopic shift of NaD.

Stimulated emission pumping with fluorescence depletion spectroscopy is used to determine the NaD X 1Σ+ ground-state dissociation energy and its isotopic shift. A total of 230 rovibrational levels in the range 9 ≤ v″ ≤ 29 and 1 ≤ J″ ≤ 11 are observed, where v″ = 29 is about 50 cm-1 below the dissociation limit. Analysis of the highest five vibrational levels yields the dissociation energy De = 15 822 ± 5 cm-1 with a vibrational quantum number at dissociation vD = 31.2 ± 0.1. The energy difference in the well depth of this isotopologue with respect to that of NaH is δDe = De(NaH) - De(NaD) = -7 cm-1. A new set of Dunham coefficients is derived to fit all the observed energy levels to within the experimental uncertainty.

Optical sensing of phenylalanine in urine via extraction with magnetic molecularly imprinted poly(ethylene-co-vinyl alcohol) nanoparticles.

Incorporation of superparamagnetic nanoparticles into molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) is useful for both bioseparations and for concentration and sensing of biomedically relevant target molecules in physiological fluids, through the application of a magnetic field. In this study, we combined the separation and concentration of a target (phenylalanine) in urine, using magnetic molecularly imprinted polymeric composite nanoparticles, with optical sensing, to improve assay sensitivity. This target is important as a catecholamine precursor, and as an important amino acid constituent of proteins. Poly(ethylene-co-vinyl alcohol)s were imprinted with target molecules, and showed a high imprinting effectiveness (target binding compared with binding to non-imprinted polymer particles.) Fluorescence spectrophotometry was used to measure binding of the target, and also binding of possible interfering compounds. These measurements suggest that functional groups on phenylalanine dominate the selectivity of the synthesized MIPs. Finally, the composite nanoparticles were used to separate and sense the target molecule in urine by Raman scattering microscopy.

Spectroscopic Study of the B 1Π State of NaH.

In this study, the B 1Π excited state of NaH has been experimentally studied for the first time. Pulsed laser-induced fluorescence excitation spectroscopy was used to investigate the B 1Π electronic state of NaH. A total of 48 ro-vibronic transitions were observed, including within the B-X (0-0) and B-X (0-1) transition bands. Only one B-state vibrational level was identified, and a series of PQR lines, with eight e-parity and eight f-parity sublevels (v' = 0, J' = 1-8), were assigned. The level assignment was supported by a comparison of the experimental line positions with the ab initio calculations, the dispersed laser-induced fluorescence spectrum of the NaH B 1Π â†’ X 1∑+ emission, and the V-type optical-optical double resonance spectra. The Dunham-type coefficients, the mean internuclear distance, the harmonic vibrational frequency ω, and the dissociation energies D 0 and D e of the B 1Π state were determined.

Dissociation energy of the ground state of NaH.

The dissociation energy of the ground state of NaH was determined by analyzing the observed near dissociation rovibrational levels. These levels were reached by stimulated emission pumping and fluorescence depletion spectroscopy. A total of 114 rovibrational levels in the ranges 9

Adiabatic interaction leading to the avoided crossing between the twin 3(1)Delta(g) and 4(1)Delta(g) Rydberg States in Na2.

We present detailed investigations of our previously reported observations of the 3(1)Delta(g) and 4(1)Delta(g) Rydberg states having separated-atom limits of Na(3s) + Na(4d) and Na(3s) + Na(4f), respectively, of Na(2) using high-resolution cw optical-optical double resonance spectroscopic measurements and analyzing the assigned rovibrational energy levels both by the individual linear fit method and the Dunham polynomial fit method. We have sorted out e/f-parity observed energy levels, and then from the Dunham polynomial fits of the e-parity levels, we have derived molecular constants and constructed Rydberg-Klein-Rees potentials of the 3(1)Delta(g) and 4(1)Delta(g) states, which appear to be twin states with an avoided crossing at R(c) = 4.10 A and a splitting of DeltaE(c) = 94 cm(-1). The potentials are in good agreement with the ab initio calculations and linear fit results. The Lambda-doubling splittings and the (f-d) l-mixing are investigated. A detailed discussion is focused on the adiabatic interaction of the perturbed molecular wave functions/states causing mutual amplitude/intensity sharing giving rise to avoided crossing between the 3(1)Delta(g) and 4(1)Delta(g) states.

Laser-induced silver nanoparticles on titanium oxide for photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue.

Silver nanoparticles doped on titanium oxide (TiO(2)) were produced by laser-liquid interaction of silver nitrate (AgNO(3)) in isopropanol. Characteristics of Ag/TiO(2) (Ag doped TiO(2)) nanoparticles produced by the methods presented in this article were investigated by XRD, TEM, SEM, EDX, and UV-Vis. From the UV-Vis measurements, the absorption of visible light of the Ag/TiO(2) photocatalysts was improved (additional absorption at longer wavelength in visible light region) obviously. The photocatalytic efficiency of Ag/TiO(2) was tested by the degradation of methylene blue (MB) in aqueous solution. A maximum of 82.3% MB degradation is achieved by 2.0 wt% Ag/TiO(2) photocatalyst under 2 h illumination with a halogen lamp.

Observation of the nd 1Delta(g) (n = 6, 7, and 8) Rydberg states of Na2 by optical-optical double resonance spectroscopy: L uncoupling and perturbations.

The nd (1)Delta(g) (n = 6, 7, and 8) Rydberg states of Na(2) correlating with the asymptotic limits of Na(3s) + Na(nd) have been observed using high-resolution cw optical-optical double resonance spectroscopy corresponding to the rovibrational transitions X (1)Sigma(g)(+)(v("),J(")) + h nu(pump) --> B (1)Pi(u)(v('),J(')) + h nu(probe) --> nd (1)Delta(g)(v,J). Totals of 104, 83, and 45 identified rovibrational e/f-parity levels in the ranges of v = 0-11, 11 < or = J < or = 83; v = 0-10, 11 < or = J < or = 83; and v = 0-10, 11 < or = J < or = 65, have been assigned to the 6d (1)Delta(g), 7d (1)Delta(g), and 8d (1)Delta(g) states, respectively. Using the observed quantum levels, molecular constants were determined from the Dunham fits of the e-parity levels and the Rydberg-Klein-Rees potential curves were constructed for the nd (1)Delta(g)(n = 6-8) states. The characteristics of the estimated Lambda-doubling splitting constants (q(0), q(v), and mu) with n(= 5-8) of the nd (1)Delta(g) series have been explored. Detailed investigations reveal that the nd (1)Delta(g)(n = 6-8) states involve L uncoupling from the internuclear axis and each of these states is affected by an asymmetric perturbation caused by the up and down adjacent states. The rotational-branch intensity and position anomalies in the observed spectra of the nd (1)Delta(g) series (n = 5-8) of Na(2) lead to the conclusion that due to the effects of the L-uncoupling perturbations, the same l complexes approaching the same ion-core limits result in the same l-mixing processes which lead to the formation of the supercomplexes due to the anisotropy of the molecular-ion [Na(2)(+)(3s)] field. This would open up opportunities to study the effects of L uncoupling and perturbations in the nd series and high Rydberg states of other alkali dimers.

Toxicity assessment of mono-substituted benzenes and phenols using a Pseudomonas initial oxygen uptake assay.

A methodology is presented for assessing the toxicity of chemical substances through their inhibitory action toward the Pseudomonas initial oxygen uptake (PIOU) rate. The current studies reveal that the PIOU assay is rapid, cost-efficient, and easy to perform. The oxygen uptake rate was found to be associated with a putative benzoate transporter and highly dependent on benzoate concentration. The putative benzoate transporter has been shown to follow Michaelis-Menten kinetics. Most phenols were found to be noncompetitive inhibitors of the benzoate transporter. The inhibition constant (Ki) of these noncompetitive inhibitors can be related to the concentration causing 50% oxygen uptake inhibition in Pseudomonas putida. Modeling these data by using the response-surface approach leads to the development of a quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) for the toxicity of phenols ((1/Ki) = -0.435 (+/-0.038) lowest-unoccupied-molecular orbital + 0.517 (+/-0.027)log K(OW) - 2.340 (+/-0.068), n = 49, r2 = 0.930, s = 0.107, r2adj = 0.926, F = 303.1). A comparison of QSAR models derived from the Ki data of the PIOU method and the toxicity data of 40-h Tetrahymena pyrifomis growth inhibition assay (Tetratox) indicated that there was a high correlation between the two approaches (r2 = 0.925).

Development of Screen-Printed Texture-Barrier Paste for Single-Side Texturization of Interdigitated Back-Contact Silicon Solar Cell Applications.

Continuous cost reduction of silicon-based solar cells is needed to lower the process time and increase efficiency. To achieve lower costs, screen-printed texture-barrier (SPTB) paste was first developed for single-side texturization (ST) of the interdigitated back-contact (IBC) for silicon-based solar cell applications. The SPTB paste was screen-printed on silicon substrates. The SPTB paste was synthesized from intermixed silicate glass (75 wt %), a resin binder (ethyl cellulose ethoce: 20 wt %), and a dispersing agent (fatty acid: 5 wt %). The silicate glass is a necessity for contact formation during firing. A resin binder and a dispersing agent determine the rheology of the SPTB paste. In this work, by modulating various parameters, including post SPTB firing, alkali texturing, and removal of the SPTB, the ST of IBC silicon solar cells was achieved. Since the advantages of the SPTB paste include low toxicity and prompt formation of the texture-barrier, SPTB is potentially suited for simple fabrication at low-cost for solar cell applications. The cost of the SPTB is around $100/kg which is lower than the SiH4/NH3 gas ambient used in plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD). Thus, the expensive Si3N4 film deposited by PECVD using SiH4 and NH3 gas ambient for silicon solar cells can be replaced by this SPTB.

Observation of the 71Pig state of Na2 by optical-optical double resonance spectroscopy.

The 71Pig Rydberg state of Na2 correlating with the separated atom limit Na(3s) + Na(5p) has been observed using high-resolution cw optical-optical double resonance spectroscopy. A total of 104 identified rovibrational levels in the range v = 0-12 and 11

Observation of L uncoupling in the 5 1Deltag Rydberg state of Na2.

The phenomenon of electronic orbital angular momentum L uncoupled from its internuclear axis has been observed in the sodium dimer using high-resolution cw optical-optical double-resonance spectroscopy. When L uncoupling occurs, the degeneracy of Lambda doubling is removed. In our experiment, the intermediate B (1)Pi(u) state of Na(2) is excited from the thermally populated ground X (1)Sigma(g) (+) state by a single-line Ar(+) laser. Then, a single-mode dye laser is used to probe the Rydberg states from the intermediate state. The signals are detected by monitoring the UV fluorescence from the triplet gerade states back to the a (3)Sigma(u) (+) state via collision energy transfer. Under our experimental resolution, the splitting of Lambda doubling in the 5 (1)Delta(g) state of Na(2) can be measured. A total of 136 rovibronic levels with ef parities have been assigned to the 5 (1)Delta(g) state. The Lambda-splitting constants deduced from these data are q(0)=0.376(90)x10(-4) cm(-1), q(v)=0.114(6)x10(-4) cm(-1), and mu=0.76(33)x10(-8) cm(-1). In general, the Lambda splitting of the Delta states is considerably smaller than that of the Pi states. However, the first-order splitting constants q(0) and q(v) reported here are larger than those in the B (1)Pi(u) state. This is due to the L uncoupling of the Rydberg states.

Doubly excited 2 1Delta g state of Na2.

The doubly excited valence (3p+3p) 2 (1)Delta(g) state of Na(2) is experimentally observed by using optical-optical double resonance spectroscopy. A single line Ar(+) laser (a total of nine lines) was used to pump the sodium dimers from thermally populated ground state X (1)Sigma(g) (+) to the intermediate B (1)Pi(u) state. Then, a single mode Ti:sapphire laser was used to probe the doubly excited 2 (1)Delta(g) state. Violet fluorescence emitted from the highly excited states (mainly 2 (3)Pi(g) or 3 (3)Pi(g) states which are transferred from 2 (1)Delta(g) state via collision) to the a (3)Sigma(u) (+) state was monitored by a filtered photomultiplier tube (PMT). A total of 582 rovibrational levels of 2 (1)Delta(g) state were observed, identified, and assigned to the vibrational and rotational quantum numbers in the range of 0< or =v< or =28 and 11< or =J< or =99, respectively. The absolute vibrational quantum number assignment was verified by comparing the totally resolved fluorescence with the calculated Franck-Condon factors between 2 (1)Delta(g) state and B (1)Pi(u) state. Dunham coefficients and Rydberg-Klein-Rees potential curve were derived from these observed quantum levels. The primary molecular constants of Na(2) 2 (1)Delta(g) state are T(e)=32 416.759(15) cm(-1), omega(e)=124.8484(36) cm(-1), B(e)=0.119 158(3) cm(-1), and R(e)=3.508 20(5) A.