Absorption oscillator strengths for vibronic transitions of nppi Rydberg series in NO.

The vibronic intensities for band systems of NO corresponding to transitions with origin in both the X(2)Pi ground and the 3ssigma(A(2)Sigma(+)) Rydberg states, and ending in the nppi Rydberg series with n = 3-5, have been determined. The description of the Rydberg states has been made with the molecular quantum defect orbital methodology. The Rydberg-valence interaction of the (2)Pi symmetry states involved in the studied transitions has been analyzed through a vibronic matrix. The present results have been compared with experimental and theoretical data available in the literature. Additionally, predictions for a number of unknown intensities have been made, which may be useful for the interpretation of the spectrum of NO.

Manipulating azobenzene photoisomerization through strong light-molecule coupling.

The formation of hybrid light-molecule states (polaritons) offers a new strategy to manipulate the photochemistry of molecules. To fully exploit its potential, one needs to build a toolbox of polaritonic phenomenologies that supplement those of standard photochemistry. By means of a state-of-the-art computational photochemistry approach extended to the strong-coupling regime, here we disclose various mechanisms peculiar of polaritonic chemistry: coherent population oscillations between polaritons, quenching by trapping in dead-end polaritonic states and the alteration of the photochemical reaction pathway and quantum yields. We focus on azobenzene photoisomerization, that encompasses the essential features of complex photochemical reactions such as the presence of conical intersections and reaction coordinates involving multiple internal modes. In the strong coupling regime, a polaritonic conical intersection arises and we characterize its role in the photochemical process. Our chemically detailed simulations provide a framework to rationalize how the strong coupling impacts the photochemistry of realistic molecules.

Evolution of the millimeter-wave collective Thomson scattering system of the high-field tokamak Frascati Tokamak Upgrade.

We first describe the improved receiving system of the diagnostic experiment of millimeter-wave collective Thomson scattering being run on the Frascati Tokamak Upgrade (FTU), and then discuss some peculiar problems and new operating procedures related to the investigation of strong anomalous spectra of nonthermal origin, many-orders-of-magnitude stronger than the ion thermal feature merged in them, systematically observed in the experimentation, and finally ascribed to a perturbation of the gyrotron that generates the probing beam. Arguments in favor of a more general valence of the solutions actuated for the specific case of FTU are finally given.

Advances in the FTU collective Thomson scattering system.

The new collective Thomson scattering diagnostic installed on the Frascati Tokamak Upgrade device started its first operations in 2014. The ongoing experiments investigate the presence of signals synchronous with rotating tearing mode islands, possibly due to parametric decay processes, and phenomena affecting electron cyclotron beam absorption or scattering measurements. The radiometric system, diagnostic layout, and data acquisition system were improved accordingly. The present status and near-term developments of the diagnostic are presented.

Photodissociation dynamics of chlorine peroxide adsorbed on ice.

Chlorine peroxide plays an important role in the chlorine-ozone chemistry in the antarctic stratosphere. Adsorption by ice crystals may alter its photochemistry in different ways. We have simulated the photodissociation of a ClOOCl molecule adsorbed on ice by means of a semiclassical representation of the excited state dynamics. Electronic energies and wave functions of ClOOCl are computed by an ad hoc reparametrized semiempirical method, and the interaction with ice is taken into account by a QM/MM strategy. The reaction mechanism is similar to what was previously found for the isolated molecule: sequential or almost simultaneous breaking of both Cl-O bonds leads to the 2Cl + O2 reaction products in most cases. The Cl atoms remain temporarily adsorbed on the ice surface, whereas O2 is ejected. The main effect for the overall chlorine chemistry is probably an increase of the photodissociation rates at long wavelengths, due to the change of adsorption cross sections induced by the interaction with ice.

Disruption avoidance in the Frascati Tokamak Upgrade by means of magnetohydrodynamic mode stabilization using electron-cyclotron-resonance heating.

Disruption avoidance by stabilization of MHD modes through injection of ECRH at different radial locations is reported. Disruptions have been induced in the FTU (Frascati Tokamak Upgrade) deuterium plasmas by Mo injection or by exceeding the density limit (D gas puffing). ECRH is triggered when the V(loop) exceeds a preset threshold value. Coupling between MHD modes (m/n=3/2, 2/1, 3/1) occurs before disruption. Direct heating of one coupled mode is sufficient to avoid disruptions, while heating close to the mode leads to disruption delay. These results could be relevant for the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor tokamak operation.

Dynamics of tearing modes during strong electron cyclotron heating on the FTU tokamak.

The localized electron cyclotron resonance heating power that can suppress sawteeth reconnection often drives m = 2 tearing modes in a tokamak operating at constant current. The dynamics of mode onset and coupled mode evolution is described in detail and compared with a nonlinear theoretical model that identifies the effects of mode coupling, finite inertia of the rotating islands, and wall braking.

Synergy of electron-cyclotron and lower-hybrid current drive in steady-state plasmas.

Improvement (up to a factor of approximately 4) of the electron-cyclotron (EC) current drive efficiency in plasmas sustained by lower-hybrid (LH) current drive has been demonstrated in stationary conditions on the Tore Supra tokamak. This was made possible by feedback controlled discharges at zero loop voltage, constant plasma current, and constant density. This effect, predicted by kinetic theory, results from a favorable interplay of the velocity space diffusions induced by the two waves: the EC wave pulling low-energy electrons out of the Maxwellian bulk, and the LH wave driving them to high parallel velocities.