0000000000524759
AUTHOR
Yuan Liu
A novel experimental system for the KDK measurement of the 40K decay scheme relevant for rare event searches
Potassium-40 ($^{40}$K) is a long-lived, naturally occurring radioactive isotope. The decay products are prominent backgrounds for many rare event searches, including those involving NaI-based scintillators. $^{40}$K also plays a role in geochronological dating techniques. The branching ratio of the electron capture directly to the ground state of argon-40 has never been measured, which can cause difficulty in interpreting certain results or can lead to lack of precision depending on the field and analysis technique. The KDK (Potassium (K) Decay (DK)) collaboration is measuring this decay. A composite method has a silicon drift detector with an enriched, thermally deposited $^{40}$K source …
High efficiency resonance ionization of palladium with Ti:sapphire lasers
This work presents the development and testing of highly efficient excitation schemes for resonance ionization of palladium. To achieve the highest ionization efficiencies, a high-power, high repetition rate Ti:sapphire laser system was used and 2-step, 3-step and 4-step schemes were investigated and compared. Starting from different excited steps, the frequencies of the final ionization steps were tuned across the full accessible spectral range of the laser system, revealing several autoionizing Rydberg series, which converge towards the energetically higher lying state of the Pd+ ion ground state configuration. Through proper choice of these excitation steps, we developed a highly efficie…
Autoantibodies in Spondyloarthritis, Focusing on Anti-CD74 Antibodies
Spondyloarthritis (SpA) is an inflammatory rheumatic disease with diverse clinical presentation. The diagnosis of SpA remains a big challenge in daily clinical practice because of the limitation in specific biomarkers of SpA, more biomarkers are still needed for SpA diagnosis and disease activity monitoring. In the past, SpA was considered predominantly as auto-inflammatory disease vs. autoimmune disease. However, in recent years several researches demonstrated a broad autoantibody response in SpA patients. Study also indicated that mice lack of ZAP70 in T cell develop SpA featured inflammation. These studies indicated the autoimmune features of SpA and gave rise to the potential use of aut…
The electron affinity of astatine
One of the most important properties influencing the chemical behavior of an element is the electron affinity (EA). Among the remaining elements with unknown EA is astatine, where one of its isotopes, 211At, is remarkably well suited for targeted radionuclide therapy of cancer. With the At− anion being involved in many aspects of current astatine labeling protocols, the knowledge of the electron affinity of this element is of prime importance. Here we report the measured value of the EA of astatine to be 2.41578(7) eV. This result is compared to state-of-the-art relativistic quantum mechanical calculations that incorporate both the Breit and the quantum electrodynamics (QED) corrections and…
Accretion in strong field gravity with eXTP
In this paper we describe the potential of the enhanced X-ray Timing and Polarimetry (eXTP) mission for studies related to accretion flows in the strong field gravity regime around both stellar-mass and supermassive black-holes. eXTP has the unique capability of using advanced 'spectral-timing-polarimetry' techniques to analyze the rapid variations with three orthogonal diagnostics of the flow and its geometry, yielding unprecedented insight into the inner accreting regions, the effects of strong field gravity on the material within them and the powerful outflows which are driven by the accretion process.
Depletion of the excited state population in negative ions using laser photodetachment in a gas-filled RF quadrupole ion guide
International audience; The depopulation of excited states in beams of negatively charged carbon and silicon ions was demonstrated using collisional detachment and laser photodetachment in a radio frequency quadrupole ion guide filled with helium. The high lying, loosely bound 2 D excited state in C − was completely depleted through collisional detachment alone, which was quantitatively determined within 6%. For Si − the combined signal from the population in the 2 P and 2 D excited states was only partly depleted through collisions in the cooler. The loosely bound 2 P state was likely to be completely depopulated and the more tightly bound 2 D state was partly depopulated through collision…
Three-photon resonance ionization of atomic Mn in a hot-cavity laser ion source using Ti:sapphire lasers
Three-photon resonance ionization of atomic manganese (Mn) in a hot-cavity ion source using Ti:sapphire lasers has been demonstrated. Three-step ionization schemes employing different intermediate levels and Rydberg or autoionizing (AI) states in the final ionization step are established. Strong AI resonances were observed via the 3d54s5s f 6S5/2 level at 49 415.35 cm−1, while Rydberg transitions were reached from the 3d54s4d e 6D9/2,7/2,5/2 levels at around 47 210 cm−1. Analyses of the strong Rydberg transitions associated with the 3d54s4d e 6D7/2 lower level indicate that they belong to the dipole-allowed 4d → nf 6F°9/2,7/2,5/2 series converging to the 3d54s 7S3 ground state of Mn II. Fro…
Time profile of ion pulses produced in a hot-cavity laser ion source.
The time spreads of Mn ions produced by three-photon resonant ionization in a hot-cavity laser ion source are measured. A one-dimensional ion-transport model is developed to simulate the observed ion time structures. Assuming ions are generated with a Maxwellian velocity distribution and are guided by an axial electric field, the predictions of the model agree reasonably well with the experimental data and suggest that the ions are radially confined in the ion source and a substantial fraction of the ions in the transport tube are extracted.
Resonance laser ionization spectroscopy of tellurium
Abstract Resonance ionization schemes for tellurium are investigated with a resonance ionization laser ion source and Ti:Sapphire lasers for fundamental research applications. We present the first three-step resonance ionization spectra of atomic Te. Several autoionizing Rydberg series converging to the first excited state of Te+ are observed and assigned to 5p3 (2Do3/2) ns and nd configurations. Our results include confirmation and significant expansion of the Rydberg series previously reported as well as observation of three new series. From the series convergence limits the ionization potential of tellurium is revised to be 72,669.006(42)stat(20)sys cm−1.
RANDOMIZED PHASE II STUDY OF FIRST-LINE EVEROLIMUS (EVE) + BEVACIZUMAB (BEV) VERSUS INTERFERON ALFA-2A (IFN) + BEV IN PATIENTS (PTS) WITH METASTATIC RENAL CELL CARCINOMA (MRCC): RECORD-2
ABSTRACT Background Study results demonstrated that IFN augments BEV activity and improves median PFS in pts with mRCC. Thus, combination BEV + IFN is a standard first-line treatment option for mRCC. Combining BEV with the mTOR inhibitor EVE may be an efficacious and well-tolerated treatment option. The open-label, phase II RECORD-2 trial compared first-line EVE + BEV and IFN + BEV in mRCC. Patients and methods: Therapy-naive pts with clear cell mRCC and prior nephrectomy were randomized 1:1 to BEV 10 mg/kg IV every 2 weeks with either EVE 10 mg oral daily or IFN (9 MIU SC 3 times/week, if tolerated). Tumour assessments were every 12 weeks. Primary objective was treatment effect on progress…
Resonant ionization spectroscopy of autoionizing Rydberg states in cobalt and redetermination of its ionization potential
Multi-step resonance ionization spectroscopy of cobalt has been performed using a hot-cavity laser ion source and three Ti:Sapphire lasers. The photoionization spectra revealed members of five new autoionizing Rydberg series that originate from three different lower levels of 3d74s5s h4F9/2, 3d74s4d f4G11/2, and 3d74s4d f4H13/2 and converge to the first four excited states of singly ionized Co. The analyses of the Rydberg series yield 63564.689 �� 0.036 cm-1 as the first ionization potential of Co, which is an order of magnitude more accurate than the previous estimation. Using a three-step resonance ionization scheme that employs an autoinizing Rydberg state in the last transition, we obta…
Rydberg and autoionizing states of tellurium studied by laser resonance ionization spectroscopy
Multistep laser-resonance-ionization spectroscopy of tellurium (Te) has been performed at TRIUMF's off-line laser ion source test stand. Six clean and regular even-parity Rydberg series $5{p}^{3}$ $({^{4}S}_{3/2}^{\ensuremath{\circ}})$ $np\phantom{\rule{4pt}{0ex}}^{3}P_{0,1,2}$, $np\phantom{\rule{4pt}{0ex}}^{5}P_{1,2}$, and $nf\phantom{\rule{4pt}{0ex}}^{3}F_{2}/^{5}F_{1,2}$ were observed. The ionization potential of Te was extracted from the measured series as $72669.114{(56)}_{\mathrm{stat}}{(45)}_{\mathrm{sys}}\phantom{\rule{4pt}{0ex}}{\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$. Excited from two different intermediate levels, seven odd-parity autoionization Rydberg series converging to the $5{s}^{2}…
A pragmatic evidence-based clinical management algorithm for burning mouth syndrome
Background Burning mouth syndrome is a poorly understood disease process with no current standard of treatment. The goal of this article is to provide an evidence-based, practical, clinical algorithm as a guideline for the treatment of burning mouth syndrome. Material and methods Using available evidence and clinical experience, a multi-step management algorithm was developed. A retrospective cohort study was then performed, following STROBE statement guidelines, comparing outcomes of patients who were managed using the algorithm and those who were managed without. Results Forty-seven patients were included in the study, with 21 (45%) managed using the algorithm and 26 (55%) managed without…
Laser photodetachment of radioactive $^{128}$I$^−$
International audience; The first experimental investigation of the electron affinity (EA) of a radioactive isotope has been conducted at the CERN-ISOLDE radioactive ion beam facility. The EA of the radioactive iodine isotope (128)I (t (1/2) = 25 min) was determined to be 3.059 052(38) eV. The experiment was conducted using the newly developed Gothenburg ANion Detector for Affinity measurements by Laser PHotodetachment (GANDALPH) apparatus, connected to a CERN-ISOLDE experimental beamline. (128)I was produced in fission induced by 1.4 GeV protons striking a thorium/tantalum foil target and then extracted as singly charged negative ions at a beam energy of 20 keV. Laser photodetachment of th…
Three-step resonant photoionization spectroscopy of Ni and Ge: ionization potential and odd-parity Rydberg levels
In preparation of a laser ion source, we have investigated multi-step laser ionization via Rydberg and autoionizing states for atomic Ni and Ge using a mass separator with an ion beam energy of 20 keV. For both elements resonant three-step excitation schemes suitable for modern Ti:sapphire laser systems were developed. Rydberg series in the range of principal quantum numbers 20 n 80 were localized, assigned and quantum numbers were allocated to the individual resonances. Ionization potentials (IP) were extracted from fits of the individual series and quantum defects of individual levels were analysed for confirmation of series assignment. For Ni the ionization potential could be extracted w…
Ion production from solid state laser ion sources.
Laser ion sources based on resonant excitation and ionization of atoms are well-established tools for selective and efficient production of radioactive ion beams. Recent developments are focused on the use of the state-of-the-art all solid-state laser systems. To date, 35 elements of the periodic table are available from laser ion sources based on tunable Ti:sapphire lasers. Recent progress in this field regarding the establishment of suitable optical excitation schemes for Ti:sapphire lasers are reported.
Laser ion source tests at the HRIBF on stable Sn, Ge and Ni isotopes
Abstract As one step in the ion source development for the Rare Isotope Accelerator, a hot-cavity laser ion source using an all-solid-state titanium–sapphire laser system has been tested at the Holifield Radioactive Ion Beam Facility. Resonance ionization of stable isotopes of Sn, Ge and Ni has been studied in a Ta hot cavity. Efficient three step resonant ionization schemes applying frequency tripling for the first excitation step and using auto-ionizing or atomic Rydberg states in the ionizing step have been identified for all three elements, resulting in laser ion beams of typically around 100 nA. By saturating most of the optical excitation steps involved, ionization efficiencies of 22%…
Resonant three-photon ionization spectroscopy of atomic Fe
Laser spectroscopic investigations on high-lying states around the ionization potential (IP) in the atomic spectrum of Fe have been carried out for the development of a practical three-step resonance ionization scheme accessible by Ti: sapphire lasers. A hot cavity laser ion source, typically used at on-line radioactive ion beam production facilities, was employed in this work. Ionization schemes employing high-lying Rydberg and autoionizing states populated by three-photon excitations were established. Five new Rydberg and autoionizing Rydberg series converging to the ground and to the first four excited states of Fe II are reported. Analyses of the Rydberg series yield the value 63 737.68…
Optical spectroscopy and performance tests with a solid state laser ion source at HRIBF
An ISOLDE-type hot-cavity laser ion source based on high-repetition-rate Ti:Sapphire lasers has been set up at the Holifield radioactive ion beam facility. To assess the feasibility of the all-solid-state laser system for applications at advanced radioactive ion beam facilities, spectroscopy and performance tests have been conducted with this source. The results of recent studies on excitation schemes, source efficiency, beam emittance and ion time structure are presented.
Time profiles of ions produced in a hot-cavity resonant ionization laser ion source
Abstract The time profiles of Cu, Sn, and Ni ions extracted from a hot-cavity resonant ionization laser ion source are investigated. The ions are produced in the ion source by three-photon resonant ionization with pulsed Ti:Sapphire lasers. Measurements show that the time spread of these ions generated within laser pulses of about 30 ns duration could be larger than 100 μs when the ions are extracted from the ion source. A one-dimensional ion-transport model using the Monte Carlo method is developed to simulate the time dependence of the ion pulses. The prediction of the model agrees reasonably well with the experimental data. To reproduce the observed ion time profiles, we find it necessar…