Search

Das heute übliche Nutzerverhalten bedingt neue Anforderungen bei der Gestaltung und Dimensionierung von Rohrnetzen von Warmwasserpumpenheizungen für Mehrfamilienhäuser mit Radiatoren. Der zweite Teil dieses Fachbeitrags (Teil 1 erschienen in HLH Bd. 71 (2020) Nr. 11-12, S. 20-25) beschäftigt sich mit der Frage, wie die Kennlinie des Regelventils beziehungsweise die Ventilautorität richtig bemessen wird, mit dem Ziel den Vordruck/ Differenzdruck an allen Heizkörpern unter allen möglichen Betriebsbedingungen konstant zu halten.

Journal of synchrotron radiation 28(1), 131 - 145 (2021). doi:10.1107/S1600577520013958, In this paper the back-side-illuminated Percival 2-Megapixel (P2M) detector is presented, along with its characterization by means of optical and X-ray photons. For the first time, the response of the system to soft X-rays (250 eV to 1 keV) is presented. The main performance parameters of the first detector are measured, assessing the capabilities in terms of noise, dynamic range and single-photon discrimination capability. Present limitations and coming improvements are discussed., Published by Wiley-Blackwell, [S.l.]

Journal of synchrotron radiation 29(3), 755 - 764 (2022). doi:10.1107/S1600577522002284, A set of electron time-of-flight spectrometers for high-resolution angle-resolved spectroscopy was developed for the Small Quantum Systems (SQS) instrument at the SASE3 soft X-ray branch of the European XFEL. The resolving power of this spectrometer design is demonstrated to exceed 10 000 (E/ΔE), using the well known Ne 1s−13p resonant Auger spectrum measured at a photon energy of 867.11 eV at a third-generation synchrotron radiation source. At the European XFEL, a width of ∼0.5 eV full width at half-maximum for a kinetic energy of 800 eV was demonstrated. It is expected that this linewidth can be reached over a broad range of kinetic energies. An array of these spectrometers, with different angular orientations, is tailored for the Atomic-like Quantum Systems endstation for high-resolution angle-resolved spectroscopy of gaseous samples., Published by Wiley-Blackwell, [S.l.]

Kaum ein Wirtschaftszweig war auch schon vor Corona so risikobehaftet und dynamisch wie der Handel mit knappen Energierohstoffen. Mit neuen krisenbedingten Effekten – etwa auf den Energieverbrauch oder die Liquidität/Bonität vieler Unternehmen – verbinden sich jetzt noch zusätzliche, positive wie negative Handelsauswirkungen. Dieses rundum aktualisierte Referenzwerk beleuchtet das vielseitige Arbeitsfeld aus allen relevanten juristischen und betriebswirtschaftlichen Blickwinkeln. Im Fokus stehen zentrale Geschäftsfelder (OTC-Handel und Handel an der Börse), Risikomanagementsysteme und aufsichtsrechtliche Anforderungen. Die 5. Auflage greift neueste Entwicklungen zuverlässig auf, etwa im Kontext von Corona oder zum Europäischen Energiehandelsrecht und Standard-Handelsverträgen (EFET) – unter Berücksichtigung der Änderungen durch SanInsFoG/StaRUG.

We present a systematic 2D spatial-coherence analysis of the soft-X-ray beamline P04 at PETRA III for various beamline configurations. The influence of two different beam-defining apertures on the spatial coherence properties of the beam is discussed and optimal conditions for coherence-based experiments are found. A significant degradation of the spatial coherence in the vertical direction has been measured and sources of this degradation are identified and discussed. The Fourier-analysis method, which gives fast and simple access to the 2D spatial coherence function of the X-ray beam, is used for the experiment. Here, we exploit the charge scattering of a disordered nanodot sample allowing the use of arbitrary X-ray photon energies with this method.

The interatomic resonant Auger effect in N2O is investigated experimentally and theoretically. We observe variations of the ratio between the yields of 1s-photoionization of the central and terminal nitrogen atom in the photon energy range across the O 1s → π* excitation. The present ab initio calculations of electronic structure and dynamics attribute these variations to the Fano interference between the direct N 1s-photoionizations and the resonant O 1s → π* excitation followed by Auger decays into the respective core–shell continua. The theory reveals that this interatomic core–hole-transfer effect is governed entirely by an energy transfer mechanism, and not by charge transfer.

We recently reported on how the surface energy and work function of AlOx/Al substrates can be tuned by self-assembled monolayers of fluorinated and nonfluorinated benzylphosphonic acid derivatives in view of organic electronic applications. In this contribution, we present a thorough investigation of these monolayers by photoemission (XPS) and infrared (PM-IRRAS) spectroscopies, to provide a quantitative understanding of their structural properties (packing density and orientation) and chemical composition. A detailed analysis of XPS chemical shifts makes an assignment of the carbon species present in the SAMs feasible, from the low-binding-energy aromatic carbon (∼284.5 eV) to the highly electronegative fluorine-substituted carbon (∼287.5 eV), whereby an upper limit for the fraction of nonspecific hydrocarbons (

In this paper, we are presenting the results of the first test of the Percival P2M-FSI detector with tender x-rays photons at a synchrotron beamline. Percival is a monolithic CMOS Imager for detection of x-rays in Synchrotron Rings and Free Electron Lasers: the Front-Side-Illuminated (FSI) version of the detector has been proven able to successfully distinguish tender (2keV) x-ray single photons.

Commissioning and first operation of an angle-resolved photoelectron spectrometer for non-invasive shot-to-shot diagnostics at the European XFEL soft X-ray beamline are described. The objective with the instrument is to provide the users and operators with reliable pulse-resolved information regarding photon energy and polarization that opens up a variety of applications for novel experiments but also hardware optimization.

13th International Conference on Synchrotron Radiation Instrumentation, SRI2018, Taipei, Taiwan, 10 Jun 2018 - 15 Jun 2018; AIP conference proceedings 2054, 060057 (2019). doi:10.1063/1.5084688, Recent results from simultaneous long-term stability measurements of the beam position and photon energy of the synchrotron beam at the soft X-ray beamline P04 at PETRA III (DESY, Hamburg) are presented. The data was obtained by operating the built-in, non-invasive diagnostic unit directly upstream the beamline focus in parallel with a user experiment. We demonstrate that a sophisticated data evaluation based on principal component analysis results a high positional accuracy better than a few micron and a stable photon energy measurement with an uncertainty in the low ppm regime. Even subtle effects caused by abnormalities in the electron storage ring operation (e.g. short interruptions of the electron injection) are revealed hereby. Utilizing online diagnostic data for feedback controls will enable unprecedented stability of beamline operation at synchrotrons and FEL sources in the future., Published by AIP, Melville, NY

Physical review accelerators and beams 22(8), 080701 (2019). doi:10.1103/PhysRevAccelBeams.22.080701, Free electron lasers emit powerful and coherent radiation in a wide wavelength range extending to hardx-rays. This radiation is also characterized by a high degree of polarization that is generally linear anddepends on the undulator properties. The possibility of controlling the polarization state of the radiation isan important option for free electron lasers that is critical for a large class of experiments. Such control canbe achieved using variable polarization undulators or alternatively via the crossed polarized undulatorscheme. We report the results of an extensive study for the characterization of the crossed-polarizedundulator scheme in a number of different configurations. A simple model, based on Gaussian mode beampropagation, is presented and used to reproduce the experimental results obtained at the seeded freeelectron laser FERMI. A good agreement is found between the model and the experiment allowing us tounderstand the impact of the wavefront properties of the radiation coming from the consecutive undulatorson the output radiation. The model is used not only for characterizing the control of the polarization but alsofor the control of the transverse mode., Published by American Physical Society, College Park, MD

Physical review letters 123(4), 043202 (2019). doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.123.043202, It is commonly accepted that the magnitude of a photoelectron circular dichroism (PECD) is governed by the ability of an outgoing photoelectron wave packet to probe the chiral asymmetry of a molecule. To be able to accumulate this characteristic asymmetry while escaping the chiral ion, photoelectrons need to have relatively small kinetic energies of up to a few tens of electron volts. Here, we demonstrate a substantial PECD for very fast photoelectrons above 500 eV kinetic energy released from methyloxirane by a participator resonant Auger decay of its lowermost O $1s$ excitation. This effect emerges as a result of the Fano interference between the direct and resonant photoionization pathways, notwithstanding that their individual effects are negligibly small. The resulting dichroic parameter has an anomalous dispersion: It changes its sign across the resonance, which can be considered as an analogue of the Cotton effect in the x-ray regime., Published by APS, College Park, Md.

X-ray free-electron lasers are unique sources of high-brightness coherent radiation. However, existing devices supply only linearly polarized light, precluding studies of chiral dynamics. A device called the Delta undulator has been installed at the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) to provide tunable polarization. With a reverse tapered planar undulator line to pre-microbunch the beam and the novel technique of beam diverting, hundreds of microjoules of circularly polarized X-ray pulses are produced at 500–1,200 eV. These X-ray pulses are tens of femtoseconds long, have a degree of circular polarization of 0.98–0.04+0.02 at 707 eV and may be scanned in energy. We also present a new two-colour X-ray pump–X-ray probe operating mode for the LCLS. Energy differences of ΔE/E = 2.4% are supported, and the second pulse can be adjusted to any elliptical polarization. In this mode, the pointing, timing, intensity and wavelength of the two pulses can be modified. Tunable polarization control and a two-colour X-ray pump–X-ray probe operating mode are demonstrated at the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS).

The performance of organic electronic devices can be significantly improved by modifying metal electrodes with organic monolayers, which alter the physical and chemical nature of the interface between conductor and semiconductor. In this paper we examine a series of twelve phosphonic acid compounds deposited on the native oxide layer of aluminum (AlOx/Al), an electrode material with widespread applications in organic electronics. This series includes dodecylphosphonic acid as a reference and eleven benzylphosphonic acids, seven of which are fluorinated, including five newly synthesized derivatives. The monolayers are experimentally characterized by contact angle goniometry and by X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS), and work function data obtained by low-intensity XPS are correlated with molecular dipoles obtained from DFT calculations. We find that monolayers are formed with molecular areas ranging from 17.7 to 42.9 Å2/molecule, and, by the choice of appropriate terminal groups, the surface energy can be tuned from 23.5 mJ/m2 to 70.5 mJ/m2. Depending on the number and position of fluorine substituents on the aromatic rings, a variation in the work function of AlOx/Al substrates over a range of 0.91 eV is achieved, and a renormalization procedure based on molecular density results in a surprising agreement of the changes in surface potential with interface dipoles as expected from Helmholtz’ equation. The ability to adjust energetics and adhesion at organic semiconductor/AlOx interfaces should have immediate applications in devices such as OLEDs, OTFTs, organic solar cells, and printed organic circuits.

Nature Communications 9(1), 4659 (2018). doi:10.1038/s41467-018-07152-7, Short wavelength free-electron lasers (FELs), providing pulses of ultrahigh photon intensity, have revolutionized spectroscopy on ionic targets. Their exceptional photon flux enables multiple photon absorptions within a single femtosecond pulse, which in turn allows for deep insights into the photoionization process itself as well as into evolving ionic states of a target. Here we employ ultraintense pulses from the FEL FERMI to spectroscopically investigate the sequential emission of electrons from gaseous, atomic argon in the neutral as well as the ionic ground state. A pronounced forward-backward symmetry breaking of the angularly resolved emission patterns with respect to the light propagation direction is experimentally observed and theoretically explained for the region of the Cooper minimum, where the asymmetry of electron emission is strongly enhanced. These findings aim to originate a better understanding of the fundamentals of photon momentum transfer in ionic matter., Published by Nature Publishing Group UK, [London]

We report on a new dynamic-XPS end-station for real-time investigations of advanced materials. The end-station is based on a new Argus hemispherical electron spectrometer with high speed detection system. In combination with the high brilliance XUV beamline P04 at PETRA III it provides users at PETRA III a unique tool for fast (down to 0.1 s/spectrum) and detailed investigations compared to existing XPS devices at other beamlines.

The alignment of the electrode Fermi level with the valence or conduction bands of organic semiconductors is a key parameter controlling the efficiency of organic light-emitting diodes, solar cells, and printed circuits. Here, we introduce a class of organic molecules that form highly robust dipole layers, capable of shifting the work function of noble metals (Au and Ag) down to 3.1 eV, that is, ∼1 eV lower than previously reported self-assembled monolayers. The physics behind the considerable interface dipole is elucidated by means of photoemission spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations, and a polymer diode exclusively based on the surface modification of a single electrode in a symmetric, two-terminal Au/poly(3-hexylthiophene)/Au junction is presented. The diode exhibits the remarkable rectification ratio of ∼2·10(3), showing high reproducibility, durability (3 years), and excellent electrical stability. With this evidence, noble metal electrodes with work function values comparable to that of standard cathode materials used in optoelectronic applications are demonstrated.

The mammalian visual dim-light photoreceptor rhodopsin is considered a prototype G protein-coupled receptor. Here, we characterize the kinetics of its light-activation process. Milligram quantities of α,ε-(15)N-labeled tryptophan rhodopsin were produced in stably transfected HEK293 cells. Assignment of the chemical shifts of the indole signals was achieved by generating the single-point-tryptophan to phenylalanine mutants, and the kinetics of each of the five tryptophan residues were recorded. We find kinetic partitioning in rhodopsin decay, including three half-lives, that reveal two parallel processes subsequent to rhodopsin activation that are related to the photocycle. The meta II and meta III states emerge in parallel with a relative ratio of about 3:1. Transient formation of the meta III state was confirmed by flash photolysis experiments. From analysis of the site-resolved kinetic data we propose the involvement of the E2 -loop in the formation of the meta III state.

Oligomers of aniline and their derivatives have electrical and chemical properties that parallel those of polyaniline, while having the advantage of being available as homogeneous, chemically pure materials. Despite this advantage, little experimental data is available on the electrical transport properties of thin films of oligoanilines compared to polyaniline. Here, we investigate three types of ultrathin films (

n-Alkyl self-assembled monolayers can be directly attached to gold through C–Au bonds by the deposition of organomercury salts on gold substrates, as shown here using n-butylmercury and n-octadecylmercury tosylate derivatives. The Hg atoms, which are codeposited during this process, are removed by thermal annealing at 95 °C, resulting in alkyl monolayers having a significantly enhanced thermal stability compared with alkanethiol monolayers, however, a lower degree of conformational order. The monolayer properties are elucidated by X-ray photoemission and IR spectroscopy, STM, ellipsometry, and contact-angle goniometry.

The proteorhodopsin family consists of retinal proteins of marine bacterial origin with optical properties adjusted to their local environments. For green proteorhodopsin, a highly specific mutation in the EF loop, A178R, has been found to cause a surprisingly large redshift of 20 nm despite its distance from the chromophore. Here, we analyze structural and functional consequences of this EF loop mutation by time-resolved optical spectroscopy and solid-state NMR. We found that the primary photoreaction and the formation of the K-like photo intermediate is almost pH-independent and slower compared to the wild-type, whereas the decay of the K-intermediate is accelerated, suggesting structural changes within the counterion complex upon mutation. The photocycle is significantly elongated mainly due to an enlarged lifetime of late photo intermediates. Multidimensional MAS-NMR reveals mutation-induced chemical shift changes propagating from the EF loop to the chromophore binding pocket, whereas dynamic nuclear polarization-enhanced 13C-double quantum MAS-NMR has been used to probe directly the retinylidene conformation. Our data show a modified interaction network between chromophore, Schiff base, and counterion complex explaining the altered optical and kinetic properties. In particular, the mutation-induced distorted structure in the EF loop weakens interactions, which help reorienting helix F during the reprotonation step explaining the slower photocycle. These data lead to the conclusion that the EF loop plays an important role in proton uptake from the cytoplasm but our data also reveal a clear interaction pathway between the EF loop and retinal binding pocket, which might be an evolutionary conserved communication pathway in retinal proteins.

For membrane protein studies, nanodiscs have been shown to hold great potential in terms of preparing soluble samples while maintaining a lipid environment. Here, we describe the differences in lipid order and protein dynamics in MSP1 nanodiscs compared to lamellar preparations by solid-state NMR. For DMPC, an increase of the dipolar C-H lipid acyl chain order parameters in nanodiscs is observed in both gel- and liquid crystalline phases. Incorporating proteorhodopsin in these nanodiscs resulted in a significantly longer rotating frame spin-lattice relaxation time for 13C leerzeichen and better cross polarisation efficiency due to restricted protein dynamics. A comparison of 13C–13C correlation spectra revealed no structural differences. The incorporation of proteorhodopsin into nanodiscs has been optimised with respect to detergent and to protein/scaffold protein/lipid stoichiometries. Its functional state was probed by time-resolved optical spectroscopy revealing only minor differences between lamellar and nanodisc preparations. Our observations show remarkable dynamic effects between membrane proteins, lipids and scaffold protein. The potential use of nanodiscs for solid-state NMR applications is discussed.

Oligoanilines are interesting candidates for organic electronics, as their conductivity can be varied by several orders of magnitude upon protonic doping. Here we demonstrate that tetraaniline self-assembled monolayers exhibit an unprecedented conductance on/off ratio of ∼710 (at +1 V) upon doping of the layers from the emeraldine base to the emeraldine salt form. Furthermore, a pronounced asymmetry in the current–voltage characteristics indicates dynamic doping of the tetraaniline layer by protons generated through field-enhanced dissociation of water molecules, a phenomenon known as the second Wien effect. These results point toward oligoanilines as promising substitutes for polyaniline layers in next-generation thin film devices.

Electron transfer across proteins plays an important role in many biological processes, including those relevant for the conversion of solar photons to chemical energy. Previous studies demonstrated the generation of photocurrents upon light irradiation in a number of photoactive proteins, such as photosystem I or bacteriorhodopsin. Here, it is shown that Sn-cytochrome c layers act as reversible and efficient photoelectrochemical switches upon integration into large-area solid-state junctions. Photocurrents are observed both in the Soret band (λ = 405 nm) and in the Q band (λ = 535 nm), with current on/off ratios reaching values of up to 25. The underlying modulation in charge-transfer rate is attributed to a hole-transport channel created by the photoexcitation of the Sn-porphyrin.

BACKGROUND In the new generation of EYECUBE devices, the angiography image and the OCT are included in a 3D illustration as an integration. Other diagnostic procedures such as autofluorescence and ICG can also be correlated to the OCT. The aim was to precisely classify various two-dimensional findings in relation to each other. METHOD The new generation of OCT devices enables imaging with a low incidence of motion artefacts with very good fundus image quality - and with that, permits a largely automatic classification. The feature enabling the integration of the EYECUBE was further developed with new software, so that not only the topographic image (red-free, autofluorescence) can be correlated to the Cirrus OCT, but also all other findings gathered within the same time frame can be correlated to each other. These were brightened and projected onto the cube surface in a defined interval. The imaging procedures can be selected in a menu toolbar. Topographic volumetry OCT images can be overlayed. The practical application of the new method was tested on patients with macular disorders. RESULTS By lightening up the results from various diagnostic procedures, it is possible of late to directly compare pathologies to each other and to the OCT results. In all patients (n = 45 eyes) with good single-image quality, the automated integration into the EYECUBE was possible (to a great extent). The application is not dependent on a certain type of device used in the procedures performed. CONCLUSIONS The increasing level of precision in imaging procedures and the handling of large data volumes has led to the possibility of examining each macular diagnostics procedure from the comparative perspective: imaging (photo) with perfusion (FLA, ICG) and morphology (OCT). The exclusion of motion artefacts and the reliable scan position in the course of the imaging process increases the informative value of OCT.

The oriented assembly of molecules on metals is a requirement for rectification in planar metal-molecule-metal junctions. Here, we demonstrate how the difference in adsorption kinetics between dithiocarbamate and thioacetate anchor groups can be utilized to form oriented assemblies of asymmetric molecules that are bound to Au through the dithiocarbamate moiety. The free thioactate group is then used as a ligand to bind Au nanoparticles and to form the desired metal-molecule-metal junction. Besides allowing an asymmetric coupling to the electrodes, the molecules exhibit an asymmetric molecular backbone where the length of the alkyl chains separating the electrodes from a central, para-substituted phenyl ring differs by two methylene units. Throughout the junction fabrication, the layers were characterized by photoelectron spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy, and scanning tunneling microscopy. Large area junctions using a conducting polymer interlayer between a mercury-drop electrode and the self-assembled monolayer prove the relationship between electrical data and molecular structure.

Carborane cages are interesting materials for electronics because of their pseudoaromatic, wide-band-gap molecular structures. We have observed that p-carboranes tethered to gold by thiolate linkers form polycrystalline monolayers which are incommensurate with the Au(111) substrate. The incommensurability results from the strong interactions between adjacent p-carborane cages (1.6 eV/molecule) and from the adlayer lattice spacing, which is defined by the cage diameter. The high ionization potential of the carborane structures results in a significant shift in the position of the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) of p-carborane (4.3 eV below the Fermi level) compared to the HOMO of oligophenylene derivatives (2.1 eV below the Fermi level). These findings suggest the combination of p-carboranes with established aromatic π-systems as a new design strategy for molecular electronic devices.

The monolayer structure of alkanethiol and benzyl mercaptan (C6H5CH2SH) self-assembled monolayers on Au(111) is studied by scanning tunnelling microscopy in ultrahigh vacuum (UHV-STM) and photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Whereas alkanethiol monolayers exhibit the known c(4 × 2) overlayer structure, benzyl mercaptan (BM) monolayers show a novel reconstruction, resulting from thermal annealing at 368 K. Extended, striped phase domains having a commensurate, p(41/2√3 × 2) overlayer structure with an oblique unit cell are observed. The tunnelling decay constant β of the molecular layer and the molecular conductance at the probe−monolayer contact point are obtained from tunnelling current-distance characteristics in nanoscopic junctions. Data from alkanethiols with different chain-lengths (octanethiol and decanethiol) yield a value of β = 0.95/A, in good agreement with previous studies. BM monolayers show a lower decay constant (β = 0.55/A), attributed to the π-conjugation in the phenyl ring. The measured cur...

A fundamental weak point in the previous optical coherence tomography (OCT) pictures of Stratus OCT III is counterbalanced through the correction of eye movement artefacts by the new digital integration method (DIM). For the first time, DIM allows the precise anatomical OCT-scan localization in the fundus or fluorescein angiographic (FLA) image and leads to an objective morphological and topographic correlation. Using a newly developed fundus enhancement system (FES), DIM provides fundus images of OCT of high quality in almost every patient. To control and document any possible eye movement artefacts, a retinal tracking system was developed (RTS). The RTS tapes the fundus image in OCT during the scanning procedure. Using the new morphological information a new knowledge is obtained on uncertain angiographic phenomena by detecting serous retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) detachments and may lead to treatment consequences. In FLA images without leakages DIM reveals in OCT undetected serous RPE detachments. I...

Purpose: Apoptosis-related proteins are important molecules for predicting chemotherapy response and prognosis in adult acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, data on the expression and prognostic impact of these molecules in childhood AML are rare. Experimental Design: Using flow cytometry and Western blot analysis, we, therefore, investigated 45 leukemic cell samples from children with de novo AML enrolled and treated within the German AML-BFM93 study for the expression of apoptosis-regulating proteins [CD95, Bcl-2, Bax, Bcl-xL, procaspase-3, X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP), cellular inhibitor of apoptosis protein–1 (cIAP-1), survivin]. Results: XIAP (P < 0.002) but no other apoptosis regulators showed maturation-dependent expression differences as determined by French-American-British (FAB) morphology with the highest expression levels observed within the immature M0/1 subtypes. XIAP (P < 0.01) and Bcl-xL (P < 0.01) expression was lower in patients with favorable rather than intermediate/poor cytogenetics. After a mean follow-up of 34 months, a shorter overall survival was associated with high expression levels of XIAP [30 (n = 10) versus 41 months (n = 34); P < 0.05] and survivin [27 (n = 10) versus 41 months (n = 34); P < 0.05]. Conclusions: We conclude that apoptosis-related molecules are associated with maturation stage, cytogenetic risk groups, and therapy outcome in childhood de novo AML. The observed association of XIAP with immature FAB types, intermediate/poor cytogenetics, and poor overall survival should be confirmed within prospective pediatric AML trials.

The control of polarization state in soft and hard X- ray light is of crucial interest to probe structural and symmetry properties of matter. Thanks to their Apple-II type undulators, the FERMI-Free Electron Lasers are able to provide elliptical, circular or linearly polarized light within the extreme ultraviolet and soft X- ray range. In this paper, we report the characterization of the polarization state of FERMI FEL-2 down to 5 nm. The results show a high degree of polarization of the FEL pulses, typically above 95%. The campaign of measurements was performed at the Low Density Matter beamline using an electron Time-Of-Flight based polarimeter.

In order to show equivalence in mass standards calibration among National Metrology Institutes (NMIs) of member countries of the "Comité international des poids et mesures" (CIPM), key comparisons (KC) of mass standards have been carried out under the auspices of the "Comité Consultatif pour la Masse et les Grandeurs Apparentées" (CCM). This key comparison of 5 kg, 100 g, 10 g, 5 g and 500 mg stainless steel mass standards was based on the decision of the CCM during the 12th meeting held in 2010 at the Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM). KRISS (Republic of Korea) and PTB (Germany) acted as pilot laboratory and co-pilot laboratory, respectively. The results were evaluated with the Monte Carlo method using measurement values based on participants' reference standards calculated following the recent BIPM amendments in 2015. Regarding participant results, VNIIM (100 g and 5 g) were not consistent with the key comparison reference values within their expanded uncertainties with the coverage factor, k = 2. Main text To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/. The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCM, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).

International audience; The two single-pass, externally seeded free-electron lasers (FELs) of the FERMI user facility are designed around Apple-II-type undulators that can operate at arbitrary polarization in the vacuum ultraviolet-to-soft x-ray spectral range. Furthermore, within each FEL tuning range, any output wavelength and polarization can be set in less than a minute of routine operations. We report the first demonstration of the full output polarization capabilities of FERMI FEL-1 in a campaign of experiments where the wavelength and nominal polarization are set to a series of representative values, and the polarization of the emitted intense pulses is thoroughly characterized by three independent instruments and methods, expressly developed for the task. The measured radiation polarization is consistently >90% and is not significantly spoiled by the transport optics; differing, relative transport losses for horizontal and vertical polarization become more prominent at longer wavelengths and lead to a non-negligible ellipticity for an originally circularly polarized state. The results from the different polarimeter setups validate each other, allow a cross-calibration of the instruments, and constitute a benchmark for user experiments.

Proteorhodopsins (PRs) found in marine microbes are the most abundant retinal-based photoreceptors on this planet. PR variants show high levels of environmental adaptation, as their colors are tuned to the optimal wavelength of available light. The two major green and blue subfamilies can be interconverted through a L/Q point mutation at position 105. Here we reveal the structural basis behind this intriguing color-tuning effect. High-field solid-state NMR spectroscopy was used to visualize structural changes within green PR directly within the lipid bilayer upon introduction of the green-blue L105Q mutation. The observed effects are localized within the binding pocket and close to retinal carbons C14 and C15. Subsequently, magic-angle spinning (MAS) NMR spectroscopy with sensitivity enhancement by dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) was applied to determine precisely the retinal structure around C14-C15. Upon mutation, a significantly stretched C14-C15 bond, deshielding of C15, and a slight alteration of the retinal chain's out-of-plane twist was observed. The L105Q blue switch therefore acts locally on the retinal itself and induces a conjugation defect between the isomerization region and the imine linkage. Consequently, the S0-S1 energy gap increases, resulting in the observed blue shift. The distortion of the chromophore structure also offers an explanation for the elongated primary reaction detected by pump-probe spectroscopy, while chemical shift perturbations within the protein can be linked to the elongation of late-photocycle intermediates studied by flash photolysis. Besides resolving a long-standing problem, this study also demonstrates that the combination of data obtained from high-field and DNP-enhanced MAS NMR spectroscopy together with time-resolved optical spectroscopy enables powerful synergies for in-depth functional studies of membrane proteins.

FERMI, based at Elettra (Trieste, Italy) is the first free electron laser (FEL) facility operated for user experiments in seeded mode. Another unique property of FERMI, among other FEL sources, is to allow control of the polarization state of the radiation. Polarization dependence in the study of the interaction of coherent, high field, short-pulse ionizing radiation with matter, is a new frontier with potential in a wide range of research areas. The first measurement of the polarization-state of VUV light from a single-pass FEL was performed at FERMI FEL-1 operated in the 52 nm-26 nm range. Three different experimental techniques were used. The experiments were carried out at the end-station of two different beamlines to assess the impact of transport optics and provide polarization data for the end user. In this paper we summarize the results obtained from different setups. The results are consistent with each other and allow a general discussion about the viability of permanent diagnostics aimed at monitoring the polarization of FEL pulses.

The photon-ion merged-beams technique has been employed at the new Photon-Ion spectrometer at PETRA III (PIPE) for measuring multiple photoionization of Xe$^{q+}$ (q=1-5) ions. Total ionization cross sections have been obtained on an absolute scale for the dominant ionization reactions of the type h\nu + Xe$^{q+}$ $\to$ Xe$^{r+}$ + (q-r) e$^-$ with product charge states q+2 $\le$ r $\le$ q+5. Prominent ionization features are observed in the photon-energy range 650-750 eV, which are associated with excitation or ionization of an inner-shell 3d electron. Single-configuration Dirac-Fock calculations agree quantitatively with the experimental cross sections for non-resonant photoabsorption, but fail to reproduce all details of the measured ionization resonance structures., Comment: 20 pages, 12 figures, submitted for publication to J. Phys. B

In quantum mechanics the Young-type double-slit experiment can be performed with electrons either traveling through a double slit or being coherently emitted from two inversion symmetric molecular sites. In the latter one the valence photoionization cross sections of homonuclear diatomic molecules were predicted to oscillate over kinetic energy almost 50 years ago. Beyond the direct proof of the oscillatory behavior of these photoionization cross sections $\ensuremath{\sigma}$, we show that the angular distribution of the emitted electrons reveals hitherto unexplored information on the relative phase shift between the corresponding partial waves through two-center interference patterns.