Precision Small Scattering Angle Measurements of Elastic Proton-Proton Single and Double Spin Analyzing Powers at the RHIC Hydrogen Jet Polarimeter.

The Polarized Atomic Hydrogen Gas Jet Target polarimeter is employed by the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) to measure the absolute polarization of each colliding proton beam. Polarimeter detectors and data acquisition were upgraded in 2015 to increase solid angle, energy range, and energy resolution. These upgrades and advanced systematic error analysis along with improved beam intensity and polarization in RHIC runs 2015 (E_{beam}=100 GeV) and 2017 (255 GeV) allowed us to greatly reduce the statistical and systematic uncertainties for elastic spin asymmetries, A_{N}(t) and A_{NN}(t), in the Coulomb-nuclear interference momentum transfer range 0.0013<-t<0.018 GeV^{2}. For the first time hadronic single spin-flip r_{5} and double spin-flip r_{2} amplitude parameters were reliably isolated at these energies and momentum transfers. Measurements at two beam energies enable a separation of Pomeron and Regge pole contributions to r_{5}(s) and r_{2}(s), indicating that the spin component may persist at high energies.

Femtosecond laser fluorescence and propagation in very dense potassium vapor.

Femtosecond (fs) laser propagation and fluorescence of dense potassium vapor was studied, and the spectral region around the first and the second doublets of the principal series lines of potassium atoms was investigated. In our search we did not observe the conical emission in the far field, although it was previously observed in the case of rubidium. We discuss the possible reason of this unexpected result. The fluorescence spectrum revealed Rb impurity resonance lines in emission due to the collisional redistribution from the K(4p) levels into the Rb(5p) levels. In the forward propagation of 400 nm femtosecond light we observed the molecular band red shifted from potassium second doublet. However, no molecular spectrum was observed when the mode-locked fs laser light was discretely tuned within the wings of the first resonance lines, at 770 nm.

Optical beam profile monitor and residual gas fluorescence at the relativistic heavy ion collider polarized hydrogen jet.

A gas fluorescence beam profile monitor has been implemented at the relativistic heavy ion collider (RHIC) using the polarized atomic hydrogen gas jet, which is part of the polarized proton polarimeter. RHIC proton beam profiles in the vertical plane of the accelerator are obtained as well as measurements of the width of the gas jet in the beam direction. For gold ion beams, the fluorescence cross section is sufficiently large so that profiles can be obtained from the residual gas alone, albeit with long light integration times. We estimate the fluorescence cross sections that were not known in this ultrarelativistic regime and calculate the beam emittance to provide an independent measurement of the RHIC beam. This optical beam diagnostic technique, utilizing the beam induced fluorescence from injected or residual gas, offers a noninvasive particle beam characterization and provides visual observation of proton and heavy ion beams.

Polarized proton collisions at 205 GeV at RHIC.

The Brookhaven Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) has been providing collisions of polarized protons at a beam energy of 100 GeV since 2001. Equipped with two full Siberian snakes in each ring, polarization is preserved during acceleration from injection to 100 GeV. However, the intrinsic spin resonances beyond 100 GeV are about a factor of 2 stronger than those below 100 GeV making it important to examine the impact of these strong intrinsic spin resonances on polarization survival and the tolerance for vertical orbit distortions. Polarized protons were first accelerated to the record energy of 205 GeV in RHIC with a significant polarization measured at top energy in 2005. This Letter presents the results and discusses the sensitivity of the polarization survival to orbit distortions.

n-p short-range correlations from (p,2p+n) measurements.

We studied the 12C(p,2p+n) reaction at beam momenta of 5.9, 8.0, and 9.0 GeV/c. For quasielastic (p,2p) events p(f), the momentum of the knocked-out proton before the reaction, was compared (event by event) with p(n), the coincident neutron momentum. For |p(n)|>k(F)=0.220 GeV/c (the Fermi momentum) a strong back-to-back directional correlation between p(f) and p(n) was observed, indicative of short-range n-p correlations. From p(n) and p(f) we constructed the distributions of c.m. and relative motion in the longitudinal direction for correlated pairs. We also determined that 49+/-13% of events with |p(f)|>k(F) had directionally correlated neutrons with |p(n)|>k(F).

Measurement of analyzing power for proton-carbon elastic scattering in the coulomb-nuclear interference region with a 22-GeV/c polarized proton beam.

The analyzing power for proton-carbon elastic scattering in the Coulomb-nuclear interference region of momentum transfer, 9.0x10(-3)<-t<4.1x10(-2) (GeV/c)(2), was measured with a 21.7 GeV/c polarized proton beam at the Alternating Gradient Synchrotron of Brookhaven National Laboratory. The ratio of hadronic spin-flip to nonflip amplitude, r(5), was obtained from the analyzing power to be Rer(5)=0.088+/-0.058 and Imr(5)=-0.161+/-0.226.

Energy dependence of nuclear transparency in C (p,2p) scattering.

The transparency of carbon for (p,2p) quasielastic events was measured at beam momenta ranging from 5.9 to 14.5 GeV/c at 90 degrees c.m. The four-momentum transfer squared (Q2) ranged from 4.7 to 12.7 (GeV/c)(2). We present the observed beam momentum dependence of the ratio of the carbon to hydrogen cross sections. We also apply a model for the nuclear momentum distribution of carbon to obtain the nuclear transparency. We find a sharp rise in transparency as the beam momentum is increased to 9 GeV/c and a reduction to approximately the Glauber level at higher energies.

Laser ablation of gall bladder stones.

Study of laser interaction with calculi is presented. A system of Nd-Yag and Ho-Yag pulsed lasers were used to produce fluorescence and plasma signals at the stone surface surrounded by saline and bile fluids. Fourth harmonic from Nd-Yag laser was transmitted to the samples by graded UV optical fibres. Gall bladder stones of various compositions were subjected to the high power Ho-Yag laser. Temporal transients and spectral evolution of plasma and fluorescence signals were monitored by a streak camera. A profile of acoustic pressures generated by shock waves was recorded with sensitive hydrophones placed in the surrounding fluids. Ablation threshold, cavitation process and fluorescence dependence on the laser parameters were studied in detail. Potential of stone identification by fluorescence and possible hydrodynamic model for ablation of biological samples is discussed.

Hypothermic cardioplegia reduces the occurrence of spontaneous diastolic myofilament motion of the ischemic-reperfused rat heart.

Spontaneous diastolic myofilament motion of the isolated ischemic-reperfused rat heart was studied by the technique of laser spectroscopy. Scattered light intensity fluctuations (SLIF) from the exposed surface of the left ventricle of the quiescent perfused (Langendorff) rat heart were quantified by the autocorrelation function (R1F: frequency weighted by power), and by determining the average power of the SLIF signal (PS). The stabilized mean control (+/- SE) R1F (mV2/s2) and PS (mV2/s) values were: 0.87 +/- 0.07 and 21.3 +/- 1.5 respectively. SLIF were characterized to index the extent of cell Ca(2+)-loading and the integrity of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) functions by low Na+ and ryanodine perfusions. Low Na+ perfusion significantly increased the R1F values and produced pronounced spectral peaks between 0.5 and 2.5 Hz frequency bands; whereas ryanodine (1 microM) perfusion completely abolished the SLIF signals. Ischemia (34 degrees C, 60 min.) produced nearly a 12-fold increase in the R1F and PS values accompanied by a four-fold increase in the left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) during the reperfusion period (34 degrees C, 30 min.) Pronounced reperfusion SLIF peaks were evident at the frequency bands between 0.25-5.0 Hz. Hypothermic (10 degrees C) preservation during ischemia reduced the frequency and the amplitude of the SLIF signals at various frequencies and prevented the rise in LVEDP. As compared to hypothermia alone, hypothermic cardioplegia offered a slightly better preservation. But hypothermia alone or in combination with cardioplegia failed to completely normalize the post-ischemic R1F and PS values.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Measurement of fluorescence decay of crude oil: a potential technique to identify oil slicks.

The single photon counting technique has been used to measure the decay time for several Kuwaiti crude and refined oils. Fluorescent characteristics of two different bunker oils from widely separate geographic areas have been studied. Laser induced fluorescent data for the crude oil samples are compared with the decay time results to evaluate the potential of these techniques for the identification of oil sticks in the marine environment. Response of the oil film thickness to various excitation wavelengths from a CW Ar ion laser and a pulsed xenon lamp has been investigated.