High-power electrostatic free-electron maser as a future source for fusion plasma heating: experiments in the short-pulse regime.

A high-power, frequency-tunable electrostatic free-electron maser, being developed at the FOM Institute for Plasma Physics "Rijnhuizen," shows lasing at various frequencies. An output power of 730 kW at 206 GHz is generated by a 7.2-A, 1.77-MeV electron beam, and 380 kW at 165 GHz is generated by a 7.4-A, 1.65-MeV electron beam. In the present experimental setup, without recovery of the spent electron beam power, the pulse length is limited to 12 micros. Nevertheless, the main issues, such as the possibility of high-power, single-mode operation and frequency tuning, have been confirmed. The experimental results and the dynamics of the laser process are well in accordance with simulations.

Surfactant in the amniotic fluid and bromhexine metabolite VIII.

The effect of metabolite VIII of bromhexine on surfactant content in the amniotic fluid was investigated in a double blind study. Administration of 100 and 200 mg NA-872 daily for 5 days to pregnant women ranging in gestational age from 196 to 243 days was not followed by a significant rise in the L/S ratio.