Abstract: A series of laser wakefield accelerator experiments leading to electron energy exceeding 1 GeV are described. Theoretical concepts and experimental methods developed while conducting experiments using the 10 TW Ti:Sapphire laser at UCLA were implemented and transferred successfully to the 100 TW Callisto Laser System at the Jupiter Laser Facility at LLNL. To reach electron energies greater than 1 GeV with current laser systems, it is necessary to inject and trap electrons into the wake and to guide the laser for more than 1 cm of plasma. Using the 10 TW laser, the physics of selfguiding and the limitations in regards to pump depletion over cm-scale plasmas were demonstrated. Furthermore, a novel injection mechanism was explored which allows injection by ionization at conditions necessary for generating electron energies greater than a GeV. The 10 TW results were followed by self-guiding at the 100 TW scale over cm plasma lengths. The energy of the selfinjected electrons, at 3x10 18 cm -3 plasma density, was limited by dephasing to 720 MeV. Implementation of ionization injection allowed extending the acceleration well beyond a centimeter and 1.4 GeV electrons were measured.

Abstract: The nonlinear absorption mechanisms of neon atoms to intense, femtosecond kilovolt x rays are investigated. The production of ${\mathrm{Ne}}^{9+}$ is observed at x-ray frequencies below the ${\mathrm{Ne}}^{8+}$, $1{s}^{2}$ absorption edge and demonstrates a clear quadratic dependence on fluence. Theoretical analysis shows that the production is a combination of the two-photon ionization of ${\mathrm{Ne}}^{8+}$ ground state and a high-order sequential process involving single-photon production and ionization of transient excited states on a time scale faster than the Auger decay. We find that the nonlinear direct two-photon ionization cross section is orders of magnitude higher than expected from previous calculations.

Abstract: High power impulse magnetron sputtering (HIPIMS) is pulsed sputtering where the peak power exceeds the time-averaged power by typically two orders of magnitude. The peak power density, averaged over the target area, can reach or exceed 10 7 W/m 2 , leading to plasma conditions that make ionization of the sputtered atoms very likely. A brief review of HIPIMS operation is given in a tutorial manner, illustrated by some original data related to the self-sputtering of niobium in argon and krypton. Emphasis is put on the current–voltage–time relationships near the threshold of self-sputtering runaway. The great variety of current pulse shapes delivers clues on the very strong gas rarefaction, self-sputtering runaway conditions, and the stopping of runaway due to the evolution of atom ionization and ion return probabilities as the gas plasma is replaced by metal plasma. The discussions are completed by considering instabilities and the special case of “gasless” self-sputtering.

Abstract: Laser desorption laser ionization mass spectra of 23 model compounds and 2 petroleum asphaltene samples are presented. These experiments involved desorption by irradiation with the 10.6 μm output of a CO2 laser followed by single-photon ionization with the 157 nm output of a fluorine excimer laser. The average molecular weight of the asphaltene samples agrees closely with that found previously using multiphoton ionization with the 266 nm output of a Nd:YAG laser. The fragmentation behavior as a function of ionization laser pulse energy is studied to evaluate which families of model compounds fragment differently from asphaltenes and, hence, can be excluded from being dominant in asphaltenes. All model compounds having one aromatic core with and without various pendant alkyl groups show little to no fragmentation, mimicking the behavior observed for the two asphaltene samples, whereas all model compounds having more than one aromatic core show energy-dependent fragmentation. These observations support the ...

Abstract: Passive red galaxies frequently contain warm ionized gas and have spectra similar to low-ionization nuclear emission-line regions (LINERs). Here we investigate the nature of the ionizing sources powering this emission, by comparing nuclear spectroscopy from the Palomar survey with larger aperture data from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. We find the line emission in the majority of passive red galaxies is spatially extended; the Halpha surface brightness profile depends on radius (r) as r^(-1.28). We detect strong line ratio gradients with radius in [N II]/Ha, [S II]/Ha, and [O III]/[S II], requiring the ionization parameter to increase outwards. Combined with a realistic gas density profile, this outward increasing ionization parameter convincingly rules out AGN as the dominant ionizing source, and strongly favors distributed ionizing sources. Sources that follow the stellar density profile can additionally reproduce the observed luminosity-dependence of the line ratio gradient. Post-AGB stars provide a natural ionization source candidate, though they have an ionization parameter deficit. Velocity width differences among different emission lines disfavor shocks as the dominant ionization mechanism, and suggest that the interstellar medium in these galaxies contains multiple components. We conclude that the line emission in most LINER-like galaxies found in large aperture (>100pc) spectroscopy is not primarily powered by AGN activity and thus does not trace the AGN bolometric luminosity. However, they can be used to trace warm gas in these red galaxies.

Abstract: We consider selectivity of strong-field ionization in circularly polarized laser fields to the sense of electron rotation in the laser polarization plane in the initial state. We show that, in contrast to the textbook examples of one-photon ionization and bound-state excitations with increase in the electron angular momentum, and also in contrast to the well-studied ionization of Rydberg atoms in microwave fields, which all prefer corotating electrons, optical tunneling selectively depletes states where the electron initially rotates against the laser field. We also show that key assumptions regarding adiabaticity of optical tunneling may quickly become inaccurate in typical experimental conditions.

Abstract: Unlike � - and � -mode operation, electrons accelerated by strong drift and ambipolar electric fields in the plasma bulk and at the sheath edges are found to dominate the ionization in strongly electronegative discharges. These fields are caused by a low bulk conductivity and local maxima of the electron density at the sheath edges, respectively. This drift-ambipolar mode is investigated by kinetic particle simulations, experimental phase-resolved optical emission spectroscopy, and an analytical model in CF4. Mode transitions induced by voltage and pressure variations are studied.

Abstract: X-ray free-electron lasers (FELs) are promising tools for structural determination of macromolecules via coherent x-ray scattering. During ultrashort and ultraintense x-ray pulses with an atomic-scale wavelength, samples are subject to radiation damage and possibly become highly ionized, which may influence the quality of x-ray scattering patterns. We develop a toolkit to treat detailed ionization, relaxation, and scattering dynamics for an atom within a consistent theoretical framework. The coherent x-ray scattering problem including radiation damage is investigated as a function of x-ray FEL parameters such as pulse length, fluence, and photon energy. We find that the x-ray scattering intensity saturates at a fluence of $~$${10}^{7}$ photon/\AA{}${}^{2}$ per pulse but can be maximized by using a pulse duration much shorter than the time scales involved in the relaxation of the inner-shell vacancy states created. Under these conditions, both inner-shell electrons in a carbon atom are removed, and the resulting hollow atom gives rise to a scattering pattern with little loss of quality for a spatial resolution $g1$ \AA{}. Our numerical results predict that in order to scatter from a carbon atom 0.1 photon per x-ray pulse, within a spatial resolution of 1.7 \AA{}, a fluence of $1\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{7}$ photons/\AA{}${}^{2}$ per pulse is required at a pulse length of 1 fs and a photon energy of 12 keV. By using a pulse length of a few hundred attoseconds, one can suppress even secondary ionization processes in extended systems. The present results suggest that high-brightness attosecond x-ray FELs would be ideal for single-shot imaging of individual macromolecules.

Abstract: Theory predicts that double-core-hole (DCH) spectroscopy can provide a new powerful means of differentiating between similar chemical systems with a sensitivity not hitherto possible. Although DCH ionization on a single site in molecules was recently measured with double- and single-photon absorption, double-core holes with single vacancies on two different sites, allowing unambiguous chemical analysis, have remained elusive. Here we report that direct observation of double-core holes with single vacancies on two different sites produced via sequential two-photon absorption, using short, intense X-ray pulses from the Linac Coherent Light Source free-electron laser and compare it with theoretical modeling. The observation of DCH states, which exhibit a unique signature, and agreement with theory proves the feasibility of the method. Our findings exploit the ultrashort pulse duration of the free-electron laser to eject two core electrons on a time scale comparable to that of Auger decay and demonstrate possible future X-ray control of physical inner-shell processes.

Abstract: The balance of the linear photon momentum in multiphoton ionization is studied experimentally. In the experiment argon and neon atoms are singly ionized by circularly polarized laser pulses with a wavelength of 800 and 1400 nm in the intensity range of ${10}^{14}--{10}^{15}\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{W}/{\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$. The photoelectrons are measured using velocity map imaging. We find that the photoelectrons carry linear momentum corresponding to the photons absorbed above the field free ionization threshold. Our finding has implications for concurrent models of the generation of terahertz radiation in filaments.

Abstract: By varying the voltage on an isolated gate electrode beneath a graphene sheet, the ionization state of cobalt atoms on its surface can be controlled. This enables the electronic structure of individual ionized atoms, and the resulting cloud of screening electrons that form around them, to be obtained with a scanning tunnelling microscope.

Abstract: Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry has been considered an important tool for various biochemical analyses and proteomics research. Although addition of conventional matrix efficiently supports laser desorption/ionization of analytes with minimal fragmentation, it often results in high background interference and misinterpretation of the spatial distribution of biomolecules especially in low-mass regions. Here, we show design, systematic characterization, and application of graphene oxide/multiwalled carbon nanotube-based films fabricated on solid substrates as a new matrix-free laser desorption/ionization platform. We demonstrate that the graphene oxide/multiwalled carbon nanotube double layer provides many advantages as a laser desorption/ionization substrate, such as efficient desorption/ionization of analytes with minimum fragmentation, high salt tolerance, no sweet-spots for mass signal, excellent durability against mechanical and photoagitation and prolonged exposure to amb...

Abstract: In most cases, the electric breakdown of liquids is initiated by the application of high electric field on the electrode, followed by rapid propagation and branching of plasma channels. Typically plasmas are only considered to exist through the ionization of gases and typical production of plasmas in liquids generates bubbles through heating or via cavitation and sustains the plasmas within those bubbles. The question arises: is it possible to ionize the liquid without cracking and void formation?To answer this question we used a pulsed power system with 32–220 kV pulse amplitude, 0.5–12 ns pulse duration, 150 ps rise time. The discharge cell had a point-to-plate geometry with a tip diameter of 100 µm. These parameters allowed us to observe non-equilibrium plasma generation. The measurements were performed with the help of a 4Picos ICCD camera. It was found that the discharge in liquid water forms on a picosecond time scale. The increase of emission intensity and plasma formation took 200–300 ps. The diameter of the excited region near the tip of the high-voltage electrode was ~1 mm. After this initial stage emission rapidly decreased and the plasma region became almost invisible after 500 ps. The absence of emission during the rest of the pulse is explained by a decrease of the electrical field on the boundary of the conductive zone.Thus we have demonstrated the possibility of formation of non-equilibrium plasma in the liquid phase and investigated the dynamics of excitation and quenching of non-equilibrium plasma in liquid water.

Abstract: For the series of para-substituted triphenylamines, optimized geometries, HOMO and LUMO energy levels, ionization potentials Ip, reorganization energies for hole transport λ+, and frontier orbital contours have been calculated by means of ab initio computations. Relationships between them and the Hammett parameter are presented. According to calculations, electron releasing substituents increase the HOMO and LUMO energies of TPA, while electron withdrawing ones decrease it. This behavior is reflected in subsequent decreasing and increasing of ionization potentials of substituted TPAs. Calculations show that there exists also a strong substituent effect on the reorganization energy λ+, which is a dominating factor of hole mobility. It is concluded that proper tuning of the HOMO and LUMO levels (and, as a result, ionization potential, Ip) and reorganization energy λ+ (consequently, hole mobility) of the triphenylamine can be done by alteration of the TPA electronic structure by an appropriate substitution. ...

Abstract: Whether protoplanetary disks accrete at observationally significant rates by the magnetorotational instability (MRI) depends on how well ionized they are. Disk surface layers ionized by stellar X-rays are susceptible to charge neutralization by small condensates, ranging from {approx}0.01 {mu}m sized grains to angstrom-sized polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Ion densities in X-ray-irradiated surfaces are so low that ambipolar diffusion weakens the MRI. Here we show that ionization by stellar far-ultraviolet (FUV) radiation enables full-blown MRI turbulence in disk surface layers. Far-UV ionization of atomic carbon and sulfur produces a plasma so dense that it is immune to ion recombination on grains and PAHs. The FUV-ionized layer, of thickness 0.01-0.1 g cm{sup -2}, behaves in the ideal magnetohydrodynamic limit and can accrete at observationally significant rates at radii {approx}> 1-10 AU. Surface layer accretion driven by FUV ionization can reproduce the trend of increasing accretion rate with increasing hole size seen in transitional disks. At radii {approx}<1-10 AU, FUV-ionized surface layers cannot sustain the accretion rates generated at larger distance, and unless turbulent mixing of plasma can thicken the MRI-active layer, an additional means of transport is needed. In the case of transitional disks, it could be provided by planets.

Abstract: Whether protoplanetary disks accrete at observationally significant rates by the magnetorotational instability (MRI) depends on how well ionized they are. Disk surface layers ionized by stellar X-rays are susceptible to charge neutralization by small condensates, ranging from ~0.01-micron-sized grains to angstrom-sized polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Ion densities in X-ray-irradiated surfaces are so low that ambipolar diffusion weakens the MRI. Here we show that ionization by stellar far-ultraviolet (FUV) radiation enables full-blown MRI turbulence in disk surface layers. Far-UV ionization of atomic carbon and sulfur produces a plasma so dense that it is immune to ion recombination on grains and PAHs. The FUV-ionized layer, of thickness 0.01--0.1 g/cm^2, behaves in the ideal magnetohydrodynamic limit and can accrete at observationally significant rates at radii > 1--10 AU. Surface layer accretion driven by FUV ionization can reproduce the trend of increasing accretion rate with increasing hole size seen in transitional disks. At radii < 1--10 AU, FUV-ionized surface layers cannot sustain the accretion rates generated at larger distance, and unless turbulent mixing of plasma can thicken the MRI-active layer, an additional means of transport is needed. In the case of transitional disks, it could be provided by planets.

Abstract: Various applications ranging from nonlinear terahertz (THz) spectroscopy to remote sensing require broadband and intense THz radiation, which can be generated by focusing two-color laser pulses into a gas. In this setup, THz radiation originates from the buildup of electron density in sharp steps of attosecond duration due to tunnel ionization, and the subsequent acceleration of free electrons in the laser field. We show that the spectral shape of the THz pulses generated by this mechanism is determined by the superposition of contributions from individual ionization events. This provides a straightforward analogy to linear diffraction theory, where the ionization events play the role of slits in a grating. This analogy offers simple explanations for recent experimental observations and opens new avenues for THz pulse shaping based on temporal control of the ionization events. We illustrate this novel technique by tailoring the spectral width and position of the resulting radiation using multi-color pump pulses.

Abstract: We review X-ray plasma diagnostics based on the line ratios of He-like ions. Triplet/singlet line intensities can be used to determine electronic temperature and density, and were first developed for the study of the solar corona. Since the launches of the X-ray satellites Chandra and XMM-Newton, these diagnostics have been extended and used (from CV to Si XIII) for a wide variety of astrophysical plasmas such as stellar coronae, supernova remnants, solar system objects, active galactic nuclei, and X-ray binaries. Moreover, the intensities of He-like ions can be used to determine the ionization process(es) at work, as well as the distance between the X-ray plasma and the UV emission source for example in hot stars. In the near future thanks to the next generation of X-ray satellites (e.g., Astro-H and IXO), higher-Z He-like lines (e.g., iron) will be resolved, allowing plasmas with higher temperatures and densities to be probed. Moreover, the so-called satellite lines that are formed closed to parent He-like lines, will provide additional valuable diagnostics to determine electronic temperature, ionic fraction, departure from ionization equilibrium and/or from Maxwellian electron distribution.

Abstract: The creation of superpositions of hole states via single-photon ionization using attosecond extreme-ultraviolet pulses is studied with the time-dependent configuration-interaction singles (TDCIS) method. Specifically, the degree of coherence between hole states in atomic xenon is investigated. We find that interchannel coupling not only affects the hole populations, but it also enhances the entanglement between the photoelectron and the remaining ion, thereby reducing the coherence within the ion. As a consequence, even if the spectral bandwidth of the ionizing pulse exceeds the energy splittings among the hole states involved, perfectly coherent hole wave packets cannot be formed. For sufficiently large spectral bandwidth, the coherence can only be increased by increasing the mean photon energy.

Abstract: Electron ionization mass spectra show a wealth of fragment ion peaks allowing to retrieve structural information, often though at the expense of abundance of the molecular ion. For decades, EI has served as the one and only ionization method of organic mass spectrometry. With the advent of soft ionization methods such as CI or FD we just dealt with, spectra exhibiting minor or even no fragment ion signals could be generated. While highly advantageous at first sight, in the long run, the lack of structural information presents a severe drawback for analytical applications.

Abstract: HIPIMS (High Power Impulse Magnetron Sputtering) discharge is a new PVD technology for the deposition of high-quality thin films. The deposition flux contains a high degree of metal ionization and nitrogen dissociation. The microstructure of HIPIMS-deposited nitride films is denser compared to conventional sputter technologies. However, the mechanisms acting on the microstructure, texture and properties have not been discussed in detail so far. In this study, the growth of TiN by HIPIMS of Ti in mixed Ar and N2 atmosphere has been investigated. Varying degrees of metal ionization and nitrogen dissociation were produced by increasing the peak discharge current (Id) from 5 to 30 A. The average power was maintained constant by adjusting the frequency. Mass spectrometry measurements of the deposition flux revealed a high content of ionized film-forming species, such as Ti1+, Ti2+ and atomic nitrogen N1+. Ti1+ ions with energies up to 50 eV were detected during the pulse with reducing energy in the pulse-off t...

Abstract: A simple graphical method is described for deriving the ionization constants of poorly soluble organic bases from the pH dependence of the water solubility. Ionization constants and water solubilities of 13 aminoalkylphenothiazines and related drugs have been determined using this procedure. Potent tranquillizing activity in this group of compounds is shown to be associated with a low water solubility at blood pH.

Abstract: The injection of energetic neutral deuterium atoms will be one of the major heating methods of the ITER plasma The 1 MeV, 165 MW neutral atom beam will be obtained by acceleration and collisional neutralization of negative ions extracted from an inductively coupled low-temperature plasma source This negative ion source is composed of driver volumes where the RF (radio-frequency) power is inductively coupled to the plasma electrons, an expansion chamber including a magnetic filter, and the extraction grids In this paper we present the first results of a 2D fluid model of a single-driver prototype of the source, for an H2 plasma under realistic ITER-relevant conditions We discuss the general plasma properties: plasma density, electron and neutral particle temperatures, ion composition (H+, , ), the dissociation degree of H2 and the effect of the magnetic filter, in a large range of input powers (10–80 kW) and source pressures (02–08 Pa) Negative ions are not described self-consistently in this first approach The results show a decrease in the gas density when the plasma is turned on, due to gas heating and to the neutral gas depletion induced by ionization The low gas density leads to a high electron temperature in the driver, and to the saturation of the plasma density growth with power for pressures below 03–04 Pa The H2 temperature is in the 01 eV range while the H temperature is much higher (up to 1 eV) because hydrogen atoms are generated at high energies by the dissociation of H2 or ion recombination at the wall surface The simulation results are globally consistent with recent experiments on the negative ion source developed at IPP Garching Because of the large Hall parameter in the magnetic filter, electron transport across the filter is complex and the ability of a 2D fluid model to grasp this complexity is discussed

Abstract: We present a survey of the X-ray emitting ejecta in the Cassiopeia A supernova remnant based on an extensive analysis of over 6000 spectral regions extracted on 2.5-10" angular scales using the Chandra 1 Ms observation. We interpret these results in the context of hydrodynamical models for the evolution of the remnant. The distributions of fitted temperature and ionization age, and the implied mass coordinates, are highly peaked and suggest that the ejecta were subjected to multiple secondary shocks following reverse shock interaction with ejecta inhomogeneities. Based on the fitted emission measure and element abundances, and an estimate of the emitting volume, we derive masses for the X-ray emitting ejecta and also show the distribution of the mass of various elements over the remnant. An upper limit to the total shocked Fe mass visible in X-rays appears to be roughly 0.13 M_sun, which accounts for nearly all of the mass expected in Fe ejecta. We find two populations of Fe ejecta, that associated with normal Si-burning and that possibly associated with alpha-rich freeze-out, with a mass ratio of approximately 2:1. Essentially all of the observed Fe (both components) lies well outside the central regions of the SNR, possibly having been ejected by hydrodynamic instabilities during the explosion. We discuss this, and its implications for the neutron star kick.