An accurate, non-invasive ex situ diagnostic technique for analyzing plasma generated harmonics in radio frequency (RF) discharges is presented utilizing a broadband Dual Directional Coupler (DDC) that measures accurately both forward and reflected voltage signals in a transmission line. For usual applications such as monitoring forward and reflected power, the DDC is placed between the RF generator and the matching network (MN). However, the MN reflects all plasma generated harmonics back toward the plasma. Hence, no harmonics reach the generator side of the MN. Thus, for monitoring the harmonics, it is necessary to place the DDC between the impedance matching unit and the plasma, which was used for the first time in an asymmetric, parallel plate RF discharge at 13.56 MHz, 10 W-50 W at 200 mTorr (argon). The analysis of DDC data yields voltage, harmonic power contents, complex load impedance, plasma reflection coefficient, Voltage Standing Wave Ratio (VSWR), etc., for the fundamental frequency. For instance, at 10 W net input power, the computed plasma impedance is ZL = Rp + jXp, with Rp = 16.8 Ω and Xp = -81.9 Ω, yielding VSWR ≈11. Additionally, for 50 W input power, the third harmonic (72.31 mW) is dominant, followed by the second (8.28 mW) and fourth harmonics. In contrast, the literature states that the second harmonic is usually dominant, possibly due to the invasive nature of the diagnostics. Because harmonics are an important signature of processes taking place within the plasma, the proposed diagnostic can be effectively used for calibration and verification of theoretical models/simulations for resolving relevant physics issues.We report on cyclotron frequency measurements on trapped 206,207Pb+ ions by means of the non-destructive Fourier-transform ion-cyclotron-resonance technique at room temperature. In a proof-of-principle experiment using a quartz crystal instead of a coil as a resonator, we have alternately carried out cyclotron frequency measurements for 206Pb+ and 207Pb+ with the sideband coupling method to obtain 21 cyclotron-frequency ratios with a statistical uncertainty of 6 × 10-7. The mean frequency ratio R¯ deviates by about 2σ from the value deduced from the masses reported in the latest Atomic Mass Evaluation.  https://www.selleckchem.com/products/mk-4827.html  We anticipate that this shift is due to the ion-ion interaction between the simultaneously trapped ions (≈100) and will decrease to a negligible level once we reach single-ion sensitivity. The compactness of such a crystal makes this approach promising for direct Penning-trap mass measurements on heavy and superheavy elements.The well known ordinary wave based interferometry is of frequent use for plasma diagnostics in fusion facilities. With the probing direction being perpendicular to the magnetic field of the facility, the ordinary wave phase shift is proportional to the average density along the probing path at frequencies much higher than the plasma frequency of electrons. In the case of extraordinary waves, the phase shift depends on both the plasma density and the confining magnetic field. For the facilities of stellarator/torsatron types, the magnetic field is known; therefore, the measurement of the extraordinary wave phase shift can also provide information on the plasma density profile. The plasma density measurements with the use of dual-polarization interferometers were carried out on the Uragan-3M and Uragan-2M torsatrons. For correct interpretation of the experimental results, numerical simulation was performed to describe the probing wave propagation through the plasma in the magnetic field of variable direction. The transmitting-to-receiving horn scattering matrix has been obtained in a wide range of plasma parameters. In the course of the interpretation of measurements, restrictions on the use of the Wentzel-Kramers-Brillouin approximation were determined. This has made it possible to develop the optimized layout of the dual-polarization interferometer for measuring the plasma density in stellarators/torsatrons. The here proposed upgrade of the interferometers on Uragan-2M will enable one to obtain additional information on the temporal evolution of the plasma density.Metallic nanoparticles (NPs) have been accepted for various applications ranging from cosmetics to medicine. However, no method has been established in the scientific community that is capable of analyzing various metals, sizes, and levels of exposures without the concern of background chemical contaminations. We present here a system utilizing soft-landing ion mobility (SLIM) exposures of laser ablated metallic clusters capable of operating pressures of reduced vacuum (1 Torr) up to ambient (760 Torr) in the presence of a buffer gas. Clusters experience kinetic energies of less than 1 eV upon exiting the SLIM, allowing for the exposure of NPs to take place in a passive manner. While there is no mass-selection of cluster sizes in this work, it does show for the first time the creation and soft-landing of nanoclusters at ambient pressures. Factors such as area coverage and percentage distribution were studied, as well as the different effects that varying surfaces may cause in the agglomeration of the clusters. Furthermore, the system was successfully used to study the effects of silver nanoparticle exposure and determine the specific organs the NPs accumulate in using zebrafish (Danio rerio) as a model organism. This method provides a novel way to synthesize NPs and expose biological organisms for various toxicological analysis.We have developed a novel discrimination methodology to identify ions in multispecies beams with similar charge-to-mass ratios, but different atomic numbers. After an initial separation by charge-to-mass ratios using co-linear electric and magnetic fields, individual ions can be discriminated by considering the linear energy transfer of ions irradiating a stimulable phosphor plate (Fujifilm imaging plate) by comparison with the Monte Carlo calculation. We apply the method to energetic multispecies laser-driven ion beams and use it to identify silver ions produced by the interaction between a high contrast, high intensity laser pulse; and a sub-micrometer silver foil target. We also show that this method can be used to calibrate the imaging plate for arbitrary ion species in the range of Z ≥ 6 with dE/dx > 0.1 MeV/μm without requiring individual calibration.