E3D,the Euro3D visualization tool I: Description of the program and its capabilities

We present the first version of E3D, the Euro3D visualization tool for data from integral field spectroscopy. We describe its major characteristics, based on the proposed requirements, the current state of the project, and some planned future upgrades. We show examples of its use and capabilities. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

An atlas of the optical spectrum of supernova 1987A in the large magellanic cloud

Photographic spectra of SN1987A in the LMC have been obtained from 1987 February 25 to 1988 June 30. Microdensitometer tracings of these have been reduced to intensity and corrections for instrumental response have been applied to the spectra. This paper presents these data in an atlas format, discusses the reduction procedures in detail, and presents radial velocity measurements of selected lines in the spectra     

Infrared studies at the ice laboratory of Alcoy

At present, there are few laboratory spectra of analogs of astrophysical interest in the far-infrared range (FIR). Laboratory infrared (IR) spectra of simple ices and its mixtures obtained at low temperature and pressure are found mainly up to 25 μm, and few up to 200 μm. On the other hand, there are some spectra for carbonaceous material and silicates up to 2000 μm. Our laboratory is equipped with an IR spectrometer that integrates a Michelson interferometer with a resolution better than 0.25 cm⁻¹ and that operates under vacuum conditions of 10⁻¹ mbar. There is also a silicon bolometer, a very high-sensitivity detector in comparison with the standard deuterated triglycine sulfate (DTGS) detectors. The use of the bolometer and the possibility of working under vacuum conditions inside the optics and the sample compartment of the spectrometer allow obtaining high-sensitivity spectra free from H₂O vapor and CO₂ gas bands. Those conditions are necessary to obtain high-quality spectra in the FIR where absorption bands are much less intense than those in the mid-IR region. In our laboratory there is also a high-vacuum chamber that allows different studies on ices deposited onto a cold finger. We have already carried out experiments on the study of ice density as a function of temperature, UV irradiation of ices, temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) and UV-vis reflectance. In this work, we present the design of the experimental setup we are building to carry out different experiments simultaneously on the same ice sample, including spectra measurements in the mid-IR range (MIR) and the FIR. This design integrates jointly the IR spectrometer, the high-vacuum chamber and the silicon bolometer. Lastly, we show a spectrum we have obtained of a solid of astrophysical interest such as crystalline forsterite grains by using the polyethylene pellet technique.     

Abundances of Jupiter's trace hydrocarbons from Voyager and Cassini

The flybys of Jupiter by the Voyager spacecraft in 1979, and over two decades later by Cassini in 2000, have provided us with unique datasets from two different epochs, allowing the investigation of seasonal change in the atmosphere. In this paper we model zonal averages of thermal infrared spectra from the two instruments, Voyager 1 IRIS and Cassini CIRS, to retrieve the vertical and meridional profiles of temperature, and the abundances of the two minor hydrocarbons, acetylene (C₂H₂) and ethane (C₂H₆). The spatial variation of these gases is controlled by both chemistry and dynamics, and therefore their observed distribution gives us an insight into both processes. We find that the two gases paint quite different pictures of seasonal change. Whilst the 2-D cross-section of C₂H₆ abundance is slightly increased and more symmetric in 2000 (northern summer solstice) compared to 1979 (northern fall equinox), the major trend of equator to pole increase remains. For C₂H₂ on the other hand, the Voyager epoch exhibits almost no latitudinal variation, whilst the Cassini era shows a marked decrease polewards in both hemispheres. At the present time, these experimental findings are in advance of interpretation, as there are no published models of 2-D Jovian seasonal chemical variation available for comparison.     

The formation and stability of carbonic acid on outer Solar System bodies

The radiation chemistry, thermal stability, and vapor pressure of solid-phase carbonic acid (H₂CO₃) have been studied with mid-infrared spectroscopy. A new procedure for measuring this molecule’s radiation stability has been used to obtain intrinsic IR band strengths and half-lives for radiolytic destruction. We report, for the first time, measurements of carbonic acid’s vapor pressure (0.290-2.33 × 10⁻¹¹ bar for 240-255 K) and its enthalpy of sublimation (71 ± 9 kJ mol⁻¹). We also report the first observation of a chemical reaction involving solid-phase carbonic acid. Possible applications of these findings are discussed, with an emphasis on the outer Solar System icy surfaces.     

RESOLUTION OF MULTICOMPONENT FLUORESCENT MIXTURES BY ANALYSIS OF THE EXCITATION-EMISSION-FREQUENCY ARRAY

Fluorescence lifetime provides a third independent dimension of information for the resolution of totalluminescence spectra of multicomponent mixtures.The incorporation of this parameter into theexcitation-emission matrix(EEM)by the phase modulation technique results in a three-dimensionalexcitation-emission-frequency array (EEFA).Multicomponent analysis based on the three-dimensionalEEFA brings a qualitative change for the resolved spectra,i.e.individual spectra can be uniquely resolved,which is impossible with any two-dimensional analysis.In this paper we present a method for analyzingthe EEFA.We show mathematically that with the three-dimensional analysis of the EEFA individualspectra and lifetimes can be obtained.Our algorithm is developed in mathematical detail and isdemonstrated by its application to a two-component mixture.     

Assessment of the effects of hydrocarbon contamination on the sedimentary bacterial communities and determination of the polar lipid fraction purity: Relevance of intact phospholipid analysis

This in situ study reports on the relevance of intact phospholipids as new biomarkers and highlights the limits of the classical fatty acid analysis after the hydrolysis of the polar lipid fraction. The analysis of polar lipid fractions revealed significant contributions of marine macrophytes with either non-phospholipid compounds (sulfoquinovosyl diacylglycerol) or with both non-bacterial phospholipid classes (phosphatidylcholine) and non-bacterial phospholipid molecular species (some molecular species of phosphatidylglycerol). The analysis of intact phospholipids showed also the predominance of gram-negative bacteria in sediments whereas the analysis of fatty acids alone cannot confirm such information. Lastly, as regard to the effects of petroleum hydrocarbons on the sedimentary bacterial communities, we observed a higher degree of saturation of the fatty acyl chains of the phospholipids extracted from sediment exposed to a massive and chronic crude oil contamination. Such a result was interpreted as an adaptive response resulting in higher membrane rigidity of the bacterial communities.     

Organic petrography of graptolite fragments from Turkey

The reflectance and bireflectance of graptolite fragments (Silurian-Ordovician) from southeast Turkey were examined and the morphology was described using reflected light microscopy. The dispersion of maximum and minimum reflectance of graptolites sectioned parallel and perpendicular to the bedding was also determined. The graptolites were anisotropic and the anisotropy was stronger for sections perpendicular to the bedding. The graptolite fragments show two types of surface morphology: granular and non-granular. The granular type had a rough surface and granular anisotropy, the non-granular fragments showed a smooth surface and basic anisotropy. The fine internal structure of graptolite was evident under crossed-polars. The reflectance of graptolite increased with depth and was higher than other organic material, e.g. bitumen, found in the same sediment. The present study indicates that the reflectance of graptolite in sediment can be used to determine the maturity of the dediment.     

三种扇贝挥发性风味物质指纹图谱分析

为探究海湾扇贝(Argopecten irradians)、栉孔扇贝(Chlamys farreri)、虾夷扇贝(Patinopecten yessoensis)三种扇贝闭壳肌的挥发性风味物质差异,采用气相色谱-离子迁移谱(gas chromatography-ion mobility spectroscopy,GC-IMS)技术,对三种扇贝闭壳肌在新鲜(40℃)和加热(100℃)情况下进行挥发性成分分析。结果表明:在新鲜状态下,海湾扇贝(HWSB-F)、栉孔扇贝(ZKSB-F)、虾夷扇贝(XYSB-F)闭壳肌中,共定性出27种挥发性风味物质,其中醛类8种,醇类5种,酮类5种,酯类3种,以及醚类、苯类、酸类、烯类和噻唑等。在加热情况下,海湾扇贝(HWSB-C)、栉孔扇贝(ZKSB-C)、虾夷扇贝(XYSB-C)闭壳肌中共定性出52种挥发性风味物质,其中醛类20种,酯类5种,酮类7种,醇类8种,烯类4种,酸类2种,醚类2种,还包括吡嗪、胺类、苯类、含氧杂环等物质。对三种扇贝闭壳肌新鲜组和加热组指纹图谱进行分析,发现新鲜扇贝原有的挥发性风味物质加热后减少,且产生了新的其他种类的挥发性风味物质。扇贝闭壳肌加热组的挥发性风味物质种类较多,组成比较复杂,新鲜组的扇贝闭壳肌挥发性风味物质种类较少,组成简单。通过主成分分析,可在新鲜状态和加热状态下,有效区分三种扇贝闭壳肌组织。三种扇贝闭壳肌挥发性风味物质指纹图谱的建立,丰富了不同扇贝呈味物质的组成成分研究内容,证明GC-IMS技术可快速鉴别三种去壳扇贝闭壳肌的种类,为不同种扇贝闭壳肌以次充好提供检测依据。