What is Rayleigh scattering in exoplanets?5 answersRayleigh scattering in exoplanets refers to the phenomenon where the measured planetary radius increases towards bluer wavelengths in the optical range due to scattering of light. This effect is detectable in hydrogen-dominated planetary atmospheres and is one of the main atmospheric features that can be observed from ground- and space-based facilities. The increase in transit depth towards bluer wavelengths indicates a larger effective planet radius. The origin of the detected slope in the transmission spectrum can be attributed to either Rayleigh scattering in the planet's atmosphere or a stellar activity-induced signal from the host star. The detection of Rayleigh scattering in exoplanets provides valuable insights into the composition and properties of their atmospheres.
Recent studies on photoswitch molecules?4 answersRecent studies have focused on the design and development of photoswitch molecules for various applications. These molecules, such as azobenzene-based compounds and benzo[e]-fused dimethyldihydropyrene compounds, have shown promising results in terms of energy storage and release capabilities. The use of photoswitches allows for optically-controlled phase change behavior and long-term heat storage in phase change materials (PCMs). Additionally, the design of molecular photoswitches has led to the achievement of high energy storage densities, validating their potential for thermal battery applications. Studies have also investigated the structure-performance relationship of azobenzene-based molecular solar thermal storage (MOST) systems, highlighting the advantages of certain structures for energy storage. Furthermore, the development of photoswitches that can operate in aqueous media and be triggered by visible light illumination has been explored, opening up possibilities for applications in materials and life sciences. These recent studies provide valuable insights into the design and potential applications of photoswitch molecules.
What is ray effect when building FVM 2D Cartesian radiative transfer solvers?5 answersThe ray effect in FVM 2D Cartesian radiative transfer solvers refers to a discretization error that occurs in the computation of radiative transfer. It has been extensively studied in the radiation community. The ray effect is also associated with the discrete velocity method (DVM) in rarefied gas flow simulations. In the context of radiative transfer, the ray effect can lead to false scattering and inaccurate heat flux calculations at boundaries. To mitigate the ray effect, various methods have been proposed, including adjusting the discretization in the particle velocity space. Another approach is to use stochastic particle methods, which automatically provide optimized velocity discretization and avoid the ray effect. In the case of FVM solvers, the ray effect can be eliminated by using new ray emitting methods for surface elements.
In tirf microscopy, how can the evanescent wave that does not carry energy excite fluorophores?5 answersThe evanescent wave in TIRF microscopy excites fluorophores by generating an electromagnetic field at the solid-liquid interface, which is the same frequency as the excitation light. This evanescent wave is produced when excitation light is completely internally reflected in a transparent solid, such as coverglass, at its interface with liquid. The intensity of the evanescent wave exponentially decays with distance from the surface of the solid, resulting in efficient excitation of fluorescent molecules within a few hundred nanometers of the solid. This rapid decay of evanescent waves allows for the selective excitation of fluorophores near the plasma membrane, while suppressing excitation of fluorescence signals in deeper layers.
How does excited Oxygen species influence on hydrogen oxygen flame?5 answersExcited oxygen species, such as singlet oxygen (O2(a1Δg)), have been found to have a significant influence on hydrogen-oxygen flames. Singlet oxygen can promote chain mechanism reactions that control ignition and burning, leading to modifications in the flame structure and flow field. When plasma-excited oxygen is introduced into the flame, the flow attaches closer to the burner surface, the reaction zone becomes more concentrated towards the center of the system, and the flow fields become more turbulent with higher velocities. Additionally, the presence of singlet oxygen molecules can reduce the ignition delay length and lower the temperature required for ignition of the hydrogen-oxygen mixture. These findings suggest that excited oxygen species play a crucial role in enhancing the combustion process and influencing the flame structure in hydrogen-oxygen flames.
How efficient is Raman scattering compared to Rayleigh scattering?5 answersRaman scattering is a more efficient process compared to Rayleigh scattering. It has important spectroscopic applications and can be used to study transitions that are one-photon forbidden. In addition, stimulated Raman scattering can result in highly efficient scattering, with a significant portion of the incident laser beam energy being converted into Stokes frequency. On the other hand, Rayleigh scattering is a light-scattering process that occurs due to the tendency of anisotropic molecules to become aligned along the electric field vector of an optical wave. While both Raman and Rayleigh scattering have their own characteristics and applications, Raman scattering generally offers higher efficiency and stronger scattering processes compared to Rayleigh scattering.