Root Architecture, Growth and Photon Yield of Cucumber Seedlings as Influenced by Daily Light Integral at Different Stages in the Closed Transplant Production System

Optimizing light conditions for vegetable seedling production in a closed transplant production system is critical for plant growth and seedling production. Additionally, energy use efficiency should be considered by growers when managing the light environment. In the present study, cucumber seedlings (Cucumis sativus L. cv. Tianjiao No. 5) were grown under six different daily light integrals (DLIs) at 8.64, 11.52, 14.40, 17.28, 23.04, and 28.80 mol m−2 d−1 created by two levels of photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) of 200 and 400 μmol m−2 s−1 combined with photoperiod of 12, 16 and 20 h d−1 provided by white light-emitting diodes (LEDs) in a closed transplant production system for 21 days. Results indicated that quadratic functions were observed between fresh and dry weights of cucumber seedlings and DLI at 6, 11, 16, and 21 days after sowing. Generally, higher DLI resulted in longer root length, bigger root volume and root surface area accompanied with shorter plant height and hypocotyl length; however, no significant differences were observed in root length, root volume, and root surface area as DLI increased from 14.40 to 28.80 mol m−2 d−1. Photon yield based on fresh and dry weights decreased with increasing DLI. In conclusion, increased DLI resulted in compact and vigorous morphology but reduced photon yield of cucumber seedlings produced in a closed transplant production system. In terms of plant growth and energy use efficiency, DLI at 14.40–23.04 mol m−2 d−1 was suggested for cucumber seedling production in the closed production system. Additionally, different control strategies should be applied at different growth stages of cucumber seedlings.

Characterisation of SiPM Photon Emission in the Dark

In this paper, we report on the photon emission of Silicon Photomultipliers (SiPMs) from avalanche pulses generated in dark conditions, with the main objective of better understanding the associated systematics for next-generation, large area, SiPM-based physics experiments. A new apparatus for spectral and imaging analysis was developed at TRIUMF and used to measure the light emitted by the two SiPMs considered as photo-sensor candidates for the nEXO neutrinoless double-beta decay experiment: one Fondazione Bruno Kessler (FBK) VUV-HD Low Field (LF) Low After Pulse (Low AP) (VUV-HD3) SiPM and one Hamamatsu Photonics K.K. (HPK) VUV4 Multi-Pixel Photon Counter (MPPC). Spectral measurements of their light emissions were taken with varying over-voltage in the wavelength range of 450–1020 nm. For the FBK VUV-HD3, at an over-voltage of 12.1±1.0 V, we measured a secondary photon yield (number of photons (γ) emitted per charge carrier (e−)) of (4.04±0.02)×10−6γ/e−. The emission spectrum of the FBK VUV-HD3 contains an interference pattern consistent with thin-film interference. Additionally, emission microscopy images (EMMIs) of the FBK VUV-HD3 show a small number of highly localized regions with increased light intensity (hotspots) randomly distributed over the SiPM surface area. For the HPK VUV4 MPPC, at an over-voltage of 10.7±1.0 V, we measured a secondary photon yield of (8.71±0.04)×10−6γ/e−. In contrast to the FBK VUV-HD3, the emission spectra of the HPK VUV4 did not show an interference pattern—likely due to a thinner surface coating. The EMMIs of the HPK VUV4 also revealed a larger number of hotspots compared to the FBK VUV-HD3, especially in one of the corners of the device. The photon yield reported in this paper may be limited if compared with the one reported in previous studies due to the measurement wavelength range, which is only up to 1020 nm.

Ultra-monochromatic far-infrared Cherenkov diffraction radiation in a super-radiant regime

Nowadays, intense electromagnetic (EM) radiation in the far-infrared (FIR) spectral range is an advanced tool for scientific research in biology, chemistry, and material science because many materials leave signatures in the radiation spectrum. Narrow-band spectral lines enable researchers to investigate the matter response in greater detail. The generation of highly monochromatic variable frequency FIR radiation has therefore become a broad area of research. High energy electron beams consisting of a long train of dense bunches of particles provide a super-radiant regime and can generate intense highly monochromatic radiation due to coherent emission in the spectral range from a few GHz to potentially a few THz. We employed novel coherent Cherenkov diffraction radiation (ChDR) as a generation mechanism. This effect occurs when a fast charged particle moves in the vicinity of and parallel to a dielectric interface. Two key features of the ChDR phenomenon are its non-invasive nature and its photon yield being proportional to the length of the radiator. The bunched structure of the very long electron beam produced spectral lines that were observed to have frequencies upto 21 GHz and with a relative bandwidth of 10–4 ~ 10–5. The line bandwidth and intensity are defined by the shape and length of the bunch train. A compact linear accelerator can be utilized to control the resonant wavelength by adjusting the bunch sequence frequency.

Transition radiation detectors

The rearrangement of the electromagnetic field of a charged particle at a transition between media with different electric permittivity leads to the emission of electromagnetic radiation, so-called transition radiation. The chapter begins with the description of the characteristics of the radiation at a boundary, such as angular distribution, energy spectrum, dependence on the Lorentz factor γ‎ and photon yield. Then it is shown that a sufficient photon yield can only be achieved with a large number of transitions which is usually accomplished with stacks of thin foils. The interference phenomena and their dependence on the coherence conditions, parametrised by the ‘formation length’ are explained in detail. The explanation includes also threshold and saturation effects on the measurement of the Lorentz factor γ‎. Finally, typical transition radiation detectors are presented.

Study of soft photon yield in pp and AA interactions at JINR

Over 30 years there has been no comprehensive understanding of the mechanism of soft photons (energy smaller than 50 MeV) formation. Experimental data indicate an excess of their yield in hadron and nuclear interactions in comparison with calculations performed in QED. For a more thorough study of this phenomenon at the Nuclotron (a superconducting accelerator in JINR), preliminary measurements have been carried out with using an electromagnetic calorimeter based on BGO crystals. These results are consistent with the world data. In JINR, in connection with the building of a future accelerator complex NICA, it has become possible to carry out such studies in pp, pA and AA interactions at energies up to 25 A GeV. Our group develops the conception of an heterogeneous electromagnetic calorimeter as “spaghetti” and “shashlik” types based on gadolinium gallium garnet (GaGG) crystals with a low threshold for registration of photons. The first tests of prototypes of them manufactured at JINR on the basis of the GaGG and a mixture of tungstate and copper as an absorber are reported.