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At least 1,621 records · Page 90

Utilization of the LS-APGD microplasma/orbitrap-FTMS booster system for detection and isotopic analysis of neodymium nanoparticles

Detection and isotopic analysis of particle populations has seen rapid growth across several application areas, including environmental analysis, nuclear forensics, and food safety. The ability to characterize the particles' unique elemental and isotopic fingerprints could provide information related to formation, processing history, and transport. Regarding nuclear forensics, isotopic analysis of particles derived from diverse materials is often used as a tool to trace the origin and processing history. Mass spectrometric-based techniques currently used for particle population analysis often suffer from limited mass resolution, particularly when dealing with real-world samples that are affected by isobaric and polyatomic interferences from the matrix. To address these analytical challenges, we propose a novel method utilizing the liquid sampling-atmospheric pressure glow discharge (LS-APGD) microplasma ionization source coupled to an ultrahigh resolution Orbitrap mass spectrometer, further enhanced with the FTMS X2T Booster data acquisition and processing unit. The FTMS Booster enables acquisition of extended transient times of up to 3 s, significantly improving mass resolution, thereby reducing or even eliminating the need for prior separation of isobaric or polyatomic interferences. Additionally, the detection of low-abundance isotopes was improved by increasing the signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio. As proof of concept, this study demonstrates the feasibility of the LS-APGD/Orbitrap-FTMS X2T Booster platform for direct analysis using a suspension of well-characterized ∼120 nm neodymium particles. The quality of the isotope ratios values obtained from a few hundred particles were in good agreement with those obtained from homogeneous ionic solutions. These results highlight the potential of the LS-APGD/Orbitrap platform for rapid, accurate, and interference-resilient isotope ratio analysis of particle populations without the need for dissolution and subsequent chemical separations, offering significant advantages for nuclear forensics, safeguards, and environmental applications. The effort here also points to further paths forward, hopefully towards single particle (SP) analysis using microplasma ionization and the ultrahigh resolving power of the Orbitrap mass analyzer.

FTMS X2T booster↗

Feasibility of the detection of trace elements in particulate matter using online High-Resolution Aerosol Mass Spectrometry

The feasibility of using an online thermal-desorption electron-ionization high-resolution aerosol mass spectrometer (AMS) for the detection of particulate trace elements was investigated analyzing data from Mexico City obtained during the MILAGRO 2006 field campaign, where relatively high concentrations of trace elements have been reported. This potential application is of interest due to the real-time data provided by the AMS, its high sensitivity and time resolution, and the widespread availability and use of this instrument. High resolution mass spectral analysis, isotopic ratios, and ratios of different ions containing the same elements are used to constrain the chemical identity of the measured ions. The detection of Cu, Zn, As, Se, Sn, and Sb is reported. There was no convincing evidence for the detection of other trace elements commonly reported in PM. The elements detected tend to be those with lower melting and boiling points, as expected given the use of a vaporizer at 600oC in this instrument. Operation of the AMS vaporizer at higher temperatures is likely to improve trace element detection. The detection limit is estimated at approximately 0.3 ng m-3 for 5-min of data averaging. Concentration time series obtained from the AMS data were compared to concentration records determined from offline analysis of particle samples from the same times and locations by ICP (PM2.5) and PIXE (PM1.1 and PM0.3). The degree of correlation and agreement between the three instruments (AMS, ICP, and PIXE) varied depending on the element. The AMS shows promise for real-time detection of some trace elements, although additional work including laboratory calibrations with different chemical forms of these elements are needed to further develop this technique and to understand the differences with the ambient data from the other techniques. The trace elements peaked in the morning as expected for primary sources, and the many detected plumes suggest the presence of multiple point sources, probably industrial, in Mexico City which are variable in time and space, in agreement with previous studies.

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗

Chemical ionization mass spectrometry utilizing benzene cations for measurements of volatile organic compounds and nitric oxide

We evaluate the capability of chemical ionization mass spectrometry (CIMS) using benzene cations as reagent ions (benzene CIMS) for detecting atmospheric trace gases. We characterize the ionization pathways and product ion distributions for 27 analytes spanning diverse chemical classes. To interpret the complex ion chemistry involving two reagent ions (C 6 H$^{+}_{6}$ and (C 6 H 6 )$^{+}_{2}$) and multiple ionization pathways (charge transfer, proton transfer, adduct formation, and hydride abstraction), we introduce a thermodynamics-based framework that classifies analytes into three categories based on their ionization energy (IE), relative to those of benzene monomer (9.24 eV) and dimer (8.69 eV). Each class exhibits distinct ionization mechanisms and product ions. Analytes with IE smaller than 8.69 eV (low IE) undergo charge transfer with both reagent ions; analytes with IE between 8.69 and 9.24 eV (mid IE) undergo charge transfer with C 6 H$^{+}_{6}$ and potential adduct formation with (C 6 H 6 )$^{+}_{2}$; analytes with IE larger than 9.24 eV (high IE) could undergo adduct formation, proton transfer, or hydride abstraction. Analytes within each class also show similar sensitivity, enabling sensitivity estimation for compounds lacking calibration standards. In addition to volatile organic compounds (VOCs), benzene CIMS detects nitric oxide (NO) with a detection limit of 5 pptv for 1 min integration time, exceeding the performance of most commercial NOx analyzers. Field deployments in Chicago and St. Louis demonstrate good agreement with reference NO measurements. Isoprene measurements show good agreement with a co-located gas chromatography–photoionization detector (GC-PID) in St. Louis, but exhibit substantial positive bias in Chicago, likely due to interferences from anthropogenic VOCs in the polluted urban environment. These results highlight the potential of benzene CIMS for concurrent measurements of NO, VOCs, and their oxidation products using a single instrument, while also underscoring challenges in complex atmospheric conditions.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

High-Rydberg Xenon Submillimeter-Wave Detector

Proposed detector for infrared and submillimeter-wavelength radiation uses excited xenon atoms as Rydberg sensors instead of customary beams of sodium, potassium, or cesium. Chemically inert xenon easily stored in pressurized containers, whereas beams of dangerously reactive alkali metals must be generated in cumbersome, unreliable ovens. Xenon-based detector potential for infrared astronomy and for Earth-orbiter detection of terrestrial radiation sources. Xenon atoms excited to high energy states in two stages. Doubly excited atoms sensitive to photons in submillimeter wavelength range, further excited by these photons, then ionized and counted.

Chutjian, Ara↗

Abundance studies of oxygen and nitrogen in nebulae - Uses of the far-infrared emission lines

The potential of infrared forbidden emission lines for studying nebular abundances is discussed, with emphasis on the far-infrared fine-structure lines of oxygen and nitrogen. Observations of these transitions provide fundamentally new diagnostics of the physical conditions in ionized nebulae, and make it possible for the first time to study the abundances of these species in the inner parts of the Galaxy. These new tools for nebular abundance studies are only beginning to be exploited. The results derived so far from such studies are reviewed, and future prospects and applications of these techniques are discussed.

Dinerstein, Harriet L.↗

The effects of dust in H II regions

The materials of which dust is composed are not known very precisely, but a general theorem in physics (the Kramers-Kronig relations) provides sufficient restraints regarding the cross section of dust in the ionizing ultraviolet. The large far-infrared luminosity of H II regions shows that dust absorbs most of the ionizing photons in them. However, models show that dust has little effect on the nebular spectrum, although of course it does tie up some heavy elements in the solid phase. For nebulae with very high excitation parameters the effect is potentially larger, but dust is strongly depleted, relative to the solar neighborhood, in such objects. Furthermore, the effects of large densities quenching the forbidden cooling lines, and thereby affecting the optical emission lines, is probably more important.

Mathis, John S.↗

Low cost environmental sensors for Spaceflight : NMP Space Environmental Monitor (SEM) requirements

An outstanding problem in spaceflight is the lack of adequate sensors for monitoring the space environment and its effects on engineering systems. By adequate, we mean low cost in terms of mission impact (e.g., low price, low mass/size, low power, low data rate, and low design impact). The New Millennium Program (NMP) is investigating the development of such a low-cost Space Environmental Monitor (SEM) package for inclusion on its technology validation flights. This effort follows from the need by NMP to characterize the space environment during testing so that potential users can extrapolate the test results to end-use conditions. The immediate objective of this effort is to develop a small diagnostic sensor package that could be obtained from commercial sources. Environments being considered are: contamination, atomic oxygen, ionizing radiation, cosmic radiation, EMI, and temperature. This talk describes the requirements and rational for selecting these environments and reviews a preliminary design that includes a micro-controller data logger with data storage and interfaces to the sensors and spacecraft. If successful, such a sensor package could be the basis of a unique, long term program for monitoring the effects of the space environment on spacecraft systems.

Galileo↗

Low Cost Environmental Sensors for Spaceflight: NMP Space Environmental Monitor (SEM) Requirements

An outstanding problem in spaceflight is the lack of adequate sensors for monitoring the space environment and its effects on engineering systems. By adequate, we mean low cost in terms of mission impact (e.g., low price, low mass/size, low power, low data rate, and low design impact). The New Millennium Program (NMP) is investigating the development of such a low-cost Space Environmental Monitor (SEM) package for inclusion on its technology validation flights. This effort follows from the need by NMP to characterize the space environment during testing so that potential users can extrapolate the test results to end-use conditions. The immediate objective of this effort is to develop a small diagnostic sensor package that could be obtained from commercial sources. Environments being considered are: contamination, atomic oxygen, ionizing radiation, cosmic radiation, EMI, and temperature. This talk describes the requirements and rational for selecting these environments and reviews a preliminary design that includes a micro-controller data logger with data storage and interfaces to the sensors and spacecraft. If successful, such a sensor package could be the basis of a unique, long term program for monitoring the effects of the space environment on spacecraft systems.

New Millennium Program (NMP)↗

Development of a Robust, High Current, Low Power Field Emission Electron Gun for a Spaceflight Reflectron Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometer

Carbon materials, including carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and nitrogen-incorporated ultrananocrystalline diamond (N-UNCD), have been of considerable interest for field emission applications for over a decade. In particular, robust field emission materials are compelling for space applications due to the low power consumption and potential for miniaturization. A reflectron time-of-flight mass spectrometer (TOF-MS) under development for in situ measurements on the Moon and other Solar System bodies uses a field emitter to generate ions from gaseous samples, using electron ionization. For these unusual environments, robustness, reliability, and long life are of paramount importance, and to this end, we have explored the field emission properties and lifetime of carbon nanotubes and nitrogen-incorporated ultrananocrystalline diamond (N-UNCD) thin films, the latter developed and patented by Argonne National Laboratory. We will present recent investigations of N-UNCD as a robust field emitter, revealing that this material offers stable performance in high vacuum for up to 1000 hours with threshold voltage for emission of about 3-4 V/lJm and current densities in the range of tens of microA. Optimizing the mass resolution and sensitivity of such a mass spectrometer has also been enabled by a parallel effort to scale up a CNT emitter to an array measuring 2 mm x 40 mm. Through simulation and experiment of the new extended format emitter, we have determined that focusing the electron beam is limited due to the angular spread of the emitted electrons. This dispersion effect can be reduced through modification of the electron gun geometry, but this reduces the current reaching the ionization region. By increasing the transmission efficiency of the electron beam to the anode, we have increased the anode current by two orders of magnitude to realize a corresponding enhancement in instrument sensitivity, at a moderate cost to mass resolution. We will report recent experimental and modeling results to describe the performance of a field emission electron gun as employed in the Volatile Analysis by Pyrolysis of Regolith (VAPoR) TOF-MS prototype.

Southard, Adrian E.↗

Muon Muon Collider: Feasibility Study

A feasibility study is presented of a 2 + 2 TeV muon collider with a luminosity of L = 10{sup 35} cm{sup -2}s{sup -1}. The resulting design is not optimized for performance, and certainly not for cost; however, it does suffice - we believe - to allow us to make a credible case, that a muon collider is a serious possibility for particle physics and, therefore, worthy of R and D support so that the reality of, and interest in, a muon collider can be better assayed. The goal of this support would be to completely assess the physics potential and to evaluate the cost and development of the necessary technology. The muon collider complex consists of components which first produce copious pions, then capture the pions and the resulting muons from their decay; this is followed by an ionization cooling channel to reduce the longitudinal and transverse emittance of the muon beam. The next stage is to accelerate the muons and, finally, inject them into a collider ring wich has a small beta function at the colliding point. This is the first attempt at a point design and it will require further study and optimization. Experimental work will be needed to verify the validity of diverse crucial elements in the design. Muons because of their large mass compared to an electron, do not produce significant synchrotron radiation. As a result there is negligible beamstrahlung and high energy collisions are not limited by this phenomena. In addition, muons can be accelerated in circular devices which will be considerably smaller than two full-energy linacs as required in an e{sup +} - e{sup -} collider. A hadron collider would require a CM energy 5 to 10 times higher than 4 TeV to have an equivalent energy reach. Since the accelerator size is limited by the strength of bending magnets, the hadron collider for the same physics reach would have to be much larger than the muon collider. In addition, muon collisions should be cleaner than hadron collisions. There are many detailed particle reactions which are open to a muon collider and the physics of such reactions - what one learns and the necessary luminosity to see interesting events - are described in detail. Most of the physics accesible to an e{sup +} - e{sup -} collider could be studied in a muon collider. In addition the production of Higgs bosons in the s-channel will allow the measurement of Higgs masses and total widths to high precision; likewise, t{bar t} and W{sup +}W{sup -} threshold studies would yield m{sub t} and m{sub w} to great accuracy. These reactions are at low center of mass energy (if the MSSM is correct) and the luminosity and {Delta}p/p of the beams required for these measurements is detailed in the Physics Chapter. On the other hand, at 2 + 2 TeV, a luminosity of L {approx} 10{sup 35} cm{sup -2}s{sup -1} is desirable for studies such as, the scattering of longitudinal W bosons or the production of heavy scalar particles. Not explored in this work, but worth noting, are the opportunities for muon-proton and muon-heavy ion collisions as well as the enormous richness of such a facility for fixed target physics provided by the intense beams of neutrinos, muons, pions, kaons, antiprotons and spallation neutrons. To see all the interesting physics described herein requires a careful study of the operation of a detector in the very large background. Three sources of background have been identified. The first is from any halo accompanying the muon beams in the collider ring. Very carefully prepared beams will have to be injected and maintained. The second is due to the fact that on average 35% of the muon energy appears in its decay electron. The energy of the electron subsequently is converted into EM showers either from the synchrotron radiation they emit in the collider magnetic field or from direct collision with the surrounding material. The decays that occur as the beams traverse the low beta insert are of particular concern for detector backgrounds. A third source of background is e{sup +} - e{sup -} pair creation from {mu}{sup +} - {mu}{sup -} interaction. Studies of how to shield the detector and reduce the background are addressed in the Detector Chapter. Polarization of the muons allows many very interesting measurements which are discussed in the Physics Chapter. Unlike the electron collider in which the electron beam is highly polarized and the positron beam unpolarized, both muon beams may be partially polarized. It is necessary to select forward moving muons from the pion's decay and thus reduce the available number of muons and hence the luminosity. The necessary machine technology needed to achieve such a collider is discussed in the Option Chapter; at the moment it is not part of our point design, although such capability would almost certainly be incorporated into an actual device.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Elastic and total cross sections for simple biomolecules in the intermediate energy range

The elastic and total cross sections for formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, acetone, 2-butanone and formamide are calculated using the spherical complex optical potential formalism in the intermediate energy range from 50 eV to 10 keV. These cross sections find application to various fields like radiation damage and biological sciences. The present results are compared with the available experimental and theoretical data and are found to give excellent agreement. The elastic cross sections reported for most of the targets in the present energy range are done for the first time. The energy dependence of the contribution of ionization and elastic cross section with respect to the total cross section and the correlation of total cross section with polarizability of the molecules are also studied.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Comparable Senescence Induction in Three-dimensional Human Cartilage Model by Exposure to Therapeutic Doses of X-rays or C-ions

Purpose: Particle therapy using carbon ions (C-ions) has been successfully used in the treatment of tumors resistant to conventional radiation therapy. However, the potential side effects to healthy cartilage exposed to lower linear energy transfer (LET) ions in the beam track before the tumor have not been evaluated. The aim of the present study was to assess the extent of damage after C-ion irradiation in a 3-dimensional (3D) cartilage model close to human homeostasis. Methods and Materials: Primary human articular chondrocytes from a healthy donor were cultured in a collagen scaffold to construct a physioxic 3D cartilage model. A 2-dimensional (2D) culture was used as a reference. The cells were irradiated with a single dose of a monoenergetic C-ion beam with a LET of approximatively 30 keV/μm. This LET corresponds to the entrance channel of C-ions in the shallow healthy tissues before the spread-out Bragg peak (∼100 keV/μm) during hadron therapy protocols. The same dose of X-rays was used as a reference. Survival, cell death, and senescence assays were performed. Results: As expected, in the 2D culture, C-ions were more efficient than X-rays in reducing cell survival with a relative biological effectiveness of 2.6. This correlated with stronger radiation-induced senescence (two-fold) but not with higher cell death induction. This differential effect was not reflected in the 3D culture. Both ionizing radiation types induced a comparable rate of senescence induction in the 3D model. Conclusions: The greater biological effectiveness of C-ions compared with low LET radiation when evaluated in treatment planning systems might be misevaluated using 2D culture experiments. Radiation-induced senescence is an important factor of potential cartilage attrition. The present data should encourage the scientific community to use relevant models and beams to improve the use of charged particles with better safety for patients.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗

A Biodosimeter for Multiparametric Determination of Radiation Dose, Radiation Quality, and Radiation Risk

Predicting risk of human cancer following exposure of an individual or a population to ionizing radiation is challenging. To an approximation, this is because uncertainties of uniform absorption of dose and the uniform processing of dose-related damage at the cellular level within a complex set of biological variables degrade the confidence of predicting the delayed expression of cancer as a relatively rare event. Cellular biodosimeters that simultaneously report: 1) the quantity of absorbed dose after exposure to ionizing radiation, 2) the quality of radiation delivering that dose, and 3) the risk of developing cancer by the cells absorbing that dose would therefore be useful. An approach to such a multiparametric biodosimeter will be reported. This is the demonstration of a dose responsive field effect of enhanced expression of keratin 18 (K18) in cultures of human mammary epithelial cells irradiated with cesium-1 37 gamma-rays. Dose response of enhanced K18 expression was experimentally extended over a range of 30 to 90 cGy for cells evaluated at mid-log phase. K18 has been reported to be a marker for tumor staging and for apoptosis, and thereby serves as an example of a potential marker for cancer risk, where the reality of such predictive value would require additional experimental development. Since observed radiogenic increase in expression of K18 is a field effect, ie., chronically present in all cells of the irradiated population, it may be hypothesized that K18 expression in specific cells absorbing particulate irradiation, such as the high-LET-producing atomic nuclei of space radiation, will report on both the single-cell distributions of those particles amongst cells within the exposed population, and that the relatively high dose per cell delivered by densely ionizing tracks of those intersecting particles will lead to cell-specific high-expression levels of K18, thereby providing analytical end points that may be used to resolve both the quantity and the quality of the radiation dose absorbed by individual cells. The principal value of this reported potential multiparametric cellular biodosimeter is suggested to be that it justifies a search for similar but more robust radiogenic assays. That is, K18 is only one radiation dose-sensitive expressed protein, whereas analytical techniques of genomics and proteomics can be used to simultaneously analyze multiple gene and protein expressions resulting from radiation-dose absorption. The potential usefulness of multiparametric cellular biodosimeters will be best realized from quantitatively profiling these multiple markers using these modern techniques.

Richmond, Robert↗

An electrochemical generator for the continual supply of 213 Bi from 225 Ac for use in targeted alpha therapy applications

Bismuth-213 is a radionuclide of interest for targeted alpha therapy and is supplied via a radiochemical generator system through the decay of 225 Ac. Radionuclide generators employ longer lived “parent” radionuclides to routinely supply shorter-lived “daughter” radionuclides. The traditional 225 Ac/ 213 Bi radiochemical generator relies on an organic cation exchange resin where 225 Ac binds to the resin and 213 Bi is routinely eluted. These resins degrade when they absorb large doses of ionizing radiation (>1 × 10 6 Gy/mg), which has been observed when the loading activity of 225 Ac exceeds 2.59*10 9 Bq (70 mCi). Herein we report the development of an electrochemical generator for the supply of 213Bi that has the potential to overcome this limitation. Bismuth-213 spontaneously electrodeposits onto nickel foils in 0.1 M hydrochloric acid at 70 °C. Using this method, we were able to plate an average of 73 ± 4 % of the 213 Bi in solution and obtain a final 213 Bi recovery of 65 ± 8 % in 0.1 M citrate pH 4.5 via reverse electrolysis using titanium as the cathode. The recovered 213Bi had an average radiochemical purity of >99.8 % and was successfully used to radiolabel DOTATATE with an average radiochemical yield of 85.1 % (not optimized).

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Experimental Evaluation and Optimization of Structures for Lossless Ion Manipulations for Ion Mobility Spectrometry with Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry

We report on the performance of Structures for Lossless Ion Manipulation (SLIM) devices as a means for transmitting ions and performing ion mobility separations (IMS). Ions were successfully transferred from an electrospray ionization (ESI) source to the TOF MS analyzer by means of a linear SLIM device and an alternative arrangement including a 90° turn. First, the linear geometry was optimized for radial confinement by tuning RF on the central ‘rung’ electrodes and potentials on the DC-only guard electrodes. Selecting an appropriate DC guard bias (2-6 V) and RF amplitude (≥160 Vp-p at 750 kHz) resulted in the greatest ion intensities. Close to ideal IMS resolving power was maintained over a range of applied voltages. Second, the 90° turn was optimized for radial confinement by tuning the RF on the rung electrodes and DC on the guard electrodes; however, both resolving power and ion transmission showed a dependence on these voltages and the best conditions for both were > 300 Vp-p RF (685 kHz) and 7-11 V guard DC bias. Both geometries provide IMS resolving powers at the theoretical limit (R~58), showing that the negative “racetrack” effect from turning around a corner can be successfully avoided, as well as the capability for essentially lossless ion transmission.

conveyor↗

First principles transport coefficients and reaction rates of Ar{sub 2}{sup +} ions in argon for cold plasma jet modeling

Momentum-transfer collision cross-sections and integral collision cross-sections for the collision-induced dissociation are calculated for collisions of ionized argon dimers with argon atoms using a nonadiabatic semiclassical method with the electronic Hamiltonian calculated on the fly via a diatomics-in-molecules semiempirical model as well as inverse-method modeling based on simple isotropic rigid-core potential. The collision cross-sections are then used in an optimized Monte Carlo code for evaluations of the Ar{sub 2}{sup +} mobility in argon gas, longitudinal diffusion coefficient, and collision-induced dissociation rates. A thorough comparison of various theoretical calculations as well as with available experimental data on the Ar{sub 2}{sup +} mobility and collision cross-sections is performed. Good agreement is found between both theoretical approaches and the experiment. Analysis of the role of inelastic processes in Ar{sub 2}{sup +}/Ar collisions is also provided.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Hard X-ray induced fast secondary electron cascading processes in solids

Recent studies confirmed that the materials used in the extreme UV and soft X-ray regime for precise characterization of intense free-electron laser pulses (e.g., Si 3 N 4 ) do not work efficiently in the hard X-ray regime, which is due to the fact that the impact of a hard X-ray photon is followed by a series of electron cascading processes. Following theoretical indication, we show that this limitation can be circumvented and the cascading time can be significantly reduced if the X-ray photon energy is double the ionization energy. We investigate an alternative material for pulse diagnostics, SnO 2 , using the Linac Coherent Light Source at photon energies of 5 keV and 9 keV. We prove the validity of the concept and show that it has a large potential for practical applications. In conclusion, by applying the proposed criteria, the temporal accuracy of the non-invasive pulse diagnostic tools can be improved in current and emerging hard X-ray facilities.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

REIONIZATION IN THE WARM DARK MATTER MODEL

Compared with the cold dark matter (CDM) model, the formation of the small-scale structure of the universe is suppressed in the warm dark matter (WDM) model. It is often thought that this would delay the reionization of the intergalactic medium (IGM) because the star formation rate during the epoch of reionization (EOR) would be lowered. However, during the later stage of the EOR, a large portion of the ionizing photons is consumed by recombination inside the minihalos, which is where the gas has higher density and recombination rates than that in the IGM. The suppression of the small-scale structure would therefore reduce the recombination rate and could potentially shorten the reionization process. This effect is investigated here by using the analytical 'bubble model' of reionization. We find that, in some cases, although the initiation of the EOR is delayed in the WDM model, its completion could be even earlier than the CDM case, but the effect is generally small. We obtain limits on the mass of WDM particles for different reionization redshifts.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗