Extended abstract of a paper presented at Microscopy and Microanalysis 2011 in Nashville, Tennessee, USA, August 7–August 11, 2011.

The fast ignitor concept for inertial confinement fusion relies on the generation of hot electrons, produced by a short-pulse ultrahigh intensity laser, which propagate through high-density plasma to deposit their energy in the compressed fuel core and heat it to ignition. In preliminary experiments designed to investigate deep heating of high-density matter, we used a 20 joule, 0.5–30 ps laser to heat solid targets, and used emission spectroscopy to measure plasma temperatures and densities achieved at large depths (2–20 microns) away from the initial target surface. The targets consisted of an Al tracer layer buried within a massive CH slab; H-like and He-like line emission was then used to diagnose plasma conditions. We observe spectra from tracer layers buried up to 20 microns deep, measure emission durations of up to 200 ps, measure plasma temperatures up to Te=650 eV, and measure electron densities above 1023 cm−3. Analysis is in progress, but the data are in reasonable agreement with heating simulations when space-charge induced inhibition is included in hot-electron transport, and this supports the conclusion that the deep heating is initiated by hot electrons.

The formation of an electrostatic double sheath at a magnetic separatrix is described, with particular reference to the polytron. Results are discussed for a collisionless plasma, and for a simple MHD model where the sheath thickness is determined by collisional effects. Expressions are given for the sheath thickness in the polytron. Of more general interest is the result that the formation of a sheath makes the resistance of the plasma to current flow across the separatrix proportional to ωτ, not ω2τ2 as expected for a homogenous magnetic field.

Recent technological developments have resulted in sub 100 ps shutter times of X-ray cameras that are based on the gating of microchannel plates. Moreover, these cameras are reliable enough to be used on large experimental systems. A review is given of the development of gated proximity focused detectors and of the factors affecting their performance.

One of the goals of the EUVE observation of AB Doradus was to search for rotational modulation of the EUV emissions. In support of this goal we carried out optical photometry in Chile, Australia and South Africa and radio observations in Australia. In addition, an ASCA observation of AB Dor was scheduled to occur during the campaign. Several spectacular X-ray and optical flares with accompanying brightening in the EUV were seen, but no rotational modulation of the EUV emission was evident, except for a dip in the He II 304 Å line coincident with the optical minimum. An X-ray flare was seen with no accompanying EUV flare.

EUVE J2056-17.1 is one of the brightest sources in the First EUVE Source Catalog with 0.24 counts s−1 in the Deep Survey Lexan/B band. We present optical and EUV results that show this source is one of the most active late-type dwarfs. EUVE observed a large flare with energy in excess of 1035 ergs in its Lexan/B band. The quiescent optical spectrum of the source reveals strong hydrogen Balmer and Ca II H and K emission. A strong Li I 6707 Å line is also present in the spectrum. We have estimated a Li abundance of log N(Li) = 2.5±0.4. The high Li abundance and the high flare activity favors an interpretation where the enhanced Li is sustained by spallation reactions.

The outstanding feature of the last triennium was most certainly the abrupt generalisation of the use of array detectors, particularly CCDs (charge coupled devices). The latter pervade all subdivisions of instrumental astronomy. The gains achieved by their high quantum efficiency, their stability, their capability of delivering immediately recordable signals which can be processed by appropriate computational means, have been the cause of spectacular progress regarding the photometric precision of weak signal measurements.

It is widely believed that marketing route—time and distance between farm and abattoir—influences live weight and carcass weight loss in lambs and thus killing out. Killing out s i defined as the ratio of carcass weight to live weight but the value depends upon the live weight and carcass weight used. Differences may exist between the farm live weight immediately before loading, live weight in the market, live weight on arrival at the abattoir and live weight immediately before slaughter. Killing out is influenced by the weight of gut contents, whether the carcass is weighed hot or cold, type of feeding system, maturity (age) of the lamb, breed, conformation and fatness. It may also be influenced by environmental factors such as wetness and fleece contamination. Buyers' estimates of killing out are important when they bid for lambs in auction markets and carcass weight is important in determining price paid to dead-weight sellers.

The variability of the two T Tauri stars RY and RU Lup has been monitored between 1980 and 1984 at both optical and infrared wavelengths. We present here a preliminary analysis of the data and suggest possible mechanisms for the observed variability.

This triennium has in general not been one of spectacular new developments in photometric of polarimetric techniques; rather, existing techniques have been improved and are being exploited by more observatories than before. For this reason, the previous report (31.113.097) should be consulted for a broad survey of the subject, while the present has the character of a progress report.