V.L. Voeikov, C.Ph. Chalkin , А . А sfaramov
Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow.
Russian Space Agency, Moscow.
It is claimed that when rare UV photons with the energy >4 eV capable to split water molecules are absorbed by a multilayered water film wetting a hygroscopic surface a process develops in the film accompanied with the outburst of photon emission in UV- and visible range of the spectrum. This outburst initiates reactions accompanied with generation of electronic excitation in humid air contacting the film. Excitation propagates in the air on macroscopic distances, at that the degree of amplification of excitation augments with the increase of air humidity, and as humidity exceeds 50% air excitation acquires oscillatory nature.
We found that photon count rate (PCR) of photomultiplier FEU-142, designed to register photons in UV- and vacuum UV-range of the spectrum (UV-PMT), increases with the elevation of humidity of the air contacting the window of PMT. As air humidity reaches 50-60% PCR acquires oscillatory nature. PCR registered by UV-PMT increased significantly when a mirror was installed in front of its window at a distance of no more than 1 cm.
More unexpected was the observation of elevation of PCR of a photomultiplier sensitive to photons belonging to visible range of the spectrum (FEU-101, max. sensitivity in the range of 380-490 nm, V-PMT) installed opposite to the face of operating UV-PMT at a distance of 5 cm under the condition of free optical contact with the latter. Such elevation of PCR by V-PMT could be observed already at air humidity 3-5%. With further increase of humidity PCR of V-PMT increased faster than that of UV-PMT to the levels exceeding the latter many-fold. When air humidity exceeded 50% PCR by V-PMT also acquired oscillatory character (Fig. 1). Oscillatory regime of PCR registered in a humid chamber lasted for many hours and contained lengthy periods of highly regular oscillations as well as quazi-chaotic patterns.
These effects can not be explained by alleged drawbacks in electronic circuits, effects of humid air upon electronics functioning and other apparatus artifacts. One should seek an explanation in interaction between UV-PMT being in the working state and air which its window contact. As PCR registered by V-PMT did not depend upon air humidity and its composition without optical contact with operating UV-PMT or when the latter was switched off it should be considered as a passive register of events taking place in the gaseous phase of the chamber.
To seek for an explanation of the observed effects one should consider some common properties of PMTs, specific properties of FEU-142 and processes accompanied with generation of ultra-weak photon emission that may develop under our particular experimental conditions.
• It is known that luminescence originates in PMTs body during their functioning due to hits of residual gas molecules and of dinode surfaces with photoelectrons accelerated in the electrical field to the energies exceeding 100 eV. Luminescence spectra are represented with photons with the energy of several eV, and some of these photons may travel in the direction of the photocathode.
• FEU-142 window contacting the air is made of MgF 2 crystal transparent down to 110 nm. MgF 2 is hygroscopic and when it contacts humid air water film appear on its surface. If crystal surface is a mosaic of partial positive and negative charges water in a film covering it is organized. Water molecules are dipoles and each water molecule in a film is surrounded from each four sides with molecules whose dipole moments are oriented antiparralel to the given one. A new water layer absorbs on the initial one, then the next one, etc, ( ). Thus appropriately organized solid surface may retain thousands of layers consisting of polarized water molecules ( , ), and this three-dimensional water is different in its many properties both from usual liquid water and ice. It is highly probable that water film on a surface of polished MgF 2 crystal is multilayed and polarized at least to a certain extent. High energy photons emerging in the course of UV-PMT operation and freely passing through MgF 2 window should meet this film on their way.
• It is known that UV radiation in the range of 100< l <190 nm (12,3-6,5 eV) can split water molecules to hydrogen atom and hydroxyl radical ( Н ? О ? Н a H · + · ОН ). Recent data testifies to effective absorption of photons of lower energy (down to 4 eV) by microscopic drops and crystals of pure water ( ). Such absorption may also result in water splitting.
• Amplification of PCR in UV-range with the increase of air humidity testifies to the development of the processes accompanied with generation of energy of electronic excitation in a water film absorbed on the UV-PMT window. Same effect is characteristic for branched chain reactions with oxygen participation. If UV-photons split water molecules in a film free radicals Н · and · ОН arising may react with oxygen producing peroxide radicals. The latter may provide radical chain growth and branching. Recently discovered reaction of direct water oxidation with electronically excited (singlet) oxygen in which hydrogen peroxide and very unstable higher peroxides ( НОООН , НООООН , НООНООО ) are produced may also contribute to the emergence of reaction chains and their branching. This reaction is catalyzed by specifically organized water ( ). Besides, if active centers emerge in organized milieu energy of electronic excitation released in their reactions may accumulate in the milieu and even pool to higher energy levels corresponding to UV-range of the spectrum, a condition providing for the emergence of new active centers.
Peculiarities of PMTs functioning, in particular peculiarities of FEU-142, particular properties of branched chain reactions with oxygen participation indicated above allow to explain from the unified position all the results obtained in the studies of the effect of air humidity upon PCR by UV-PMT. In particular the emergence of oscillatory regimes of PCR may be explained by the development of very intense oxidative processes in thick water films that appear in a very humid air. Energy released in these intense processes causes the film collapse and the process fades down until a new film is formed.
At the same time propagation of excitation from a water film having evidently a microscopic thickness through the air to a distance of 5 cm moreover with amplification appears to be a new and unexpected phenomenon: emergence and multiplication of active centers presumably due to oxidative processes with oxygen participation may be initiated in humid air. Oscillatory character of PCR by V-PMT may be explained by a wave-like propagation of excitation along humid air similar to that observed in Beloussv-Zhabotinsky reaction in a condensed phase.
It is very probable that such processes are realized in many natural systems where organized water films exist. In inanimate nature such processes may occur in the upper atmosphere where cosmic radiation is absorbed by water clusters and ice microparticles. May it be that polar light are related to this phenomenon? Water films that exist on hygroscopic crystals such as granite, sodium and potassium chloride (silvinit) may be excited due to decay of naural radioactive isotopes such as К 40 . Is it possible that this phenomenon contribute to therapeutic effect of halo- and speleotherapy?
This phenomenon may be even more widespread in living organisms. A significant portion of organism water is multilayered and structured ( ). Quanta of energy sufficient to split water molecules in these films are regularly generated in the course of oxidative metabolic processes, in particular in the form of the so called mitogenetic radiation ( ). The stated phenomenon may provide for the orderly propagation of excitation from its local sources to significant distances both in the internal medium of the organism and its surrounding making an important contribution to energy-informational wholeness of living systems.
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