Preliminary results on the operation of a 2270 kg cryogenic gravitational-wave antenna with a resonant capacitive transducer and a d.c. SQUID amplifier

Summary In November 1985 the gravitational-wave antenna of the Rome group, installed at CERN, has started operating. It consists of a 5056 aluminium cilinder 3 m long, 2270 kg heavy, cooled at 4.2 K. The antenna vibrations are detected by means of a resonant capacitive transducer that together with the bar makes a two-coupled-oscillator system. The low-noise amplification is obtained with a d.c. SQUID amplifier. The frequencies of the two resonant modes are:v _-=907.116 Hz andv ₊=923.083 Hz, with merit factorsQ ₋=3.2·10⁶ andQ ₊=5.6·10⁶. The sensitivity to short gravitational bursts, expressed in terms of effective noise temperature, is 18 mK. This corresponds to a change in the metric tensor whose Fourier transform isH=1.1·10⁻²¹ Hz⁻¹. For monochromatic waves the antenna is sensitive (SNR=1) toh∼2·10⁻²⁵ in a band width of about 1/3 Hz, with a three months integration time.

---

Riassunto Nel novembre 1985 è stata messa in funzione l'antenna gravitazionale del gruppo di Roma, installata al CERN. Questa consiste di un cilindro d'alluminio 5056 lungo 3 m e pesante 2270 kg, raffeeddato a 4.2 K. Le vibrazioni dell'antenna vengono rivelate mediante un transduttore capacitivo risonante, che assieme alla sbarra forma un sistema di due oscillatori accoppiati. L'amplificazione a basso rumore è ottenuta con un amplificatore a d.c.-SQUID. Le frequenze dei due modi risonanti sono:v _-=907.116 Hz ev ₊=923.083 Hz, con fattori di meritoQ ₋=3.2·10⁶ eQ ₊ =5.6·10⁶. La sensibilità per brevi fiotti di onde gravitazionali, espressa in termini di temperatura efficace di numore, è 18 mK. Questa corrisponde a una variazione di tensore metrico con trasformata di Fourier:H=1.1·10⁻²¹ Hz. Per le onde monocromatiche l'antenna è sensibile (SNR=1) ah∼2·10⁻²⁵ in una banda di circa 1/3 Hz, con tempo d'integrazione di tre mesi.

     

Development and test atT=4.2K of a capacitive resonant transducer for cryogenic gravitational-wave antennas

Summary The characteristics of a new capacitive resonant transducer developed and tested on a small (M=11.2 kg) cryogenic gravitational-wave antenna at the liquid helium temperature are presented. The resonator frequency can be tuned within 0.1 Hz of the antenna frequency. The system has a mechanical merit factorQ≃5·10⁵ and a ratio between the electrical energy in the transducer and the energy in the antenna β=3·10⁻³ atT=4.2 K. With these parameters, the transducer allows one to reach an effective noise temperatureT _eff≃60 mK using a cooled FET preamplifier, and, if coupled to a r.f.-SQUID, allows one to reachT _eff≃10 mK for the 5000 kg cryogenic gravitational-wave antenna of the Roma group at CERN (Geneva).

---

Riassunto Si presentano le caratteristiche di un nuovo trasduttore risonante di tipo capacitivo. Il trasduttore è stato provato su una piccola antenna di 11.2 kg di massa, raffreddata alla temperature dell'elio liquido. La frequenza del risuonatore è stata accordata entro 0.1 Hz della frequenza dell'antenna. A 4.2 K, il sistema ha un fattore di merito meccanicoQ≃5·10⁵ ed il rapporto tra l'energia elettrica nel trasduttore e l'energia nell'antenna è β=3·10⁻³. Con i valori dei parametri ottenuti, il trasduttore permette di raggiungere una temperatura efficace di rumoreT _eff≃60 mK usando un amplificatore a FET raffreddato e, se accoppiato ad un r.f.-SQUID, consente di avereT _eff≃10 mK per l'antenna gravitazionale criogenica di 5000 kg del gruppo di Roma, in funzione presso il CERN (Ginevra).

     

Plane and cylindrical shock waves in magnetogasdynamics

Summary The Chisnell-Chester-Whitham method has been used to study the propagation of diverging plane and cylindrical shock waves through an ideal gas in the presence of a magnetic field having only constant axial and azimuthal components, simultaneously for both weak and strong cases. By assuming an initial density distribution ϱ₀ = ϱ′r ^−W , where ϱ′ is the density at the plane/axis of symmetry andw is a constant, the analytical expressions for shock velocity and shock strength have been obtained. The expressions for the pressure, the density and the particle velocity immediately behind the shock have been derived for both the cases.

---

Riassunto Il metodo di Chisnell-Chester-Whitham è stato usato per studiare la propagazione di onde d’urto divergenti cilindriche e piane attraverso un gas ideale in presenza di un campo magnetico che ha solo componenti costanti assiali e azimutali, contemporaneamente per casi deboli e forti. Assumendo una distribuzione di densità iniziale ϱ₀ = ϱ′r ^−W , dove ϱ′ è la densità al piano/asse di simmetria ew è una costante, si sono ottenute le espressioni analitiche per la velocità d’urto e la forza d’urto. Le espressioni per la pressione, la densità e la velocità delle particelle immediatamente dopo l’urto sono state determinate per entrambi i casi.

     

On the 3391 superstimulation and its competition with the 633 laser oscillations

Summary Competition between the 3391 radiation emitted by a long He−Ne tube and the 633 laser oscillations was investigated experimentally. the results were analysed by means of the balance equations of populations. The absolute values of populations of the 5s′[1/2] ₁ ⁰ and 4p′[3/2]₂ levels, the excitation rates of the levels and the rates of induced transitions were computed. A new experiment on the 3391 radiation generated by the long He−Ne tube showed a negligible value of the radiation in the middle of the tube.

---

Riassunto Si è studiata sperimentalmente la competizione tra la radiazione 3391 emessa da un lungo tubo a He−Ne e l'oscillazione dellaser 633. I risultati sono stati analizzati per mezzo dell'equazioni di bilanciamento delle popolazioni. Sono stati calcolati i valori assoluti delle popolazioni dei livelli 5s′[1/2] ₁ ⁰ e 4p′[3/2]₂, i valori di eccitazione dei livelli e i valori delle transizioni indotte. Un nuovo esperimento sulla radiazione 3391 generata dal lungo tubo a He−Ne ha mostrato un valore trascurabile della radiazione nel centro del tubo.

     

Microwave and far-infra-red dielectric absorption inn-alkanes

Summary The power absorption coefficient (α) forn-hexane (C₆),n-heptane (C₇),n-dodecane (C₁₂) andn-tetradecane (C₁₄), benzene and cyclohexane has been studied at 20 °C, in the wave number range 20 to 300 cm⁻¹ within an accuracy of 2%. The power absorption measurements onn-alkanes (C₅−C₁₄ except for C₈, C₁₁ and C₁₃) are discussed in conjunction with the dielectric loss in the frequency range (9⋎140) GHz. The results indicate that, unlike other nonpolar liquids,n-alkanes show a broad dielectric dispersion in the microwave frequency range followed by a second dispersion in the far infra-red. The results are interpreted in terms of a dipole moment of 0.09 D in alkanes. A possible explanation for the origin of the dipole moment is discussed. A reference is also made to measurements of the dielectric loss and the Stark effect on the lower-series alkanes in the gas phase.

---

Riassunto Si è studiato il coefficiente di assorbimento di potenza (α) pern-esano (C₆),n-eptano (C₇),n-dodecano (C₁₂) en-tetradecano (C₁₄), nel benzene e nel cicloensano a 20 °C nell’intervallo di numeri d’onda da 20 a 300 cm⁻¹ con un’accuratezza del 2%. Le misurazioni dell’assorbimento di potenza neglin-alcani (C₅−C₁₄, eccetto che per C₈, C₁₁ e C₁₃) sono discusse insieme alla perdita dielettrica nell’intervallo di frequenza (9⋎140) GHz. I risultati indicano che, diversamente da altri liquidi non polari, glin-alcani mostrano un’ampia dispersione dielettrica nell’intervallo di frequenza delle microonde, seguíta da una seconda dispersione nel lontano infrarosso. I risultati sono interpretati in termini di un momento dipolare di 0.09 D negli alcani. Si discute una possibile spiegazione dell’origine del momento dipolare. Si fa anche un accenno alle misurazioni della perdita dielettrica e dell’effetto di Stark sugli alcani della serie inferiore in fase gassosa.

     

Graphic recording and averaging the wind direction

Summary A continuous record of the wind direction, independent of the number of wind vane rotations, is obtained by coupling to the vane a linear continuous potentiometer supplied at two opposite taps. This gives an output which linearly increases with the azimuth α between 0 and π and symmetrically decreases when α veers between π and 2π radians. A rotary switch coupled to the potentiometer acts as a control device for the tracing and colouring upon a point recorder. When the azimuth increases between 0 and π, α is represented by a black graph shifting to the right, until the upper chart limit is reached when α=π. If the veering goes up to 2π, the printer inverts its direction moving to the left and traces a red line until the lower chart limit. When α=2π, the same condition reoccurs as for α=0. Thus the elongation represents the azimuth and the colour indicates whether an Eastward or Westward direction is computed. The instantaneous wind direction is, therefore, represented with no chart paintings or gaps. The results obtained by this method are highly accurate because of a better utilization of the strip chart width which is employed for a range of π instead of 2π. If this device is the final stage of a syncromotor system, by filtering the voltages at the delta windings, even the mean wind direction obtained is represented with continuity. In measuring the mean wind direction, an alternative method especially designed for light winds is presented. This is accomplished with a potentiometer whose output can be directly integrated. This is obtained by coupling in the previously mentioned potentiometer two wipers outphased by π/2. The two transfer functions are identical in shape but outphased by π/2. One of them at least is linear in each part of the wind rose and can be directly integrated without difficulty. Two outphased outputs are needed in order to maintain a one-to-one correspondence with α (as well as the sine-cosine function) and to take an accurate mean value when the wind fluctuations cause one of the wipers to oscillate about a tape. The largest error is estimated to be of the order of 1 degree.

---

Riassunto Una registrazione priva di discontinuità, qualunque siano le rotazioni della banderuola anemometrica, è effettuata accouppiando la banderuola a un potenziometro lineare e continuo alimentato da due terminali opposti. In tal caso la tensione in uscita aumenta linearmente con l'azimuth α da 0 a π, mentre decresce simmetricamente quando continua la rotazione fra π e 2π. Un commutatore accoppiato al potenziometro induce un cambio di colore nella traccia diagrammale su un registratore a punti: infatti, quando in una rotazione α cresce tra 0 e π, la traccia diagrammale è nera e si sposta verso destra, sino a raggiungere il margine della carta per α=π; continuando la rotazione la testina stampante inverte direzione e la traccia ora rossa si sposta verso sinistra, sino a raggiungere l'opposto margine per α=2π, che costituisce le condizioni di partenza per α=0. In altri termini l'elongazione rappresenta l'azimuth a partire da nord e il colore se la rotazione dall'origine deve esser considerata in verso orario o antiorario. In tal modo la direzione istantanea del vento può esser rappresentata senza segni di attraversamento del foglio e senza interruzioni. Inoltre la risoluzione risulta raddoppiata in quanto la larghezza del foglio corrisponde ad un angolo di π anzichè di 2π. Se questo sistema è utilizzato come stadio finale di un accoppiamento sincro, si può ottenere la direzione media, senza discontinuità, filtrando le tensioni agli avvolgimenti a triangolo. Alternativamente, può esser integrata la tensione in uscita al potenziometro trasduttore, accoppiandovi due spazzole sfasate di π/2. Si ottengono così due funzioni di transferimento identiche, ma sfasate di π/2. Almeno una di esse è in un tratto di linearità in ogni posizione angolare e pertanto può esser integrata senza difficoltà. Le due uscite sfasate di π/2 permettono di biunivocità nella corrispondenza con α (analogamente alle funzioni seno e coseno) e inoltre permettono di mantenere l'accuratezza del dato anche quando le fluttuazioni del vento causano l'oscillazione di una spazzola attorno a uno dei terminali. Il massimo errore può esser stimato dell'ordine di 1°.

     

Progress in pion-decay channelling: Refractory bcc metals at high and low temperatures

By means of π⁺/μ⁺ channelling, positive pions (π⁺) implanted intoTa, Mo, andW are investigated up to high temperatures. A striking observation is that the channelling effect disappears in a rather narrow temperature interval centred at 0.26 (Ta) to 0.51 (W) of the melting temperature. From studies of π⁺ trapping by oxygen atoms inTa estimates for the low-temperature π⁺ diffusivity inTa [D _π(23K)=1.4·10^−10±0.3 m²s⁻¹,D _π(47K)=5.7·10^−10±0.3 m²s⁻¹] as well as for the binding enthalpy of π⁺ to 0 atoms (H _B=7·10⁻² eV) have been obtained. The diffusion data are in reasonable agreement with the theory of phonon-assisted tunnelling.     

The K * Kπ and ρππ couplings in QCD

The light cone QCD sum rules are derived for the K ^* Kπ coupling g _K ^* Kπ and the ρππ coupling g _ρππ. The contribution from the excited states and the continuum is subtracted cleanly through the double Borel transform with respect to the two external momenta, p ₁ ², p ₂ ²= (p−q)². Our result g _K ^* Kπ= (8.7 ± 0.5) and g _ρππ= (11.5 ± 0.8) is in good agreement with the experimental value. Received: 31 July 1998 / Revised version: 20 November 1998     

Neutron flux generated by cosmic-ray mouns at 5200 hg/cm2 s.r. underground. Depth-neutron intensity curve

Summary Neutrons induced by cosmic-ray muons are an important source of background for the new, huge underground detectors. Their characteristics (multiplicity and time distribution) are investigated by using the data recorded from December 1985 to February 1988 in the 90 tons liquid scintillator LSD detector of the Mont Blanc Laboratory. The experimental results on the mean number of neutrons produced by a muon per g/cm², being <E _u >=385 GeV, are found to be in good agreement with an expected distribution given by the theoretical power law <N _n>=<E _μ>^0.75.

---

Riassunto I neutroni indotti dai muoni dei raggi cosmici sono un'importante sorgente di fondo per i nuovi, grandi rivelatori sottoroccia. Le loro caratteristiche (molteplicità e distribuzione temporale) vengono studiate utilizzando i dati registrati tra dicembre 1985 e febbraio 1988 nel rivelatore LSD del Monte Bianco. I risultati sperimentali sul numero medio di neutroni prodotti da un muone per g/cm², ad <E _μ>=385 GeV risultano essere in buon accordo con la distribuzione attesa, descritta dalla legge di potenza <N _n>=<E _μ>^0.75.

     

ESR study of exchange coupled pairs in copper diethyldithiocarbamate

ESR investigations on exchange coupled pairs of Cu ions in single crystals of Cu(dtc)₂, isomorphously diluted with the corresponding diamagnetic zinc salt, are reported. The spin Hamiltonian parameters for the coupled species (S=1) are:g _‖=2.1025,g ₊=2.031,A=75.1×10⁻⁴ cm⁻¹,B=14.8×10⁻⁴,D=276.0×10⁻⁴ cm⁻¹ andE=46.7×10⁻⁴ cm⁻¹. While theg andA tensors show tetragonal symmetry, the zeor-field splitting tensor is rhombic and has principal axes different from those of theg andA tensors. Intensity measurements made down to 4.2 K indicate that the exchange is ferromagnetic with |FFF| ∼ 10 cm⁻¹. Direct dipole-dipole interaction appears to be the major contribution to the zero-field splitting. A calculation on the distributed point dipole model shows that dipolar interaction is considerably modified by the high covalency of the Cu-S bond and accounts for the rhombic nature of the tensor. The possible exchange mechanisms in Cu(dtc)₂—direct exchange and superexchange through the bridging sulphurs—are discussed.     

Four quasi-particle level at 2256 keV in182Re

In-beam nuclear spectroscopic studies of¹⁸²Re, following the reaction¹⁸¹Ta(α, 3n)¹⁸²Re have been made using gamma-ray and internal conversion electron techniques.K-conversion coefficients for several transitions have been measured and the multi-polarities of the various transitions assigned. In particular, the spin and parity of the four-quasi-particle isomeric level at 2256 keV were determined to be 16⁻. Theg-factor of this level has been measured to beg = 0·32 ± 0·05. On the basis of theg-factor and the decay pattern of this level, a configuration {v9/2⁺ [624↑]v7/2⁻ [514↓]v7/2⁻ [503↑]π9/2⁻ [514↑]} _k ^x = 16⁻ has been assigned to this level. The nature of the retardation of the gamma transitions deexciting this level is discussed. It is argued that the measured retardation factors can be explained if the nucleus has a triaxial shape.     

Single-Crystal EPR Identification of a Low Hyperfine Value and Interstitial Position of Copper Impurity in Diaquabis[malonato(1-)-κ2O,O′] Zinc(II)

Electron paramagnetic resonance studies have been carried out at 300 K on the Cu(II)-doped [Zn(C₃H₂O₄)₂(H₂O)₂] system in single-crystal and powder forms in order to rationalize the low parallel ⁶³Cu hyperfine value. Angular variation of the hyperfine resonances in the three orthogonal planes shows the presence of only one magnetic site with g and A values equal to g _zz = 2.455, g _yy = 2.121, g _xx = 2.105 and A _zz = 160.9 · 10⁻⁴ cm⁻¹, A _yy = 12.5 · 10⁻⁴ cm⁻¹, A _xx = 7.35 · 10⁻⁴ cm⁻¹. The crystal structure of the host lattice is isostructural with the corresponding cobalt complex and contains two molecules per unit cell. The low magnitude of A _zz value for the complex is rationalized in terms of an admixture of the ground state with the excited state and delocalization of the unpaired spin density onto the ligands. In addition, the highest hyperfine value obtained from the single-crystal data (160.9 · 10⁻⁴ cm⁻¹) is considerably larger than that obtained from the powder spectrum (138 · 10⁻⁴ cm⁻¹). Authors' address: P. Sambasiva Rao, Department of Chemistry, Pondicherry University, Pondicherry 605014, India     

Neutron irradiation effects on martensitic iron-nickel alloys

Summary Iron-nickel alloys in the range from 29 to 32 wt.% Ni have been irradiated with an integral flux of 3·10¹⁸ n cm⁻² and then subjected to martensitic transformation. the resistivity, magnetoresistivity and Hall-effect measurements performed on the irradiated samples allow us to support the formation of iron-rich or nichel-rich ordered microstructures and additional α-phase from the supersaturated γ-matrix. The nickel content of the above-ordered region, is evaluated from the behaviour of the anomalous Hall effect in the irradiated specimens with different composition.

---

Riassunto Leghe di ferro-nichel, con contenuto in Ni variabile dal 29% al 32%, sono state irradiate con un fascio di neutroni avente flusso integrale di 3·10¹⁸ n cm⁻² a 80°C e sono state successivamente sottoposte a trasformazione martensitica mediante raffreddamento. Le misure di resistività, di magnetoresistenza e di effetto Hall compiute sui campioni irradiati consentono di fare l'ipotesi della presenza nella fase supersatura γ di microstrutture ordinate, ricche di Fe o di Ni, oltre ad una fase α addizionale. Dal comportamento dell'effetto Hall anomalo nei campioni irradiati si è valutato il contenuto di Ni presente nelle regioni ordinate.

     

ESR of V4+ in α-RbTiOPO4 single crystals

We have recorded and investigated the ESR spectrum of vanadium-doped α-RbTiOPO₄ single crystals in the temperature interval 77–300 K. Two types of structurally distinct centers, V1 and V2, with a 4:1 ratio of the peak intensities were observed. The angular dependences of the resonance magnetic fields are described by a spin Hamiltonian corresponding to axial symmetry with the parameters g _∥1=1.9305, g _⊥1=1.9565, A _∥1=−168.2×10⁻⁴cm⁻¹, and A _⊥1=−54.3×10⁻⁴cm⁻¹ for V1 centers and g _∥2=1.9340, g _⊥2=1.9523, A _∥2=−169.0×10⁻⁴cm⁻¹, and A _⊥2=−55.2×10⁻⁴cm⁻¹ for V2 centers. A model of a paramagnetic center is proposed: The vanadium ions replace titanium ions in two structurally distinct positions Ti1 and Ti2 (V1 and V2 centers, respectively). The possibility that a VO²⁺ ion forms when α-RbTiOPO₄ crystals and crystals of the KTP group (KTiOPO₄, NaTiOPO₄, α-and β-LiTiOPO₄), studied earlier, are doped with vanadium is discussed. Fiz. Tverd. Tela (St. Petersburg) 40, 534–536 (March 1998)     

EPR of trivalent iron ions in a LiCaAlF6 crystal

The orientational dependences of the EPR spectra of Fe³⁺-doped LiCaAlF₆ single crystals (space group P31c, Z=2), grown at the Laboratory of Magnetic Radio Spectroscopy at Kazan’ State University, have been investigated in detail. The spectrum is described by a trigonal spin Hamiltonian with the following parameters: B ₂₀=40.072×10⁻⁴ cm⁻¹, B ₄₀=−5.799×10⁻⁴ cm⁻¹, B ₄₃=−4.281×10⁻⁴ cm⁻¹, A _s=24.33±1, A _p=6.13±1, g _∥=g _⊥=2.00217±0.0003. A theoretical calculation of the hyperfine structure parameters shows that they are described quite well when allowance is made for the overlapping of the wave functions of the paramagnetic center and the ligands (F⁻). Fiz. Tverd. Tela (St. Petersburg) 39, 488–490 (March 1997)     

Laser-based measurements of line strength, self- and pressure-broadening coefficients of the H35Cl R(3) absorption line in the first overtone region for pressures up to 1 MPa

A high-resolution spectrometer based on a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) was developed and used to determine the line strength S(T ₀)=12.53(11)×10⁻²¹ cm⁻¹/(molec cm⁻²) and the self-broadening coefficient g⁰_HCl=0.021787(61)\gamma^{0}_{\mathrm{HCl}}=0.021787(61)  cm⁻¹/atm of the R(3) absorption line in the first rovibrational overtone (2←0) band of H³⁵Cl. Furthermore, the first laser-based high-pressure study on the pressure broadening of HCl by He, N₂ and O₂(g⁰_N2=0.07292(5)\mathrm{O}_{2}(\gamma^{0}_{\mathrm{N}_{2}}=0.07292(5)  cm⁻¹/atm, g⁰_He=0.02113(1)\gamma^{0}_{\mathrm{He}}=0.02113(1)  cm⁻¹/atm, g⁰_O2=0.03978(6)\gamma^{0}_{\mathrm{O}_{2}}=0.03978(6)  cm⁻¹/atm) is presented covering pressures of up to 1 MPa. The results are compared to previously available low-pressure data.     

Weak exchange interactions in the heteronuclear crystal CuPr2(CCl3COO)8·6H2O

The new heteronuclear crystal CuPr₂(CCl₃COO)₈·6H₂O, constructed of chains containing copper and praseodymium atoms, has been synthesized and investigated by EPR at 9.3 GHz at temperatures ranging from room temperature down to 10 K. At temperatures T∼300–130 K, EPR spectra are observed which are characteristic of isolated polyhedra of copper ions with g _z=2.330±0.005, g _x,y =2.053±0.005, A _z=139×10⁻⁴ cm⁻¹, and A _x,y <26×10⁻⁴ cm⁻¹. At temperatures T<130 K a complex spectrum is observed, associated with the appearance of weak exchange interactions between the copper ions in the chain (J _Cu-CuΣS _i·S _i+1), comparable in magnitude with the hyperfine interactions J _Cu-Cu=0.015 cm⁻¹ at T=10 K. The magnitude of the exchange interaction decreases smoothly as the temperature is raised. It is conjectured that orbitals of the praseodymium ions participate in the process of indirect exchange between the copper ions. Fiz. Tverd. Tela (St. Petersburg) 41, 2154–2157 (December 1999)     

Anharmonic force constants of GaSb from the measured third order elastic constants at 300°K

The third-order elastic constants of single crystal GaSb are determined using ultrasonic pulse interferometer at 10 MHz. The constants at 300°K, in units of 10¹¹ N.m.⁻², are C_l11 = ™ 4 ·75 ± 0·06 C₁₄₄ = + 0·50 ± 0·25 C₁₁₃ = ™ 3 ·08 ± 0·02 C₁₆₆ = ™ 2·16 ± 0·13 C₁₂₃ = ™ 0 ·44 ± 0·29 C₄₅₆ = ™ 0·25 ± 0·15 These constants are used to evaluate the three anharmonic first and second neighbour force constants based on modified Keating’s model. The constants are (in units of 10¹¹ N.m⁻²)γ=− 2·406;δ=0·407;ε=−0·222.     

Effects ofpH on the chromophore orientation in purple membrane

Summary Suspensions of purple-membrane fragments from Halobacterium halobium were oriented by a static electric field with intensity up to 25V/cm in the range ofpH from 4 to 9. It was found that the orientation of the transient dipole moment of the retinal chromophore for what concerns the permanent dipole moment of the membrane fragment undergoes a transition from (60±1)° atpH 5 to (71±1)° atpH 6. Moreover, the permanent dipole moment of the membrane fragments of 1.8·10⁻²³ C·m found at thepH values from 4 to 7 reduces to 1.3·10⁻²³ C·m atpH higher than 7.

---

Riassunto Sospensioni di frammenti di membrana purpurea del Halobacterium halobium apH fra 4 e 9 furono orientati da un campo elettrico statico d’intensità fino a 25 V/cm. Fu trovato che l’orientazione del momento di transizione di dipolo del cromoforo, il retinale, rispetto al momento di dipolo permanente dei frammenti di membrana subisce una variazione da (60±1)°apH 5 a (71±1)° apH 6. Inoltre, il momento di dipolo permanente dei frammenti di membrana di 1.8·10⁻²³C·m trovato nell’intervallo dipH da 4 a 7 si riduce a 1.3·10⁻²³C·m per valori dipH delle sospensioni maggiori di 7.

     

Laser photoacoustic spectroscopy of iodine molecule: Single and two-photon absorption

Photoacoustic spectroscopy of iodine molecule has been studied in gas phase using nitrogen laser-pumped tunable dye laser. The experiment yielded the vibrational spectrum corresponding toX ¹Σ⁺(0 _g ⁺ )→B ³Π(0 _g ⁺ ) transition up to the convergence limit. The photo-acoustic spectrum in the region 17580–18850 cm⁻¹ is presented along with the vibrational analysis. Five of the vibrational bands reported earlier by Venkateswarlu, Kumar and McGlynn have been partially resolved and the structure of one of them has been analyzed and shown to be due to an overlap of (14, 2) and (12, 1) bands. The analysis was based on a comparison with the highly resolved spectrum of Gerstenkorn and Luc. The structure observed in the region 20200–20750 cm⁻¹ which is beyond the convergence limit of the transitionX ¹Σ⁺(0 _g ⁺ )→B ³Π(0 _u ⁺ ) has been analyzed as due to two-photon absorption. Most of the bands could be assigned to two transitions both originating in the ground state and terminating in two different electronic states 1 _g andE(0 _g ⁺ ), atT _e=40821 cm⁻¹ (orT ₀=41355 cm⁻¹) andT _e=41411 cm⁻¹ (orT ₀=41355 cm⁻¹) respectively.