The Hammond postulate: A quantitative interpretation

The Hammond postulate is considered in terms of the model of intersecting parabolas. It is shown that, in radical detachment reactions of the type X _f ^· + HX _i → X _f H + X _i ^· with a symmetrical reaction center X _i …H…X _f , the H atom in the transition state is equidistant from the X _i and X _f atoms if the enthalpy of the reaction ΔH = 0. The X _i …H distance increases and the X _f …H distance decreases linearly as ΔH grows. The dependence remains linear over the range ΔH _min ≤ ΔH ≤ H _max. The same result was obtained in quantum-chemical calculations for reactions of the type R _f ^· + R _i H. In reactions of the type X^· + HY → XH + Y^· with an asymmetric reaction center X…H…Y, the X…H and Y…H interatomic distances in the transition state at ΔH = 0 depend on the force constants and lengths of the X-H and Y-H bonds. The Y…H distance increases and the X…H distance decreases linearly as ΔH grows. A similar picture is observed in the model of intersecting Morse curves, where the dependence of interatomic distances on ΔH in the transition state is nonlinear. Equations describing interatomic distances in the transition state as functions of the enthalpy of the reaction are presented.     

Genesis of the anomalous Hall effect in CeAl<Subscript>2</Subscript>

The Hall coefficient R _H , resistivity ρ, and Seebeck coefficient S of the CeAl₂ compound with fast electron density fluctuations were studied in a wide temperature range (from 1.8 to 300 K). Detailed measurements of the angular dependences R _H (? T, H≤70 kOe) were performed to determine contributions to the anomalous Hall effect and study the behavior of the anomalous magnetic R _H ^am and main R _H ^a components of the Hall signal of this compound with strong electron correlation. The special features of the behavior of the anomalous magnetic component R _H ^am were used to analyze the complex magnetic phase diagram H-T determined by magnetic ordering in the presence of strong spin fluctuations. An analysis of changes in the main contribution R _H ^a (H, T) to the Hall effect made it possible to determine the complex activation behavior of this anomalous component in the CeAl₂ intermetallic compound. The results led us to conclude that taking into account spin-polaron effects was necessary and that the Kondo lattice and skew-scattering models were of very limited applicability as methods for describing the low-temperature transport of charge carriers in cerium-based intermetallic compounds. The effective masses and localization radii of manybody states in the CeAl₂ matrix were estimated to be (55–90)m₀ and 6–10 Å, respectively. The behaviors of the parameters R _H , S, and ρ were jointly analyzed. The results allowed us to consistently describe the transport coefficients of CeAl₂.     

Calculation of the polarization of the recoil proton in πN-scattering near the inelastic threshold

The polarization of the recoil proton in πN-scattering has been calculated as a function of the scattering angle at the energies 150, 170, 190 MeV. It is shown that this polarization depends sensitively on the πN-scattering phase-shiftP ₁₁. Slight changes of the other phase-shifts do not affect the polarization to the same extent. New measurements of the differential cross-section and of the polarization in the process π^?+p→π^?+p are suggested. They would allow for a new precise phase-shift analysis, which could possibly determine the sign of theP ₁₁-phase at the inelastic threshold. This sign is important in connection with the bound-state picture of the nucleon.     

Hysteresis of the magnetoresistance of granular HTSC YBa<Subscript>2</Subscript>Cu<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>7 − δ</Subscript> in weak fields

Hysteresis of the magnetoresistance of ceramic YBa₂Cu₃O_～6.95 HTSC samples is studied at T = 77.3 K in an external magnetic field H _ext changing in 0 → H _max → 0 cycles, where H _max is the maximum magnitude of H _ext. Information is obtained about the dependences of the critical fields of Josephson weak links H _c2J , the lower critical fields of superconducting grains H _c1A , and the critical fields H _BG-VG of the Bragg glass-vortex glass phase transition in the vortex matter on transport current I, magnetic field, and the mutual orientation of I and H _ext. It is found that the magnetoresistance δρ⁺/ρ_{273 K} measured with increasing H _ext is significantly higher than Δρ^?/ρ_{273 K} and that H _c2J ⁺ < H _c2J ^? , H _c1A ⁺ < H _c1A ^? , and H _BG-VG ⁺ < H _BG-VG ^? .     

Experimental Research to Confirm the Excitation of Gamov–Teller Resonance in Compound Nucleus <Superscript>118</Superscript>Sb

At proton energies of 4–9 MeV, trial experimental investigations were performed to confirm the excitation of Gamov–Teller resonance (GTR) 1⁺ in the compound nucleus ¹¹⁸Sb discovered by B.Ya. Guzhovskiy’s research group in the ¹¹⁷Sn(p,xn) reaction at proton energies of 7.2 MeV (the first component is GTR1) and 9.9MeV (the second component is GTR2). The ¹¹⁷Sn(p,xn) reaction was used, whose neutrons and background neutrons were registered by an all-wave long counter arranged at an angle of 140° to the direction of the proton beam propagation. Simultaneously, along with the registration of neutrons, elastically and inelastically scattered protons at angles of 20° and 160° were registered. At the proton energy equal to ~7.2 MeV, in the excitation functions for ¹¹⁷Sn(p,xn), ¹¹⁷Sn(p,p₀), and ¹¹⁷Sn(p,p₄)¹¹⁷Sn* (1004.5 keV, 3/2⁺), a resonance with a width of ≈1.2 MeV having an energy structure was discovered. Its possible quantum numbers are 1⁺.     

Potential dependent EIS investigation of FeF<Subscript>3</Subscript> · 0.33H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O/C nano-composite synthesized by one-step solid-state method

To further study the lithium ion transportation behavior of cathode material FeF₃?·?0.33H₂O/C synthesized by a simple one-step chemico-mechanical method, the Electrochemical impedance spectrum (EIS) measured at series of open-circuit voltages were investigated in detail. The results showed that the EIS profiles of FeF₃?·?0.33H₂O/C materials were strongly potential dependent. The equivalent circuit parameters obtained by fitting the experimental data as a function of open-circuit voltage (OCV) level were depicted. The ohmic resistance R0, solid electrolyte inter-phase resistance R _SEI, electronic conduction resistance R _E, charge transfer resistance R _R, and Q parameter of CPE circuit characteristic of Li⁺ diffusion Q _diff all showed a sudden change at the OCV level 2.5 V. Ohmic resistance R0 had a relatively lower resistance of ca. 10 Ω above OCV level 2.5 V and a higher resistance of about 40 Ω below 2.5 V. Similar situation was also observed for R _SEI, which was around 20 Ω above 2.5 V and soared up quickly when the equilibrium potential fell below 2.5 V. Similar variations were also observed for R _E and R _R. A high resistance of ca. 410 and 520 Ω was obtained at OCV level 2.05 V, respectively. Q _diff showed a convex profile, which matched the variation of Li⁺ diffusion coefficient well.     

Schiff moment of the mercury nucleus and the proton dipole moment

The Schiff moment of the ¹⁹⁹Hg nucleus is calculated using finite range P-and T-violating weak nucleon-nucleon interaction. Both the contributions of the P-and T-odd interaction and of internal nucleon electric dipole moments to the Schiff moment of ¹⁹⁹Hg are calculated. The contribution of the proton electric dipole moment is obtained via core-polarization effects treated in the framework of RPA with effective residual interactions. We derive a new upper bound |d _p |<5.4×10^?24e cm for the proton electric dipole moment.     

Antiproton-nucleus electromagnetic annihilation as a way to access the proton timelike form factors

Contrary to the reaction \( \bar{{p}}\) p \( \rightarrow\) e ⁺ e ^- with a high-momentum incident antiproton on a free target proton at rest, in which the invariant mass M of the e ⁺ e ^- pair is necessarily much larger than the \( \bar{{p}}\) p mass 2m , in the reaction \( \bar{{p}}\) d \( \rightarrow\) e ⁺ e ^- n the value of M can take values near or below the \( \bar{{p}}\) p mass. In the antiproton-deuteron electromagnetic annihilation, this allows to access the proton electromagnetic form factors in the timelike region of q² near the \( \bar{{p}}\) p threshold. We estimate the cross-section \(d\sigma _{\bar pd \to e^ + e^ - n} /d\mathcal{M}\) for an antiproton beam momentum of 1.5GeV/c. We find that near the \( \bar{{p}}\) p threshold this cross-section is about 1pb/MeV. The case of heavy-nuclei target is also discussed. Elements of experimental feasibility are presented for the process \( \bar{{p}}\) d \( \rightarrow\) e ⁺ e ^- n in the context of the \( \overline{{{\rm P}}}\) ANDA project.     

Influence of Pressure on the Intramolecular Spin Exchange in a Short Imidazolium-Nitroxide Biradical

A short-chain imidazoline-type nitroxide biradical R ₅ ^NO –CH=N–N=C(CH₃)–R ₅ ^N , B2, with nitroxide rings R ₅ ^N and R ₅ ^NO as 1-oxyl-2,2,5,5-tetramethyl-3-imidazoline and 1-oxyl-2,2,5,5-tetramethyl-3-N-oxide imidazoline, respectively, has been studied using X-band electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy in CH₃CN solutions at variable temperature T and pressure P. Changes of the solution viscosity on the intramolecular electron spin exchange in B2 is characterized by calculating the value of the exchange integral |J/a|, where a denotes the ¹⁴N hyperfine splitting (hfs) constant. It is revealed that the intramolecular dynamics in B2 do not follow the Debye–Stokes–Einstein law, while the Arrhenius dependence is fulfilled. Probable reasons of such behavior are discussed.     

Surface Microparticles in Liquid Helium. Quantum Archimedes’ Principle

Deviations from Archimedes’ principle for spherical molecular hydrogen particles with the radius R₀ at the surface of ⁴He liquid helium have been investigated. The classical Archimedes’ principle holds if R₀ is larger than the helium capillary length L_cap ? 500 μm. In this case, the elevation of a particle above the liquid is h₊ ~ R₀. At 30 μm < R₀ < 500 μm, the buoyancy is suppressed by the surface tension and h₊ ~ R³₀/L²_cap. At R₀ < 30 μm, the particle is situated beneath the surface of the liquid. In this case, the buoyancy competes with the Casimir force, which repels the particle from the surface deep into the liquid. The distance of the particle to the surface is h_- ~ R^5/3_c/R^2/3₀ if R₀ > R_c. Here, \({R_c} \cong {\left( {\frac{{\hbar c}}{{\rho g}}} \right)^{1/5}} \approx 1\), where ? is Planck’s constant, c is the speed of light, g is the acceleration due to gravity, and ρ is the mass density of helium. For very small particles (R₀ < R_c), the distance h_ to the surface of the liquid is independent of their size, h_ = R_c.     

Manifestation of nonuniformity in the electron charge distribution in H<Stack><Subscript>2</Subscript><Superscript>+</Superscript></Stack> molecular ions colliding with each other

The anomalous character of threshold properties in the ion-molecule reactions H ₂ ⁺ + H ₂ ⁺ → H ₃ ⁺ + p and H ₂ ⁺ + H ₂ ⁺ → H + p + H + p has been theoretically analyzed. It has been shown that these reactions proceed through the formation of the intermediate H ₄ ⁺⁺ complex. Molecules H ₂ ⁺ in the collision process are described by a chemical model, where the positive charge is concentrated in one of the nuclei. The calculations of the reaction cross sections are in good agreement with the experimental data. It has been shown that the chemical model of the H ₂ ⁺ molecule can be consistently explained only in terms of dynamic interactions, i.e., polarization forces and van der Waals forces.     

High-pressure induced magnetoresistance in <Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-InAs:Mn and <Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-CdGeAs<Subscript>2</Subscript>:Mn

The baric (P ≤ 5GPa) and magnetic-field (H ≤ 5 kOe) dependences of the transverse magnetore-sistance Δρ _xx /ρ₀ have been measured for p-InAs (R _H = 22.5 cm³/C, ρ = 0.15 Ω cm) and the new ferromag-netic semiconductor p-CdGeAs₂ (R _H = 5 cm³/C, ρ = 0.62 Ω cm), doped with a magnetic impurity (Mn), near the temperature T = 297 K. The dependences Δρ _xx /ρ₀ (P, H) for p-InAs:Mn and p-CdGeAs₂:Mn exhibit a magnetoresistive effect with an increase in pressure, and a pressure-induced magnetoresistance hysteresis is observed in p-CdGeAs₂:Mn with a pressure drop.     

Anomalous transport properties of a paramagnetic NiTiO<Subscript>3</Subscript> + HTSC two-phase system representing a random Josephson junction network

Composites representing a network of random Josephson junctions and characterized by the compositions 92.5 at. % Y_3/4Lu_1/4Ba₂Cu₃O₇+7.5 at. % NiTiO₃ and 92.5 at. % Y_3/4Lu_1/4Ba₂Cu₃O₇+7.5 at.% MgTiO₃ are synthesized, and their magnetoresistance properties are studied. The temperature dependence of the resistance R(T) measured for the composite that contains the paramagnetic NiTiO₃ compound exhibits a characteristic feature below the superconducting transition temperature T_c of the high-T_c superconductor, namely, a region where R is independent of the current j and weakly depends on the magnetic field H. Below a certain temperature T_m, a strong dependence of R on j and H is observed, which is peculiar to a network of Josephson junctions. The dependences R(T, j, H) obtained for the “reference” samples with the nonmagnetic MgTiO3 compound exhibit no such features. The anomalous behavior of the HTSC + NiTiO3 composite is explained by the effect produced by the magnetic moments of Ni atoms in the insulating barriers on the transport current.     

Study of proton resonances in 18Ne via resonant elastic scattering of 17F+p and its astrophysical implication

The proton resonant properties in ¹⁸Ne, which determine the reaction rate of the key stellar ¹⁴O(α,p)¹⁷F reaction, have been studied by using a technique of proton resonant elastic scattering of ¹⁷F+p. A 4.22 MeV/nucleon ¹⁷F radioactive ion (RI) beam was produced via a projectile-fragmentation reaction, and separated by a Radioactive Ion Beam Line in Lanzhou (RIBLL). By bombarding a thick (C_H2) _n target, the energy spectra of the recoiled protons were measured by two ΔE-E silicon telescopes at the center-of-mass scattering angles of θ _c.m.≈175°±5°, θ _c.m.≈152°±8°, respectively. Several proton resonances in ¹⁸Ne were observed clearly. A further R-matrix analysis of the experimental data is under way to determine the resonant parameters. The present work reports the preliminary results briefly.     

Probable Decay Modes at Limits of Nuclear Stability of the Superheavy Nuclei

The modes of decay for the even–even isotopes of superheavy nuclei of Z = 118 and 120 with neutron number 160 ≤ N ≤ 204 are investigated in the framework of the axially deformed relativistic mean field model. The asymmetry parameter η and the relative neutron–proton asymmetry of the surface to the center (R _η ) are estimated from the ground state density distributions of the nucleus. We analyze the resulting asymmetry parameter η and the relative neutron–proton asymmetry R _η of the density play a crucial role in the mode(s) of decay and its half-life. Moreover, the excess neutron richness on the surface, facets a superheavy nucleus for β^? decays.     

Ions with strong symmetric H-bonds and their solvation in aqueous-ethanolic solutions of HCl

Ion-molecular interactions in the HCl-EtOH-H₂O system are studied by means of multiple frustrated total internal reflection IR spectroscopy over a wide range of concentrations of the components. It is demonstrated that, in the investigated solutions, the acid is fully bound into ions and uncharged complexes formed by strong symmetric or quasi-symmetric H-bonds. There is a competition between H₂O and EtOH molecules during the formation of the (H₅C₂(H)O…H…O(H)C₂H₅)⁺, (H₂O…H…OH₂)⁺, and (H₂O…H…O(H)C₂H₅)⁺ proton disolvates. In dilute solutions of HCl in 2: 1 and 1: 1 EtOH-H₂O mixtures, (H₂O…H…OH₂)⁺ proton dihydrates are mainly formed, whereas in concentrated HCl solutions, under conditions of a partial solvation of ions by solvent molecules, predominantly (H₂O…H…O(H)C₂H₅)⁺ mixed proton disolvates arise. In concentrated solutions of HCl in EtOH with low water content, the acid is partially bound into (H₅C₂(H)O…H⁺…Cl^?) uncharged complexes with the participation of the Cl^? anion.     

Deviation from the standard model in the decay <Emphasis Type="Italic">π</Emphasis><Superscript>+</Superscript> → <Emphasis Type="Italic">e</Emphasis><Superscript>+</Superscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">νγ</Emphasis>

A precise investigation of radiative pion decay (π⁺ → e⁺νγ) in a pion beam from the meson factory of the Paul Scherrer Institute (Switzerland) was performed by the PIBETA Collaboration with the aid of the PIBETA detector. This resulted in finding 41 601 events of radiative pion decay in three kinematical regions. The absolute values of the branching ratio for radiative pion decay were determined in each of these regions. To a precision approximately four times higher than that known previously, the ratio of the axial-vector to the vector form factor was found to be γ ≡ F _A /F _V = 0.443 (15), the latter being fixed at F _V = 0.0259. The number of events found in the kinematical region specified by photon energies of E_γ > 55.6 MeV, positron energies of E _e > 20.0 MeV, and angles of θ_{γ, e} > 40° between the momenta of the corresponding particles (B region) was 5233. In region B, the measured branching ratio for radiative pion decay, R_π→evγ(expt) = 11.6(3) × 10^?8, proved to be smaller by eight standard deviations than that which follows from the Standard Model, R_π→evγ (theor) = 14.34(1) × 10^?8.     

Quasielastic kaon knockout from a proton and momentum distribution of virtual kaons in the proton

The momentum distribution of kaons in the proton and the coupling-constant ratio fKΛN/fKΣN are determined on the basis of the ³P₀ quark model of meson-baryon coupling. The longitudinal cross section for kaon electroproduction is calculated. The results of the present study are compatible with available experimental data, but more detailed data on the longitudinal cross section would make it possible to refine the absolute values of the coupling constants fKΛN and fKΣN.     

<Superscript>2</Superscript>H NMR investigation of the transition to the proton glass state in the Cs<Subscript>5</Subscript>H<Subscript>3</Subscript>(SO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>4</Subscript> · 0.5H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O crystal

A crystal of the Cs₅H₃(SO₄)₄ · xH₂O (x ≈ 0.5) (PCHS) compound, which belongs to the family of proton conductors with a complex system of hydrogen bonds, is investigated by ²H NMR spectroscopy. The temperature and orientation dependences of the ²H NMR spectra are measured and analyzed. It is established that, upon transition to the glassy phase at the temperature T _g = 260 K, the parameters characterizing the proton exchange between positions in hydrogen bonds remain unchanged to within the limits of experimental error. The protons in the two-dimensional network of hydrogen bonds in the (001) plane are dynamically disordered over possible positions down to temperatures considerably lower than the glass transition point T _g . However, water molecules are fixed at particular structural positions in the phase transition range. In PCHS crystals with a nonstoichiometric water content, this circumstance can be responsible for the frustration that leads to the formation of the glassy state.     

Experimental investigation of ρ<Superscript>0</Superscript> photoproduction on the pion in the H1 experiment

Experimental results on quasielastic photoproduction of the ρ⁰ meson in association with a neutron, obtained at the HERA collider, are presented. The total and differential cross sections of the γp → ρ⁰ nπ⁺ reaction at the positron–proton center-of-mass energy of √s =319 GeV are measured. The data collected with the H1 detector in 2006 and 2007 correspond to an integrated luminosity of 1.16 pb^?1. The kinematic region of the photon–proton cms energy of 20 < W _γp <100 GeV, photon virtuality of Q ² < 2 GeV², and the ρ⁰ transverse momentum below 1 GeV/c is analyzed. Secondary neutrons with energies x _L > 0.35 (in proton-energy units) and emission angles below 0.75 mrad are selected. The model of double peripheral exchange, in which the ρ⁰ is elastically produced via the photon interaction with the virtual pion from the proton–neutron vertex, is employed for interpreting the results. The cross section for the ρ⁰ elastic photoproduction on the pion, γπ⁺→ ρ⁰π⁺, is extracted in the one-pion-exchange approximation. The magnitude of the cross section suggests that the γp → ρ⁰ nπ⁺ reaction is significantly affected by absorption.