Heat capacity of MnBr2·4H2O near the antiferromagnetic transition temperature

Heat capacity of MnBr₂·4H₂O has been measured in the critical region around the Neel temperature. The data can be fitted, over a restricted range of |t|⩽10⁻², to the asymptotic power law. The critical exponents and the amplitudesA andA′ are not consistent with any theoretic predictions. However when scaling constraints are imposed, their values agree with the parameters of Ising model. Corrections to scaling are necessary to extend the range of the fit to |t|>10⁻². The correction terms are asymmetric giving −1·15±0·25 as the ratio of the amplitudes of the lowest order correction terms,D andD′ above and belowT _c. This value is in agreement with the recent predictions of the renormalisation group theory.     

Magnetic relaxation in a three-dimensional ferromagnet with weak quenched random-exchange disorder

Isothermal remanent magnetization decay,M _r(t), and ‘in-field’ growth of zero-field-cooled magnetization,M _ZFC(t), with time have been measured over four decades in time at temperatures ranging from 0.25T _c to 1.25T _c (whereT _c is the Curie temperature, determined previously for the same sample from static critical phenomena measurements) for a nearly ordered intermetallic compound Ni₃Al, which is an experimental realization of a three-dimensional (d = 3) ferromagnet with weak quenched random-exchange disorder. None of the functional forms ofM _r(t) predicted by the existing phenomenological models of relaxation dynamics in spin systems with quenched randomness, but only the expressions and closely reproduce such data in the present case. The most striking features of magnetic relaxation in the system in question are as follows: Aging effects are absent in bothM _r t andM _ZFC(t) at all temperatures in the temperature range covered in the present experiments. A cross-over in equilibrium dynamics from the one, characteristic of a pured = 3 ferromagnet with complete atomic ordering and prevalent at temperatures away from T_c, to that, typical of ad = 3 random-exchange ferromagnet, occurs asT → T_c. The relaxation times τ₁(T)(τ₁ ^′(T)) and τ₂(T)(τ₂ ^′(T)) exhibit logarithmic divergence at critical temperatures and ; and both increase with the external magnetic field strength,H, such that at any given field value, . The exponent characterizing the logarithmic divergence in τ ₁ ^′ (T) and τ ₂ ^′ T possesses a field-independent value of ≃16 for both relaxation times. Of all the available theoretical models, the droplet fluctuation model alone provides a qualitative explanation for some aspects of the present magnetic relaxation data     

Experimental study of the evolution of periodic controlled disturbances in a hypersonic viscous shock layer on a flat plate

Characteristics of the fields of mean density and density fluctuations measured with introduction of periodic disturbances into a hypersonic viscous boundary layer on a flat plate are presented. The experiments are performed for a flow Mach number M_∞ = 21, Reynolds number per meter Re_1∞ = 6·10⁵ m⁻¹, and temperature factor of the surface T _w /T ₀ = 0.26. The disturbances are introduced into the shock layer by an oblique gasdynamic whistle. The work was financially supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (Grants Nos. 04-01-00474 and 05-08-33436).     

Photophysics of bis-bipyridyl complexes of ruthenium(II) with triphenylphosphine

We studied the spectral-luminescent characteristics of the luminescence of mixed-ligand polypyridine-phosphine complexes of ruthenium(II) cis-[Ru(bpy)₂(PPh₃)X](BF₄) _n with ligands 2,2′-bipyridyl (bpy) and triphenylphosphine (PPh₃) and X = Cl⁻, Br⁻, CN⁻, NO₂⁻, NH₃, MeCN, pyridine (py), 4-aminopyridine (pyNH₂), and 4,4′-bipyridyl (4,4′-bpy) in a 4: 1 EtOH-MeOH alcoholic mixture at 77 K. The radiative and nonradiative deactivation rate constants of the lowest electronically excited state of the complexes are determined. We find that triphenylphosphine has a greater effect on the photophysical characteristics of ruthenium(II) complexes compared to π-acceptor strong-field ligands, such as MeCN, CN⁻, and NO₂⁻. At the same time, the characteristics of complexes cis-[Ru(bpy)₂(PPh₃)X] ⁿ⁺ considerably depend on the nature of the second monodentate ligand X, which is coordinated to ruthenium(II), and correlate with its position in the spectrochemical series of ligands.     

Proton NMR relaxation in albumin solutions doped with Mn(II)

The aim of this study is to obtain further information about the source of proton relaxation in the Mn(II)-human serum albumin complex. For this purpose, proton relaxation rates in albumin solutions 1/T ₁ and 1/T ₂ were measured versus increasing amounts of manganese [Mn_t]. The fractions of manganese bound to albumin [Mn_b] and free manganese [Mn_f] were then determined from proton relaxation rate enhancement data. Paramagnetic contributions of bound manganese to the observed relaxation rates (1/T _1p^*)_b and (1/T _2p^*)_b were also determined. Finally, the (1/T _2p^*)_b/(1/T _1p^*)_b ratio was used in a derived equation to estimate an effective correlation time τ. Mean τ value of the complex was found to be in the order of 3 ns, while the hydration number of bound manganese q was estimated to be about 4. The 1/τ was found to be the sum of the inverse values of rotational correlation time 1/τ _r, mean residence time of water in hydration spheres of the complex 1/τ _m, and longitudinal electronic relaxation time of manganese 1/τ _s in the complex. In conclusion, the relaxation mechanism in albumin solutions containing Mn(II) can be interpreted through dipolar and scalar interactions modulated by τ _r, τ _m and τ _s. This analysis enables one to get reasonable figures for the τ _r and q of Mn(II) in albumin solution.     

Pulsed NMRON measurements on insulators

Selective single and double quantum excitation pulsed NMRON has been utilized to obtain rotation patterns, free induction decays, and spin echoes in antiferromagnetic⁵⁴Mn−MnCl₂·4H₂O and the quasi-2 dimensional ferromagnet⁵⁴Mn−Mn(COOCH₃)₂·4H₂O. The pulsed technique is well suited to observing fast spin-lattice relaxation and T₁ values down to 100 ms have been measured in these systems. These short times may make magnetic insulators viable hosts for on-line experiments. The dependence on field and temperature of the⁵⁴Mn spin-lattice relaxation time T₁ has been investigated and a T₁ minimum at high fields observed in both systems. A spin-spin relaxation time T₂≈50 μs is measured in⁵⁴Mn−MnCl₂·4H₂O. The observation of NMRON in the paramagnetic phase of MnCl₂·4H₂O allows the resonant frequencies in the antiferromagnetic and paramagnetic phases to be compared, yielding a value for the zero point spin deviation in the former phase.     

Electronic superconductor Pr2CuO4−x Fx: Magnetic correlations at high temperatures (150<T<600 K) according to 19F NMR data

The longitudinal and transverse relaxation rates of ¹⁹F nuclei in Pr₂CuO_4−x F_x (x=0.20) samples are measured at high temperatures (150 K<T<600 K). A feature is found in the temperature dependence of the relaxation rates at temperature T′≅300 K. The magnetic properties of the electronic superconductor Pr₂CuO_4−x F_x as a possible system with a stripe ordering of carriers and spins are discussed. Pis’ma Zh. éksp. Teor. Fiz. 65, No. 4, 328–332 (25 February 1997)     

NMR and other magnetic resonance techniques in unstable magnets

This paper reviews and compares the use of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and related hyperfine techniques [muon spin rotation (μSR) and, to a lesser extent, other methods] in the study of 4f and 5f magnetism in “unstable magnets”, i.e., intermediate-valent and heavy-fermion materials. In both NMR and μSR the features of interest are the spectral shape, the frequency shiftK (Knight shift in metals) and the spin-lattice relaxation rate 1/T ₁. For temperatures below the characteristic or “Kondo” temperatureT ₀ these experiments given evidence for (1) modification of the transferred hyperfine field [nonlinearK(χ)]. (2) spin fluctuations with a characteristic fluctuation rate ∼k _B T ₀/h, (3) strong energy-gap anisotropy (zeros of the gap along lines on the Fermi surface) in heavy-fermion superconductors, (4) spin-singlet Cooper pairing from the change in muon Knight shift in superconducting UBe₁₃, and (5) very weak static magnetism (10⁻¹–10⁻³ μ_B/f atom) in CeAl₃, CeCu₂Si₂, U_1−x Th _x Be₁₃ (x=0.033), and UPt₃. There is some controversy concerning the interpretation of 1/T ₁ well aboveT ₀ in UBe₁₃; the situation is reviewed.     

Atmospheric gamma rays in the energy region 40–1000 GeV

A large stack of lead-emulsion sandwich detector assembly was flown over Hyderabad, India. High energy gamma rays at the float altitude were unambiguously identified from the cascades they induced, and their energies reliably determined by improved methods. From an analysis of 163 gamma rays of energy ≳ 30 GeV, it is found that the differential energy spectrum is represented by the power lawJ _r (E)= 129·4E ^{−2·62±0·12} photons m⁻² sr⁻¹sec⁻¹ GeV⁻¹ at an effective atmospheric depth of 14·3 g cm⁻²; this is the first reliable balloon measurement of atmospheric gamma rays in the energy range 40–1000 GeV. After correcting for the gamma rays radiated by the primary cosmic ray electrons, the production spectrum of gamma rays, resulting from the collisions of cosmic ray nuclei with air nuclei, at the top of the atmosphere isP _r (E, 0)=8·2 × 10⁻⁴ E^2.60±0.09 photons g⁻¹sr⁻¹sec⁻¹ GeV⁻¹. The atmospheric propagation of the electromagnetic component due to the cascade process is also derived from the gamma ray production spectrum.     

Nuclear Spin–Lattice Relaxation of Single Crystal Sr14Cu24O41

Nuclear spin–lattice relaxation rate T ₁ ⁻¹ has been measured for the ladder sites of two single crystals Sr₁₄Cu₂₄O₄₁ (Sr14-A,B) by ⁶³Cu NMR/NQR. The hole localization around 100 K appears as a peak in the T variation of T ₁ ⁻¹(NQR). On the other hand, it is suppressed in the T ₁ ⁻¹ (NMR) data under the magnetic field H ∼ 11 T, and a new peak appears around 20 K. T ₁ ⁻¹(NMR) around the peak is more enlarged for Sr14-B than for Sr14-A. Hence, holes on the ladders of Sr14-B tend to be more localized. This is considered to be an origin for the occurrence of the magnetic order in Sr14-B under H ∼ 11 T.     

Determination of Trace Mercury by Solid Substrate-Room Temperature Phosphorimetry Quenching Method Based on Catalytic Effect of Hg2+on Formation of the Ion Association Complex [Sn(XO)6]4+·[(Fin)4]

A new method for the determination of trace mercury by solid substrate-room temperature phosphorimetry (SS-RTP) quenching method has been established. In glycine-HCl buffer solution, xylenol orange (XO) can react with Sn⁴⁺ to form the complex [Sn(XO)₆]⁴⁺. [Sn(XO)₆]⁴⁺ can interact with Fin⁻ (fluorescein anion) to form the ion associate [Sn(XO)₆]⁴⁺·[(Fin)₄]⁻, which can emit strong and stable room temperature phosphorescence (RTP) on polyamide membrane (PAM). Hg²⁺ can catalyze H₂O₂ oxidizing the ion association complex [Sn(XO)₆]⁴⁺·[(Fin)₄]⁻, which causes the RTP to quench. The ΔIp value is directly proportional to the concentration of Hg²⁺ in the range of 0.016–1.6 fg spot⁻¹ (corresponding concentration: 0.040–4.0 pg ml⁻¹, 0.40 μl spot⁻¹), and the regression equation of working cure is ΔIp=10.03+83.15 m Hg²⁺ (fg spot⁻¹), (r=0.9987, n=6) and the detection limit (LD) is 3.6 ag spot⁻¹(corresponding concentration: 9.0×10^–15 g ml⁻¹, the sample volume: 0.4 μl). This simple, rapid, accurate method is of high selectivity and good repeatability, and it has been successfully applied to the determination of trace mercury in real samples. The reaction mechanism for catalyzing H₂O₂ oxidizing the ion association complex ([Sn(XO)₆]⁴⁺·[(Fin)₄]⁻) SS-RTP quenching method to determine trace mercury is also discussed.     

Rheological behaviour of worm-like micelles: Effect of electrostatic interactions

Summary Both linear and non-linear viscoelasticity experiments have been performed in semi-dilute micellar aqueous solutions of ethanediyl-α,ω-bis (dodecylmethylammonium bromide) as a function of solution chloride (NaCl) concentration. The results suggest that both linear and non-linear properties are affected by the electrostatic interactions. In particular, the plateau modulusG′_∞ and the ratioσ _m/G′_∞, whereσ _m represents the plateau value in a stress-shear rate experiment, are enhanced as the electrostatic interactions are screened by addition of salt. The zero-shear viscosity is lowered upon addition of NaCl, due likely to an exchange of the Cl⁻ ions with the Br⁻ counterions. Paper presented at the I International Conference on Scaling Concepts and Complex Fluids, Copanello, Italy, July 4–8, 1994.     

Optical absorption spectrum of Cr3+ in natural ruby

Two sharp line-like bands calledN andR lines on the red side, a close doublet (B lines) on the violet side and two broad bands are observed for natural ruby. At liquid air temperature the splitting ofR line was found and also three sharp-bands calledR, R′ andB lines are identified with spin-forbidden transitions of² E,² T ₁ and² T ₂. The two broad bands calledU band andY band are assigned accordingly to the spin-allowed transitions⁴ T ₂ and⁴ T ₁ respectively. The observed bands of natural ruby have been attributed to Cr³⁺ ion in an octahedral environment with trigonal distortion. The crystal field parameters which gave a good fit to the observed band positions areB=732 cm⁻¹,C=4.25B,Dq=1830 cm⁻¹,V=−1996 cm⁻¹ andλ=34 cm⁻¹.     

Spin state and exchange in the quasi-one-dimensional antiferromagnet KFeS2

We report the optical spectra and single crystal magnetic susceptibility of the one-dimensional antiferromagnet KFeS₂. Measurements have been carried out to ascertain the spin state of Fe³⁺ and the nature of the magnetic interactions in this compound. The optical spectra and magnetic susceptibility could be consistently interpreted using aS=1/2 spin ground state for the Fe³⁺ ion. The features in the optical spectra have been assigned to transitions within thed-electron manifold of the Fe³⁺ ion, and analysed in the strong field limit of the ligand field theory. The high temperature isotropic magnetic susceptibility is typical of a low-dimensional system and exhibits a broad maximum at ∼565K. The susceptibility shows a well defined transition to a three dimensionally ordered antiferromagnetic state atT _N=250 K. The intra and interchain exchange constants,J andJ′, have been evaluated from the experimental susceptibilities using the relationship between these quantities, andχ _max,T _max, andT _N for a spin 1/2 one-dimensional chain. The values areJ=−440.71 K, andJ′=53.94 K. Using these values ofJ andJ′, the susceptibility of a spin 1/2 Heisenberg chain was calculated. A non-interacting spin wave model was used belowT _N. The susceptibility in the paramagnetic region was calculated from the theoretical curves for an infiniteS=1/2 chain. The calculated susceptibility compares well with the experimental data of KFeS₂. Further support for a one-dimensional spin 1/2 model comes from the fact that the calculated perpendicular susceptibility at 0K (2.75×10⁻⁴ emu/mol) evaluated considering the zero point reduction in magnetization from spin wave theory is close to the projected value (2.7×10⁻⁴ emu/mol) obtained from the experimental data.     

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.

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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.

     

Large Deviations for the Fermion Point Process Associated with the Exponential Kernel

For the fermion point process on the whole complex plane associated with the exponential kernel , we show the central limit theorem for the random variable ξ(D _r , the number of points inside the ball D _r of radius r, as r → ∞ and we establish the large deviation principle for the random variables {r ⁻²ξ (D _r ), r > 0}.     

The Combined Effect of Connectivity and Dependency Links on Percolation of Networks

Percolation theory is extensively studied in statistical physics and mathematics with applications in diverse fields. However, the research is focused on systems with only one type of links, connectivity links. We review a recently developed mathematical framework for analyzing percolation properties of realistic scenarios of networks having links of two types, connectivity and dependency links. This formalism was applied to study Erdős-Rényi (ER) networks that include also dependency links. For an ER network with average degree [`(k)]\bar{k} that is composed of dependency clusters of size s, the fraction of nodes that belong to the giant component, P <sub>∞</sub>, is given by P<sub>￥</sub>=p<sup>s-1</sup>[1-exp(-[`(k)]pP_￥) ]^sP_{\infty}=p^{s-1}[1-\exp{(-\bar{k}pP_{\infty})} ]^{s} where 1−p is the initial fraction of randomly removed nodes. Here, we apply the formalism to the study of random-regular (RR) networks and find a formula for the size of the giant component in the percolation process: P _∞=p ^s−1(1−r ^k ) ^s where r is the solution of r=p ^s (r ^k−1−1)(1−r ^k )+1, and k is the degree of the nodes. These general results coincide, for s=1, with the known equations for percolation in ER and RR networks respectively without dependency links. In contrast to s=1, where the percolation transition is second order, for s>1 it is of first order. Comparing the percolation behavior of ER and RR networks we find a remarkable difference regarding their resilience. We show, analytically and numerically, that in ER networks with low connectivity degree or large dependency clusters, removal of even a finite number (zero fraction) of the infinite network nodes will trigger a cascade of failures that fragments the whole network. Specifically, for any given s there exists a critical degree value, [`(k)]<sub>min</sub>\bar{k}_{\min}, such that an ER network with [`(k)] ￡ [`(k)]_min\bar{k}\leq \bar{k}_{\min} is unstable and collapse when removing even a single node. This result is in contrast to RR networks where such cascades and full fragmentation can be triggered only by removal of a finite fraction of nodes in the network.     

Critical point phenomena in the electrical resistivity of binary liquid systems: CS2 + CH3CN and CS2 + CH3NO2

Electrical resistance measurements are reported on the binary liquid mixtures CS₂ + CH₃CN and CS₂ + CH₃NO₂ with special reference to the critical region. Impurity conduction seems to be the dominant mechanism for charge transport. For the liquid mixture filled at the critical composition, the resistance of the system aboveT _c follows the relationR=R _c−A(T−T _c) ^b withb=0·6±0·1. BelowT _c the conductivities of the two phases obey a relation σ₂−σ₁=B(T _c−T)^β with β=0·34±0·02, the exponent of the transport coefficient being the same as the exponent of the order parameter, an equilibrium property.     

Fast nonequilibrium induction detectors based on thin superconducting films

A new type of fast detector is proposed. The operation of the detector is based on the change induced in the kinetic inductance of NbN and YBa₂Cu₃O_7−δ superconducting films by nonequilibrium quasiparticles produced by electromagnetic radiation. The speed of a NbN detector is essentially temperature-independent and is less than 1 ps. A model based on the Omen-Scalapino scheme describes well the experimental dependence of the voltage-power sensitivity of a NbN detector on the modulation frequency of the radiation. A low equilibrium quasiparticle density and a high quantum yield give detecting power D*=10¹²W⁻¹ · cm · Hz^1/2 at temperature T=4.2 K and D*=10¹⁶ W⁻¹ · cm · Hz^1/2 at temperature T=1.6 K. The time constant of the low-temperature YBaCuO induction detector is determined only by the electron-phonon interaction time τ _e-ph ^d in the nodal regions. Zh. Tekh. Fiz. 68, 63–69 (October 1998)