Spin-orbit coupling,spin-lattice relaxation,and spin-memory studies ofF-center-molecular-ion pairs in alkali halides

Summary The spin-orbit parameter Δ, spin-lattice relaxation timeT ₁, and spin-mixing parameter ɛ ofF _H(OH⁻) andF _H(CN⁻) centers in several alkali halides have been studied with magnetic circular dichroism at ∼2 K. A close comparison of the experimental results before and after optically induced association of theF center with the molecular ion has been made. In crystals of NaCl structure the negative spin-orbit parameter Δ changes little betweenF andF _H centers in the same host. For CsCl and CsBr two values of Δ have been derived forF _H(CN⁻) centers with axis parallel or perpendicular to the magnetic field. In all studied systems, the spin-lattice relaxation timeT ₁ is already shorter before aggregation compared toF formation. The spin-mixing parameter ɛ decreases slightly forF _H(OH⁻) compared toF centers, while it increases drastically forF _H(CN⁻) defects and reaches its maximum possible value ɛ=0.5 in cesium halides. First attempts to interpret these magneto-optical results will be presented. In honour of Prof. Fausto Fumi on the occasion of his retirement from teaching.     

Soliton switching in twin-core fibers with gain and loss

Soliton propagation and switching in twin-core nonlinear fibers with gain and loss have been investigated based on a pair of coupled nonlinear Schr?dinger equations. We have found the fiber with equal amount of gain in both cores has the minimum ascending energy Δɛ of 1.5K, while the fiber with a certain amount of gain in one core and the same amount of loss in the other core has the minimum switching thresholdɛ _th of 2.05K. A new vector field is defined and its potential function is derived, which explains the switching behavior of the minimumɛ _th switch satisfactorily.     

Semiclassical asymptotic behavior of the spectrum of a nonselfadjoint elliptic operator on a two-dimensional surface of revolution

The asymptotics as ɛ → 0 of the spectrum of the shifted Laplace operator H = ɛΔ + ∂v on a two-dimensional compact surface of revolution homeomorphic to the sphere is described, where v is a vector field.     

Numerical study of deformations induced by ac electric field in insulating flexoelectric nematic layers

The influence of the frequency f of applied ac electric field on the time dependence of electric field induced deformations of homeotropic nematic layers is studied numerically. Three kinds of nematic liquid crystals were considered:

Dielectric relaxation study of sulfolane in carbon tetrachloride solution from microwave absorption data

The dielectric constant (ɛ′) and dielectric loss (ɛ″) for dilute solutions of sulfolane in carbon tetrachloride solution have been measured at 9.885 GHz at different temperatures viz. 25°C, 30°C, 35°C and 40°C by using standard microwave techniques. Following the single frequency concentration variational method, the dielectric relaxation time (τ) and dipole moment (μ) have been calculated. It is found that dielectric relaxation process can be treated as the rate process, just like the viscous flow. Based on the above studies, monomer structure of sulfolane in carbon tetrachloride has been inferred. Energy parameters (ΔH _g , ΔF _g , ΔS _g ) for dielectric relaxation process of sulfolane in carbon tetrachloride at 25°C, 30°C, 35°C and 40°C have been calculated and compared with the corresponding energy parameters (ΔH _η , ΔF _η , ΔS _η ) for the viscous flow.     

Random Homogenization and Singular Perturbations¶in Perforated Domains

The paper considers the singularly perturbed Dirichlet problem −ɛΔu ^ɛ+u ^ɛ=f in a randomly perforated domain Ω^ɛ, which is obtained from a bounded open set Ω in R ^N after removing many holes of size ɛ ^q . The perforated domain is described in terms of an ergodic dynamical system acting on a probability space. Imposing certain conditions on the domain, the behaviour of u ^ɛ when ɛ→ 0 in Lebesgue spaces L ⁿ (Ω) is studied. Test functions together with the Birkhoff ergodic theorem are the main tools of analysis. The Poisson distribution of holes of size ɛ ^p with the intensity λɛ^{− r} is then considered. The above results apply in some cases; other cases are treated by the Wiener sausage approach. Received: 15 December 1999 / Accepted: 14 April 2000     

Effect of infrared radiation on the plasticity of solid hydrogen

This paper reports on the first results obtained from the investigation of the effect of IR radiation on the low-temperature (1.8 ≤ T ≤ 4.2 K) plasticity of solid hydrogen. It has been found that, when the samples are exposed to IR radiation, a drastic increment Δɛ_IR of the elongation per unit length ɛ (which was preliminarily achieved under a continuously applied mechanical stress σ = const) occurs without an increase in the temperature of the samples. It has been revealed that the effect observed both in the case of normal hydrogen (n-H₂, 75% o-H₂) and in the case of parahydrogen (p-H₂, ∼0.2% o-H₂) only for a sufficiently high power of the IR radiation source has a threshold character. The reverse deformation of solid hydrogen is observed after the irradiation with a flux of IR photons is completed: the quantity ɛ rapidly decreases to values provided only by the applied load. The appearance of jumps in the increment of deformation Δɛ_IR ⁱ is interpreted as a consequence of the existence of the fundamental IR absorption band for solid hydrogens. It has been established that, depending on the time t of exposure of the samples to IR radiation, the change in the quantity Δɛ_IR ⁱ (t) obeys the logarithmic law, which is characteristic of the dislocation creep and observed in the case of unirradiated hydrogen. It has also been found that, under multiple relatively long-term exposure to IR radiation, the constant α of the logarithmic creep of n-H₂ abruptly decreases, whereas the strength of both the n-H₂ and p-H₂ samples increases significantly, which indicates their explicit hardening (instead of the expected “superplastic” behavior due to the exposure to IR irradiation).     

Semiclassical asymptotics of the spectrum of a nonselfadjoint operator on the sphere

The asymptotics as ɛ → 0 of the spectrum of the shifted Laplace operator H = ɛΔ + ∂ _υ on the standard two-dimensional sphere is described, where υ is a vector field. Dedicated to the memory of Vladimir Borovikov     

On amorphization and nanocomposite formation in Al-Ni-Ti system by mechanical alloying

Amorphous structure generated by mechanical alloying (MA) is often used as a precursor for generating nanocomposites through controlled devitrification. The amorphous forming composition range of ternary Al-Ni-Ti system was calculated using the extended Miedema’s semi-empirical model. Eleven compositions of this system showing a wide range of negative enthalpy of mixing (−ΔH ^mix) and amorphization (−ΔH ^amor) of the constituent elements were selected for synthesis by MA. The Al₈₈Ni₆Ti₆ alloy with relatively small negative ΔH ^mix (−0.4 kJ/mol) and ΔH^amor (−14.8 kJ/mol) became completely amorphous after 120 h of milling, which is possibly the first report of complete amorphization of an Al-based rare earth element free Al-TM-TM system (TM = transition metal) by MA. The alloys of other compositions selected had much more negative ΔH^mix and H^amor; but they yielded either nanocomposites of partial amorphous and crystalline structure or no amorphous phase at all in the as-milled condition, evidencing a high degree of stability of the intermetallic phases under the MA environment. Hence, the negative ΔH ^mix and ΔH ^amor are not so reliable for predicting the amorphization in the present system by MA     

Dielectric properties of natural,modified, and irradiated zeolites

The complex permittivity (ɛ = ɛ′ − iɛ″) of natural, modified, and irradiated zeolites as a function of the frequency of a variable electric field is measured. For Ba²⁺-modified (doped) zeolite, the permittivity and dielectric loss tangent (tanδ) as functions of the electric field frequency are found to decrease monotonically. When the irradiation dose rises to 10⁵ cm⁻², the dielectric loss tangent reaches a maximum and then, starting from a dose of 3 × 10¹⁶ cm⁻², sharply drops. Such behavior of tanδ is assumed to be associated with Ba²⁺- and irradiation-induced structural modifications in the unit cell of zeolite.     

Excess molar volumes and isentropic compressibilities of binary liquid mixtures containing n-alkanes at 298.15 K

Excess molar volumes (V ^E) and deviation in isentropic compressibilities (Δβ _s) have been investigated from the density ρ and speed of sound u measurements of six binary liquid mixtures containing n-alkanes over the entire range of composition at 298.15 K. Excess molar volume exhibits inversion in sign in one binary mixture, i.e., n-heptane + n-hexane. Remaining five binary mixtures, n-heptane + toluene, cyclohexane + n-heptane, cyclohexane + n-hexane, toluene + n-hexane and n-decane + n-hexane show negative excess molar volumes over the whole composition range. However, the large negative values of excess molar volume becomes domainant in toluene + n-hexane mixture. Deviation in isentropic compressibility is negative over the whole range of composition in the case of all the six binary mixtures. Existence of specific intermolecular interactions in the mixtures has been analyzed in terms of excess molar volume and deviation in isentropic compressibility.     

Microwave dielectric characterization of binary mixture of formamide with <Emphasis Type="Italic">N,N</Emphasis>-dimethylaminoethanol

Dielectric relaxation measurements of formamide (FMD)-N,N-dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE) solvent mixtures have been carried out over the entire concentration range using time domain reflectometry technique at 25, 35 and 45°C in the frequency range of 10 MHz to 20 GHz. The mixtures exhibit a principle dispersion of the Davidson-Cole relaxation type at microwave frequencies. Bilinear calibration method is used to obtain complex permittivity ɛ*(ω) from complex reflection coefficient ρ*(ω) over the frequency range of 10 MHz to 10 GHz. The excess permittivity (ɛ ^E), excess inverse relaxation time (1/τ)^E, Kirkwood correlation factor (g ^eff), activation energy and Bruggeman factor (f _B) are also calculated to study the solute-solvent interaction.      

Synthesis, structure, and dielectric properties of KH2PO4 fractal aggregates

Macroscopic fractal aggregates of KH₂PH₄ (KDP) measuring up to 500 μm have been obtained. The fractal structure forms as a result of the precipitation of KDP particles from a supersaturated aqueous solution in the presence of a temperature gradient followed by a diffusioncontrolled mechanism of aggregation. The electron-microscopic analysis performed has shown that the fractals are formed predominantly from crystallites of the tetragonal modification measuring ∼1 μm. The dielectric constant (ɛ) of fractal KH₂PO₄ has been measured in the temperature range 80–300 K. A characteristic anomaly has been discovered on the ɛ(T) curve in the vicinity of 122 K, which attests to a ferroelectric phase transition. The absolute value of ɛ is significantly smaller than the components ɛ ₁₁ and ɛ ₃₃ for KH₂PO₄. Fiz. Tverd. Tela (St. Petersburg) 41, 2059–2061 (November 1999)     

Studies on binary mixtures of 4-pentyloxy-4′-cyanobiphenyl with three 4, 4′-di(alkoxy)azoxybenzenes

Eighteen binary mixtures of 4-pentyloxy-4′-cyanobiphenyl (5OCB) and 4, 4′-di(alkoxy)azoxybenzenes (nOAB) with n = 5, 6, and 7 at different concentrations have been studied in detail. Over a wide concentration range, induced SmA phase was observed in all the mixtures except in one. In most of the mixtures, the refractive indices no, ne, and Δn lie between the values of pure components. The optical birefringence of the mixtures is found to decrease non-additively with concentration. The molecular polarizability anisotropy and the orientational order parameter <P₂> of the mixtures were calculated. Nature of variation of polarizability anisotropy with concentration is similar to that of Δn. In allmixtures <P₂> is more in smectic phase than in nematic phase and it also shows non-additive behaviour. Observed <P₂> values of the mixtures were compared with McMillan’s and Maier-Saupe theoretical values and good agreement is found in some mixtures. The transition temperatures obtained by fitting <P₂> data to McMillan’s theory agree with the observed values within a few degrees. Ratio of elastic constants K₃₃ and K₁₁ is determined for mixtures having nematic phase and found to diverge at T_NA transition point.     

Magnetism,exchange and crystal field parameters in the orbitally unquenched Ising antiferromagnet FePS3

FePS₃ is a layered antiferromagnet (T _N=123 K) with a marked Ising anisotropy in magnetic properties. The anisotropy arises from the combined effect of the trigonal distortion from octahedral symmetry and spin-orbit coupling on the orbitally degenerate⁵ T _2g ground state of the Fe²⁺ ion. The anisotropic paramagnetic susceptibilities are interpreted in terms of the zero field Hamiltonian, ℋ=Σ_i [δ(L _iz ² −2)+|λ|L _i .S _i ]−Σ _ij J _ij S _i .S _j . The crystal field trigonal distortion parameter Δ, the spin-orbit coupling λ and the isotropic Heisenberg exchange,J _ij, were evaluated from an analysis of the high temperature paramagnetic susceptibility data using the Correlated Effective Field (CEF) theory for many-body magnetism developed by Lines. Good agreement with experiment were obtained for Δ/k=215.5 K; λ/k=166.5 K;J _nn k=27.7 K; andJ _nnn k=−2.3 K. Using these values of the crystal field and exchange parameters the CEF predicts aT _N=122 K for FePS₃, which is remarkably close to the observed value of theT _N. The accuracy of the CEF approximation was also ascertained by comparing the calculated susceptibilities in the CEF with the experimental susceptibility for the isotropic Heisenberg layered antiferromagnet MnPS₃, for which the high temperature series expansion susceptibility is available.     

Δ Degrees of Freedom in Trinuclei with the Argonne V28Q Model

The effects of explicit Δ degrees of freedom on trinuclear binding energy and structure are investigated using the Argonne V28Q Δ model. Separate dispersive effects, one- and two-Δ three-body force effects, and one- and two-Δ probabilities are determined for the triton. Some new results are also given for the Hannover and Argonne V28 Δ models, and V28Q trinuclear Δ effects are compared with those of these other models. Considerable consistency among the models is found, suggesting a coherent qualitative picture of trinuclear Δ effects. Received June 8, 1994; accepted for publication September 27, 1994     

Tailoring the microwave permittivity and permeability of composite materials

The microwave permittivity (ɛ_r) and permeability (μ_r) of composite materials are tailored by adding various loading agents to a host plastic and are subsequently modeled using the Maxwell Garnett theory and second order polynomials. With the addition of manganese zinc ferrite, strontium ferrite, nickel zinc ferrite, barium tetratitanate and graphite powders, materials with values of ɛ′, e″, μ′, μ″ as high as 22, 5, 2.5 and 1.7 have been obtained. Permittivity and permeability data are calculated at 2.0245 GHz from reflection and transmission measurements performed in a 7 mm coaxial test line. The Maxwell Garnett (MG) theory successfully models ɛ_r if the filling factor is less than 0.30 and ratio |ɛ₁| (host)/ |ɛ₂| (powder) is greater than 0.04. As this ratio decreases, the MG theory is shown to be independent of ɛ₂ and second order polynomials are used to effectively model the dielectric constant. Polynomials are also used for the ferrite composites because it was determined that the MG theory was unable to model μ_r. This deficiency is attributed to the difference of domain structures that exist in powdered and sintered ferrites.     

Induced quasicrystallinity of solutions of organic compounds

Using the method of optical probing, we investigated the effect exerted by the concentration of the substance and the temperature of the solution on the spectral behavior of the difference in the refractive indices of ordinary and extraordinary waves Δn=n_o−n_e of excited solutions of Rhodamine 6G and 3,6-tetramethyldiaminophthalimide in glycerin. We established that laser-excitation-induced quasicrystallinity of the indicated solutions in probing in the fluorescence band, which is characterized by the magnitude of the difference between the refractive indices Δn, increases with increase in the concentration of the substance. This increase in the crystallinity of the system with increase in the concentration of the substance (the activator) is possible up to the instant of the appearance of intermolecular interaction of the molecules. To whom correspondence should be addressed. Reported at the Second International Scientific and Technical Conference on Quantum Electronics, Minsk, November 23–25, 1998. Institute of Molecular and Atomic Physics, National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, 70, F. Skorina Ave., Minsk, 220072, Belarus. Translated from Zhurnal Prikladnoi Spektroskopii, Vol. 66, No. 5, pp. 672–674, September–October, 1999.     

Effects of minimal supersymmetry standard model in neutral <Emphasis Type="Italic">K</Emphasis><Superscript>0</Superscript> meson mixing

Mixing of neutral K ⁰ mesons is studied in the framework of the minimal supersymmetric model (MSSM) with a Yukawa type II sector and explicit violation of CP invariance in the Higgs potential. Mixing parameters Δm _LS and ɛ are calculated in the limit of the four-fermion approximation with charged Higgs boson exchange. This work specifies the data presented in [1] more precisely and, taking into account the influence of new contributions on the above observables, proves the small degree of supersymmetric effects for a system of K ⁰ mesons.     

Simulation study of random sequential adsorption of mixtures on a triangular lattice

Random sequential adsorption of binary mixtures of extended objects on a two-dimensional triangular lattice is studied numerically by means of Monte Carlo simulations. The depositing objects are formed by self-avoiding random walks on the lattice. We concentrate here on the influence of the symmetry properties of the shapes on the kinetics of the deposition processes in two-component mixtures. Approach to the jamming limit in the case of mixtures is found to be exponential, of the form: θ(t) ∼ θ_jam - Δθ exp(- t/σ), and the values of the parameter σ are determined by the order of symmetry of the less symmetric object in the mixture. Depending on the local geometry of the objects making the mixture, jamming coverage of a mixture can be either greater than both single-component jamming coverages or it can be in between these values. Results of the simulations for various fractional concentrations of the objects in the mixture are also presented.