Basis-independent potential energy curves for the neutral diatomics of Li,Na and K evaluated by means of Hartree-Fock and different density functional potentials

Summary The solution of the Schrödinger equation for diatomic molecules when the finite element method is used gives the possibility to evaluate highly accurate basis-independent potential energy curves. In this work such types of numerically accurate potential energy curves on the HF level have been evaluated for Li₂, Na₂ and K₂ and could be used as benchmarks in the optimization of basis sets. A comparison between recent LCAO HF calculations in which extended basis sets are used and the accurate values determined in this work show that there is a difference in total energy of 4×10^–5 and 10^–3 a.u. for Li, Li₂, and Na, Na₂, respectively. Evaluated dissociation energies are, however, due to the cancellation of numerical errors in much better agreement. Further, it is found that different exchange correlation potentials for the heavier molecules such as those given by von Barth-Hedin and Vosko, Wilk and Nusair reproduce experimental properties such as dissociation energies, vibrational frequencies almost as well as those achieved with advanced CI methods. TheX potential gives accurate bond lengths for Na₂ and K₂, whereas the dissociation energies are too small.     

Double pulse laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy of explosives: Initial study towards improved discrimination

Detecting trace explosive residues at standoff distances in real-time is a difficult problem. One method ideally suited for real-time standoff detection is laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). However, atmospheric oxygen and nitrogen contributes to the LIBS signal from the oxygen- and nitrogen-containing explosive compounds, complicating the discrimination of explosives from other organic materials. While bathing the sample in an inert gas will remove atmospheric oxygen and nitrogen interference, it cannot practically be applied for standoff LIBS. Alternatively, we have investigated the potential of double pulse LIBS to improve the discrimination of explosives by diminishing the contribution of atmospheric oxygen and nitrogen to the LIBS signal. These initial studies compare the close-contact (< 1 m) LIBS spectra of explosives using single pulse LIBS in argon with double pulse LIBS in atmosphere. We have demonstrated improved discrimination of an explosive and an organic interferent using double pulse LIBS to reduce the air entrained in the analytical plasma.     

Size and pH effect on electrical and conformational behavior of poly(acrylic acid): Simulation and experiment

Monte Carlo simulations, experimental titrations and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy experiments were used to investigate the conformational and electrical properties of polyacrylic acids (PAA). On the one hand, titration curves were calculated to get an insight into the role of pH on the degree of ionization and conformation of PAA chains. On the other hand, experimental potentiometric titrations of PAA were also achieved for different PAA molecular weights and compared to the calculated titration curves obtained by Monte Carlo coarse grained simulations. It was found that for a large range at intermediate PAA ionizations, a good correlation is obtained between experimental and simulations data thanks to the prominence of electrostatic interactions in this domain. The effect of ionic concentration and PAA molecular weight on the titration curves was also investigated. In order to get a better understanding of PAA conformational behavior, we also investigated PAA diffusion properties in aqueous solutions as a function of pH and ionic strength by fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS), thanks to its high sensitivity to measure diffusion coefficients of tracer solutes. Good qualitative agreements were observed between experimental diffusivities and polymer properties calculated from MC simulations. It was shown that the high molecular weight PAA chains display more significant changes in diffusivity in agreement with the ionization degrees and conformational changes observed in the simulations.     

The electronic spectrum of VCr

The electronic spectrum of VCr has been studied using the complete-active-space self-consistent field complete-active-space second-order perturbation theory approach. Potential-energy curves for 12 electronic states have been computed. Transition energies, with respect to the X² ground state, for some of the calculated electronic states are (with possible experimental values within parentheses) 0.53 eV (0.56) for A²⁺, 1.03 eV (1.14) for A⁴, 1.20 eV (1.14) for B², 1.45 eV (1.51) for B⁴, 1.60 eV (1.51, 1.78) for C², and 1.61 eV (1.63) for A^4–. AcknowledgementsThe research reported in this communication was supported by a grant from the Swedish Natural Science Research Council (NFR). S. Alex and D.G. Leopold are acknowledged for providing results from their negative ion photoelectron spectroscopy on VCr.Contribution to Björn Roos Honorary Issue     

Lattice dynamical study of body-centred tetragonal indium

The phonon dispersion curves, phonon frequency distribution function as well as the lattice specific heat of body-centred tetragonal indium have been deduced using a lattice dynamical model which includes central, angular and volume forces. Six elastic constants, four zone boundary frequencies and an equilibrium condition were used in the evaluation of the force constants. It is shown that this model is elastically consistent and satisfies the symmetry requirements of the lattice, the phonon frequencies of indium deduced from it are in very good agreement with the experimental values of Reichardt and Smith and the theoretical values of Garrett and Swihart, and theθ _D values compare well with the experimental values over a wide temperature range. The apparent discrepancies in the phonon dispersion curves and theθ _D-T curves obtained from deficient models, importance of umklapp processes and the significance of angular forces in the lattice dynamical models are discussed.     

Explicit maximal and minimal curves over finite fields of odd characteristics

In this work we present explicit classes of maximal and minimal Artin–Schreier type curves over finite fields having odd characteristics. Our results include the proof of Conjecture 5.9 given in [1] as a very special subcase. We use some techniques developed in [2], which were not used in [1].     

On a sufficient condition for a Fano manifold to be covered by rational N-folds

In this paper, we prove a conjecture by T. Suzuki, which says if a smooth Fano manifold satisfies some positivity condition on its Chern characters, then it can be covered by rational N-folds. We prove this conjecture by using purely combinatorial properties of Bernoulli numbers.     

An anisotropic area-preserving flow for convex plane curves

This paper will deal with an anisotropic area-preserving flow which keeps the convexity of the evolving curve and the limiting curve converges to a homothety of a symmetric smooth strictly convex plane curve.     

石英砂粒径对水合物沉积物力学性质的影响

利用自主研发的水合物沉积物原位合成与力学性质测试的高压低温三轴仪,通过多级加荷的试验方法,以不同粒径的砂粒作为沉积物骨架进行三轴压缩试验,得到了剪切过程的应力-应变关系曲线,以及不同粒径尺寸沉积物的强度,还有剪切过程中的体积变化关系。结果表明:含水合物沉积物强度随着沉积物粒径尺寸的增大而增强;在降压剪切过程中,所有粒径的水合物沉积物式样均有明显的剪缩现象。