On the nature of the dhcp to fcc transition under pressure in Pr and Pr-Th alloys

The results of electrical resistance (R), thermoelectric power (TEP) and X-ray diffraction measurements on praseodymium (Pr) and its alloys with thorium under pressure are reported. The maximum inR vsP curve exhibited by Pr persists only in the dhcp phase of PrTh alloy. X-ray measurements confirmed that in the alloys also the maximum inR vsP curve is due to the dhcp → fcc transition. Thus the behaviour of Pr and Pr-Th alloys is different from that of La and its alloys with Ce and Th where the maximum in theR vsP curve is electronic in origin and is exhibited by the dhcp, fcc and dist fcc phases.     

Nuclear <Superscript>111</Superscript>Cd probes detect a hidden symmetry change at the γ → α transition in cerium considered isostructural for 60 years

We use the time-differential perturbed angular correlation technique to study nuclear electric quadupole hyperfine interactions of probe ¹¹¹Cd nuclei in cerium lattice sites at room temperature under pressures up to 8 GPa. We have found that the well known γ → α phase transition in cerium is not isostructural. In α-Ce, the probe ¹¹¹Cd nuclei reveal a quadrupole electron charge density component that is absent in γ-Ce. The hidden spacial structure of electronic quadrupoles in α-Ce is triple-q antiferroquadrupolar, as was suggested in [14]. We relate our findings to the current understanding of the γ → α phase transition and also report on nuclear quadrupole interactions in other high-pressure phases of cerium: α″ (C2/m space symmetry) and α′ (α-U structure).     

Consideration of the growth mode in isochronal austenite-ferrite transformation of ultra-low-carbon Fe–C alloy

The three cooling rates of 10, 100, 200 K/min dilatometry experiments are used to investigate the kinetics of the isochronal austenite (γ) to ferrite (α) transformation of Fe–0.0036wt.%C alloy. “Normal transformation” and “abnormal transformation” have both been observed for transformations at different cooling rates. In accordance with the thermodynamic characteristics of the γ→α transformation investigated here and previous kinetic considerations, a JMAK-like approach for the kinetics of isochronal phase transformations was developed that incorporates three overlapping processes: site saturation nucleation, alternate growth modes (from interface-controlled to diffusion-controlled to interface-controlled growth), as well as impingement for random distribution nuclei. The JMAK-like approach has been employed to fit the experimental results, and the fitting results show that for the γ→α transformation of the Fe–C alloy at all applied cooling rates, the growth mode evolves in the corresponding order: from interface-controlled to diffusion-controlled growth; from interface-controlled to diffusion-controlled to interface-controlled growth; and interface-controlled growth.     

On the nature of the γ-α transition in cerium

In 1964 Davis and Adams established that the large increase of the thermal expansion and compressibility in the critical region of the γ-to α-Ce phase transition occurs predominantly in the α phase. This provides strong evidence that a tricritical point is realized in Ce. This also means that the aforementioned transition is not isomorphic and that α-Ce should have a distorted fcc structure. A careful examination of Jayaraman’s data (1965) shows that a second-order transition line continues beyond the tricritical point to the vicinity of a triple point on the melting curve. The phase boundary with the tricritical point and the minimum of the melting curve are reconstructed within the framework of Landau theory. Pis’ma Zh. éksp. Teor. Fiz. 67, No. 2, 111–117 (25 January 1998) Published in English in the original Russian journal. Edited by Steve Torstveit.     

The Magnetic Response of Europium Implanted in Cerium and in Platinum as Investigated by the PAC-Method

The magnetic response of europium in γ-cerium and in platinum was studied by applying the perturbed angular correlation spectroscopy. The probe nuclei were ¹⁴⁷Eu(11/2⁻) and ¹⁴⁹Eu(11/2⁻). The response in γ-Ce was determined by the electronic S = J = 7/2 ground state of divalent Eu. In Pt, on the other hand, Eu is trivalent (J = 0 ground state). Here the magnetic contributions originate from Van Vleck terms of the whole multiplet system.     

Anomalous enhancement of the thermoelectric power in gallium-doped p-(Bi1 ? xSbx)2Te3 single crystals

The effect of gallium on the temperature dependences (5 K ≤ T ≤ 300 K) of Seebeck coefficient α, electrical conductivity σ, thermal conductivity k, and thermoelectric efficiency Z of mixed p-(Bi_0.5Sb_0.5)₂Te₃ semiconductor single crystals is studied. The hole concentration decreases upon gallium doping; that is, gallium causes a donor effect. The Seebeck coefficient increases anomalously, i.e., much higher than it should be at the detected decrease in the hole concentration. This leads to an enhancement of the thermoelectric power. The observed changes in the Seebeck coefficient indicate a noticeable gallium-induced change in the density of states in the valence band.     

Thermoelectric properties of tunnel junctions

The thermoelectric (Seebeck) coefficient α and thermoelectric quality factor (figure of merit) ZT are estimated for a tunnel junction in metals. It is shown that α can be of the order of hundreds of μV/K while ZT can approach values ∼0.1–1. The maxima of α(h) and ZT(h) correspond to a certain width h of the tunnel junction; such h is about a few nanometers. The results we obtained can find applications in the constructions of novel thermoelectric generators.     

Diffusion Coefficient of a Brownian Particle with a Friction Function Given by a Power Law

Nonequilibrium biological systems like moving cells or bacteria have been phenomenologically described by Langevin equations of Brownian motion in which the friction function depends on the particle’s velocity in a nonlinear way. An important subclass of such friction functions is given by power laws, i.e., instead of the Stokes friction constant γ ₀ one includes a function γ(v)∼v ^2α . Here I show using a recent analytical result as well as a dimension analysis that the diffusion coefficient is proportional to a simple power of the noise intensity D like D ^{(1−α)/(1+α)} (independent of spatial dimension). In particular the diffusion coefficient does not depend on the noise intensity at all, if α=1, i.e., for a cubic friction F _fric=−γ(v)v∼v ³. The exact prefactor is given in the one-dimensional case and a fit formula is proposed for the multi-dimensional problem. All results are confirmed by stochastic simulations of the system for α=1, 2, and 3 and spatial dimension d=1, 2, and 3. Conclusions are drawn about the strong noise behavior of certain models of self-propelled motion in biology.     

Multiple intermediate valence in plutonium

On the basis of the concepts of an intermediate-valence (IV) regime, an empirical model is proposed that quantitatively describes the magnetic susceptibility, specific heat, and effective atomic volume of the low-temperature α phase and the gallium or aluminum-stabilized face-centered cubic (fcc) δ phase of plutonium metal. The results of the paper allow one to estimate the entropy change associated with the α → δ structural phase transition, the value of this change being very close to the experimental value. According to the model, both phases of plutonium are systems with multiple intermediate valence, whose ground state is a many-particle Kondo singlet, and fluctuations occur between 5f electron configurations with integer valences of 3+, 4+, and 2+.     

Search for a precursor crystal-to-crystal phase transition to amorphization in α-GeO2 and α-AlPO4 under pressure

Recent X-ray diffraction studies on α-quartz (SiO₂) by Kingmaet al [1], have shown the occurrence of a reversible, crystalline-to-crystalline, phase transition just prior to amorphization at ≈ 21 GPa. This precursor transition has also been confirmed by our recent molecular dynamics simulation study [2]. In order to investigate the possibility of a similar behaviour in other isostructural compounds, which also undergo pressure induced amorphization, α-GeO₂ and α-AlPO₄ (berlinite form) were studied using energy dispersive X-ray diffraction. In either of these materials, no such phase transition is detected prior to amorphization. The onset of amorphization and its reversal is found to be time dependent in GeO₂.     

Effect of contacts between γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles on their phase-transition temperature

The effect of mechanical contacts between γ-Fe₂O₃ particles on the temperature of the γ-α structural transition in them is established by magnetic studies and differential thermal analysis (DTA). The sample in which γ-Fe₂O₃ particles had no mechanical contacts with one another remained in the ferromagnetic state up to T _C = 630°C and had two exothermal DTA peaks. The first peak almost coincided with the Curie temperature, while the second peak attributed to the γ → α structural transition corresponded to 760°C. The magnetic transition for particles with a larger number of contacts was shadowed by the γ → α structural transition with a temperature lowered to 550°C.     

Material parameters for thermoelectric performance

The thermoelectric performance of a thermoelement is ideally defined in terms of the so-called figure-of-meritZ = α²σ/λ, where α,σ and λ refer respectively to the Seebeck coefficient, electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity of the thermoelement material. However, there are other parameters which are fairly good indicators of a material’s thermoelectric ‘worth’. A simple yet useful performance indicator is possible with only two parameters — energy gap and lattice thermal conductivity. This indicator can outline all potentially useful thermoelectric materials. Thermal conductivity in place of lattice thermal conductivity can provide some additional information about the temperature range of operation. Yet another performance indicator may be based on the slope of α vs. ln σ plots. α plotted against ln σ shows a linear relationship in a simplified model, but shows a variation with temperature and carrier concentration. Assuming that such a relationship is true for a narrow range of temperature and carrier concentration, one can calculate the slope m of α vs. ln σ plots against temperature and carrier concentrations. A comparison between the variation ofZT and slopem suggests that such plots may be useful to identify potential thermoelectric materials.     

Characteristics of high energy interactions I. High energy gamma-ray spectra near the top of the atmosphere

An emulsion chamber was used to study the characteristics of high energy nuclear interactions from the production spectra ofγ-rays. The emulsion chamber, which comprised of two parts, namely the detector and the graphite producer unit, was exposed to cosmic rays for about 7 hr at an atmospheric depth of 10 g cm⁻² at Hyderabad (geomagnetic latitude 7·6°N). 720 electromagnetic cascades due toγ-rays were recorded in the detector. These cascades were classified into three groups; (a)γ-rays from nuclear interactions in the detector (b)γ-rays from nuclear interactions in the producer unit and (c)γ-rays of atmospheric origin. The energies of the cascades were determined using photometric method. The spectra ofγ-rays from groups (a) and (c) were determined and compared with similar spectra obtained at greater atmospheric depths. The spectra were found to obey a power law. The spectrum ofγ-rays of atmospheric origin was found to steepen at high energies,E _r>2200 GeV.     

Quantum chromodynamics studies at LEP2

Several studies have been made to the hadronic final states in e ⁺ e ⁻ collisions at LEP. Studies of the annihilation process at LEP2 have given rise to results on jet rate, event shape, heavy flavour production, inclusive momentum spectra, Bose-Einstein correlation and colour reconnection effects. Event shape studies have given rise to accurate determination of the strong coupling constant α _s using O (α _s ² ) with resummed leading and next-to-leading log calculation and also with power law corrections. Studies of 2-photon processes have yielded results on γγ cross-section, heavy flavour production, photon structure function and γ*γ* scattering.     

Features of the α-γ transition in a low-pressure rf argon discharge

It is found that the region for the stable existence of the aregime of a radio-frequency (rf) discharge is bounded not only on the moderate-pressure side, but also on the low-pressure side. One feature of the α-γ transition in a low-pressure rf discharge is that the criterion for breakdown of the electrode sheath is not satisfied. It is shown that at low pressures the α-γ transition of an rf argon discharge takes place abruptly and exhibits hysteresis. At intermediate pressures the α-γ transition is continuous and lacks jumps; negative differential conductivity appears, double layers form, and nonmonotonic behavior of the plasma density is observed at the center of the discharge. The role of stochastic (collisionless) electron heating in sustaining an rf discharge at intermediate gas pressures is discussed. Zh. Tekh. Fiz. 68, 52–60 (May 1998)     

Doppler shapes of the γ line in the <Superscript>9</Superscript>Be(α, nγ)<Superscript>12</Superscript>C reaction in plasma at temperatures <Emphasis Type="Italic">T</Emphasis><Subscript>α</Subscript> < 0.6 MeV

A parametrization of the partial cross section of the ⁹Be(α, nγ)¹²C reaction in the α-particle energy range of 0.3–7.9 MeV is presented, along with the count rates of γ quanta. The need to consider subbarrier (Eα < 1.9 MeV) α-particles in plasma for temperatures T _α < 0.2 MeV is substantiated. The shapes of the Doppler-broadened 4.44 MeV γ line and the count rates of γ quanta in the plasma of the JET tokamak are measured for the first time and compared to the calculated values. An estimated T _α ≲ 160 keV is obtained.     

α-, β-和γ-Si3N4 高压下的电子结构和相变: 第一性原理研究

本文采用第一性原理框架下的赝势平面波方法结合振动类德拜模型研究了α,β和γ-Si₃N₄在高温下的点阵常数,弹性常数和弹性模量.研究发现三种同质异相体的体模量都很高.β-Si₃N₄在低温下表现出脆性,在高温下则表现出延展性.γ-Si₃N₄在低温和高温下都是脆性的共价化合物.β → γ 相变的相界斜率为正值,说明在较高温度时合成γ-Si₃N₄所需的压强也较高.α → γ 相变的相界可以表示成 P=16.29- 1.835-10^-2 T+9.33945-10^-5T²-2.16759-10^-7T³+2.91795-10^-10T⁴.本文还分析了Si₃N₄同质异相体在高压下的态密度和能带.在α-Si₃N₄中主要是Si-s, p和N-s,p的轨道杂化对晶体的稳定性起作用.α和β-Si₃N₄都具有Γ_V-Γ_C类型的间接带隙(分别是4.9~eV和4.4~eV)而γ-Si₃N₄具有直接带隙(3.9~eV). 研究还发现α-Si₃N₄和β-Si₃N₄的价带顶分别沿着Γ-M和Γ-A方向.本文的计算结果和已有的实验数据是一致的.     

New version of the integrated method for measuring small effects in experiments on beams extracted from a nuclear reactor at the effect sign switching frequency above the fundamental frequencies of the reactor power fluctuation spectrum

The principles of construction and the results of testing of a system for measuring P-odd asymmetries in nuclear reactions with polarized cold neutrons by the integrated method of recording events at the neutron polarization switching frequency above the fundamental frequencies of the reactor power fluctuation spectrum are presented. It is shown experimentally that if the signal under investigation is characterized by the spectral density of power decreasing with increasing frequency, switching of the equipment at a higher frequency decreases the measuring error. The dependence of the error of measurements of P-odd asymmetry in the emission of γ quanta in the ¹⁰B(n, α)⁷Li* ⟹ γ ⟹ ⁷Li(g.s.) reaction on the neutron polarization switching frequency is derived. The system described here is implemented experimentally for the first time.     

Low-frequency fluctuations in stochastic processes with a 1/<Emphasis Type="Italic">f</Emphasis><Superscript>α</Superscript> spectrum

The results of numerical analysis of the Brownian movement of a particle in the force field of the potential corresponding to interacting subcritical and supercritical phase transitions are considered. If the white noise intensity corresponds to the critical intensity of the noise-induced transition, the system of stochastic differential equations describes random steady-state processes with fluctuation power spectra inversely proportional to frequency f, S(f) ∼ 1/f ^α, where exponent α varies in the interval 0.8 ≤ α ≤ 1.8. Exponent β of distribution function P(τ) ∼ τ^−β for the duration of low-frequency extremal fluctuations, which are analogous to avalanches considered in the models of self-organized criticality in many respects, varies between the same limits. It is shown that exponents α and β are connected through the relation α + β = 2.     

Reaction (<Emphasis Type="Italic">n, γα</Emphasis>) assisted by internal and resonance conversion

We consider spectra of γ, internal conversion and α transitions in (n, γ) and (n, γα) reactions on ₆₀¹⁴³Nd. Probabilities of mixing of neutron resonances with different spins and parities arising due to internal and resonance conversion are also considered from the point of view of studying the P-violating processes. Arguments are presented in favor of that the α decay of the 55-eV neutron resonance 4⁻ to the ground state, observed earlier, may be due to such interaction.