Determination of the Splitting of the 6a0 and 6b0 Bands of C-Hexadeuterobenzene in a Supersonic Jet

By using resonance-enhanced two-photon ionization, rotationally resolved spectra of the 6¹₀ band of ¹²C₆D₆ and (¹³C¹²C₅D₆ molecules have been obtained for the first time at a rotational temperature of 0.7 K in a pulsed supersonic beam. From the former, the values of B″ = 0.1573 ± 0.0008 cm⁻¹, B′ = 0.1508 ± 0.0008 cm⁻¹, and ξ′ = −0.412 ± 0.050 have been derived for rotational and Coriolis constants in the lower and upper levels of ¹²C₆D₆. Also, the spectra corresponding to ¹²C₆H₆ and ¹³C¹²C₅H₆ have been measured and the values B″ = 0.1892 ± 0.0008 cm⁻¹, B′ = 0.1815 ± 0.0008 cm⁻¹, and ξ′ = −0.586 ± 0.050 have been obtained for ¹²C₆H₆, in agreement with previous results. Rotational constants of ¹³C labeled benzene molecules have been geometrically deduced from the constants obtained. Experimental isotopic shifts of the vibronic origins of the 6a¹₀ and 6b¹₀ bands have been determined. There is agreement with previous ¹³C-benzene-h₆ data. The present results are −0.91 ± 0.05 and 3.09 ± 0.05 cm⁻¹ for ¹³C¹²C₅D₆ and −1.64 ± 0.05 and 2.64 ± 0.05 cm⁻¹ for ¹³C¹²C₅H₆. The splittings of vibrational modes 6b and 6a in the ¹B_2u state are 4.00 ± 0.10 cm⁻¹ for ¹³C¹²C₅D₆ and 4.28 ± 0.10 cm⁻¹ for ¹³C¹²C₅H₆.     

Multi-components of T2 relaxation in ex vivo cartilage and tendon

The multi-components of T₂ relaxation in cartilage and tendon were investigated by microscopic MRI (μMRI) at 13 and 26 μm transverse resolutions. Two imaging protocols were used to quantify T₂ relaxation in the specimens, a 5-point sampling and a 60-point sampling. Both multi-exponential and non-negative-least-square (NNLS) fitting methods were used to analyze the μMRI signal. When the imaging voxel size was 6.76 × 10⁻⁴ mm³ and within the limit of practical signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in microscopic imaging experiments, we found that (1) canine tendon has multiple T₂ components; (2) bovine nasal cartilage has a single T₂ component; and (3) canine articular cartilage has a single T₂ component. The T₂ profiles from both 5-point and 60-point methods were found to be consistent in articular cartilage. In addition, the depletion of the glycosaminoglycan component in cartilage by the trypsin digestion method was found to result in a 9.81–20.52% increase in T₂ relaxation in articular cartilage, depending upon the angle at which the tissue specimen was oriented in the magnetic field.     

The Mechanism of Magnetically Tuned Singlet–Triplet Avoided Crossings in the ÃA2– A1 40 Band of Thioformaldehyde H2C=S

Magnetically tuned singlet–triplet perturbations in the 4¹Ã¹A₂–2¹3¹ã³A₂ system of thioformaldehyde, found in ortho-rotational states (I = 1, the two hydrogen spins parallel) have been identified as being caused by vibronic spin–orbit coupling. This perturbation mechanism has been confirmed in several avoided crossings observed in this work for para states (I = 0, hydrogen spins antiparallel) which are much stronger. Parametrization of the theory has led to a quantitative understanding of the experimental frequency-field relations, and to an accurate prediction of the rovibrational energies of the triplet state. This in turn permitted the detection of about 100 Doppler-limited 2¹3¹ã³A₂–0^{0 1}A₁ rovibronic transitions which led into fine structure states. The combined data was then used to determine a set of rotational, fine, and hyperfine triplet-state parameters, the term value T₀(2¹3¹ã³A₂) = (16 685.385 ± 0.002) cm⁻¹, and the spin–orbit vibronic singlet–triplet coupling constant, W_ST = (0.0691 ± 0.0016) cm⁻¹. A large number of frequency perturbations observed in the crossings, ranging from 2 to 300 MHz, can be explained with this single parameter.     

Jet Spectroscopy of theD12B1–D01B1Transition of thep-Cyanobenzyl Radical

We have generated thep-cyanobenzyl radical in supersonic free expansion, and measured the vibrationally and rotationally resolved laser induced fluorescence (LIF) excitation spectra and the LIF dispersed spectra from the single vibronic levels (SVL) in the green-blue region. The lowest energy band at 20 738 cm⁻¹with the strongest intensity in the excitation spectrum has been assigned to the 0⁰₀band of the visible spectrum, on the basis of the vibronic structures in the SVL dispersed spectra. Based on the band type of the 0⁰₀band,a-type, determined from the rotationally resolved LIF excitation spectrum, we have definitely assigned the visible band to theD₁2²B₁–D₀1²B₁electronic transition. We have found, on the grounds of the vibrational analysis of the dispersed spectra, that the vibronic structure of the 2²B₁–1²B₁electronic transition of the benzyl type is characterized by totally symmetric fundamental modes, 1, 8a, and 9a.     

Methods for correlating T1ρ and FID components in wideline H NMR studies of motionally heterogeneous polymer systems

We address the problem of correlating the observed FID and T_1ρ components in wideline ¹H relaxation measurements of motionally heterogeneous polymers, and show that different methods of data treatment can highlight different aspects of the correlations present. For a sample of polypropylene we find that the T_1ρ relaxation behaviour is driven by relaxation associated with the intermediate FID component, which strongly suggests a motionally inhomogeneous amorphous region in the sample.     

High-resolution infrared spectra of HCF3 in the ν6 (500 cm) and 2ν6 (1000 cm) regions: rovibrational analysis and accurate determination of the ground state constants C0 and DK

The high-resolution infrared spectrum of HCF₃ was studied in the ν₆ fundamental (near 500 cm⁻¹) and in the 2ν₆ overtones (near 1000 cm⁻¹) regions. The present study reports on the analysis of the hot bands in the ν₆ region, as well as the first observation and assignment of the 2ν₆² perpendicular band. Using ν₆, 2ν₆^±2–ν₆^±1 and 2ν₆² experimental wavenumbers, accurate coefficients C₀ and D_K⁰ of the K-dependent ground-state energy terms were obtained, using the so-called “loop method.” Ground-state energy differences Δ(K,J)=E₀(K,J)−E₀(K−3,J) were obtained for K=3–30. A least-squares fit of 81 such differences gave the following results (in cm⁻¹): C₀=0.1892550(15); D_K⁰=2.779(26) × 10⁻⁷.     

Contribution to the Analysis of theA2←XA1“Wulf” Transition of Ozone by High-Resolution Fourier Transform Spectrometry

The analysis of the rotational structure of the high-resolution Fourier transform 0⁰₀absorption spectrum of the³A₂←X¹A₁band system of the “Wulf” transition of the isotopomer¹⁶O₃of ozone is reported for the first time. With a near pure case (b) coupling model for the upper triplet state, we have assigned a significant portion of the spectrum, mainly theF₁(J=N+ 1) andF₂(J=N) spin components, primarily in the lower frequency region of the band. The lines corresponding to theF₃(J=N− 1) component are weak at lower frequencies and heavily congested in the central and higher frequency regions of the spectrum. Perturbations and predissociation phenomena have reduced the effective lifetime of the metastable³A₂state and have also limited the number of transitions included in the least-squares fit of the band. Approximately 100 lines have been assigned in the range from 9100–9550 cm⁻¹. Three rotational, three centrifugal distortion, three spin–rotation, and one spin–spin constant were varied. The geometry of the molecule in the³A₂state, as determined from these constants, isr= 1.345 Å and θ = 98.9°, in good agreement withab initioresults.     

Annealing effect on the superconductivity of In2O3–ZnO thin films

We have investigated the relation among ρ–T characteristics, superconductivity, annealing conditions and the crystallinity of polycrystalline (In₂O₃)_1−x–(ZnO)_x films. We annealed as-grown amorphous films in air by changing annealing temperature and time. It is found that the films annealed at 200 °C or 300 °C for a time over 0.5 h shows the superconductivity. Transition temperature T_c and the carrier density n are T_c < 3.3 K and n ≈ 10²⁵–10²⁶ m⁻³, respectively. Investigations for films with x = 0.01 annealed at 200 °C have revealed that the T_c, n and crystallinity depend systematically on annealing time. Further, we consider that there is a suitable annealing time for sharp resistive transition because the transition width becomes wider with longer annealing times. We studied the upper critical magnetic field H_c2(T) for the film with different annealing time. From the slope of dH_c2/dT for all films, we have obtained the resistivity ρ dependence of the coherence length ξ(0) at T = 0 K.     

Study on the phase transitions by nuclear magnetic resonance of α-type RbAl(SO4)2·12H2O and β-type CsAl(SO4)2·12H2O single crystals

The thermodynamic properties, spin–lattice relaxation times, T₁, and spin–spin relaxation times, T₂, of the ²⁷Al, ⁸⁷Rb, and ¹³³Cs nuclei in MAl(SO₄)₂·12H₂O (M=Rb and Cs) crystals were investigated, and the two crystals were found to lose H₂O with increases in temperature. From our results for T₁ and T₂, we conclude that the discontinuities near T_d in the T₁ curves of the two crystals correspond to structural changes. In both crystals, below T_d the water molecules surrounding the Al³⁺ and M⁺ nuclei form distorted octahedra, whereas above T_d the water molecules around the Al³⁺ and M⁺ nuclei form regular octahedra and the environment of the Al³⁺ and M⁺ nuclei has cubic symmetry. Further, the T₁ for the ²⁷Al and ⁸⁷Rb nuclei in RbAl(SO₄)₂·12H₂O below T_d were found to increase with increasing temperature, whereas the T₁ for the ²⁷Al and ¹³³Cs nuclei in CsAl(SO₄)₂·12H₂O were found to decrease. It is possible that this difference is due to the different characteristics of α- and β-type crystals.     

High-resolution FTIR spectroscopy of HNSO—Analysis of the highly perturbed ν4, ν6 and 2ν5 bands

We report a rovibrational analysis of the ν₄ and ν₆ fundamentals and the 2ν₅ overtone of HNSO from high-resolution Fourier transform infrared spectra. The ν₆ band (out-of-plane bend) centred at 757.5 cm⁻¹ is c-type. The ν₄ band (HNS bend) centred at 905.9 cm⁻¹ is predominantly a-type with a very weak b-type component (). Numerous global perturbations and localized avoided crossings affecting the v₄ = 1 rotational levels were successfully treated by inclusion of Fermi and c-axis Coriolis resonance terms between v₄ = 1 and v₅ = 2, and a b-axis Coriolis resonance term between v₄ = 1 and v₆ = 1. The latter term gives rise to an avoided crossing with an extraordinary ΔK_a = 5 selection rule. The Fermi resonance between v₄ = 1 and v₅ = 2 gives rise to strong mixing of their rotational wavefunctions in the vicinity of K_a = 18. The resultant borrowing of intensity made it possible for 2ν₅ transitions in the range K_a = 16–19 to be assigned and included in a global rovibrational treatment of all three band systems.     

New ferromagnetic La3Co2TaO9 double perovskite: Structural and magnetic properties

The new double perovskite La₃Co₂TaO₉ has been prepared by a solid-state procedure. The crystal and magnetic structures have been studied from X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) and neutron powder diffraction (NPD) data. Rietveld refinements were performed in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n. The structure consists of an ordered array of alternating B′O₆ and B″O₆ octahedra sharing corners, tilted along the three pseudocubic axes according to the Glazer notation a⁻b⁻c⁺. Rietveld refinements show that at RT the cell parameters are a=5.6005(7) Å, b=5.6931(7) Å, c=7.9429(9) Å and β=89.9539(7)°, and the refined crystallographic formula of this “double perovskite” can be written as La₂(Co)_2d(Co_1/3Ta_2/3)_2cO₆. Magnetization measurements and low-temperature NPD data show that the perovskite is a ferromagnet with T_C=72 K. At high T it follows the Curie–Weiss law with an effective magnetic moment of 3.82μ_B per Co ion which is very close to spin only Co²⁺ (HS).     

The ν1 and ν3 stretching fundamental bands of PD3

The infrared (IR) spectrum of PD₃ has been recorded in the 1580–1800 cm⁻¹ range at a resolution of 0.0027 cm⁻¹. About 2400 rovibrational transitions with J^′=K^′22 have been measured and assigned to the ν₁ (A₁) and ν₃ (E) stretching fundamentals. These include 506 “perturbation-allowed” transitions with selection rules Δ(k−l)=±3. Splittings of the K^′′=3 lines have been observed. Effects of strong perturbations are evident in the spectrum. Therefore the rovibrational Hamiltonian adopted for the analysis explicitly takes into account the Coriolis and k-type interactions between the v₁=1 and v₃=1 states, and includes also several essential resonances within these states. The rotational structure in the v₁=1 and v₃=1 vibrational states up to J^′=K^′=18 was reproduced by fitting simultaneously all experimental data. Thirty-four parameters reproduced 1950 transitions retained in the final cycle with a standard deviation of the fit equal to 4.9 × 10⁻⁴ cm⁻¹ (about the precision of the experimental measurements).     

Self-broadening, self-shift and self-mixing in the ν2, 2ν2 and ν4 bands of NH3

Using Fourier-transform spectra (Bruker IFS 120 HR, resolution ≈0.004 cm⁻¹) of NH₃ in nine branches of the ν₂, 2ν₂ and ν₄ bands, self-broadening and self-shift as well as self-mixing coefficients have been determined at room temperature (T=295 K) for more than 350 rovibrational lines located in the spectral range 1000–1800 cm⁻¹. A non-linear least-squares multispectrum fitting procedure, including line mixing effects, has been used to retrieve successively the line parameters from 11 experimental spectra recorded at different pressures of pure NH₃. The accuracies of self-broadening coefficients are estimated to be better than 2% for most lines. The mean accuracies of line-mixing and line-shift data are estimated to be about 15% and 25%, respectively. The results are compared with previous measurements and with values calculated using a semiclassical model based upon the Robert–Bonamy formalism that reproduces rather well the systematic experimental J and K quantum number dependencies of the self-broadening coefficients.The results concerning line mixing demonstrate a large amount of coupling between the symmetric and asymmetric components of inversion doublets mainly in the ν₄ band. The line mixing parameters are both positive and negative. More than two thirds of the lines studied here have a positive shift coefficient. However, for most of them the shift coefficients are negative in the 2ν₂ band. They are positive for the R branch of the ν₂ band and for the ^PR and ^RP branches of the ν₄ band. For the other branches they are both positive and negative. Some components of inversion doublets illustrate a correlation between line mixing and shift phenomena demonstrated by a quadratic pressure dependence of line position.     

Oxygen vacancy-induced aging of Mn-doped Ba0.8Sr0.2TiO3 ceramics in paraelectric and ferroelectric state

The aging properties of 0.01 mol% Mn-doped Ba_0.8Sr_0.2TiO₃ ceramics have been investigated from 30 °C to 400 °C at various frequencies. Decreases in ε′(T) of the aged sample compared to the fresh one around the tetragonal–cubic transition and in the regime of diffusion have been observed. The activation energy E_a = 1.25 eV obtained from the J–T loop at zero electric field indicates that oxygen vacancies dominate in the aging. The symmetry-conforming principle of point defects was employed to explain the time and temperature dependence of aging in the dielectric constant and double/constricted P–E loops of the samples aged in the paraelectric and ferroelectric state.     

In vivo NMR T2 relaxation of experimental brain tumors in the cat: A multiparameter tissue characterization

Experimental gliomas (F98) were inoculated in cat brain for the systematic study of their in vivo T₂ relaxation time behavior. With a CPMG multi-echo imaging sequence, a train of 16 echoes was evaluated to obtain the transverse relaxation time and the magnetization M(0) at time t = 0. The magnetization decay curves were analyzed for biexponentiality. All tissues showed monoexponential T₂, only that of the ventricular fluid and part of the vital tumor tissue were biexponential. Based on these NMR relaxation parameters the tissues were characterized, their correct assignment being assured by comparison with histological slices. T₂ of normal grey and white matter was 74 ± 6 and 72 ± 6 msec, respectively. These two tissue types were distinguished through M(0) which for white matter was only 0.88 of the intensity of grey matter in full agreement with water content, determined from tissue specimens. At the time of maximal tumor growth and edema spread a tissue differentiation was possible in NMR relaxation parameter images. Separation of the three tissue groups of normal tissue, tumor and edema was based on T₂ with T_2(normal) < T_2(tumor) < T_2(edema). Using M(0) as a second parameter the differentiation was supported, in particular between white matter and tumor or edema. Animals were studied at 1–4 wk after tumor implantation to study tumor development. The magnetization M(0) of both tumor and peritumoral edema went through a maximum between the second and third week of tumor growth. T₂ of edema was maximal at the same time with 133 ± 4 msec, while the relaxation time of tumor continued to increase during the whole growth period, reaching values of 114 ± 12 msec at the fourth week. Thus, a complete characterization of pathological tissues with NMR relaxometry must include a detailed study of the developmental changes of these tissues to assure correct experimental conditions for the goal of optimal contrast between normal and pathological regions in the NMR images.     

T1–T2 Correlation Spectra Obtained Using a Fast Two-Dimensional Laplace Inversion

Spin relaxation is a sensitive probe of molecular structure and dynamics. Correlation of relaxation time constants, such as T₁ and T₂, conceptually similar to the conventional multidimensional spectroscopy, have been difficult to determine primarily due to the absense of an efficient multidimensional Laplace inversion program. We demonstrate the use of a novel computer algorithm for fast two-dimensional inverse Laplace transformation to obtain T₁–T₂ correlation functions. The algorithm efficiently performs a least-squares fit on two-dimensional data with a nonnegativity constraint. We use a regularization method to find a balance between the residual fitting errors and the known noise amplitude, thus producing a result that is found to be stable in the presence of noise. This algorithm can be extended to include functional forms other than exponential kernels. We demonstrate the performance of the algorithm at different signal-to-noise ratios and with different T₁–T₂ spectral characteristics using several brine-saturated rock samples.     

Line strength measurements of carbonyl sulfide (OCS) in the 2v3, v1+2v2+v3, and 4v2+v3 bands

To support planetary studies of the Venus atmosphere, we measured line strengths of the 2v₃, v₁+2v₂+v₃, and 4v₂+v₃ bands of the primary isotopologue of carbonyl sulfide (¹⁶O¹²C³²S), whose band centers are located at 4101.387, 3937.427, and 4141.212 cm⁻¹, respectively. For this, infrared absorption spectra in normal carbonyl sulfide (OCS) sample gas were recorded at an unapodized resolution of 0.0033 cm⁻¹ at ambient room temperatures using a Bruker Fourier transform spectrometer (FTS) at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The FTS instrumental line shape (ILS) function was investigated, which revealed no significant instrumental line broadening or distortions. Various custom-made short cells and a multi-pass White cell were employed to achieve optical densities sufficient to observe the strong 2v₃ and the weaker bands in the region. Gas sample impurities and the isotopic abundances were determined from mass spectrum analysis. Line strengths were retrieved spectrum by spectrum using a non-linear curve fitting algorithm adopting a standard Voigt line profile, from which Herman–Wallis factors were derived for the three bands. The band strengths of 2v₃, v₁+2v₂+v₃, and 4v₂+v₃ of ¹⁶O¹²C³²S (normalized at 100% of isotopologue) are observed to be 6.315(13)×10⁻¹⁹, 1.570(2)×10⁻²⁰, and 7.949(20)×10⁻²¹ cm⁻¹/molecule cm⁻², respectively, at 296 K. These results are compared with earlier measurements and the HITRAN 2004 database.     

Emergence of order in nanocrystalline SmFe9

Three samples consistent with 1 : 12, 2 : 17 and 1 : 7 stoichiometry, ball-milled and subsequently annealed at temperature T_a between 600 and 1200°C were studied by Rietveld analysis, coupled to Curie temperature T_c measurements and Mössbauer spectroscopy. For all samples, at 600°CT_a<900°C, the detected out-of-equilibrium phase is the hexagonal P6/mmm structure derived from TbCu₇ with the composition SmFe₉. At T_a900°C the ordered phase of Th₂Zn₁₇-type is observed. With increasing T_a the unit cell parameter small variation of the parent SmFe₉ induces a decrease of T_c and H_hf. For T_a=600°C SmFe₉ is defined by a=0.4919 nm, c=0.4162 nm, T_c=207°C and H_hf=232 kOe. The resulting ordered Sm₂Fe₁₇ is characterized by nm, c=3×0.4147 nm, T_c=144°C and H_hf=219 kOe. For T_a=750°C the SmFe₉ T_c is 171°C associated to H_hf=222 kOe.     

High-resolution infrared study of the 2ν3 (A1, E) and ν1 + ν3 (E) bands of NF3

The 2ν₃ overtone (A₁, E) and the ν₁ + ν₃ (E) combination bands of the oblate symmetric top ¹⁴NF₃ were studied by FTIR spectroscopy with a resolution of 2.5 × 10⁻³ cm⁻¹. Nearly 500 lines up to K_max/J_max = 30/43 were observed for the weak A₁ component reaching the v₃ = 2⁰ substate (1803.1302 cm⁻¹), the majority of which corresponded to reinforced K = 3p-type transitions. For the strong E component reaching the v₃ = 2^±2 substate (1810.4239 cm⁻¹), about 3550 transitions were assigned up to K_max/J_max = 65/69, favoring a clear observation of the ℓ(4, −2) and ℓ(4, 4) splittings within the kℓ = −2 and +4 sublevels, respectively. The two v₃ = 2 substates are linked by the ℓ(2, 2)- and ℓ(2, −1)-type interactions, providing severe crossings, respectively, at K′ = 6 and near K′ = 24 on the v₃ = 2⁺² side. A model working in the D-reduction and including all these ℓ-type interactions could reproduce together 3695 nonzero weighted experimental data (NZW) through 33 free parameters with a standard deviation of σ = 0.357 × 10⁻³  cm⁻¹. As for the ν₁ + ν₃ (E) combination band, about 3690 lines were assigned up to K_max/J_max = 45/55. Its v₁ = v₃ = 1 upper state (1931.577 5 cm⁻¹) was treated using the same model recently applied to the v₃ = 1 (E, 907.5413 cm⁻¹) state. It yielded 21 free parameters through 3282 NZW experimental data, adjusted with σ = 0.344 × 10⁻³  cm⁻¹ in the D-reduction. For the two excited states, the small and unobserved ℓ(0, 6) interaction was tested as useless. To confirm the adequacy of the vibrationally isolated models used, some other reductions of the Hamiltonian were tried. For the v₃ = 2 state, the D-, L-, and LD-reductions led to similar σ’s, while the Q one was not successful. For the v₁ = v₃ = 1 state, the D- and Q-reductions gave comparable σ’s, while the QD-reduction was not as good. The corresponding unitary equivalence relations are generally more nicely fulfilled for the v₃ = 2 state than for the v₁ = v₃ = 1 state. The three derivable anharmonicity constants in cm⁻¹ are x₃₃ = −4.1528, g₃₃ = +1.8235 and x₁₃ = −7.9652.     

Specific heat anomaly in Bi1.6Pb0.4Sr2Ca2Cu3Oy superconductor

The specific heat anomaly ΔC of Bi_1.6Pb_0.4Sr₂Ca₂Cu₃O_y was observed in the temperature range 80–100 K. It is estimated from ΔC that γ15 mJ/mol·K² and H_{c2(T=0)100 T} in this sample. The specific heat anomaly confirmed the occurrence of bulk superconductivity of the high-T_c phase in Bi_1.6Pb_0.4Sr₂Ca₂Cu₃O_y superconductor.