The pure rotational spectrum of ZnS (XΣ)

The pure rotational spectrum of ZnS (X¹Σ⁺) has been measured using direct-absorption millimeter/sub-millimeter techniques in the frequency range 372-471 GHz. This study is the first spectroscopic investigation of this molecule. Spectra originating in four zinc isotopologues (⁶⁴ZnS, ⁶⁶ZnS, ⁶⁸ZnS, and ⁶⁷ZnS) were recorded in natural abundance in the ground vibrational state, and data from the v = 1 state were also measured for the two most abundant zinc species. Spectroscopic constants have been subsequently determined, and equilibrium parameters have been estimated. The equilibrium bond length was calculated to be r_e ∼ 2.0464 Å, which agrees well with theoretical predictions. In contrast, the dissociation energy of D_E ∼ 3.12 eV calculated for ZnS, assuming a Morse potential, was significantly higher than past experimental and theoretical estimates, suggesting diabatic interaction with other potentials that lower the effective dissociation energy. Although ZnS is isovalent with ZnO, there appear to be subtle differences in bonding between the two species, as suggested by their respective force constants and bond length trends in the 3d series.     

Temperature-dependent critical resolved shear stress model for (Cu–Au)–Co alloys in pure shear mode

Based on a limited energy storage viewpoint proposed by our team, it is assumed that there is a maximum constant value for the maximum storage of energy per unit volume when dislocation slip starts in a metal. A temperature-dependent critical resolved shear stress (CRSS) model without any fitting parameters is developed for metals in a pure shear mode. The CRSSs of Cu, Cu–Au, Cu–Co and Cu–Au–Co in the pure shear mode are predicted, and are in excellent agreement with the experimental results. This work offers an approach to predict the temperature-dependent CRSS for metals in the pure shear mode.     

Band splitting for Si(557)-Au: is it spin-charge separation?

It has been proposed that the Si(557)-Au surface exhibits spin-charge separation in a one-dimensional electron liquid. Two narrowly spaced bands are found which exhibit a well-defined splitting at the Fermi level. That is incompatible with the assignment to a spinon-holon pair in a Luttinger liquid. Instead, we propose that the two bands are associated with two nearly degenerate atomic chains, or a chain of step atoms with two broken bonds. Such an assignment explains why the surface is metallic despite an even number of electrons per unit cell.     

Possible evidence for the observation of noncompact (nonbaryonic) gravitational microlenses (“neutralino stars”)

The microlensing of distant stars by noncompact objects such as neutralino stars is considered. Recently, Gurevich and Zybin considered the objects as microlenses. Using a nonsingular density distribution, we analyze microlensing by noncompact objects. We obtain analytic solutions to the gravitational-lens equation and an analytic expression for the amplification factor of the gravitational lens. We show that, on the basis of a model of microlensing by noncompact objects, it is possible to interpret microlensing-event candidates having two typical maxima of light curves which are usually interpreted as binary microlenses.     

The Calculations that Gave Einstein “Heart Palpitations”

In what follows, I reply to the preceding article by Michel Janssen and Robert Schulmann, which itself was a response to my article on One month in the history of the discovery of general relativity theory, published in the February 1998 issue of this journal. I stand by the historical analysis and conclusions presented in my original article.     

“Synthetic metals”: a novel role for organic polymers

Since the initial discovery in 1977, that polyacetylene (CH)_x, now commonly known as the prototype conducting polymer, could be p- or n-doped either chemically or electronically to the metallic state, the development of the field conducting polymers, “synthetic metals”, has continued to accelerate at an unexpectedly rapid rate and a variety of other conducting polymers and their derivatives have been discovered. Potential new science/technology has been developed by combining the now well established field of electronic polymers (intrinsically conducting polymers – “synthetic metals”, when doped) with the emerging field of nanoscience (one dimension <100 nm). A simple and inexpensive method is described for producing conducting patterns of electronic polymers on plastic and paper from computer-designed patterns. This method, “Line Patterning”, does not involve printing of the conducting polymers. The difference in hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity between a substrate and a line of regular toner printed on it by a non-modified, standard ofiice laser printer results in conducting polymer areas separated by insulating toner lines.     

Reactor target from metal chromium for “pure” high-intensive artificial neutrino source

The paper presents the first results of development of manufacturing technology of metallic chromium targets from highly enriched isotope ⁵⁰Cr for irradiation in a high flux nuclear reactor to obtain a compact high intensity neutrino source with low content of radionuclide impurities and minimum losses of enriched isotope. The main technological stages are the hydrolysis of chromyl fluoride, the electrochemical reduction of metallic chromium, the hot isostatic pressing of chromium powder and the electrical discharge machining of chromium bars. The technological stages of hot isostatic pressing of chromium powder and of electrical discharge machining of Cr rods have been tested.     

Reactor target from metal chromium for “pure” high-intensive artificial neutrino source

The paper presents the first results of development of manufacturing technology of metallic chromium targets from highly enriched isotope ⁵⁰Cr for irradiation in a high flux nuclear reactor to obtain a compact high intensity neutrino source with low content of radionuclide impurities and minimum losses of enriched isotope. The main technological stages are the hydrolysis of chromyl fluoride, the electrochemical reduction of metallic chromium, the hot isostatic pressing of chromium powder and the electrical discharge machining of chromium bars. The technological stages of hot isostatic pressing of chromium powder and of electrical discharge machining of Cr rods have been tested.     

Novel automatic electrochemical–mechanical polishing (ECMP) of metals for scanning electron microscopy

A low-stress automated polishing device was developed for preparing titanium and nickel alloys for scanning electron microscopy imaging. The system used pulsed electrochemical reactions within an alkaline electrolyte to generate a thin passivation layer on the surface of the sample, which was removed by the mechanical vibration of the system. The passivation layer development and removal were documented for Ti–6Al–4V and IN718 samples subjected to varying electrical potential cycles and polishing times. Results indicated that the applied cyclic potentials removed material faster than typical removal techniques. In addition, electron back scatter diffraction data showed a decrease in subsurface damage using the developed electrochemical–mechanical process compared to standard mechanical polishing techniques.     

The pure rotational spectrum of TiS (XΔr) at submillimeter wavelengths

The pure rotational spectrum of TiS in its X³Δ_r ground state has been measured using millimeter-wave direct-absorption techniques in the frequency range of 313-425 GHz. This free radical was created by the reaction of titanium vapor, produced in a high-temperature Broida-type oven, with H₂S. Eight to ten rotational transitions were recorded for the main titanium isotopologue, ⁴⁸TiS, in the v = 0 and v = 1 levels, as well as for the v = 0 state of ⁴⁶TiS, observed in natural abundance (⁴⁸Ti:⁴⁶Ti = 74:8). All three Ω components were observed in almost every recorded transition, with no evidence for lambda-doubling. The data were fit with a Hund’s case(a) Hamiltonian, and rotational, spin-orbit, and spin-spin constants were determined, as well as equilibrium parameters for ⁴⁸TiS. Relatively few fine structure parameters were needed for the analysis of TiS (A, A_D, and λ), unlike other 3d metal species. The rotational pattern of the three fine structure components suggests the presence of a nearby excited ¹Δ state, lying ∼3000 cm⁻¹ higher in energy. From the equilibrium parameters, the dissociation energy for TiS was estimated to be ∼5.1 eV, in reasonable agreement with past thermochemical data.     

From the stress response function (back) to the sand pile “dip”

We relate the pressure dip observed at the bottom of a sand pile prepared by successive avalanches to the stress profile obtained on sheared granular layers in response to a localized vertical overload. We show that, within a simple anisotropic elastic analysis, the skewness and the tilt of the response profile caused by shearing provide a qualitative agreement with the sand pile dip effect. We conclude that the texture anisotropy produced by the avalanches is in essence similar to that induced by a simple shearing --albeit tilted by the angle of repose of the pile. This work also shows that this response function technique could be very well adapted to probe the texture of static granular packing.     

The Rayleigh phonon dispersion on Cu(100): A stress induced frequency shift?

The dispersion of the Rayleigh wave on Cu(100) has been measured by high resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) throughout the two-dimensional Brillouin zone in the . The experimental data can be matched with a nearest neighbour central force model when the force constant between the first and second layerk ₁₂ is stiffened by 20%. However, the data are likewise explained by assuming stress within the surface layer. The stress could arise from a tendency of the surface layer to contract.     

Comment on “Quantum telegraph: is it possible?” by B.B. Kadomtsev (Phys. Lett. A 210 (1996) 371)

The possibility of a quantum telegraph using the so-called Sokolov effect is reexamined under the fundamental principle of quantum mechanics. The conclusion is negative.     

Interaction of water with stepped Co(0001): how is it different from flat Co(0001)?

The adsorption and dissociation of water monomer and dimer on stepped Co(0001) surface were studied by means of first-principles calculations. Present results indicate that the adsorption strength of water is greatly enhanced by the presence of step, while the activity of water monomer dissociation does not exhibit a noticeable improvement. Nevertheless, water dimer partial dissociation on stepped Co(0001) is more active than on flat Co(0001), and the promotion of oxygen atom on O–H bond cleavage of H₂O is more prominent on stepped surface than on flat Co(0001). The findings reveal the importance of low coordinated surface atoms on metallic catalysts and the vital role of surface rippling on water dissociation. Together with previous reports, the activity of water dissociation on cobalt-based catalytic surfaces depends dominantly on O-containing species like oxygen atom, H₂O or hydroxyl.