Discrete breathers in biatomic crystals of <Emphasis Type="Italic">AB</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">A</Emphasis><Subscript>3</Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">B</Emphasis> composition

The conditions for the existence of discrete breathers (DBs) in biatomic crystals of AB and A ₃ B composition are established, and their properties are studied by means of molecular mechanics using the examples of CuAu and Pt₃Al, respectively. The phonon spectra of the crystals are analyzed, and a gap in the phonon spectrum of CuAu is obtained via considerable homogeneous elastic strain. There is a gap in the phonon spectrum of the Pt₃Al crystal at zero strain, due to the considerable difference between the atomic weights of its components. The frequencies at which discrete breathers can exist in the considered crystals are determined. The energy localized on different types of DBs is estimated. The propagation of a current pulse through Pt₃Al resulting in the excitation of DBs with mild nonlinearity is simulated.     

Resonant photoemission and absorption spectroscopy of the Cu<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>TiSe<Subscript>2</Subscript> compound

Single crystals of the Cu _x TiSe₂ compound with x = 0.05, 0.09, and 0.33 have been grown. Resonance photoelectron Cu 3p-3d and 2d-3d spectra of the valence bands, the spectra of the core levels, and the L absorption spectra for titanium and copper have been obtained. It is shown that the degree of oxidation of titanium atoms is +4 and the state of copper atoms is close to the state of free copper ions. It is found that the spectra of the valence bands obtained under the Cu 3p and 2p resonance conditions radically differ. For the spectra in the Cu 2p excitation regime, several bands corresponding to different decay channels of the excited state are observed. According to calculations of the density of states, the 3d states of copper are filled incompletely; the occupancy of the 3d band of copper is 9.5 electrons per atom.     

Zero-field splitting and local structure for V<Superscript>2+</Superscript> ions in CsMg<Emphasis Type="Italic">X</Emphasis><Subscript>3</Subscript> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">X</Emphasis>=Cl,Br, I) crystals

The zero-field splitting and local structure for V²⁺ ions in CsMgX ₃ (X =Cl, Br, I) crystals are theoretically investigated using complete diagonalization method (CDM) for a 3d ³ ion in trigonal symmetry. Spin-spin (SS) and spin-other-orbit (SOO) interactions are taken into account in addition to the general spin-orbit (SO) interaction. On this basis, using ligand ion displacement model, we find that the ligand ions move away from C ₃-axis, and therefore the local angles in the V²⁺ centres are larger than the angles in the hosts. The results show good agreement with the observed values.     

Multiband tight-binding theory of disordered A<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>B<Subscript>1-</Subscript><Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>C semiconductor quantum dots

Zero-dimensional nanocrystals, as obtained by chemical synthesis, offer a broad range of applications, as their spectrum and thus their excitation gap can be tailored by variation of their size. Additionally, nanocrystals of the type A _x B_{1- x} C can be realized by alloying of two pure compound semiconductor materials AC and BC, which allows for a continuous tuning of their absorption and emission spectrum with the concentration x. We use the single-particle energies and wave functions calculated from a multiband sp ³ empirical tight-binding model in combination with the configuration interaction scheme to calculate the optical properties of Cd _x Zn_{1- x} Se nanocrystals with a spherical shape. In contrast to common mean-field approaches like the virtual crystal approximation (VCA), we treat the disorder on a microscopic level by taking into account a finite number of realizations for each size and concentration. We then compare the results for the optical properties with recent experimental data and calculate the optical bowing coefficient for further sizes.     

Positron annihilation study of the influence of doping on the 3<Emphasis Type="Italic">d</Emphasis> electron states in the Ni<Subscript>3</Subscript>Al intermetallic compound

The 3d electron states in Ni₃Al single crystals doped with Fe, Co, and Nb have been investigated using angular correlation of annihilation radiation (ACAR). The ACAR spectra contain information on the momentum distribution of valence electrons and strongly bound 3d electrons of the intermetallic compound. It has been established that the positrons in the Ni₃Al crystals predominantly annihilate in the nickel sublattice from delocalized states. The doping of the compound by the third element leads to a variation in the momentum distribution of Ni 3d electrons due to the change in the character of interatomic bonds. An analysis of the momentum distribution has demonstrated that the niobium atoms increase the covalent component of the chemical bond as compared to the binary compound due to the d _Nb-d _Ni hybridization. The doping with cobalt atoms also enhances the tendency toward the formation of the covalent bond. At the same time, iron atoms have a weak effect on the electronic structure of the intermetallic compound.     

Energy dependence of Cronin momentum in saturation model for <Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis> + <Emphasis Type="Italic">A</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">A</Emphasis> + <Emphasis Type="Italic">A</Emphasis> collisions

The energy dependence of the Cronin momentum for p + A and A + A collisions in the saturation model are calculated. This dependence is consistent with simple dimensional considerations and can be used to test the validity of the saturation model. It gives the possibility to distinguish the different variants of the saturation model with precise experimental data and to measure the x dependence of the saturation momentum.     

Electronic structures of ternary iron arsenides <Emphasis Type="Italic">A</Emphasis>Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>As<Subscript>2</Subscript> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">A</Emphasis> = Ba,Ca, or Sr)

We have studied the electronic and magnetic structures of the ternary iron arsenides AFe₂As₂ (A = Ba, Ca, or Sr) using the first-principles density functional theory. The ground states of these compounds are in a collinear antiferromagnetic order, resulting from the interplay between the nearest and the next-nearest neighbor superexchange antiferromagnetic interactions bridged by As 4p orbitals. The correction from the spin-orbit interaction to the electronic band structure is given. The pressure can reduce dramatically the magnetic moment and diminish the collinear antiferromagnetic order. Based on the calculations, we propose that the low energy dynamics of these materials can be described effectively by a t-J _H -J ₁-J ₂-type model [2008, arXiv: 0806.3526v2].     

Ab initio probing of the electronic band structure and Fermi surface of fluorine-doped WO<Subscript>3</Subscript> as a novel low-<Emphasis Type="Italic">T</Emphasis><Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">C</Emphasis></Subscript> superconductor

Ab initio calculations were performed to investigate the electronic structure and the Fermi surface of the newly discovered low-temperature superconductor: fluorine-doped WO₃. We find that F doping provides the transition of the insulating tungsten trioxide into a metallic-like phase WO_{3 − x} F _x , where the near-Fermi states are formed mainly from W 5d with admixture of O 2p orbitals. The cooperative effect of fluorine additives in WO₃ consists in change of electronic concentration as well as the lattice constant. At probing their influence on the near-Fermi states separately, the dominant role of the electronic factor for the transition of tungsten oxyfluoride into superconducting state was established. The volume of the Fermi surface gradually increases with the increase of the doping. In the sequence WO₃ → WO_2.5F_0.5 the effective atomic charges of W and O ions decrease, but much less, than it is predicted within the idealized ionic model—owing to presence of the covalent interactions W-O and W-F.     

VUV 5<Emphasis Type="Italic">d</Emphasis>-4<Emphasis Type="Italic">f</Emphasis> luminescence of Gd<Superscript>3+</Superscript> and Lu<Superscript>3+</Superscript> ions in the CaF<Subscript>2</Subscript> host

The first observation and characterization of Lu³⁺ 4f ¹³5d-4f ¹⁴ luminescence from the CaF₂: Lu³⁺ crystal are reported, and the multisite structure in the spectra of Ce³⁺, Gd³⁺, and Lu³⁺ ions in the CaF₂ host is analyzed with the high-resolution VUV spectroscopy technique using synchrotron radiation. It is shown that vibronic structure in the emission and excitation spectra of interconfigurational transitions in Gd³⁺ and Lu³⁺ ions doped into CaF₂ differs from that observed for Ce³⁺ ions entering mainly at the tetragonal (C _4v ) sites. However, the exact types of sites in which the Gd³⁺ and Lu³⁺ ions reside in a CaF₂ lattice cannot be identified using only the obtained experimental spectroscopid data. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

Zero-field splitting of <Superscript>4</Superscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">T</Emphasis><Subscript>2</Subscript> term for 3d<Superscript>3</Superscript> ions in tetragonal symmetry

By taking into account slight interactions, i.e. spin-spin, spin-other-orbit and orbit-orbit interactions, in addition to spin-orbit interaction, the zero-field splitting of ⁴ T ₂ state for 3d³ ions at tetragonal symmetry has been studied. The convergence of the approximation perturbation formula of ⁴ T ₂ state for 3d³ ions at tetragonal symmetry has been investigated, and the contributions to zero-field splitting arising from magnetic interaction and tetragonal crystal field are discussed. It is found that there exists combined mechanism between magnetic interactions and tetragonal crystal field.      

Electronic structure of defective lithium cobaltites Li<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>CoO<Subscript>2</Subscript>

X-ray absorption, resonant X-ray emission, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopical methods have been applied for the study of the electronic structure of defective lithium cobaltites Li _x CoO₂ (0.6≤x≤1.0). Resonant O K α X-ray emission spectra of LiCoO₂ showed localized excitonic states due to a dd transition between occupied and unoccupied Co 3d states. On the base of measurements of Co 3s X-ray photoelectron, Co 2p, and O 1s X-ray absorption spectra, it was established that in defective cobaltites the electronic holes are localized mainly in O 2p states. An evidence of phase separation in Li _x CoO₂ has been found. It was shown that the semiconductor-to-metal transition in Li _x CoO₂ (x<0.76) at about 160 K is not accompanied by changes in the Co 3d electronic configuration which remains 3d ⁶.     

Magneto-optical spectroscopy and optical detection of EPR spectra of Yb<Superscript>3+</Superscript> paramagnetic centers with cubic symmetry in single crystals <Emphasis Type="Italic">Me</Emphasis>F<Subscript>2</Subscript> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Me</Emphasis> = Cd,Ca, Pb)

Cubic paramagnetic centers formed by Yb³⁺ impurity ions in fluorite-type crystals MeF₂ (Me = Cd, Ca, Pb) have been investigated using electron paramagnetic resonance, magnetic circular dichroism, magnetic circular polarization of luminescence, Zeeman splitting of optical absorption and luminescence lines, and optical detection of electron paramagnetic resonance. The g factors of the ²Γ₇ state in the excited multiplet ² F _5/2 of Yb³⁺ ions in Me F₂ crystals, the hyperfine interaction constant ¹⁷¹ A (¹⁷¹Yb) for the excited multiplet ² F _5/2 in the CaF₂ crystal, and the energies and symmetry properties of all energy levels of Yb³⁺ ions in MeF₂ crystals are determined. The crystal-field parameters for the crystals under investigation are calculated.     

Superhyperfine structure of the EPR spectra of Ce<Superscript>3+</Superscript> ions in Li<Emphasis Type="Italic">R</Emphasis>F<Subscript>4</Subscript> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">R</Emphasis> = Y,Lu, Tm) double fluorides

The EPR spectra of Ce³⁺ impurity ions in LiYF₄, LiLuF₄, and LiTmF₄ double-fluoride single crystals have been investigated at a frequency of ∼9.3 GHz in the temperature range 5–25 K. The effective g factors of the ground Kramers doublet of the cerium ions in three crystals are close to each other (g _‖ = 2.737, g _⊥ = 1.475 for LiYF₄:Ce³⁺). A superhyperfine structure of the EPR spectrum of Ce³⁺ ions in the LiTmF₄ Van Vleck paramagnet has been observed in the external magnetic field B oriented along the crystallographic axis c (B ‖ c). The superhyperfine structure of the EPR soectra of the Ce³⁺ ions in the LiYF₄ and LiLuF₄ diamagnetic matrices is resolved for B ⊥ c. Possible factors responsible for this pronounced difference in the properties of the systems studied have been discussed.     

Investigation of a Spin Transition in a LaCoO<Subscript>3</Subscript> Single Crystal by the Method of X-Ray Magnetic Circular Dichroism at the Cobalt <Emphasis Type="Italic">K</Emphasis>- and <Emphasis Type="Italic">L</Emphasis><Subscript>2,3</Subscript>-Edges

Spin transitions of cobalt ions in LaCoO₃ single crystals have been studied by the method of X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) at the K- and L_2,3-edges of Co³⁺ ions. The orbital momentum of cobalt ions obtained for the K-edge at the 3d level in the region of the spin transition in the temperature range from 25 to 120 K increases by a factor of approximately 1.6, whereas the slope of the magnetization curve value in the same temperature range and magnetic field increases by a factor of more than 10. XMCD experiments at the cobalt L_2,3-edges demonstrate gradual growth of the ratio of the orbital momentum to the spin one L/S from 0.48 to 0.53 in the temperature range from 60 K to 120 K.     

Transient optical absorption and luminescence in <Emphasis Type="Italic">A</Emphasis>Pb<Subscript>2</Subscript>Cl<Subscript>5</Subscript> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">A</Emphasis> = K,Rb) crystals

This paper reports on a study of transient optical absorption and pulsed cathodoluminescence in APb₂Cl₅ (A = K, Rb) in the visible and ultraviolet spectral regions. The measurements performed by absorption optical spectroscopy with nanosecond time resolution showed the transient optical absorption of APb₂Cl₅ to derive from optical transitions in hole centers, and that the optical density relaxation kinetics is mediated by interdefect tunneling recombination in complementary pairs which involves Frenkel defects on the cation sublattice and self-trapped carriers. The slow components in the transient optical absorption decay kinetics, with characteristic times ranging from a few ms to seconds, have been assigned to diffusion-mediated annihilation of interstitial atoms with alkali metal vacancies. The mechanisms underlying creation and relaxation of the short-lived Frenkel defects on the cation sublattice and self-trapped carriers have been analyzed.     

Specific features in thermal expansion of <Emphasis Type="Italic">R</Emphasis>Fe<Subscript>11</Subscript>Ti single crystals

Thermal expansion and its anomalies in the vicinity of spin-reorientation phase transitions in single crystals of RFe₁₁Ti (R=Y, Tb, Dy, Ho, and Er) compounds are investigated by the tensometric technique in the temperature range 77–400 K. The temperature dependences of the thermal expansion coefficient α(T) are obtained. It is found that the YFe₁₁Ti and HoFe₁₁Ti uniaxial magnetic materials exhibit pronounced anomalies in the α coefficient at T=200 and 290 K. For the TbFe₁₁Ti single crystal, the α coefficient is close to zero in the vicinity of the spin-reorientation phase transition (at T=325 K). For the DyFe₁₁Ti single crystal, which is characterized by two spin-reorientation phase transitions (at T=120 and 250 K), no features in the α(T) dependence are revealed in the region of the low-temperature spin-reorientation phase transition. In the ErFe₁₁Ti single crystal, the specific feature of thermal expansion is observed at T ～ 220 K.     

The neutrino mass matrix and (selected) variants of <Emphasis Type="Italic">A</Emphasis><Subscript>4</Subscript>

Recent neutrino oscillation experiments have measured leptonic mixing angles with considerable precision. Many theoretical attempts to understand the peculiar mixing structure, observed in these measurements, are based on non-Abelian flavour symmetries. This talk concentrates exclusively on models based on the non-Abelian symmetry A ₄. A ₄ is particularly well suited to describe three family mixing, and allows to explain the near tri-bimaximal mixing observed. Special emphasis is put here on the discussion of the neutrinoless double beta decay observable 〈:m _ν 〉. Different models based on A ₄ with very similar predictions for neutrino angles can yield vastly different expectations for 〈m _ν 〉. Neutrinoless double beta decay can thus serve, in principle, as a discriminator between different neutrino mass models.      

Nanoclusters in mixed crystals Hg<Subscript>2</Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">Hal</Emphasis><Subscript>2</Subscript>

The Raman spectra of mixed Hg₂(Br,I)₂ and Hg₂(Cl,Br)₂ crystals were investigated. The multimode behavior of optical vibrations induced by presence of three types of molecules (Hg₂ Hal′₂, Hg₂ Hal″₂ and Hg₂ Hal′Hal″) in the crystals was observed experimentally and is discussed theoretically. Phase transition effects such as soft modes, density of states, IR vibration branches, and anti- and ferroelectric nanoclusters induced by polar Hal′-Hg-Hg-Hal″ molecules and their immediate environment, were observed in the Raman spectra.     

The <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis> = <Emphasis Type="Italic">Z</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">f</Emphasis><Subscript>7/2</Subscript>-shell nuclei: Experimental highlights

During the last decade, as the experimental and computing means and techniques have rapidly evolved, the experimental investigation of the f_7/2-shell nuclei has gained renewed interest. TheN = Z nuclei studied with the GASP array range from ⁴⁴Ti to ⁵²Fe. The results extended the knowledge of their structure up to high spins and excitation energies, above band terminations, where the competition with the charged-particles emission was initially thought to obscure the possibility of gamma-ray spectroscopy investigation. The paper highlights some of the most outstanding properties of these nuclei such as the nuclear rotation and backbending effects, band termination states, yrast traps, non-natural parity bands, competition between T = 0 and T = 1 pn pairing modes.Received: 30 October 2002, Published online: 16 March 2004PACS: 21.10.-k Properties of nuclei; nuclear energy levels - 21.60.Cs Shell model - 23.20.Lv transitions and level energies - 27.40. + z C.A. Ur: On leave from NIPNE Bucharest, Romania     

Re-appraisal of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">P,T</Emphasis>-odd interaction constant <Emphasis Type="Italic">W</Emphasis><Subscript>d</Subscript> in YbF: Relativistic configuration interaction approach

Restricted active space (RAS) configuration interaction (CI) approach is employed to compute the P,T-odd interaction constant W _d for the ground (²Σ_1/2) state of YbF molecule. The present estimate of W _d = −1.164 × 10²⁵ Hz/e-cm is expected to provide a reliable limit on the electron’s electric dipole moment (EDM), d _e.