压力高达27GPa下天然奥长石的XRD分析（英文）

在室温高达27GPa压力下对天然奥长石(Na_(0.86)K_(0.02)Ca_(0.12)Mg_(0.01)(Fe_(0.01)Al_(1.12)Si_(2.87)O_8))粉晶进行了原位同步辐射X光衍射(XRD)测量,获得了样品的状态方程。实验数据表明随着压力增大奥长石样品在大约3.5GPa发生了三斜向单斜的相变(P1→C2)和在大约10.0GPa发生了单斜对称相变(C2→C2/m)。样品三个相的体模量计算值分别为K_0=73.8GPa(K′=10.98),K_((C2))=124GPa(K′=1.05)和K_((C2/m))=272GPa(K′=0.625)。样品的元素组成影响其T—O—T键角的刚度、M—O键的强度和Si—O—Al键角的弯曲,从而导致奥长石样品在高压行为的特殊变化。三斜相的奥长石晶胞压缩性具明显的各向异性。实验结果表明在冷俯冲带奥长石可能是碱金属和碱土金属深循环的载体。     

D介子衰变中的奇异轴矢介子(英文)

目前,奇异轴矢介子的性质并没有被很好地理解,而这类介子是可以在D介子衰变中得到更多的研究。将窄宽近似下的等式关系和强衰变中CP守恒应用到四体衰变D0 → K+K-π+π-中的D0 → K±K₁?（1270）（→ρK or K*π）的实验数据中,可以发现实验数据与理论存在矛盾,然而,当考虑更多K₁（1270）的衰变过程后,可以发现,B（D0 → K-K₁+（1270）（→ K*0π+））的实验数据很可能被高估了一个量级。考虑共振态K₁（1400）的贡献,利用因子化方法计算相应的衰变过程的分支比,可以发现,B（D0 → K-K₁+（1400）（→ K*0π+））的分支比与使用等式关系得到的B（D0 → K-K₁+（1270）（→ K*0π+））的分支比在量级上是相同的。另外,对于含有奇异轴矢介子的D介子衰变实验数据的合理性,实验可以通过测量K₁（1270）→ ρK和K*π分支比的比值来检验,或者通过验证D介子衰变中的等式关系来检验。     

碲化物发光玻璃中银纳米颗粒表面等离激元增强铒离子发光的研究

有趣的贵金属表面等离激元的光学性质,尤其是在发光增强领域的表现,使得它已经成为全球的一个研究热点。表面等离激元就是光与贵金属中的自由电子相互作用时,自由电子和光波电磁场由于共振频率相同而形成的一种集体振荡态。该文研究了碲化物玻璃中银纳米颗粒的表面等离激元共振增强铒离子的发光。我们测量了吸收谱、激发谱、发光谱以及荧光寿命。首先,我们挑选365.5和379.0 nm吸收峰作为激发波长测量了385～780 nm波长范围的可见发光光谱,发现有4个发光峰,依次位于408.0,525.0,546.0和658.5 nm,容易指认出它们依次为铒离子的2H_9/2→4I_15/2,2H_11/2→4I_15/2,4S_3/2→4I_15/2和4F_9/2→4I_15/2的荧光跃迁;可以计算出[80 nm平均粒径纳米银的Er3+(0.5%)Ag(0.2%): 碲化物玻璃的样品A]的上述4个可见发光的峰值强度是[Er3+(0.5%): 碲化物玻璃的样品C]的大约1.44～2.52倍。同时,[50 nm平均粒径纳米银的Er3+(0.5%)Ag(0.2%): 碲化物玻璃的样品B]的上述4个可见发光的峰值强度是样品C的大约1.08～1.55倍。随后,我们挑选365.5和379.0 nm 吸收峰作为激发波长测量了928～1 680 nm波长范围的近红外发光光谱,发现近红外波段有两个发光峰,位于979.0和1 530.0 nm,容易指认出它们依次为铒离子的4I_11/2→4I_15/2和4I_13/2→4I_15/2的荧光跃迁;同样可以计算出样品A的上述2个近红外发光的峰值强度是样品C的大约1.43～2.14倍。同时,样品B的上述2个近红外发光的峰值强度是样品C的大约1.28～1.82倍。因此,发光的最大增强大约是2.52倍。从荧光寿命动力学实验,我们发现样品A的荧光寿命为τ_A(550)=43.5 μs,样品B的荧光寿命为τ_B(550)=43.2 μs,样品C的荧光寿命为τ_C(550)=48.6 μs。这些实验结果证实了τ_A≈τ_B ＜τ_C。它意味着样品(B)相对于样品(C)的发光增强是源于自发辐射增强效应。然而,它也意味着样品(A)相对于样品(B)的发光增强是源于纳米银颗粒的粒径尺寸r效应。也就是说当粒径尺寸r增大的时候,散射截面C_s和r6成正比,而吸收截面C_a和r3成正比,因此散射截面C_s增大的速度会远大于吸收截面C_a增大的速度,而散射截面C_s是荧光增强的原因,吸收截面C_a是荧光减弱的原因,所以随着银纳米颗粒尺寸的增大,其散射截面占主要部分,当发光材料和金属表面等离子体SP发生耦合时,能量快速的转移到金属表面等离子体SP上,而后被散射到远场,这有利于增强荧光。其综合的结果就导致了发光强度会随r的增大而增强。上述实验的结果对太阳能电池的光伏发电和生物物理应用等领域都有着很好的应用前景。     

中重核中单粒子与集体运动的竞争效应(英文)

从原子核的电四极跃迁强度B（E2）中可以提取出原子核集体性和单粒子性质竞争的重要信息,其中一个重要的观测量是B（E2;4₁+ →2₁+）/B（E2;2₁+ →g.s.）的比值（B_4/2）。B_4/2一般要大于1,而且对于原子核转动和振动,我们应有B_4/2=1.4和2.0,但球形半满壳核一般会有不一样的性质。这些核的性质主要受对关联效应影响。介绍了几种超出我们一般认识的奇特衰变性质。Te同位素的基态带有鲜明的振动特性,但114Te的E2跃迁性质却更符合转动性。这些性质可以通过大规模壳模型计算来描述。对于填充j=9/2轨道的半满壳核,它们的4+和6+显示出很强的辛若数部分守恒性质。这种奇特的部分守恒可以被解析证明。而且我们的计算表明辛若数部分守恒对相关的E2跃迁影响很大。对于N=90附近具有量子相变行为的核素,其B_4/2也会也表现出相似的奇异特性。The E2 transition strength, B(E2), gives particularly precise information on the competition between the collective and single-particle degree of freedom. An important observable to study the development of collectivity is the B(E2; 4₁+ →2₁+)/B(E2; 2₁+ →g.s.) (B_4/2). The B_4/2 ratio is usually greater than unity. These values are 1.4 and 2.0 for an ideal rotor and a vibrator, respectively. Whereas the seniority scheme usually leads to different behaviours. In this contribution I will show examples that contrast with our standard understanding. The yrast spectra of Te isotopes show a vibrational-like equally-spaced pattern but the few known E2 transitions show anomalous rotational-like behaviour, which cannot be reproduced by collective models. Large-scale shell model calculations reproduce well the equally-spaced spectra of those isotopes as well as the constant behaviour of the B(E2) values in 114Te. For nuclei involving protons or neutrons in j=9/2 orbitals, the partial conservation of seniority can lead to dramatic changes to the E2 decay pattern that have never been seen before. The B_4/2 ratios in quantum phase transitional nuclei around N=90 also show a similar exotic feature.     

铼的弹性剪切参数C44对温度与压力响应的原位拉曼光谱研究

铼具有高体积弹性模量、高熔点、优良的抗蠕变性能,是一种重要科学研究与工程应用材料。铼的弹性剪切系数C₄₄对温度和压力的响应特性对铼及其合金材料的设计与工程应用具有重要意义。激光拉曼散射技术在研究不同温度和压力条件下六方密堆积结构(hcp)金属的弹性剪切系数C₄₄上具有独特的优势。但由于金属的强反射作用和浅的穿透深度,hcp金属的低波数拉曼散射信号往往很难获取,在一定的温度和压力加载下拉曼信号的获取尤为困难。利用侧向激发拉曼散射技术,有效降低了金属强反射对拉曼光谱采集的影响,成功测量到多晶铼在不同压力与温度条件下的E_2g拉曼振动模,获得铼在常温常压条件的弹性剪切系数(C₄₄=133 GPa)以及其弹性剪切系数C₄₄对温度和压力的响应特性。研究结果表明,多晶铼的弹性剪切系数C₄₄模量随压强的增加而增大,随温度的增加而减小。这也为用光散射方法研究金属材料剪切模量提供了良好研究方法。     

可能的原子核形状及硬度演化性质:基于能量面计算的系统分析(英文)

基于（β₂,γ,β₄）形变空间下对-形变自洽的原子核能量面计算方法,系统研究分析了50 < Z < 82区偶偶核的形状及硬度演化特征。计算的平衡形变与其它理论预言及存在的实验值进行了对比。从相应的形变势能曲线提取了与β₂及γ相关的硬度参数C_β,C_γ,这与实验观测到的低位β及γ振动带信息相符。还简要讨论了转动情况下的硬度演化,例如基于蜈蚣型E-GOS曲线,表明存在不可忽略的振动效应。Nuclear shape and stiffness evolutions in even-even nuclei with 50 < Z < 82 are systematically analyzed in terms of the pairing-deformation self-consistent nuclear-energy-surface calculation in (β₂,γ,β₄) deformation space. Calculated equilibrium deformations are presented and compared with other theoretical predictions and available experimental data. The stiffness parameters C_β and C_γ respectively related to quadrupole deformations β₂ and γ are determined from the deformation energy curves, which are consistent with the observed low-lying β and/or γ bands. The stiffness evolution under rotation along the yrast line is briefly discussed, e.g., on the basis of the centipidelike E-GOS curves, showing an unnegligible vibration effect.     

镁对方解石相变压力和拉曼光谱影响的实验研究

为研究镁对方解石在高压条件下的相变行为和拉曼振动光谱的影响,探索碳酸盐在地球深部的存在形式和物理化学性质,结合金刚石压腔和激光拉曼光谱,对具有不同镁含量的方解石开展高压实验研究。实验选取天然无色透明冰洲石、淡黄色半透明方解石脉和白色大理石作为研究对象,利用ICP-AES测定冰洲石和方解石脉的成分为CaCO₃;大理石中Mg/(Mg+Ca)摩尔比为0.03,其成分可简化为(Mg_0.03Ca_0.97)CO₃。每种方解石样品挑选两粒大小约为50~100×50×20 μm的颗粒放入金刚石压腔,并在不同压力下进行相变过程观察和激光拉曼光谱测量。实验结果显示,常压下冰洲石和方解石脉样品的T₁,T₂,ν₄和ν₁拉曼振动频率分别为156.82,283.55,713.86和1 088.19 cm-1,大理石样品的拉曼振动频率为158.15,284.76,715.07和1 089.20 cm-1,表明方解石中含有3 mol%的MgCO₃时会造成方解石的拉曼振动频率整体升高1 cm-1以上。但是该变化幅度在不同压力下没有显著差别,表明镁对方解石的拉曼振动频率随压力的变化速率(∂ν/∂p)没有明显影响。冰洲石和方解石脉样品在1.5 GPa压力附近转变为方解石-Ⅱ,并在2.0 GPa进一步变为方解石-Ⅲ或Ⅲb;相比之下含有3 mol%的MgCO₃的大理石则是在2.4和3.7 GPa时才转变为方解石-Ⅱ和方解石-Ⅲ。假设镁对方解石相变压力的影响是线性的,即方解石向方解石-Ⅱ和方解石-Ⅲ/Ⅲb的相变压力随MgCO₃含量的增加以0.30和0.57 GPa·mol%-1的速率升高,当MgCO₃含量达到50 mol%时,方解石向方解石-Ⅱ和方解石-Ⅲ/Ⅲb的相变压力将分别为16.5和30.5 GPa,这与白云石向白云石-Ⅱ和白云石-Ⅲ的相变压力吻合。结合前人关于方解石中MnCO₃含量对矿物相变压力和拉曼光谱影响的研究结果,发现当方解石中部分Ca2+被具有不同半径和质量的离子(如Mg2+,Mn2+等)替代以后,阳离子与CO2-₃之间以及CO2-₃内部C-O化学键长度和强度都会发生改变,从而引起矿物结构稳定性以及拉曼振动频率的明显变化;并且两种阳离子之间半径差别越大,该影响效果越明显。因此,在研究高温高压条件下方解石的相变行为和拉曼光谱时,矿物中Mg和Mn等杂质元素对矿物结构稳定性和拉曼振动频率的影响是必须考虑的关键因素之一。     

Na2CO3的高压拉曼光谱研究

碳酸盐是碳在地球内部的重要载体之一,其在地幔高温高压条件下的晶体化学是理解地球深部碳的赋存状态和循环过程的关键,而结构稳定性和相变是晶体化学最基本的研究内容。碳酸钠（Na₂CO₃）是一种常见的碱性碳酸盐矿物,在产自地幔过渡带-下地幔的金刚石中已发现含钠的碳酸盐矿物包裹体,这成为碳酸钠能够俯冲进入地幔深部的直接矿物学证据。前人利用拉曼光谱技术研究了Na₂CO₃在常温常压下的晶格振动模式,但其在高压下的稳定性和结构变化却鲜有报道。利用金刚石压腔装置结合先进的共聚焦拉曼光谱技术,以硅油作为传压介质,在准静水压力条件下,在0.001～27.53 GPa压力区间对Na₂CO₃粉末在600~1 200 cm-1波段的振动特征进行了细致地分析。本次实验重点分析了[CO₃]2-基团振动模式在升压和卸压过程中的行为。结果表明,在0.001～11.88 GPa压力范围内,[CO₃]2-基团对称伸缩振动γ₁（1 088.06和1 070.76 cm-1）、反对称伸缩振动γ₃（865.10和797.50 cm-1）和面内弯曲振动γ₄（720.10和696.71 cm-1）都出现了振动峰的分裂。随着压力增加,所有振动峰都向高频率漂移,半高宽也逐渐增加。在13.40 GPa时,Na₂CO₃发生结构相变,具体表现为690.08 cm-1处出现1条新的拉曼峰,并且随着压力升高该峰的强度逐渐增大。同时反对称伸缩振动峰γ₃以及面内弯曲振动峰γ₄的强度持续减弱,半高宽也继续变大。这些现象表明Na₂CO₃结构相变源于[CO₃]2-内部晶格变化。当压力卸载到4.18 GPa时,[CO₃]2-的振动模式与常温常压下的完全吻合,相变出现的新峰也已经消失,表明该相变是由[CO₃]2-基团畸变引起的并且具有可逆性。继续升压至27.53 GPa,拉曼光谱继续蓝移,Na₂CO₃的拉曼谱线再没有变化,说明高压相在这一压强范围内保持稳定。在整个加压过程中,反对称伸缩振动γ₃和面内弯曲振动γ₄处的拉曼峰出现强度减弱现象。同时也计算了各个峰频率对压力的依赖系数dγ/dP,结果显示[CO₃]2-基团内各个振动模式对压力的响应是不同的,这很可能与Ｃ-Ｏ键的键长有关。最后,对比发现,对称伸缩振动γ₁峰的强度比反对称伸缩振动γ₃和面内弯曲振动γ₄峰的强度大,并且[CO₃]2-基团对称伸缩振动γ₁受压力影响相对较小,可以用来区别不同种类的碳酸盐矿物。     

基于键极化加和模型及其实验修正方法的超拉曼微观极化率张量元微分的简化方案-C2v对称性

相干反斯托克斯拉曼光谱(CARS) 和相干反斯托克斯超拉曼光谱(CAHRS)等高阶非线性光谱技术已经应用在动力学过程、基因表达谱筛选、高分辨率光谱分析等诸多领域。但因其涉及到的高阶微观极化率张量元数量众多,对其光谱信号进行定量分析非常困难。文献通过理论分析将CARS和CAHRS的微观极化率张量元分解为拉曼微观极化率张量元微分α′_i′j′和超拉曼微观极化率张量元微分β′_i′j′k′的乘积,将高阶光谱定量分析的困难简化为对低阶光谱的分析。该研究处理了具有C_2v对称性分子基团,提出一种利用键极化加和模型及其实验修正的方法简化超拉曼微观极化率张量元微分β′_i′j′k′比值的方案。首先利用键极化加和模型方法,在对C_2v分子基团局域模式假设的基础上,进行单键的局域模式假设,通过对单键伸缩振动进行简正振动模式的分析,并与单键的偶极矩表达式进行比较,得到单键的超拉曼微观极化率张量元微分β′_i′j′k′。在单键β′_i′j′k′结果的基础上利用键极化加和模型,对C_2v分子基团进行对称性分析,将基团中两个单键伸缩振动的β′_i′j′k′耦合,得到C_2v分子基团对称振动和反对称振动两种简正振动模式的超拉曼微观极化率张量元微分β′_i′j′k′的表达式。在此基础上对C_2v分子基团对称振动和反对称振动的β′_i′j′k′表达式进行理论推导,结合对应振动模式下不同偏振组合的超拉曼退偏率ρ_HR-SS和ρ_HR-AS及HV偏振组合时实验测量的超拉曼光谱强度比,得到超拉曼实验修正的C_2v分子基团β′_i′j′k′之间的比值。再结合文献中拉曼实验修正的拉曼微观极化率张量元微分α′_i′j′之间的比值,即可得到C_2v分子基团CARS和CAHRS的微观极化率张量元之间的比例关系,为定量分析高阶非线性光谱信息提供理论基础。     

铜原子单激发态3d104p 2P1/2的光电离(英文)

铜原子能级结构的理论计算具有非常大的挑战性。本文基于多组态Dirac-Hartree-Fock（MCDHF）方法和相对论组态相互作用（RCI）方法,通过三个大规模的关联模型计算了单激发态3d104p 2P_1/2、双激发态3d94s（3D）5s4D_3/2,1/2,3d94s（3D）5s 2D_3/2,3d94s（1D）5s 2D_3/2以及离子态3d10 1S₀能级和波函数。结果表明,铜原子能级结构对有限组态空间的选择极其敏感,双激发态3d94s（3D）5s 4D_3/2,1/2,3d94s（3D）5s 2D_3/2,3d94s（1D）5s 2D_3/2和离子态3d10 1S₀与单激发态之间的能量差相对于已有实验结果均存在大约-0.4 eV的偏差,而计算得到的共振电子能量与实验结果符合得较好。此外,根据辐射跃迁矩阵元和非辐射跃迁矩阵元计算了双激发态的Fano参数q,并基于Fano理论得到了铜单激发态3d104p 2P_1/2的总光电离截面,该理论考虑了直接光电离与光激发自电离之间的干涉效应,即共振3d94s（3D）5s 4D_3/2,1/2、3d94s（3D）5s 2D_3/2和3d94s（1D）5s 2D_3/2具有明显的非对称的Fano轮廓,表明光电离过程与光激发自电离过程之间的干涉对双激发态共振附近的光电离截面轮廓有着极其重要的影响。     

1.0～4.4GPa下奥长石拉曼光谱特征的变化

常温、1.0～4.4GPa下,利用激光拉曼光谱研究了奥长石晶体结构随压力的变化。发现,压力为2.9GPa时,517cm-1附近出现新的谱峰,奥长石开始相变。3.4GPa时,源于奥长石结构中M—O伸缩振动的288cm-1拉曼谱峰频移发生突变,517cm-1附近谱峰消失,奥长石由三斜晶系完全相变为单斜晶系(P1-I1)。随压力增加,归属于奥长石四面体结构中Si—O—Si弯曲振动的458及516cm-1谱峰随压力增加有规律地向高频方向偏移,斜率分别是1.667cm-1/GPa和3.560cm-1/GPa,而源于Al—O—Al弯曲振动的480cm-1谱峰与压力没有明显的线性变化关系。卸压过程中,288cm-1拉曼谱峰频移保持不变,458,480及516cm-1谱峰向低频偏移。长石类矿物的相变压力与结构中八元环所含阳离子种类有关。     

Structural phase transitions in yttrium under ultrahigh pressures

X-ray diffraction studies were carried out on the rare earth metal yttrium up to 177?GPa in a diamond anvil cell at room temperature. Yttrium was compressed to 37% of its initial volume at the highest pressure. The rare earth crystal structure sequence hcp?→?Sm?type?→?dhcp?→?mixed(dhcp?+?fcc)?→?distorted fcc (dfcc) is observed in yttrium below 50?GPa. The dfcc (hR24) phase has been observed to persist in the pressure range of 50-95?GPa. A structural transition from dfcc to a low symmetry phase has been observed in yttrium at 99?±?4?GPa with a volume change of -?2.6%. This low symmetry phase has been identified as a monoclinic C2/m phase, which has also been observed in other rare earth elements under high pressures. The appearance of this low symmetry monoclinic phase in yttrium shows that its electronic structure under extreme conditions resembles that of heavy rare earth metals, with a significant increase in d-band character of the valence electrons and possibly some f-electron states near the Fermi level.     

High-resolution FTIR study of the para-terphenyl phase transition at high pressure

High-resolution infrared (IR) spectroscopy has been used to investigate the pressure-induced (0-11 kbar) polymorphic phase transition of crystalline para-terphenyl at low temperature (25 K). A number of doublet bands observed in low-pressure triclinic p-terphenyl were observed to coalesce in the high-pressure monoclinic phase. The coalescing of doublet bands was attributed to changes in factor group (Davydov) splittings associated with the transition from a low-pressure triclinic phase to a high-pressure monoclinic phase. The bands that ‘disappear’ also do not correlate with frequency changes associated with changes in molecular symmetry. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations at low temperature (20 K) yield a non-planar average molecular structure for the high-pressure monoclinic phase, in contrast to the high-temperature monoclinic phase. The MD simulations also reveal a broadening of the distribution of ring torsion angles near the triclinic-monoclinic phase transition pressure.     

Diffraction de neutrons dans CoCl2, 6D2O determination de ses structures cristallographique et magnetique

We have performed neutron diffraction experiments on a CoCl₂, 6D₂O monocrystal. We show that a crystallographic transition from the C 2/m monoclinic structure to the P $\text{1}$ triclinic structure occurs at T = Tmt = 73.5K., together with a twinning of the monocrystal. We describe the two possible twins (four types of domains) related to the loss of the initial monoclinic symmetry, say of the elements 2 and m : either m becomes twin plane (Albite twinning) or 2 becomes twin axis (Pericline twinning). Each domain has an antiferromagnetic structure P 2a T, with an easy magnetization axis tilted from the ac plane by an angle φ = (30 ± 4)°, its component on this plane making an angle φ = (3.5 ± 2)° with the c axis.     

Anomalous high-pressure Jahn-Teller behavior in CuWO4

High-pressure optical-absorption measurements performed in CuWO(4) up to 20 GPa provide experimental evidence of the persistence of the Jahn-Teller (JT) distortion in the whole pressure range both in the low-pressure triclinic and in the high-pressure monoclinic phase. The electron-lattice couplings associated with the e(g)(E?e) and t(2g)(T?e) orbitals of Cu(2+) in CuWO(4) are obtained from correlations between the JT distortion of the CuO(6) octahedron and the associated structure of Cu(2+) d-electronic levels. This distortion and its associated JT energy (E(JT)) decrease upon compression in both phases. However, both the distortion and associated E(JT) increase sharply at the phase-transition pressure (P(PT)=9.9 GPa), and we estimate that the JT distortion persists for a wide pressure range not being suppressed up to 37 GPa. These results shed light on the transition mechanism of multiferroic CuWO(4), suggesting that the pressure-induced structural phase transition is a way to minimize the distortive effects associated with the toughness of the JT distortion.     

Structural and lattice-energy analyses of the different low-temperature phases of ferrocene Fe(C5H5)2: Relation between the molecular packings

X-Ray analysis of the metastable triclinic phase of ferrocene has been carried out at 130 K, from a single crystal cooled through the transition temperature (164 K). The molecular packing is close to a face centred one; however the numerous reflections breaking this symmetry give evidence for a P1 or P1&#x0304; superstructure which appears to be disordered. Calculations of lattice energy performed at 130 K and 15 K show that the triclinic phase of ferrocene has two possible molecular packings, quite energetically similar, of face-centred or P1&#x0304; symmetry. Thus, when the triclinic phase is obtained by cooling a crystal from room temperature, its structure is constituted by a mixture of both packings whose ratio depends on the thermal history. On the other hand, the molecular coordinates and the configuration of ferrocene (D_5h) in the stable ordered orthorhombic phase have been determined by minimizing the lattice energy. The mechanism of the order-disorder phase transition at 250 K (orthorhombic monoclinic), as also the existence below 164 K of another ordered packing, the triclinic one, are discussed in terms of ring libration.     

High-pressure Raman study of solid hydrogen up to 300 GPa

The high-pressure behavior of solid hydrogen has been investigated by in situ Raman spectroscopy upon compression to 300 GPa at ambient temperature. The hydrogen vibron frequency begins to decrease after it initially increases with pressure up to 38 GPa. This softening behavior suggests the weakening of the intramolecular bond and the increased intermolecular interactions. Above 237 GPa, the vibron frequency softens very rapidly with pressure at a much higher rate than that of phase III, corresponding to transformation from phase III into phase IV. The phase transition sequence has been confirmed from phase I to phase III and then to phase IV at 208 and 237 GPa, respectively. Previous theoretical calculations lead to the proposal of an energetically favorable monoclinic C2/c structure for phase III and orthorhombic Pbcn structure for phase IV. Up to 304 GPa, solid hydrogen is not yet an alkali metal since the sample is still transparent.     

Study of the P-T phase diagram of pyridinium perchlorate by X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy

The crystal structure and vibrational spectra of deuterated pyridinium perchlorate (d ₅PyH)ClO₄ (C₅D₅NHClO₄) are studied by means of neutron diffraction in ambient conditions, X-ray diffraction at high pressures up to 3.5 GPa in the temperature range 297–420 K, and Raman spectroscopy at high pressures up to 5.7 GPa. Deuterated pyridinium perchlorate at ambient conditions has rhombohedral structure with the R3m symmetry (paraelectric phase I). Over the pressure range of 0.5–1.2 GPa, the phase II with monoclinic symmetry Cm exists. At pressure P ～ 1.2 GPa, the phase transition to monoclinic phase III with the Pm symmetry is observed at ambient temperature. The lattice parameters, unit cell volume, and frequencies of internal vibrational modes as functions of pressure are obtained for different phases of deuterated pyridinium perchlorate. The P-T phase diagram of (d ₅PyH)ClO₄ over the extended pressure and temperature range is discussed.     

Pressure effect on the Raman and photoluminescence spectra of Eu3+-doped Na2Ti6O13 nanorods

Eu³⁺-doped Na₂Ti₆O₁₃ (Na₂Ti₆O₁₃:Eu) nanorods with diameters of 30 nm and lengths 400 nm were synthesized by hydrothermal and heat treatment methods. Raman spectra at ambient conditions indicated a pure monoclinic phase (space group C2/m) of the nanorods. The relations between structural and optical properties of Na₂Ti₆O₁₃:Eu nanorods under high pressures were obtained by photoluminescence and Raman spectra. Two structural transition points at 1.39 and 15.48 GPa were observed when the samples were pressurized. The first transition point was attributed to the crystalline structural distortion. The later transition point was the result of pressure-induced amorphization, and the high-density amorphous (HDA) phase formed after 15.48 GPa was structurally related to the monoclinic baddeleyite structured TiO₂ (P2₁/c). However, the site symmetry of the local environment around the Eu³⁺ ions in Na₂Ti₆O₁₃ increased with the rising pressure. These above results indicate the occurrence of short-range order for the local asymmetry around the Eu³⁺ ions and long-range disorder for the crystalline structure of Na₂Ti₆O₁₃:Eu nanorods by applying pressure. After releasing the pressure from 22.74 GPa, the HDA phase is transformed to low-density amorphous form, which is attributed to be structurally related to the α-PbO₂-type TiO₂.     

Modeling techniques for analysis and interpretation of electron magnetic resonance (EMR) data for transition ions at low symmetry sites in crystals—A primer for experimentalists

Electron magnetic resonance (EMR) studies of paramagnetic centers exhibiting monoclinic and triclinic local site symmetry have gained renewed importance, since such centers occur often in various technologically important materials and biological systems. The intricate low symmetry aspects, which arise for such centers, bear on meaningful interpretation of EMR data and their correlation with structural data. This review provides a primer for experimentalists who wish to utilize efficiently the modeling techniques for analysis and interpretation of EMR data for transition ions, especially ions located at low symmetry sites in crystals. This requires proper understanding of the low symmetry effects observable in EMR spectra as well as related theoretical questions concerning, e.g., (i) existence of physically equivalent zero-field splitting (ZFS) parameter sets, (ii) clear definitions of the axis systems, (iii) proper forms of spin Hamiltonians, and (iv) distinction between apparent and actual low symmetry cases. The question (i) involves consideration of the orthorhombic standardization, which provides basis for standardization of monoclinic and triclinic ZFS parameters. Thus, the aspects pertaining to orthorhombic site symmetry are also outlined. To solve other questions several modeling techniques have been utilized and related computer packages have recently been developed in our group: (1) the superposition model calculations of the zero-field splitting parameters (ZFSPs) in arbitrary symmetry, (2) the procedure for diagonalization of the 2nd-rank ZFSPs and transformation of respective 4th- and 6th-rank ZFSPs, (3) the pseudosymmetry axes method for approximation of the 4th- and 6th-rank ZFSPs to higher symmetry, and (4) the closeness factors and norm ratios for quantitative comparisons of various ZFSP sets. These modeling techniques enable deeper analysis and interpretation of the low symmetry aspects involved in the fitted and theoretical ZFSPs. The computer packages facilitate extracting useful structural information inherent in monoclinic and triclinic ZFSP sets. Illustrative examples taken from recent studies of low symmetry ion-host systems are discussed.