Synthesis and properties of high-pressure phase [Er<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Cu<Subscript>3</Subscript>](V<Subscript>4</Subscript>)O<Subscript>12</Subscript>

A new perovskite-like compound Er_0.73Cu₃V₄O₁₂ (space group Im \(\bar 3\), Z = 2, a = 7.266 Å) has been synthesized barothermally (P = 8.0 GPa, t = 1000°C). Its electrical and magnetic properties have been studied. It is found that the temperature dependence of the electrical conductivity (in the range 78–300 K) has of semiconductor type. The behavior of the impedance and admittance has been analyzed at 290 K and frequencies of 200 Hz to 200 kHz under atmospheric pressure and at high (15–42 GPa) pressures.     

Mechanical and Dynamic Stability of Complete and Nonstoichiometric 3<Emphasis Type="Italic">C</Emphasis>-Si<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>C<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">y</Emphasis></Subscript> from Ab Initio Calculations

The energies of formation of vacancies in the carbon and silicon sublattices, the independent elastic constants, the all-round compression, shear and Young’s moduli, and the anisotropy coefficients are determined for the complete and nonstoichiometric cubic phases of 3C-Si_xC_y (x, y = 1.0–0.75) by ab initio methods of the band theory. In the formalism of the density functional perturbation theory (DFPT), the phonon dispersion dependences are obtained for these phases (the comparison with the experiment is given for the complete phase). It is shown that the mechanical characteristics of the phases become strongly anisotropic upon the transition from 3C-SiC_0.875 to 3C-SiC_0.75. It is established from the analysis of the phonon dispersion curves that the 3C-SiC_0.875 and 3C-SiC_0.75 phases, in contrast to the complete 3C-SiC phase, are dynamically unstable at T = 0 K.     

Vibrational spectra of conformers of V and V<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript> gases

Based on ab initio quantum calculations of the electronic structure for different conformers of V and V _x gases, we propose an assignment of the fundamental vibrational states of the compounds.     

Optical Properties of Nonstoichiometric Tantalum Oxide TaO<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis> &lt; 5/2) According to Spectral-Ellipsometry and Raman-Scattering Data

Optical properties of amorphous nonstoichiometric tantalum-oxide films of variable composition (TaO_x, x = 1.94–2.51) in the spectral range of 1.12–4.96 eV, obtained by ion-beam sputtering-deposition of metallic tantalum at different partial oxygen pressures (0.53–9.09 × 10^–3 Pa), have been investigated. It is shown by spectral ellipsometry that the character of dispersion of the absorption coefficient and refractive index in TaO_x of variable composition suggests that light-absorbing films with dispersion similar to that in metals are formed at oxygen pressures in the growth chamber below 2.21 × 10^–3 Pa, whereas transparent films with dielectric dispersion are formed at pressures above 2.81 × 10^–3 Pa. According to the data of quantumchemical simulation, the absorption peak at a photon energy of 4.6 eV in TaO_x observed in the absorptioncoefficient dispersion spectrum is due to oxygen vacancy. The peak in the Raman-scattering spectra of TaO_x films with metallic dispersion at frequencies of 200–230 cm^–1 is presumably related to tantalum nanoclusters.     

Radiative <Emphasis Type="Italic">K</Emphasis><Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">e</Emphasis>3</Subscript> decays revisited

Motivated by recent experimental results and ongoing measurements, we review the chiral perturbation theory prediction for decays. Special emphasis is given to the stability of the inner bremsstrahlung-dominated relative branching ratio versus the K _e3 form factors, and on the separation of the structure-dependent amplitude in differential distributions over the phase space. For the structure-dependent terms, an assessment of the order p ⁶ corrections is given, in particular, a full next-to-leading order calculation of the axial component is performed. The experimental analysis of the photon energy spectrum is discussed, and other potentially useful distributions are introduced.Received: 9 December 2004, Published online: 21 February 2005PACS: 13.20.Eb, 11.30.Rd, 12.39.Fe     

Fermion Localization on the <Emphasis Type="Italic">orbifold</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">S</Emphasis><Subscript>1</Subscript>/<Emphasis Type="Italic">Z</Emphasis><Subscript>2</Subscript>

The hierarchical structure of fermion masses of the Standard Model is explained in split fermion models by localizing the fermions at different points in an extra dimension. We consider split fermion models with two bulk scalars compactified on an orbifold. In the static case we find analytical expression for the localizer. We also address the issue of stability of the localizer. We also find exact solutions for the fermion zero modes. We explore the parameter space of the model. We find ample opportunity for construction of phenomenologically viable theories exist.     

Non-vacuum Bianchi types <Emphasis Type="Italic">I</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">V</Emphasis> in <Emphasis Type="Italic">f</Emphasis> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">R</Emphasis>) gravity

In a recent paper (Sharif and Shamir in Class. Quantum Grav. 26:235020, 2009), we have studied the vacuum solutions of Bianchi types I and V spacetimes in the framework of metric f (R) gravity. Here we extend this work to perfect fluid solutions. For this purpose, we take stiff matter to find energy density and pressure of the universe. In particular, we find two exact solutions in each case which correspond to two models of the universe. The first solution gives a singular model while the second solution provides a non-singular model. The physical behavior of these models has been discussed using some physical quantities. Also, the function of the Ricci scalar is evaluated.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">V</Emphasis>-<Emphasis Type="Italic">A</Emphasis> sum rules with <Emphasis Type="Italic">D</Emphasis> = 10 operators

The difference of vector and axial-vector charged current correlators is analyzed by means of QCD sum rules. The contribution of 10-dimensional 4-quark condensates is calculated and its value is estimated within the framework of the factorization hypothesis. It is compared to the result obtained from an operator fit of Borel sum rules in the complex q ²-plane, calculated from experimental data on hadronic -decays. This fit gives accurate values of the light quark condensate and the quark-gluon mixed condensate. The size of the high-order operators and the convergence of the operator series are discussed.Received: 10 May 2004, Revised: 7 September 2004, Published online: 18 November 2004     

Formation energy and geometry of vacancies at BN and B<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>C<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">y</Emphasis></Subscript>N<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">z</Emphasis></Subscript> nanocones

We have studied, through ab initio calculations, the stability of 60° and 120° boron nitride nanocones containing mono and multiple boron, nitrogen, and carbon vacancies. The stability of the vacancies as well as the structures reconstruction mechanism have been investigated. Our results indicate that the stability of the cones presenting such vacancies strongly depends on growth conditions. We have also found that multiple vacancies display formation energies that are comparable, and in some cases, even lower to the ones presented by monovacancies. Therefore, our results allow us to conclude that the formation energy does not depend on the vacancy size. Finally, for 120° cones, we can verify that the stability of the boron and nitrogen vacancies depends on the position where the atom has been removed.     

Anomalous temperature dependence of photoluminescence in GeO<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript> films and GeO<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>/SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> nano-heterostructures

The optical properties of GeO _x film and GeO _x /SiO₂ multilayer heterostructures (with thickness of GeO _x layers down to 1 nm) were studied with the use of Raman scattering and infrared spectroscopy, ellipsometry and photoluminescence spectroscopy including temperature dependence of photoluminescence. The observed photoluminescence is related to defect (dangling bonds) in GeO _x and interface defects for the case of GeO _x /SiO₂ multilayer heterostructures. From analysis of temperature dependence of photoluminescence intensity, it was found that rate of nonradiative transitions in GeO _x film has Berthelot type, but anomalous deviations from Berthelot type temperature dependence were observed in temperature dependences of photoluminescence intensities for GeO _x /SiO₂ multilayer heterostructures.     

Optical 4<Emphasis Type="Italic">f</Emphasis>-4<Emphasis Type="Italic">f</Emphasis> transitions in multiferroic HoMnO<Subscript>3</Subscript>

In the absorption spectra of the hexagonal single-crystal manganite HoMnO₃ in the paramagnetic ferroelectric state, lines near 1.1 and 2.0 μm were observed associated with the transitions ⁵ I ₈ → ⁵ I ₆ and ⁵ I ₈ → ⁵ I ₇, respectively, within the 4f ¹⁰ configuration of the Ho³⁺ ion. At T = 80 K, to the ⁵ I ₈ → ⁵ I ₇ transition corresponds one band at 1.9 μm for both polarizations E ∥ c and E ⊥ c. As the temperature increases from 80 to 293 K, a low-energy band with a peak at 2.04 μm for E ⊥ c and a peak at 2.07 μm for E ∥ c arises associated with transitions from an excited Stark level of the ground ⁵ I ₈ multiplet to the Stark levels of the ⁵ I ₇ multiplet and with an increase in the population of the initial Stark level, the energy of which is ～100 K.     

Quark diagram analysis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">B</Emphasis>-meson emitting vector (<Emphasis Type="Italic">V</Emphasis>) and vector (<Emphasis Type="Italic">V</Emphasis>) mesons

This paper presents the two body weak nonleptonic decays of B-mesons emitting vector (V) and vector (V) mesons within the framework of the diagrammatic approaches at flavor SU(3) symmetry. We have investigated exclusive two body decays of B-meson using model independent quark diagram scheme. We have shown that the recent measurement of the two body exclusive decays of B-mesons can allow us to determine the magnitude and even sign of the QD amplitude for B → VV decays. Therefore, we become able to make few predictions for their branching fractions.     

Features of the low-temperature specific heat in underdoped YBa<Subscript>2</Subscript>Cu<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>6 + <Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript> single crystals

The behavior of the low-temperature specific heat C(T) for YBa₂Cu₃O_{6 + x} single crystals with the doping level corresponding to the normal phase has been studied by the relaxation technique at different values of the applied magnetic field. It has been found that the C(T)/T plot exhibits such an anomaly as a steep increase with decreasing temperature from T about 4 K down to T ≤ 2 K (the minimum temperature value accessible in the experiment). The applied magnetic field as high as 9 T inverts this anomaly and leads to a sharp drop in C(T)/T during cooling within the same temperature range. A model involving the Schottky-type centers formulated in this work and the data on spin correlation functions has allowed us to calculate the temperature dependence of the specific heat, which fits the experimental curves quite well.     

Effect of low-temperature annealing on the magnetization curve of YBa<Subscript>2</Subscript>Cu<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>6 + <Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript> ceramics

The effect of low-temperature annealing on the magnetization curve of YBa₂Cu₃O_{6 + x} ceramics in the superconducting state (x ≈ 0.9) is investigated. When the annealing time is fairly long, the field dependence of magnetic moment M exhibits a feature in the form of a plateau, where the value of M remains almost constant. The evolution of this feature in the magnetization curves of annealed samples with annealing time and temperature is studied. It is assumed that low-temperature annealing gives rise to metastable ferromagnetic clusters in YBa₂Cu₃O_{6 + x} ceramics, the contribution of which to the magnetic moment accounts for the feature in the magnetization curves of the annealed samples.     

Inclusive measure of |<Emphasis Type="Italic">V</Emphasis><Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">ub</Emphasis></Subscript>| with the analytic coupling model

By analyzing B→X _u ℓ ν _ℓ spectra with a model based on soft-gluon resummation and an analytic time-like QCD coupling, we obtain

Electronic Structure and Magnetic Phase Transition in Helicoidal Fe<Subscript>1 - <Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Co<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Si Ferromagnets

LSDA + U + SO calculations of the electronic structure of helicoidal Fe_{1 - x}Co _x Si ferromagnets within the virtual crystal approximation have been supplemented with the consideration of the Dzyaloshinski-Moriya interaction and ferromagnetic fluctuations of the spin density of collective d electrons with the Hubbard interactions at Fe and Co atoms randomly distributed over sites. The magnetic-state equation in the developed model describes helicoidal ferromagnetism and its disappearance accompanied by the occurrence of a maximum of uniform magnetic susceptibility at temperature T _C and chiral fluctuations of the local magnetization at T > T _C . The reasons why the magnetic contribution to the specific heat at the magnetic phase transition changes monotonically and the volume coefficient of thermal expansion (VCTE) at low temperatures is negative and has a wide minimum near T _C have been investigated. It is shown that the VCTE changes sign when passing to the paramagnetic state (at temperature T _S ).     

Chemical and phase compositions of multilayer nanoperiodic <Emphasis Type="Italic">a</Emphasis>-SiO<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>/ZrO<Subscript>2</Subscript> structures subjected to high-temperature annealing

The chemical and the phase compositions of multilayer nanoperiodic SiO _x /ZrO₂ structures prepared by vacuum evaporation from separated sources and subjected to high-temperature annealing have been studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy with a layer-by-layer etching. It is found that, under deposition conditions used, the silicon suboxide layers had the stoichiometric coefficient x ~1.8 and the zirconium-containing layers were the stoichiometric zirconium dioxide. It was found, using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, that annealing of the multilayer structures at 1000°C leads to mutual diffusion of the components and chemical interaction between ZrO₂ and SiO _x with predominant formation of zirconium silicate at heteroboundaries of the structures. The SiO _x layers of the annealed nanostructures contained ~5 at % elemental silicon as a result of the phase separation and the formation of fine silicon nanocrystals.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">K</Emphasis><Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">e</Emphasis>3</Subscript> decays and CKM unitarity

We present a detailed numerical study of the K_e3 decays to in chiral perturbation theory with virtual photons and leptons. We describe the extraction of the CKM matrix element |V_us| from the experimental K_e3 decay parameters. We propose a consistency check of the K ⁺ _e3 and K⁰_e3 data that is largely insensitive to the dominating theoretical uncertainties, in particular the contributions of . Our analysis is highly relevant in view of the recent high statistics measurement of the K ⁺ _e3 branching ratio by E865 at Brookhaven which does not indicate any significant deviation from CKM unitarity but rather a discrepancy with the present K⁰_e3 data.Received: 22 January 2004, Published online: 30 April 2004Work supported in part by IHP-RTN, Contract No. HPRN-CT2002-00311 (EURIDICE) and by Acciones Integradas, Project No. 19/2003 (Austria), HU2002-0044 (MCYT, Spain)