Contribution of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">M</Emphasis>1 process to the astrophysical <Emphasis Type="Italic">S</Emphasis>-factor of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis><Superscript>2</Superscript>H radiative capture

The experimental data on the astrophysical S-factor of the p ²H radiative capture are well described for energies from 1 keV to 10 MeV using the potential cluster model and the Young schemes of orbital cluster state classification with allowance for the E1 and M1 transitions.     

Empirical relation and establishment of shell effects in (<Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>, 2<Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>) reaction cross-sections at 14 MeV

The experimental data for (n, 2n) reaction cross-sections around 14 MeV neutron energy have been collected from the literature and analysed for the isotopes having 1 ≤ Z ≤ 82. The empirical relations for the reaction cross-sections have been obtained, which show fairly good fits with the experimental values. The shell effects have been established at magic nucleon numbers for (n, 2n) reaction cross-sections around 14 MeV neutron energy. The odd-even effects have also been observed as the cross-sections for odd-mass nuclei are higher than their neighbouring even-even nuclei.      

Self-consistent description of <Emphasis Type="Italic">EL</Emphasis> transitions between one-phonon states in magic nuclei

Transition probabilities between low-lying one-phonon states of magic nuclei are for the first time computed self-consistently within an approach to anharmonic effects based on the quantum theory of many-body systems. In the adopted approach, three-quasiparticle correlations in the ground state are taken into account, and the nuclear mean field is interrelated with the effective nucleon–nucleon interaction. These quantities are derived using the energy density functional method with known parameters of the Fayans functional. The E1 and E2 transitions in the ¹³²Sn and ²⁰⁸Pb nuclei are considered as an example, and a reasonably good agreement with the data on these nuclei is reached. Three-quasiparticle correlations in the ground state are shown to make a significant contribution to the probabilities of the discussed transitions.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">E</Emphasis>2 transitions between excited single-phonon states: Role of ground-state correlations

The probabilities for E2 transitions between low-lying excited 3^? and 5^? single-phonon states in the ²⁰⁸Pb and ¹³²Sn magic nuclei are estimated on the basis of the theory of finite Fermi systems. The approach used involves a new type of ground-state correlations, that which originates from integration of three (rather than two, as in the random-phase approximation) single-particle Green’s functions. These correlations are shown to make a significant contribution to the probabilities for the aforementioned transitions.     

Forward on the <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis> = <Emphasis Type="Italic">Z</Emphasis> line with GASP

The experimental study of the proton-rich nuclei close to the N = Z line is a constant challenge for nuclear spectroscopy, mainly due to the difficulty to produce them with the currently available beam/target combinations. Significant advances on this direction were obtained from experiments performed with the GASP array during the last two years: the yrast line of ⁸⁴Mo was extended up to 10 ⁺ , ⁸⁸Ru observed for the first time, and the N = Z + 1 line was mapped from ⁸¹Zr to ⁹⁵Ag. These new results allow us to have a more complete image of the transition from the well-deformed shell closure at N,Z = 40 to the spherical-shell closure at N,Z = 50, and highlights some particular effects that can be observed only in the vicinity of the N = Z line.Received: 10 January 2003, Published online: 23 March 2004PACS: 21.10.-k Properties of nuclei; nuclear energy levels - 21.10.Pc Single-particle levels and strength functions - 21.10.Re Collective levels - 23.20.-g Electromagnetic transitions     

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     

Hyperfine structure of <Emphasis Type="Italic">S</Emphasis>- and <Emphasis Type="Italic">P</Emphasis>-wave states in muonic-helium ion

Corrections of order α ⁵ and α ⁶ to the hyperfine structure of S- and P-wave energy levels of the muonic-helium ion are calculated. Electron-vacuum-polarization effects, corrections for the nuclear structure, and recoil effects are taken into account. The numerical values obtained for respective hyperfine splitting, −1334.73 meV (1S), −166.64 meV (2S), −58 712.90 μeV (2P _1/2), and −24 290.69 μeV (2P _3/2), can be viewed as a reliable estimate for a comparison with experimental data, and the hyperfine-structure interval of Δ₁₂ = 8ΔE ^hfs(2S) − ΔE ^hfs(1S) = 1.59 meV can be used to test QED predictions.     

Production of the (<Emphasis Type="Italic">I</Emphasis> = 19/2) high-spin isomer <Superscript>135</Superscript>Cs in photonuclear reactions

The yields of ¹³⁵Cs nuclei in a high-spin (19/2) isomeric state and of nuclei neighboring it were measured for photonuclear reactions of the (γ, f) and (γ, α) types. The experiments in question were performed by using bremsstrahlung from a microtron at the maximum electron energy of 25 MeV. The product nuclei were identified by their half-lives and by the lines of gamma radiation emitted in their decay, and the reaction yields R were determined by the ratios of the intensities of these lines to the bremsstrahlung flux. The cross sections for isomer production were calculated, and the angular momenta of product nuclei immediately before the cascade of gamma transitions populating the ground or an isomeric nuclear state were evaluated on the basis of these results. An enhanced yield of the high-spin isomer of ¹³⁵Cs in the fission reaction in relation to the respective (γ, α) reaction and in relation to the results of the calculations is found.     

Multiconfiguration Dirac-Fock results for forbidden transitions in the 2<Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis><Superscript>4</Superscript> configuration

Relativistic configuration interaction calculations with the inclusion of the Breit interaction, quantum electrodynamics and finite nuclear mass corrections have been carried out in the extended optimal level scheme using multiconfiguration Dirac-Fock wavefunctions on the forbidden transition probabilities for the 2p ⁴ ground state configuration of the oxygen isoelectronic sequence for 8 ⩽ Z ⩽ 42. Electric quadrupole and magnetic dipole transition probabilities are reported for transitions between several of these levels. Our results are compared with those from other theories and experiments. Our energy levels are in better agreement with experiment than other theories.     

Dielectron widths of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">S</Emphasis>-, <Emphasis Type="Italic">D</Emphasis>-vector bottomonium states

The dielectron widths of Y(nS)(n = 1, …, 7) and vector decay constants are calculated using the relativistic string Hamiltonian with a universal interaction. For Y(nS) (n = 1, 2, 3) the dielectron widths and their ratios are obtained in full agreement with the latest CLEO data. For Y(10580) and Y(11020) a good agreement with experiment is reached only if the 4S-3D mixing (with a mixing angle θ = 27°± 4°) and 6S-5D mixing (with θ = 40°±5°) are taken into account. The possibility to observe higher “mixed D-wave” resonances, $ \tilde \Upsilon $ \tilde \Upsilon (n ³ D ₁) with n = 3, 4, 5 is discussed. In particular, $ \tilde \Upsilon $ \tilde \Upsilon (≈11120), originating from the pure 5³ D ₁ state, can acquire a rather large dielectron width, ∼130 eV, so that this resonance may become manifest in the e ⁺ e ⁻ experiments. On the contrary, the widths of pure D-wave states are very small, Γ _ee (n ³ D ₁)≤ 2 eV.     

Electric dipole strength distribution below the <Emphasis Type="Italic">E</Emphasis>1 giant resonance in <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis> = 82 nuclei

In this study quasiparticle random-phase approximation with the translational invariant Hamiltonian using deformed mean field potential has been conducted to describe electric dipole excitations in ¹³⁶Xe, ¹³⁸Ba, ¹⁴⁰Ce, ¹⁴²Nd, ¹⁴⁴Sm and ¹⁴⁶Gd isotones. The distribution of the calculated E1 strength shows a resonance like structure at energies between 6–8 MeV exhausting up to 1% of the isovector electric dipole Energy Weighted Sum Rule and in some aspects nicely confirms the experimental data. It has been shown that the main part of E1 strength, observed below the threshold in these nuclei may be interpreted as main fragments of the Pygmy Dipole resonance. The agreement between calculated mean excitation energies as well as summed B(E1) value of the 1⁻ excitations and the available experimental data is quite good. The calculations indicate the presence of a few prominent positive parity 1⁺ States in heavy N = 82 isotones in the energy interval 6–8 MeV which shows not all dipole excitations were of electric character in this energy range.     

Cosmological Models with Variable <Emphasis Type="Italic">G</Emphasis> in <Emphasis Type="Italic">C</Emphasis>-Field Cosmology

Cosmological models with variable G in C-field cosmology for barotropic fluid distribution in FRW space-time are investigated. To get the deterministic model of the universe, we have assumed that G=R ⁿ where R is the scale factor and n the constant. To obtain the results in terms of cosmic time t, we have assumed n=−1. We find that for n=−1, Creation field (C) and spatial volume increase with time, G and ρ (matter density) decreases with time, the model represent accelerating universe. Thus inflationary scenario exists in the model. The model is also free from horizon. The results so obtained match with the astronomical observations.     

Ordering of nonstoichiometric hexagonal compounds <Emphasis Type="Italic">M</Emphasis><Subscript>2</Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">X</Emphasis>: A sequence of special figures

An ensemble of figures required for the analysis of the atomic-vacancy ordering in nonstoichiometric compounds M ₂ X _y (M ₂ X _y ▭_{1 − y} ) with an L′3 hexagonal structure has been determined by the order-parameter functional method. It has been demonstrated reasoning from the crystal lattice geometry that, in order to describe M ₂ X _y compounds with an L′3 structure, it is necessary to use the basis cluster in the form of a trigonal prism consisting of six sites of the nonmetal lattice with a metal atom at the center. The overlapping figures that, together with the basis cluster, form a sequence of special figures uniquely describing the L′3 structure have been found. The equilibrium conditions for disorder-order transformations in nonstoichiometric compounds M ₂ X _y have been determined in the general form.     

Sub-Doppler fluorescence on the atomic <Emphasis Type="Italic">D</Emphasis><Subscript>2</Subscript> line of a submicron rubidium-vapor layer

An extremely thin cell (ETC) with the thickness of a Rb atomic vapor layer in the range of 100–300 nm was fabricated. It is demonstrated that a simple laser-diode technique with a single resonant light beam is sufficient to observe separately all of the atomic hyperfine transitions of the D ₂ line of Rb (780 nm) and also allows us to measure the relative transition probabilities of the hyperfine transitions. The onset of collisional self-broadening of the hyperfine transitions as the number density of atoms increases was studied. The detrimental role of the atoms with slow longitudinal velocity in the sub-Doppler response of the Rb ETC is demonstrated by studies in which the cell is tilted from normal incidence of the laser beam. It is also shown that using an ETC allows us to resolve in a moderate external magnetic field the Zeeman splitting of the hyperfine transitions of the ⁸⁷Rb D ₁ transition F _g=1F _e=1,2. Received: 19 February 2003 / Revised version: 4 April 2003 / Published online: 2 June 2003 RID="*" ID="*"Corresponding author. Fax: +374/32-31172, E-mail: david@ipr.sci.am     

On the <Emphasis Type="Italic">K</Emphasis><Superscript>+</Superscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">d</Emphasis> interaction at low energies

The Kd reactions are considered in the impulse approximationwithNN final-state interactions (FSI) taken into account. Realistic parameters for the KN phase shifts are used. The “quasi-elastic” energy region, in which the elementary KN interaction is predominantly elastic, is considered. The theoretical predictions are compared with the data on the K ⁺ d → K ⁺ pn, K ⁺ d → K⁰ pp, K ⁺ d → K ⁺ d, and K ⁺ d total cross sections. The NN FSI effect in the reaction K ⁺ d → K ⁺ pn has been found to be large. The predictions for the Kd cross sections are also given for slow kaons, produced from ϕ(1020) decays, as the functions of the isoscalar KN scattering length a ₀. These predictions can be used to extract the value of a ₀ from the data. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

Study of penetration effects in the <Emphasis Type="Italic">E</Emphasis>1 and <Emphasis Type="Italic">M</Emphasis>1 transitions in <Superscript>44</Superscript>Sc

Conversion coefficients for the E1 and M1 transitions in the ⁴⁴Ti decay have been measured with high accuracy using the sum peak and multidimensional coincidence methods. The following values have been obtained: α_K(E1) = 0.077 ± 0.003 and α_K(M1) = 0.014 ± 0.001. A significant contribution of the penetration effects for the M1 transition has been shown. The penetration parameter λ is determined to be ?260 ± 30 has been determined.     

Exact Results for Topological Strings on Resolved <Emphasis Type="Italic">Y</Emphasis><Superscript><Emphasis Type="Italic"> p</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">q</Emphasis></Superscript> Singularities

We obtain exact results in α′ for open and closed A-model topological string amplitudes on a large class of toric Calabi-Yau threefolds by using their correspondence with five dimensional gauge theories. The toric Calabi-Yaus that we analyze are obtained as minimal resolution of cones over Y ^p,q manifolds and give rise via M-theory compactification to SU(p) gauge theories on . As an application we present a detailed study of the local case and compute open and closed genus zero Gromov-Witten invariants of the orbifold. We also display the modular structure of the topological wave function and give predictions for higher genus amplitudes. The mirror curve in this case is the spectral curve of the relativistic A ₁ Toda chain. Our results also indicate the existence of a wider class of relativistic integrable systems associated to generic Y ^p,q geometries.     

Maghemite/poly(<Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">d,l</Emphasis>-lactide-<Emphasis Type="Italic">co</Emphasis>-glycolyde) composite nanoplatform for therapeutic applications

A reproducible methodology is described for the synthesis, by following the double emulsion/solvent evaporation technique, of magnetic nanocomposites (average diameter ≈ 135 nm) consisting of maghemite nuclei and a biodegradable poly(d,l-lactide-co-glycolide) matrix. The heterogeneous structure of the nanoparticles can confer them the responsiveness to magnetic gradients, giving both the possibility of their use as a drug delivery system and adequate heating characteristics for a hyperthermia effect. The physical chemistry of the nanocomposites was extensively characterized, this establishing that their surface properties were similar to that of pure poly(d,l-lactide-co-glycolide). From an electrokinetic point of view, zeta potential determinations (as a function of the ionic strength, and pH) pointed out that the nanocomposites were almost indistinguishable from the copolymer. The surface thermodynamic analysis agreed with the electrophoretic one in suggesting that the coverage of the magnetic nuclei was complete, since the hydrophilic nature of maghemite was modified and the nanoparticles turned into hydrophobic, just like the copolymer, when they were embedded into poly(d,l-lactide-co-glycolide). The magnetic behaviours of the composite nanoparticles were also checked. Their heating properties were studied in vitro in a high-frequency alternating gradient of magnetic field: a stable maximum temperature of 47 °C was satisfactorily achieved within 45 min. Blood compatibility of the nanocomposites was also defined in vitro. To our knowledge, this is the first time that such kind of magnetic-sensitive nanoformulation with very promising characteristics (e.g. blood compatibility, magnetic drug targeting capabilities, and hyperthermia) has been developed for therapeutic purposes.     

Anisotropy of amorphous nanogranular composites CoNbTa-SiO<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis></Subscript> and CoFeB-SiO<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis></Subscript>

A comparative investigation of the magnetic properties of amorphous nanogranular composites (Co₄₁Fe₃₉B₂₀) _x (SiO _n )_{100 − x} and (Co₈₆Nb₁₂Ta₂) _x (SiO _n )_{100 − x} has been performed in the subpercolation region at temperatures in the range 4.2–300 K. The thermomagnetic dependences in the range 4.2–300 K and the processes of magnetization reversal and remanent magnetization relaxation at liquid-helium temperatures have been studied. It has been established that the average anisotropy constants of amorphous nanograins are equal to 3.6–7.0 kJ/m³ for the (Co₄₁Fe₃₉B₂₀) _x (SiO _n )_{100 − x} composites and 5–8 kJ/m³ for the (Co₈₆Nb₁₂Ta₂) _x (SiO _n )_{100 − x} composites. The fundamental differences in the concentration dependences of the anisotropy constant K _eff and the coercive force H _C have been revealed for the two systems under investigation. It has been demonstrated that, as the concentration of the metal phase increases, the quantities K _eff and H _C increase for the (Co₈₆Nb₁₂Ta₂) _x (SiO _n )_{100 − x} composites and decrease for the (Co₄₁Fe₃₉B₂₀) _x (SiO _n )_{100 − x} composites.     

The isospin-symmetry-breaking effects in <Emphasis Type="Italic">K</Emphasis><Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">e</Emphasis>4</Subscript> decays

The final-state interaction of pions in K _e4 decay allows to obtain the value of the isospin and angular-momentum-zero ππ scattering length a ₀⁰.We take into account the electromagnetic interaction of pions and isospin-symmetry-breaking effects caused by different masses of neutral and charged pions and estimate the impact of these effects on the procedure of scattering-length extraction from K _e4 decays.