Giant dipole resonance in55Mn* studied with the BGO detector

High-energy gamma-rays emitted in the decay of the giant dipole resonance built on excited states of⁵⁵Mn nucleus were measured with a bismuth germanate detector. Resonance parameters were extracted from the fits to the experimental spectra. Two new high-energy calibration points originating from slow-neutron capture in germanium isotopes of bismuth germanate crystal are proposed for large-volume BGO detectors.     

Isotope Effects in the Electrochemical Reduction of Oxalic Acid-D2 and Benzoic Acid-D

Abstract

The electrochemical reduction of model carboxylic acid at lead cathodes in deuterated media was studied for potential use in the synthesis of special deuterated compounds.

Oxalic acid-d₂ in D₂O gives good yields of glyoxylic acid-d₂. An unexpected large isotope effect of 5.3 ± 1.7 was found in this reaction, leading to significant depletion of deuterium content in the aldehyde group.

Benzoic acid-d in CD₃OD/diluted D₂SO₄ yields benzyl alcohol-d, 7,7-d₂. The isotope effect of 2.4 ± 1.0 is within the expected range. No deuterium is incorporated into the aromatic nucleus. Essentially unlabelled benzyl alcohol is obtained in CD₃OH/dil. H₂SO₄.     

Characterization methods for liquid interfacial layers

Liquid interfaces are met everywhere in our daily life. The corresponding interfacial properties and their modification play an important role in many modern technologies. Most prominent examples are all processes involved in the formation of foams and emulsions, as they are based on a fast creation of new surfaces, often of an immense extension. During the formation of an emulsion, for example, all freshly created and already existing interfaces are permanently subject to all types of deformation. This clearly entails the need of a quantitative knowledge on relevant dynamic interfacial properties and their changes under conditions pertinent to the technological processes. We report on the state of the art of interfacial layer characterization, including the determination of thermodynamic quantities as base line for a further quantitative analysis of the more important dynamic interfacial characteristics. Main focus of the presented work is on the experimental possibilities available at present to gain dynamic interfacial parameters, such as interfacial tensions, adsorbed amounts, interfacial composition, visco-elastic parameters, at shortest available surface ages and fastest possible interfacial perturbations. The experimental opportunities are presented along with examples for selected systems and theoretical models for a best data analysis. We also report on simulation results and concepts of necessary refinements and developments in this important field of interfacial dynamics.     

First observation of the doubly charmed baryon Xi(+)(cc)

We observe a signal for the doubly charmed baryon Xi(+)(cc) in the charged decay mode Xi(+)(cc)-->Lambda(+)(c)K-pi(+) in data from SELEX, the charm hadroproduction experiment at Fermilab. We observe an excess of 15.9 events over an expected background of 6.1+/-0.5 events, a statistical significance of 6.3sigma. The observed mass of this state is 3519+/-1 MeV/c(2). The Gaussian mass width of this state is 3 MeV/c(2), consistent with resolution; its lifetime is less than 33 fs at 90% confidence.     

Nonuniversal ordering of spin and charge in stripe phases

We study the interplay of topological excitations in stripe phases: charge dislocations, charge loops, and spin vortices. In two dimensions these defects interact logarithmically on large distances. Using a renormalization-group analysis in the Coulomb-gas representation of these defects, we calculate the phase diagram and the critical properties of the transitions. Depending on the interaction parameters, spin and charge order can disappear at a single transition or in a sequence of two transitions (spin-charge separation). These transitions are nonuniversal with continuously varying critical exponents. We also determine the nature of the points where three phases coexist.     

First identification of excited states in 59Zn

Excited states in ⁵⁹Zn were observed for the first time following the fusion-evaporation reaction ²⁴Mg + ⁴⁰Ca at a beam energy of 60 MeV. The GASP array in conjunction with the ISIS Silicon ball and the NeutronRing allowed for the detection of γ-rays in coincidence with evaporated light particles. The mirror symmetry of ⁵⁹Zn and ⁵⁹Cu is discussed. Received: 28 May 2002 / Accepted: 10 July 2002 / Published online: 3 December 2002 RID="a" ID="a"Present address: Oliver Lodge Laboratory, University of Liverpool, P.O. Box 147, Liverpool, L69 7ZE, United Kingdom; e-mail: ca@ns.ph.liv.ac.uk. RID="b" ID="b"Present address: Physik-Departament, Technische Universit?t München, D-85748 Garching, Germany. Communicated by W. Henning     

Electron energy-loss spectroscopy studies on C60 and C70 fullerite

The electronic structure of the crystalline fullerites C₆₀ and C₇₀ has been investigated by high-energy electron energy-loss spectroscopy in transmission. From valence band excitations and from core-level excitations of the C 1s level information on occupied and unoccupied and bands has been obtained.     

Mirrorless parametric oscillation in BaTiO3

We report on the first observation of mirrorless oscillation in BaTiO₃ pumped by two nearly counterpropagating mutually incoherent light waves, both containing an ordinary and an extraordinary component. The oscillation waves appear at a certain angle defined by the phase matching condition for four-wave mixing of orthogonally polarized waves.     

Paramagnetic defects in BaTiO3 and their role in light-induced charge transport — Optical studies

On the basis of a previous identification of paramagnetic defects in nominally undoped as grown BaTiO₃ single crystals, we have investigated the changes of the concentrations of these centers and their optical absorptions under illumination with light of varying wavelengths. The most pronounced charge transfers occur by hole ionization of Fe⁴⁺ and — to a lesser extent — of Cr⁵⁺ and Cr⁴⁺. At low temperatures the created holes are trapped in the form of O^–-ions next to Al³⁺ or unknown acceptor defects. Corresponding Fe⁴⁺ and O^– absorptions have been identified.