Study of the neutron quantum states in the gravity field

We have studied neutron quantum states in the potential well formed by the earths gravitational field and a horizontal mirror. The estimated characteristic sizes of the neutron wave functions in the two lowest quantum states correspond to expectations with an experimental accuracy. A position-sensitive neutron detector with an extra-high spatial resolution of m was developed and tested for this particular experiment, to be used to measure the spatial density distribution in a standing neutron wave above a mirror for a set of some of the lowest quantum states. The present experiment can be used to set an upper limit for an additional short-range fundamental force. We studied methodological uncertainties as well as the feasibility of improving further the accuracy of this experiment.Received: 31 July 2004, Published online: 7 March 2005PACS: 03.65, 28.20 Correspondence to: V. Nesvizhevsky     

The NUCLEON experiment: The current status

The main purpose of the NUCLEON experiment is direct measurements of the energy spectra of cosmic rays in the range 10¹¹–10¹⁵ eV with the use of the lightweight facility during a prolonged orbital flight. The energy is determined using a technique based on the measurement of the spatial density of secondary particles produced in the initial event of inelastic interaction. The schematic diagram of the NUCLEON facility, the current status of the project, the results of testing the prototype, and plans are presented.     

A new method for the synthesis of the marine alkaloid fascaplysin

A new method for the synthesis of the marine alkaloid fascaplysin has been developed via a simple and practical approach to pyrido[1,2-a:3,4-b′]diindole ring system formation. Conversion of the marine alkaloid homofascaplysin C into fascaplysin is also described.     

Oxygen evolution on lead dioxide modified with fluorine and iron

In the oxygen evolution reaction in a sulfuric acid solution, the electrocatalytic activity of lead dioxide doped with fluorine or iron changes. At low and elevated dopant concentrations, the reaction rate is limited by the transfer of the second and first electrons, respectively. Dedicated to the ninetieth anniversary of Ya.M. Kolotyrkin’s birth.     

Communication: stabilization of radical anions with weakly bound electron in condensed media: a case study of diacetonyl radical anion

The radical anion resulting from electron capture by diacetonyl molecule has been characterized by EPR and optical absorption spectroscopy in glassy ether matrices at 77 K. In non-polar alkane glasses this species was not observed under the same conditions, which confirms the crucial role of matrix interactions in stabilizing this species. Calculations at the MP2 level show the vertical detachment energy to increase gradually from roughly zero for a bare anion to ～1 eV for the complex involving six ether molecules.     

Synthesis of 2-azaanthraquinone and its derivatives

The acylation of benzene, toluene, and chlorobenzene with cinchomeronic acid anhydride in the presence of AlCl₃ has given in each case both possible isomers of the corresponding aroylpyridinecarboxylic acid. It was found that the yields of reaction products and their isomeric compositions depend on the conditions of performing the reaction. The intramolecular cyclization of the isomeric keto acids in the presence of 2% oleum has given 2-azaanthraquinone and chlorine derivatives of it.Translated from Khimiya Geterotsiklicheskikh Soedinenii, No. 4, pp. 514–518, April, 1980.