Relativistic J-dependence of the isotope shift in the 6s-6p doublet of Ba II

The collinear laser-ion beam technique has been used to measure the isotope shift and hyperfine structure in the 6s-6p doublet (4,934Å, 4,554Å) of Ba II for all seven stable isotopes. The influence of the excited² P _1/2 and² P _3/2 states on the field shift leads to a difference of 2.5(3)% in the electronicF factors. The specific mass shifts differ by {A′-A} 2.2(3) MHz which corresponds to about 12% of the normal mass shift.     

Freezing point osmometry of milk to determine the additional water content – an issue in general quality control and German food regulation

Background  

The determination of the osmolality of aqueous samples using a freezing point osmometer is a well-established, routine laboratory method. In addition to their use in clinical and pharmaceutical laboratories, freezing point osmometers are also employed in food testing laboratories. One application is the determination of the osmolality of milk. Although cow's milk is a natural product whose water content is approximately 87%, the osmolality of milk is a significant value when the milk is collected from a larger population of animals. This value is used in milk processing to control the water content, based on the German Food Control Regulations for Milk.     

Influence of magnetic field on the electronic specific heat of the organic metal (BEDT-TTF)2KHg(SCN)4

Specific heat measurements of a single crystal of the organic metal (BEDT-TTF)₂KHg(SCN)₄ have been carried out at low temperatures and under a magnetic field of up to 14 T. A jump in the specific heat of about 0.1 J/mol·K, which corresponds to the antiferromagnetic phase transition, has been observed. The magnetic field is found to decrease the transition temperature at any field orientation. The strongest effect was found to take place in the field direction along the highly conducting ac plane. Zh. éksp. Teor. Fiz. 113, 1058–1063 (March 1998) Published in English in the original Russian journal. Reproduced here with stylistic changes by the Translation Editor.