Flux line lattice symmetries in the borocarbide superconductor LuNi2B2C

We compare the results of small angle neutron scattering on the flux line lattice (FLL) obtained in the borocarbide superconductor LuNi₂B₂C with the applied field along the c- and a-axes. For H‖c the temperature dependence of the FLL structural phase transition from square to hexagonal symmetry was investigated. Above 10 K the transition onset field. H ₂(T), rises sharply, bending away from H _c2(T) in contradiction to theoretical predictions of the two merging. For H‖a a first order FLL reorientation transition is observed at H _tr=3–3.5 kOe. Below H _tr the FLL nearest neighbor direction is parallel to the b-axis, and above H _tr to the c-axis. This transition cannot be explained using nonlocal corrections to the London model.     

Textured macro- and mesoporous alumina samples designed in the presence of different surfactant types

This work presents a method that enables the synthesis of porous alumina in the presence of different types of surfactant. The method is based on a sol–gel transition, using surfactants and droplets of a nonpolar phase as templates. The main purpose was to establish a relationship between the templates and the resulting pore structure. The results show that depending on the type of surfactant used (ionic or nonionic), materials presenting variations in the pore family distribution, X-ray powder diffraction patterns and sample morphology were formed. During the synthesis of these alumina samples, the drying step caused loss of the porous structures, so the shrinkage due to different types of surfactants was evaluated.     

Base-mediated intramolecular cyclization of (2-propargyl ether) arylimines: an approach to 3-amino-benzofurans

We present here a practical synthesis of functional 3-amino-benzofurans through base-promoted intramolecular cyclization of (2-propargyl ether) arylimines. A systematic study of the cyclization system revealed that the presence and the amount of base played an essential role in this reaction. The results showed that the cyclization proceeded cleanly and smoothly under mild reaction conditions, employing potassium tert-butoxide as base, THF as solvent, at room temperature in a short reaction time (1 h). The generality of this reaction has been established with (2-propargyl ether) arylimines having both electron-withdrawing and electron-donating groups.     

H-transfer rates in ion-neutral complexes versus those in intact aliphatic ions

The relative rates of H-transfer between partners in ion-neutral complexes were compared with those in intramolecular rearrangements using results of first differential photoionization mass spectrometry measurements. Complex-mediated H-transfers are inferred to have rates of the same order as those for intramolecular hydrogen rearrangements, suggesting a similar range of motion of the reactive sites in both types of reactions. It is also concluded that at their fastest H-transfers take place between the partners in ion-neutral complexes within at most the time of several rotations of the partners in the complexes. Copyright 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Time consistency and risk averse dynamic decision models: Definition,interpretation and practical consequences

This paper aims at resolving a major obstacle to practical usage of time-consistent risk-averse decision models. The recursive objective function, generally used to ensure time consistency, is complex and has no clear/direct interpretation. Practitioners rather choose a simpler and more intuitive formulation, even though it may lead to a time inconsistent policy. Based on rigorous mathematical foundations, we impel practical usage of time consistent models as we provide practitioners with an intuitive economic interpretation for the referred recursive objective function. We also discourage time-inconsistent models by arguing that the associated policies are sub-optimal. We developed a new methodology to compute the sub-optimality gap associated with a time-inconsistent policy, providing practitioners with an objective method to quantify practical consequences of time inconsistency. Our results hold for a quite general class of problems and we choose, without loss of generality, a CVaR-based portfolio selection application to illustrate the developed concepts.     

New high-energy luminescence bands from Co2+ in ZnSe

Three sharp absorption features in the energy range 2.36–2.55 eV have been detected in the transmission spectrum of Co-diffused ZnSe, and a number of luminescence transitions originating from the lowest of these states at 2.361 eV have been observed. Photoluminescence excitation spectra prove that these are high energy excited states of the Co²⁺_Zn impurity, a conclusion confirmed by comparison of measured and predicted luminescence energies. This represents the first identification of luminescence branching from a higher excited state of a transition metal ion in any semiconductor. The sharp, weakly phonon-coupled transitions involve either intra-impurity excitation or transitions from the impurity to localised states split off from a minimum in the conduction band. The implications of these observations for the mechanism of host-impurity energy transfer and for the nature of the excited state wavefunctions are discussed.