Classical limit of relativistic quantal system with attractive Coulomb interaction

Using the appropriate harmonic oscillator states and reasonable approximations, we construct coherent wavepackets corresponding to the solutions of the Klein-Gordon equation for the attractive potentialV(r)=−k/r, k>0, in two and three space dimensions. We deduce the corresponding classical limit in two dimension by requiring that the expectation value 〈r〉 of the radial variable is large. In the case of three dimensions, besides the condition of large 〈r〉, we make the uncertainty Δr=[〈r ²〉 − 〈r〉²]^1/2 a minimum with respect to certain parameter of the wavepacket. We then investigate the trajectory traversed by the wavepacket in the classical limit. We find that the classical limit of this relativistic quantal problem gives, in the leading order, the same expression for the rate of motion of the perihelion as that given by the solution of the corresponding special relativistic classical dynamical problem. We also briefly discuss some of the subtle aspects of the classical limit of the relativistic quantal system, in general.     

Coupling for Markov renewal processes and the rate of convergence in ergodic theorems for processes with semi-Markov switchings

Coupling procedures for Markov renewal processes are described. Applications to ergodic theorems for processes with semi-Markov switchings are considered.This paper was partly prepared with the support of NFR Grant F-UP 10257-300.     

High performance liquid chromatography as a tool in the definition of abnormalities in monoamine and tryptophan metabolites in cerebrospinal fluid from patients with neurological disorders

In this study we report the levels of 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, homovallinic acid, tryptophan, 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid and serotonin in lumbar cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from patients with multiple sclerosis, cerebrovascular disease and muscular tension headache the later, as healthy controls. The separation of these substances was performed on a reversed phase column by ion pair high performance liquid chromatography and detection was made by a glassy carbon electrode set at +900 mV vs Ag+/AgCl. The whole separation was achieved within 25 min. Concentrations of all substances (10-1000 pmole/L) were linearly proportional to areas obtained. The system is sensitive, stable and reproducible. The significance of CSF levels of these metabolites from patients groups compared with healthy controls are discussed.     

Dependence of slow crack growth in polyethylene on butyl branch density: Morphology and theory

A theoretical equation has been developed to described the rate of slow crack growth in an ethylene-hexene copolymer in terms of the basic morphological parameters. These parameters are spacing of the butyl branches, number of tie molecules, and the thickness of the lamellar crystal. Experimentally, the thickness of the lamellae and the long period were determined as functions of the branch density. The calculation of the number of tie molecules is based on the values of the molecular weight and the long period. The model of slow crack growth is based on the rate of disentanglement of the tie molecules. The rate of disentanglement varies inversely with the number of tie molecules and directly with the number of tie molecules that are not pinned by the branches.     

Boundary slip phenomena in a binary gas mixture

The slip phenomena in gas mixtures are of fundamental significance in the specification of boundary conditions for flows in the slip regime. In a recent paper, new explicit results for the slip coefficients appropriate to binary gas mixtures were reported. The present work being reported extends the previous work to a higher level of accuracy by involving a higher order Chapman-Enskog expansion. In particular, new expressions for the slip coefficients are presented which are applicable for arbitrary models of the intermolecular interaction. Limiting expressions for the slip coefficients are given (for a simple gas) and the accuracy of the theory is discussed. Numerical calculations of the slip coefficients for different binary gas mixtures using the first and second order Chapman-Enskog approximations and the rigid sphere and Lennard-Jones (12-6) potential models have been carried out. The thermal creep and diffusion slip coefficients are found to be sensitive to the order of the approximation and to the potential model used. A comparison of the new higher order results with some of our previously obtained experimental data for the thermal transpiration effect has also been carried out and shows excellent agreement between the theory and the experiments which confirms the accuracy of the theory.     

Effects of neutron skin on the excitation of isovector modes of neutron-rich nuclei

The existence of a neutron skin in neutron-rich nuclei is discussed in connection with the excitation of isovector dipole and quadrupole giant modes via isoscalar nuclear probes. In the case of large neutron excess, important contributions are obtained from the nuclear excitation, which may even become predominant according to proper kinematical conditions. At variance with the usual situation encountered in inelastic processes, constructive interference can be found between nuclear and Coulomb contributions.     

The application of the Mössbauer spectroscopy for the study of the contaminants in the double circuit water heat-carrier nuclear power plant

The iron containing corrosion products from water heat-carrier and deposits of the second circuit of the nuclear power plant were investigated by means of absorption Mössbauer spectroscopy. The nonstoichiometric magnetite and paramagnetic (superparamagnetic) iron oxide particles were found to be the main corrosion products. The fraction of the magnetically ordered phase varied in the range 0–100% depending on the location in the second circuit.     

μSR studies of heavy fermion systems

We have performed both zero field and high transverse field measurements at dilution refrigerator temperatures on a number of heavy electron systems, examining the superconducting and magnetic properties of these interesting materials. Among the materials studied to date are UBe₁₃, URu₂Si₂ and U₆Fe. The magnetic field penetration depth in the superconducting state of UBe₁₃ is greater than 10000 Å, as no increase in the transverse field relaxation rate is observed belowT _c . A sharp increase in the precession frequency is seen, starting atT _c . This frequency shift shows little temperature dependence at low temperature; we found no clear evidence for unconventional superconductivity in this material. Zero field measurements in URu₂Si₂ show the weak antiferromagnetic transition at 17.5 K. Finally, we we found no clear evidence for unconventional superconductivity in this material. Zero field measurements in URu₂Si₂ show the weak antiferromagnetic transition at 17.5 K. Finally, we have observed relaxation in high transverse field due to the formation of a flux lattice in U₆Fe, a material where the electron effective mass is rather lighter than in other heavy fermion systems. The relaxation exhibits a sharp onset atT _c=3.9 K, and is flat at low temperatures as expected for a conventional superconductor.