Cross sections and isomeric ratios in the photoproduction of 44Sc from heavier nuclei

The yields and isomeric yield ratios in the photoproduction of⁴⁴Sc from ⁴⁵Sc, ⁵⁵Mn, Fe, ⁵⁹Co and ⁷⁵As have been measured by activation methods in the energy region 100–800 MeV. Mean cross sections and isomeric cross-section ratios in the energy region 250–800 MeV have been deduced and the number of valence neutrons available for the (γ, n) reaction estimated. The experimental cross sections are compared both to cascade-evaporation calculations based upon the free-nucleon photopion cross sections and to cross sections calculated with a semi-empirical formula. The isomeric cross-section ratios are compared to calculations based on the statistical formalism by Huizenga and Vandenbosch together with cascade-evaporation theory.     

Measurements of γ-γ and γ-electron directional correlations in119Sb

The directional correlations ofγ-γ andγ-electron cascades in¹¹⁹Sb are measured, in the decay of^119mTe. Bothγ-γ andγ-electron directional correlation coefficients are determined for the cascades (energies in keV): 153.5-1212.7, 942.3-270.5, (976.2+979.3)-270.5, 1095.7-270.5 and 1136.8-270.5. For the cascades 912.6-1366.2, 2013.4-270.5 and 2089.9-270.5γ-γ directional correlations are measured. The mixing ratios evaluated are:δ(M2/E1, 153.5 keV)=0.0003±0.0023,δ(E2/M1, 270.5 keV)=-0.39±0.29,δ(E2/M1, 942.3 keV)= ?0.26±0.12,δ(E3/M2,1095.7 keV)=?0.01±0.07, andδ(M3/E2,1212.7 keV) =0.004±0.007. The result is compared with theoretical predictions.     

Electronic control of chiral quaternary center creation in the intramolecular asymmetric heck reaction

The Boehringer-Ingelheim phosphinoimidazoline (BIPI) ligands were applied to the formation of chiral quaternary centers in the asymmetric Heck reaction. Several different substrates were examined in detail, using more than 70 members of this new ligand class. Hammett relationships were determined through systematic variation of the ligand electronics. All substrates showed essentially the same Hammett behavior, where enantioselectivity increased as the ligands were made more electron-deficient. Ligand optimization has led to catalysts which give the highest enantioselectivities reported to date for these difficult systems.     

Micron-sized atom traps made from magneto-optical thin films

We have produced magnetic patterns suitable for trapping and manipulating neutral atoms on a 1-m length scale. The required patterns are made in Co/Pt thin films on a silicon substrate, using the heat from a focused laser beam to induce controlled domain reversal. In this way we draw lines and paint shaped areas of reversed magnetisation with sub-micron resolution. These structures produce magnetic microtraps above the surface that are suitable for holding rubidium atoms with trap frequencies as high as 1 MHz. PACS 39.25.+k; 03.75.Be; 75.50.Ss; 75.70.-i     

Spin readout and initialization in a semiconductor quantum dot

Electron spin qubits in semiconductors are attractive from the viewpoint of long coherence times. However, single spin measurement is challenging. Several promising schemes incorporate ancillary tunnel couplings that may provide unwanted channels for decoherence. Here, we propose a novel spin-charge transduction scheme, converting spin information to orbital information within a single quantum dot by microwave excitation. The same quantum dot can be used for rapid initialization, gating, and readout. We present detailed modeling of such a device in silicon to confirm its feasibility.     

Asymmetric equilibria in dynamic two-sided matching markets with independent preferences

A fundamental fact in two-sided matching is that if a market allows several stable outcomes, then one is optimal for all men in the sense that no man would prefer another stable outcome. We study a related phenomenon of asymmetric equilibria in a dynamic market where agents enter and search for a mate for at most n rounds before exiting again. Assuming independent preferences, we find that this game has multiple equilibria, some of which are highly asymmetric between sexes. We also investigate how the set of equilibria depends on a sex difference in the outside option of not being mated at all.     

Fast method of XANES data collection suitable for oxidation state mapping

XANES has been recently used for the determination of oxidation states of actinides in environmental samples. To obtain reliable results, however, a sufficiently long counting time at every probing energy and a large number of experimental points per XANES spectrum are required, due to the complex mathematical model used to fit the measured spectrum. This makes micro-mapping difficult, since the time required for data collection becomes unacceptably long. A simplified model for data collection and evaluation is presented. Its effectiveness has been tested by measuring the distribution of Pu oxidation states in a “hot” particle coming from a nuclear weapon test site.     

2,2′,6,6′-Tetrachloro-4,4′-propane-2,2-diyldiphenol, 2,2′,6-tribromo-4,4′-propane-2,2-diyldiphenol and 2,2′,6,6′-tetrabromo-4,4′-propane-2,2-diyldiphenol

Three flame retardants with very similar molecular structures showing three different packing patterns have been studied. The crystal structure of 2,2′,6,6′-tetrachloro-4,4′-propane-2,2-diyldiphenol, C₁₅H₁₂Cl₄O₂, can be described as a packing of sheets. The packing shows a very short intermolecular Cl⋯Cl contact distance of 3.094 (2) Å between pairs of mol­ecules inside each sheet. The crystal structure of 2,2′,6-tribromo-4,4′-propane-2,2-diyldiphenol, C₁₅H₁₃Br₃O₂, can be described as a packing of doubly stranded helical square tubes. These square helices are interconnected through Br⋯Br contacts between different helices. Finally, a previously known structure, 2,2′,6,6′-tetrabromo-4,4′-propane-2,2-diyldiphenol [Simonov, Cheban, Rotaru & Bels'skii (1986). Kristallografiya, 31 , 397–399], C₁₅H₁₂Br₄O₂, which is the most commonly used flame retardant and which has twofold rotational symmetry, has been refined in the correct absolute configuration. The structure shows large differences from the chloro analogue with regard to packing, van der Waals distances and hydrogen-bond distances.