Ion structure determinations and ion—molecule reactions by double quadrupole mass spectrometry

The QQ mass spectrometer is shown to be applicable to ion structure determination via collision-induced dissociations of mass-selected ions. The instrument can be scanned so as to record the products of dissociation as well as those of ion—molecule association reactions. The dissociations correspond to those observed at high kinetic energy in mass-analyzed ion kinetic energy spectrometers and the association reactions show parallels with reactions seen in ion cyclotron resonance spectroscopy and in high-pressure mass spectrometry     

Observation of hydrogen induced intermediate borides in PrFeB based alloys by Mössbauer effect spectroscopy

In the present work, a quantitative analysis of the phase compositions by Mössbauer effect spectroscopy of solid and conventional hydrogen disproportionated Pr_13.7Fe_80.3B_6.0 and Pr_13.7Fe_63.5Co_16.7Zr_0.1B_6.0 alloys was carried out. Significant amounts of intermediate borides t-Fe₃B and Pr(Fe, Co)₁₂B₆ were detected after solid hydrogen disproportionation treatment in Pr_13.7Fe_80.3B_6.0 and Pr_13.7Fe_63.5Co_16.7Zr_0.1B_6.0 alloys, respectively. After conventional hydrogenation–disproportionation–desorption–recombination treatment these phases were not detected and in no case residual Pr₂Fe₁₄B-phase was found. It was observed that the amount of intermediate borides after disproportionation can be correlated with the degree of texture after recombination at various temperatures.     

Optical properties of F.I.R. metallic grids: Reflection phase shift measurements

Utilization of metallic grids stacks for F.I.R filters needs a good knowledge of optical properties of each grid. We study here an experimental method in order to determine the wave's change of phase by reflection on a wire grid. We use a Perot-Fabry interferometer constituted by these grids.     

Observation of a new metastable liquid-crystalline phase in supercooled blue phase systems

A new metastable liquid-crystalline phase BPS was observed in pure chiral compounds. The BPS is transformed reversibly from the supercooled BPI and is thermodynamically stable with respect to the BPI and metastable to the cholesteric phase. Rhombic single crystals of the BPS probably indicate a cubic lattice structure as in other BPs, but the lattice constant exhibits an anomalous temperature dependence.     

A numerical study of an unsteady laminar flow in a doubly constricted 3D vessel

Unsteady flow dynamics in doubly constricted 3D vessels have been investigated under pulsatile flow conditions for a full cycle of period T. The coupled non‐linear partial differential equations governing the mass and momentum of a viscous incompressible fluid has been numerically analyzed by a time accurate Finite Volume Scheme in an implicit Euler time marching setting. Roe's flux difference splitting of non‐linear terms and the pseudo‐compressibility technique employed in the current numerical scheme makes it robust both in space and time. Computational experiments are carried out to assess the influence of Reynolds' number and the spacing between two mild constrictions on the pressure drop across the constrictions. The study reveals that the pressure drop across a series of mild constrictions can get physiologically critical and is also found to be sensitive both to the spacing between the constrictions and the oscillatory nature of the inflow profile. The flow separation zone on the downstream constriction is seen to detach from the diverging wall of the constriction leading to vortex shedding with 3D features earlier than that on the wall in the spacing between the two constrictions. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Intercalated smectic-A structures in a new class of laterally branched substances

X-ray, DSC and optical studies of a new class of substances with aromatic rings in the lateral branches are reported. The thermal behaviour of the substances is discussed. The X-ray measurements lead to a structural model of the SA phases consisting of layer structures with intercalating molecules.