Gamma-ray multiplicity studies for 40Ar and 86Kr induced reactions leading to Er compound nuclei at limiting angular momenta

The moments of the γ-ray multiplicity distributions as a function of evaporation residue and of E_γ have been determined from γ-multiplicity measurements for the ^{116, 120, 122, 124}Sn(⁴⁰Ar, xn) reactions at 161 ≦ E(Ar) ≦ 236 MeV and for the ⁷⁶Ge(⁸⁶Kr, xn) reaction at 314 ≦ E(Kr) ≦ 376 MeV. Even at the highest incident energies where l_gr ≈ 120 units, it is not possible to populate nuclei with l > 65 units, the limiting l predicted for a rotating liquid drop. For the lowest incident energies these data are in agreement with the decay of a compound system. At the highest incident energy, however, significant deviations are observed from the expected decay of an equilibrated system. Such deviations are indicative of pre-equilibrium particle decay. Statistical calculations utilizing the code GROG12 are used to substantiate these conclusions. No evidence for a lower l-cut in the population of the compound system is observed; however, these data would not be sensitive to an l_cut ? 10 units. The moments of inertia extracted from the edge of the “collective E2 bump” in the 〈M_γ〉 versus E_γ data are in agreement with those predicted for a rotating liquid drop. The average multiplicity of the noncompound processes is estimated to be 8–11 for l_gr ? 100 units and increasing to 21 for l_gr ? 120 units.     

Gamma decay after heavy ion reactions studied by first and higher order multiplicity measurements

First and higher order multiple coincidence rates have been measured for the γ-rays from ¹⁶O induced reactions on targets of ^148,150Nd at various bombarding energies. Average values and shape parameters for the γ-ray multiplicity distributions have been extracted from the data. The multiplicities are connected to angular momentum through complete fusion cross sections, and conclusions are drawn on spin distributions of entry states in the final nuclei as well as on the decay pattern from these states.     

Unexpected one-pot synthesis of A3-type unsymmetrical porphyrin

The first direct synthesis of A₃-type unsymmetrical porphyrin is achieved via conventional pyrrole–aldehyde condensation in a one-pot procedure in an appreciable yield. Generalization of this approach to a variety of other aldehydes revealed that it is advantageous for highly electron-rich aldehydes giving unsymmetrical porphyrin, while electron-poor aldehydes even failed to cyclize under the same experimental conditions.     

Appended corrole manganese complexes:Catalysis and axial-ligand effect

A series of N-base appended corroles and their manganese complexes were synthesized and their binding constants with three different nitrogenous ligands, triethylamine, N-methylimidazole and pyridine, were evaluated by spectroscopy. Kinetic studies indicated that the presence of appended N- donor ligands may cause a significant enhancement of the rate of oxygen atom transfers （OAT） from （oxo）manganese（V） corrole to alkene, and the stronger axial ligand binding has impact on the rate of the oxidation reaction. Turnover frequency （TOF） for the catalytic oxidation of alkenes by appended manganese corroles varies with the following ligand order： acetamido 〈 pyridyl 〈 imidazolyl. The influence of the external axial ligands on the catalytic epoxidation was investigated by using appended acetamido manganese corrole as catalyst, with the results revealing that N-methylimidazole gave the best enhancement on the yields of total oxidation products among the investigated nitrogenous ligands.     

Single-step link of the superdeformed band in143Eu

²⁰⁹Fr has been produced by irradiation of¹⁹⁷Au with¹⁶O,and studied using a He-jet recoil tape transport system.A decay scheme is proposed for the first time,based on X-γ and γ-γ coincidence measurements,which takes account of 20 observed γ-rays. The branching ratio for (EC+β ⁺) decay of²⁰⁹Fr has been estimated to be 3.0±1.5%. Five members of low-lying states in²⁰⁹Rn can be explained with the configuration [(²¹⁰Rn 2⁺)(νf5/2)^?1].     

LiSc(BH4)4: a novel salt of Li+ and discrete Sc(BH4)4(-) complex anions

LiSc(BH4)4 has been prepared by ball milling of LiBH4 and ScCl3. Vibrational spectroscopy indicates the presence of discrete Sc(BH4)4(-) ions. DFT calculations of this isolated complex ion confirm that it is a stable complex, and the calculated vibrational spectra agree well with the experimental ones. The four BH4(-) groups are oriented with a tilted plane of three hydrogen atoms directed to the central Sc ion, resulting in a global 8 + 4 coordination. The crystal structure obtained by high-resolution synchrotron powder diffraction reveals a tetragonal unit cell with a = 6.076 A and c = 12.034 A (space group P-42c). The local structure of the Sc(BH4)4(-) complex is refined as a distorted form of the theoretical structure. The Li ions are found to be disordered along the z axis.     

Redox-Flow Batteries: From Metals to Organic Redox-Active Materials

Research on redox-flow batteries (RFBs) is currently experiencing a significant upturn, stimulated by the growing need to store increasing quantities of sustainably generated electrical energy. RFBs are promising candidates for the creation of smart grids, particularly when combined with photovoltaics and wind farms. To achieve the goal of “green”, safe, and cost-efficient energy storage, research has shifted from metal-based materials to organic active materials in recent years. This Review presents an overview of various flow-battery systems. Relevant studies concerning their history are discussed as well as their development over the last few years from the classical inorganic, to organic/inorganic, to RFBs with organic redox-active cathode and anode materials. Available technologies are analyzed in terms of their technical, economic, and environmental aspects; the advantages and limitations of these systems are also discussed. Further technological challenges and prospective research possibilities are highlighted.     

Electron-phonon interaction and charge carrier mass enhancement in SrTiO3

We report a comprehensive THz, infrared and optical study of Nb-doped SrTiO3 as well as dc conductivity and Hall effect measurements. Our THz spectra at 7 K show the presence of an unusually narrow (<2 meV) Drude peak. For all carrier concentrations the Drude spectral weight shows a factor of three mass enhancement relative to the effective mass in the local density approximation, whereas the spectral weight contained in the incoherent midinfrared response indicates that the mass enhancement is at least a factor two. We find no evidence of a particularly large electron-phonon coupling that would result in small polaron formation.