Energy-Momentum Properties and the Spin of Short-Lived Particles

The space–time translation property of a stable particle is characterized by a time-like Lorentz vector (E, _k ). We show in this contribution that unstable particles are, in addition, characterized by a space-like Lorentz 4-vector of uncertainties, or spreads, ( E, k). This is true for unstable states created in formation-, in production-, and in decay-experiments. The space-like nature of the spread vector causes a nonzero momentum spread to be present in all Lorentz frames so that there is no Lorentz frame in which the unstable particle is entirely at rest. With the space-like spreadvector ( E, k) in addition to the time-like (E, _k ), also the rotation property of an unstable particle is affected, and unstable states have an uncertainty in their spin. This means neighboring spin states are occupied in addition to the original spin. Experiments are discussed that show a principal limitation of the accuracy of spin measurement from finite lifetimes. Wave functions for unstable particles are discussed, and we show in the example of a short-lived spin-0 state that the appearance of a spin neighbor in the amplitude is proportional to the inverse lifetime.     

Intruders in the dust: air-driven granular size separation

Using MRI and high-speed video we investigate the motion of a large intruder particle inside a vertically shaken bed of smaller particles. We find a pronounced, nonmonotonic density dependence, with both light and heavy intruders moving faster than those whose density is approximately that of the granular bed. For light intruders, we furthermore observe either rising or sinking behavior, depending on intruder starting height, boundary condition, and interstitial gas pressure. We map out the phase boundary delineating the rising and sinking regimes. A simple model can account for much of the observed behavior and shows how the two regimes are connected by considering pressure gradients across the granular bed during a shaking cycle.     

Energy spectrum of 50-250 MeV/nucleon iron nuclei inside the MIR space craft

Stacks of CR-39 plastic nuclear track detectors were mounted inside the MIR spacecraft during the EUROMIR95 space mission for a period of 6 months. This long exposure time resulted in a large number of tracks of HZE-particles in the detector foils. All trajectories of stopping iron nuclei could be reconstructed by optimizing the etching conditions so that an automatic track measurement using image analysis techniques was possible. We found 185 stopping iron nuclei and used the énergy-range relation to calculate their energies at the stack surface. The measured spectrum of iron nuclei inside the MIR station is compared to results of model predictions considering the effect of the solar modulation for the mission period, the geomagnetic shielding effect for the MIR orbit and the shielding by material of the spacecraft walls and its instrumentation.     

Deceptive signals of phase transitions in small magnetic clusters

We present an analysis of the thermodynamic properties of small transition-metal clusters and show how the commonly used indicators of phase transitions such as peaks in the specific heat or magnetic susceptibility can lead to deceptive interpretations of the underlying physics. The analysis of the distribution of zeros of the canonical partition function in the whole complex temperature plane reveals the nature of the transition. We show that signals in the magnetic susceptibility at positive temperatures have their origin at zeros lying at negative temperatures.     

Analysis of conjugated linoleic acid-enriched triacylglycerol mixtures by isocratic silver-ion high-performance liquid chromatography

Silver-ion HPLC (Ag-HPLC) was applied to the fractionation of a triacylglycerol (TAG) sample enriched (>80%) with conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). After conversion of the TAGs to fatty acid methyl esters using sodium methoxide in methanol, Ag-HPLC (dual-column; isocratic solvent system of 0.1% acetonitrile in hexane; UV detection at 233 nm) was used to determine the CLA isomer distribution (50:50 mixture of 9c 11t- and 10t,12c-18:2). Three or four Ag-HPLC columns connected in series (0.6-1.0% acetonitrile in hexane as solvent; UV detection at 206 nm) were used to analyze the sample in TAG form. Elution times for CLA-enriched TAGs averaged 30 min or less. Isocratic solvent conditions were used to eliminate the solvent equilibration times (often 30 min or more) required between sample injections when solvent programming is used. The ratio of TAGs containing three vs. only two CLA molecules was found to be approximately 3 to 1. Ag-HPLC has thus been shown to be a useful method for rapidly analyzing not only CLA isomers as esters, but also in the TAG form.     

Adsorption of anionic polyelectrolytes to dioctadecyldimethylammonium bromide monolayers

Monolayers of dioctadecyldimethylammonium bromide (DODA) at the air/water interface were used as model for charged surfaces to study the adsorption of anionic polyelectrolytes. After spreading on a pure water surface the monolayers were compressed and subsequently transferred onto a polyelectrolyte solution employing the Fromherz technique. The polyelectrolyte adsorption was monitored by recording the changes in surface pressure at constant area. For poly(styrene sulfonate) and carboxymethylcellulose the plot of the surface pressure as function of time gave curves which indicate a direct correlation between the adsorbed amount and surface pressure as well as a solely diffusion controlled process. In the case of rigid rod-like poly(p-phenylene sulfonate)s the situation is more complicated. Plotting the surface pressure as function of time results in a curve with sigmoidal shape, characterized by an induction period. The induction period can be explained by a domain formation, which can be treated like a crystallization process. Employing the Avrami expression developed for polymer crystallization, the change in the surface pressure upon adsorption of rigid rod-like poly(p-phenylene sulfonate)s can be described. Received 1st July 2000 and Received in final form 7 December 2000     

Energy spectra of HZE-particles inside the International Space Station

To measure the energy spectra of low energy ions inside the International Space Station (ISS) we will expose three stacks of CR-39 plastic nuclear track detectors aligned to the three coordinate axes of the space station. The energies of cosmic ray nuclei at the stack surfaces can be determined by reconstructing the trajectories of ions stopping inside the detector material and by measuring their ranges. To measure only HZE (high charge Z and energy E) ions with charges of Z6 stopping in our experiment a special batch of CR-39 detectors with low sensitivity will be used. This detector material has been already tested by an exposure to carbon ions at the GSI accelerator in Darmstadt, Germany.     

Synthesis of Rod-Coil Block Copolymers using Two Controlled Polymerization Techniques

A double-headed initiator was synthesized yielding two functional groups for the initiation of the nickel mediated ring-opening polymerization of γ-benzyl-L -glutamate-N-carboxyanhydride and controlled radical polymerization of vinyl monomers via ATRP or NMP. Well-defined block copolymers combining polypeptides and synthetic polymers were obtained.