Convection in the presence of a first-order phase change

We report experimental and theoretical results for two-phase convection in a thin horizontal layer of a fluid with a first-order phase change and heated from below. A top layer of the nematic phase of a liquid crystal is located above the bottom layer of the isotropic phase of the same substance. A horizontal field of 1000 G is applied in order to align the director of the nematic phase. Over some ranges of the thickness of the isotropic phase, and in sufficiently large thermal gradients, the more dense nematic phase can be stably stratified above the less dense isotropic one, with a stable interface between them. Based on the equations of motion derived for this problem by Busse and Schubert [J. Fluid Mech. 46, 801 (1971)], we evaluate the bifurcation lines between the quiescent and convecting states and the corresponding critical wave vectors as a function of the interface position. We report experimental measurements based on Nusselt-number determinations for the locations of the bifurcation lines. They are in good agreement with the theoretical results. We also report approximate determinations of the critical wave numbers which are semiquantitatively consistent with the theory. A great diversity of patterns is observed in the convecting states, including normal and parallel rolls, rolls with defects and disorder, target patterns and spirals, and cellular flow with upflow or downflow at the cell center. These patterns are discussed in terms of the breaking of the mirror symmetry at the horizontal midplane by the interface, and in terms of the orienting effects of the magnetic field.     

Direct transition to electroconvection in a homeotropic nematic liquid crystal

We present an experimental and theoretical investigation of a variant of electroconvection using an unusual nematic liquid crystal in an isotropic configuration (homeotropic alignment). The significance of the system is a direct transition to the convecting state due to the negative conductivity anisotropy and positive dielectric anisotropy. We observe at onset rolls or squares depending on the frequency and amplitude of the applied ac voltage with a strong signature of the zigzag instability. Good agreement with calculations based on the underlying hydrodynamic theory is found. We also construct an extended Swift-Hohenberg model which allows us to capture complex patterns like squares with a quasiperiodic modulation.     

Ancillary ligand effect on single-site styrene polymerization: isospecificity of group 4 metal bis(phenolate) catalysts

Styrene is polymerized isospecifically by group 4 metal complexes that contain a C2-symmetrically coordinated 1,4-dithiabutane-linked bis(phenolato) ligand activated by methylaluminoxane.     

Transfer matrix analysis of the two-dimensional ANNNI model

The two-dimensional axial next-nearest neighbour Ising (ANNNI) model is studied for the first time by a transfer matrix method for semi-infinite strips (N×;N13). One obtains the thermodynamic properties and, more important, the correlation functions, which display directly the various magnetic structures. In one part of the phase diagram where a disorder line is believed to follow closely the ferromagnetic transition line the critical exponents appear to deviate from the expected ones. ForN13 a variational procedure is proposed.     

A new concept for isotope ratio monitoring liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry

A new interface for the on-line coupling of a liquid chromatograph to a stable isotope ratio mass spectrometer has been developed and tested. The interface is usable for (13)C/(12)C determination of organic compounds, allowing measurement of small changes in (13)C abundance in individual analyte species. All of the carbon in each analyte is quantitatively converted into CO(2) while the analyte is still dissolved in the aqueous liquid phase. This is accomplished by an oxidizing agent such as ammonium peroxodisulfate. The CO(2) is separated from the liquid phase and transferred to the mass spectrometer. It is shown that the whole integrated process does not introduce isotope fractionation. The measured carbon isotope ratios are accurate and reproducible. The sensitivity of the complete system allows isotope ratio determination down to 400 ng of compound on-column. By-passing the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) separation allows bulk isotopic analysis with substantially lower sample amounts than those required by conventional elemental analyzers. The results of the first applications to amino acids, carbohydrates, and drugs, eluted from various types of HPLC columns, are presented. The wide range of chromatographic methods enables the analysis of compounds never before amenable to isotope ratio mass spectrometry techniques and may lead to the development of many new assays.     

Interface properties of the three-state potts model in two dimensions

Interface properties, in particular the interface free energy and the interface profile of the three-state Potts model in two dimensions are studied using Monte Carlo techniques and a generalized version of the method of Müller-Hartmann and Zittartz. The role of the third state in characterizing the interface between the two other states is elucidated.     

Multichannel effective range approach to low energy nucleon-antinucleon interactions

MultichannelM-matrix method is applied to an N¯N-system with taking into account elasticp¯ p-scattering, charge-exchangep¯ p → n¯ n reaction andp¯ p annihilation. The isospin breaking in theM-matrix is discussed. We describe the differential and total cross-sections forp¯ p → p¯ p andp¯ p → n¯ n processes, cross-section σ_tot(p¯ p) and the real-to-imaginary ratio of the forward amplitude of elasticp¯ p scattering. The fitting leads to bound state in thep-wave near thep¯ p-threshold, which elucidates a significant role of this wave at small energies.