Choosing an adequate mathematical model in problems with high pulsed energy deposition

The problems of choosing the optimal mathematical model for a prescribed range of parameters of a pulsed action are discussed. A preliminary analysis performed by similarity and dimensional-analysis methods using interpolation equations of state of the matter shows that the complete system of equations of gasdynamics can be simplified by dropping individual terms which are not important in a given parameter range. The results of an analysis are presented in the form of nomograms, which also make it possible to identify the class of fast and energy-intensive gasdynamic processes more accurately than at an intuitive level. Zh. Tekh. Fiz. 68, 44–47 (May 1998)     

Excitons in ZnP2 crystals in the electric field of a Schottky barrier

A study is made of the effect of electric fields on the exciton states of β-ZnP₂ crystals (T=77 K) in structures with Schottky barriers formed by depositing semitransparent electrically-conducting InSnO₂ films on the crystal surface. The observed changes in the exciton optical reflection spectra when an electrical potential is applied to a barrier are explained by the shift and broadening of the exciton level caused by the Stark effect. The experimental data are compared with calculations based on a theory of exciton optical reflection from planar spatially nonuniform structures. Fiz. Tverd. Tela (St. Petersburg) 40, 884–886 (May 1998)     

Magnetic properties of an amorphous microconductor in the microwave range

The frequency dispersion of the magnetic permeability is taken into account in a calculation of the impedance of an amorphous microconductor. Possible methods of measuring the magnetic parameters are analyzed, and the main characteristics of an amorphous microconductor in the microwave range are described. Zh. Tekh. Fiz. 68, 136–137 (January 1998)     

Orientational ordering of liquid crystals containing a difluoro-substituted phenyl ring

The orientational ordering of several liquid crystals containing a difluorosubstituted phenyl ring has been studied through the use of C-13 NMR. The fluorinated phenyl ring of these liquid crystals have C_s symmetry, so three order parameters are required to completely describe the ordering of this ring. All three of these order parameters have been calculated from carbon-fluorine dipolar coupling constants obtained from the carbon-fluorine splittings in the C-13 NMR spectra. Because of the complexity of the fluorine-coupled spectra, variable angle spinning (VAS) was used to resolve the carbon-fluorine splittings. In order to study the orientational ordering over wide ranges of temperature, we have developed an empirical correlation between the order parameter and the value of a carbon-fluorine dipolar coupling constant. This enabled us to study the change in the order parameter with temperature. The results of applying this method to several structurally similar liquid crystals containing the same type of difluorinated phenyl ring are presented. A comparison is made to a similar mono-fluorinated liquid crystal.     

Influence of humic substances on sorption and methylation processes of inorganic- and organo-tin species

The influence of humic substances on sorption and methylation processes for inorganic- and organotin species is presented. Four sediment samples from different locations of the Rivers Elbe, Mulde and Spittelwasser, Germany, with different organotin and humic contents were selected to extract the humic and fulvic acids. The various fractions—the original sediment, the humic acid, the fulvic acid and the residual sediment—were analysed for their organotin content. The individual buyltin species show quite different distribution patterns. Monobutyltin is found mostly associated with humic acids. Dibutyltin shows a nonunique behaviour. At low total organotin content, dibutyltin is found bonded to humic and fulvic acids, whereas at high organotin content dibutyltin is distributed more with the residual sediment. Most of the tributyltin remains in the sediment unextracted; only small quantities of it are in the fulvic acid fraction. Tetrabutyltin is only in the humic acid fraction when it binds to humic matter; it mostly remains in the sediment. General observations indicate that ionic butyltin species bind to fulvic acids whereas the non-polar tetrabutyltin is not found in the fulvic acid fractions in any of the samples. The appearance of monomethyl- and dimethyl-tin species in the humic and fulvic acid fractions after the alkaline extraction was surprising. There is a correlation between the humic content of the sample and the formation of methyltin species. Evidence is provided by experiments that humic substances act as methylation agents.     

Determination of the Tolman cone angle from crystallographic parameters and a statistical analysis using the crystallographic data base

Summary A new method of evaluating the Tolman cone angle from X-ray structural data available from the Cambridge Crystallographic Data Base has been developed and a statistical analysis of the cone angles of the phosphines PPh₃, PMe₂Ph, PMePh₂, PMe₃, PEt₃ and PCy₃ (Cy = cyclohexyl) in transition metal complexes has been completed.