Loop states in lattice gauge theory

We reformulate d-dimensional SU(2) lattice gauge theory in terms of gauge invariant loop state variables by solving the SU(2) Gauss law as well as the corresponding Mandelstam constraints. The loop states satisfying the Gauss law and the Mandelstam constraints in d dimension are explicitly constructed in terms of the SU(2) harmonic oscillator prepotential operators. We show that these mutually independent (orthonormal) loop states carry certain non-negative integer Abelian fluxes over the lattice links and are characterized by 3(d−1) gauge invariant angular momentum quantum numbers per lattice site. Thus, they provide a complete orthonormal loop basis in the physical Hilbert space of the gauge theory. Further, we derive the loop Hamiltonian and show that it counts, creates and annihilates the Abelian fluxes over the plaquettes. The generalization to SU(N) gauge group is discussed.     

Viscosity of multicomponent gas mixtures of polar gases

Summary The rigorous binary viscosity expression _mix as transformed to the form originally suggested by Sutherland is studied for mixtures involving polar gases. Any attempt to simplify the _ij of the Sutherland viscosity expression turns out to be only approximately successful. A relation for _ij / _ji is however derived, and the procedure suggested for computing _mix on this basis appears to be very successful. The _ij to a large extent are temperature and composition independent and it has been shown that this fact can be utilised with success for predicting _mix values at high temperatures.     

Measurement of the concentration diffusion coefficient for He-Ar and Ne-Kr by a two bulb method

Summary A two bulb glass apparatus was used to measure the concentration diffusion coefficient of the binary gas systems He-Ar and Ne-Kr. The coefficients were determined for equimolar mixtures at temperatures between 0°C and 70°C. The diffusion was followed as a function of time by withdrawing samples and analyzing them in a specially designed thermal conductivity analyzer with high accuracy. The diffusion coefficients agree with earlier reported experimental values and with those obtained on the basis of the Chapman-Enskog theory in conjunction with the modified Buckingham exp-six and Lennard-Jones (12-6) intermolecular potentials. The smoothed values were used to predict viscosity and thermal conductivity of these mixtures as a function of composition and temperature.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Areca catechu</Emphasis> Assisted Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles and its Electrocatalytic Activity on Glucose Oxidation

In this work, a facile biogenic route for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) is reported. The aqueous extract of Areca catechu (A. catechu) nuts are used as reducing source. The synthesized AgNPs characterized by UV–Visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) with energy dispersive spectrum (EDS) analysis. The formations of AgNPs are identified from the appearance of yellow color and the surface plasmon resonance absorbance peak between 407 and 437 nm. The FT-IR results exposed that the active biomolecules of A. catechu are responsible for capping of AgNPs. The synthesized AgNPs are distorted spherical shape with 45 nm of size, identified from the HR-TEM. In application, the electrocatalytic activity of AgNPs is analyzed towards glucose oxidation using cyclic voltammetry. The results showed that A. catechu derived AgNPs act as good electrocatalyst than bare bulk silver and glassy carbon electrodes.     

Separation and Recovery of Uranium and Plutonium from Oxalate Supernatant

The separation of uranium and plutonium from oxalate supernatant, obtained after precipitating plutonium oxalate, containing ~10 g/l uranium and 30–100 mg/l plutonium in 3M HNO₃ and 0.10–0.18M oxalic acid solution has been carried out. In one extraction step with 30% TBP in dodecane: ~92% of uranium and ~7% of Pu is extracted. The raffinate containing the remaining U and Pu is extracted with 0.2M CMPO+1.2 M TBP in dodecane and near complete extraction of both the metal ions is achieved. The metal ions are back extracted from organic phases using suitable stripping agents. The recovery of both the metal ions separately is >99%. The uranium species extracted into the TBP phase from the HNO₃+oxalic acid medium was identified as UO₂(NO₃)₂·2TBP.