Generalised model for anisotropic compact stars

In the present investigation an exact generalised model for anisotropic compact stars of embedding class 1 is sought with a general relativistic background. The generic solutions are verified by exploring different physical aspects, viz. energy conditions, mass–radius relation, stability of the models, in connection to their validity. It is observed that the model presented here for compact stars is compatible with all these physical tests and thus physically acceptable as far as the compact star candidates RXJ 1856-37, SAX J 1808.4-3658 (SS1) and SAX J 1808.4-3658 (SS2) are concerned.     

Structural phase transitions in Zn(CN)2 under high pressures

High pressure behavior of zinc cyanide (Zn(CN)₂) has been investigated with the help of synchrotron-based X-ray diffraction measurements. Our studies reveal that under pressure this compound undergoes phase transformations and the structures of the new phases depend on whether the pressure is hydrostatic or not. Under hydrostatic conditions, Zn(CN)₂ transforms from cubic to orthorhombic to cubic-II to amorphous phases. In contrast, the non-hydrostatic pressure conditions drive the ambient cubic phase to a partially disordered crystalline phase, which eventually evolves to a substantially disordered phase. The final disordered phase in the latter case is distinct from the amorphous phase observed under the hydrostatic pressures.     

Fe(0)-mediated synthesis of tri- and tetra-substituted olefins from carbonyls: an environmentally friendly alternative to Cr(II)

Fe(0) was investigated as a cost-effective, environmentally friendly alternative to Cr(II) for the olefination of carbonyls by activated polyhalides. In many instances, Fe(0) was equivalent or superior to Cr(II). Notably, Fe(0), but not Cr(II), proved compatible with a wide range of functionality, inter alia, unprotected phenol, aryl nitro, carboxylic acid, and alkyl nitrile. A surprising reversal of stereoselectivity for aldehydes versus ketones was observed using both metals. The resultant alpha-halo-alpha,beta-unsaturated or alpha,beta-unsaturated carboxylic acids, esters, and nitriles are common structural elements in numerous compounds of interest as well as key intermediates in the preparation of other functionality.     

A new model for spherically symmetric charged compact stars of embedding class 1

In the present study we search for a new stellar model with spherically symmetric matter and a charged distribution in a general relativistic framework. The model represents a compact star of embedding class 1. The solutions obtained here are general in nature, having the following two features: first of all, the metric becomes flat and also the expressions for the pressure, energy density, and electric charge become zero in all the cases if we consider the constant \(A=0\), which shows that our solutions represent the so-called ‘electromagnetic mass model’ [17], and, secondly, the metric function \(\nu (r)\), for the limit n tending to infinity, converts to \(\nu (r)=C{r}^{2}+ ln~B\), which is the same as considered by Maurya et al. [11]. We have investigated several physical aspects of the model and find that all the features are acceptable within the requirements of contemporary theoretical studies and observational evidence.     

A Total Measure of Multi-Particle Quantum Correlations in Atomic Schrödinger Cat States

We propose a total measure of multi-particle quantum correlation in a system of N two-level atoms (N qubits). We construct a parameter that encompasses all possible quantum correlations among N two-level atoms in arbitrary symmetric pure states and define its numerical value to be the total measure of the net atom-atom correlations. We use that parameter to quantify the total quantum correlations in atomic Schrödinger cat states, which are generated by the dispersive interaction in a cavity. We study the variation of the net amount of quantum correlation as we vary the number of atoms from N=2 to N=100 and obtain some interesting results. We also study the variation of the net correlation, for fixed interaction time, as we increase the number of atoms in the excited state of the initial system, and notice some interesting features. We also observe the behaviour of the net quantum correlation as we continuously increase the interaction time, for the general state of N two-level atoms in a dispersive cavity.     

Dynamics of electronic motion in hydrogen atom under parallel strong oscillating magnetic field and intense laser fields

The mechanism of ionization of an H atom interacting with intense laser electric fields is altered when a strong, oscillating magnetic field is applied along a direction parallel to the laser field. In this first study, these two strongly nonperturbative situations have been combined together and the corresponding time‐dependent (TD) Schrödinger equation has been numerically solved without using any basis set. The electric field arising out of the magnetic field and the magnetic field arising out of the laser electric field are found to be negligibly small, thereby not affecting the results. There are two main, apparently counter‐intuitive results from this study of parallel fields of the same frequency but different field strengths: (1) In presence of an oscillating magnetic field, the ionization rate due to the laser field diminishes, and (2) increasing the laser intensity, keeping the magnetic field strength the same, makes the electron density ionize with a lesser rate, in contrast to the situation with intense lasers in the absence of a strong TD magnetic field. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Liénard-type chemical oscillator

Using first-principles calculation, we have studied the properties of a series of M _x Co_1?x /Co(0001) (M = Pd, Pt) bimetallic surface alloys with atom M ratios from 0.25 to 1.0, then the effect of alloyed M metal on the properties of S adsorbed on these surfaces are discussed. Our calculations show that the alloying of metal Pd, Pt on Co(0001) weakens the S-M (M = Pd, Pt, Co) bond strength compared to monometallic surfaces and the site preference of sulfur atom is dependent on the alloyed metal M and its surface concentration. Moreover, bimetallic surface electronic structure modifications with and without sulfur are analyzed in comparison with clean Co(0001), and the correlation between the sulfur adsorption energy and the bimetallic surface d-band center is presented.     

Experimental investigation on circumferential and axial temperature gradient over fuel channel under LOCA

In a nuclear reactor temperature rises drastically in fuel channels under loss of coolant accident due to failure of primary heat transportation system. Present investigation has been carried out to capture circumferential and axial temperature gradients during fully and partially voiding conditions in a fuel channel using 19 pin fuel element simulator. A series of experiments were carried out by supplying power to outer, middle and center rods of 19 pin fuel simulator in ratio of 1.4:1.1:1. The temperature at upper periphery of pressure tube (PT) was slightly higher than at bottom due to increase in local equivalent thermal conductivity from top to bottom of PT. To simulate fully voided conditions PT was pressurized at 2.0 MPa pressure with 17.5 kW power injection. Ballooning initiated from center and then propagates towards the ends and hence axial temperature difference has been observed along the length of PT. For asymmetric heating, upper eight rods of fuel simulator were activated and temperature difference up-to 250 °C has been observed from top to bottom periphery of PT. Such situation creates steep circumferential temperature gradient over PT and could lead to breaching of PT under high pressure.     

Spatial arrangement of carbon nanotubes in TiO2 photoelectrodes to enhance the efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells

Three electrode structures with different spatial arrangements of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in the mesoporous TiO(2) layer were employed in dye-sensitized solar cells to study the effect of surface states at the interface formed by the incorporation of CNTs. It was found that the decay of open circuit voltage (V(oc)) was significantly minimized by avoiding the direct contact of nanotubes to the conducting substrate by introducing a thin buffer layer of TiO(2) while maintaining the superior electron collection efficiency from the incorporation of nanotubes.