Two-dimensional Lorentz-Weyl anomaly and gravitational Chern-Simons theory

Two-dimensional chiral fermions and bosons, more generally conformal blocks of two-dimensional conformal field theories, exhibit Weyl-, Lorentz- and mixed Lorentz-Weyl anomalies. A novel way of computing these anomalies for a system of chiral bosons of arbitrary conformal spinj is sketched. It is shown that the Lorentz- and mixed Lorentz-Weyl anomalies of these theories can be cancelled by the anomalies of a three-dimensional classical Chern-Simons action for the spin connection, expressed in terms of the dreibein field. Some tentative applications of this result to string theory are indicated.     

Alkali adsorption on the Al(001) surface

The chemisorption of Na on the Al(001) surface has been studied by 2D bandstructure calculations on slab models using a density functional STO-LCAO method. Two slab models of three and five layers of substrate atoms have been used. Overlayers of the structuresp(2×2),c(2×2) andp(1×1), representing coverages of a quarter, a half and a full atomic monolayer of sodium atoms, respectively, have been investigated. The electronic structure of the adatoms and the charge transfer to the substrate are discussed. Satisfactory agreement with experiment is obtained for the adsorption induced change of the work function, correctly reproducing its monotonic character.     

Nuclear moments and the change in the mean square charge radius of neutron deficient thallium isotopes

The hyperfine structure, isotope and isomeric shifts in the atomic transition 6p ² P _3/2–7s ² S _1/2, =535 nm have been measured for theI=7 andI=2 states of^{190, 192, 194, 196}Tl; theI=1/2 andI=9/2 states of¹⁹¹Tl and the I=7 isomer of¹⁸⁸Tl. The thallium isotopes were prepared as fast atomic beams at the GSI on-line mass separator following fusion reactions and — in some cases — subsequent-decay. The nuclear dipole moments, electric quadrupole moments and the change in the nuclear mean square charge radius are evaluated. Theuu-isotopes show an isomeric shift which changes sign between¹⁹²Tl and¹⁹⁴Tl.Dedicated to P. Armbruster on the occasion of his 60th birthday     

High temperature stability of maghemite in partially oxidized basalt lava

Mössbauer spectroscopy of basalt lava samples, exhibiting reversible thermal magnetization (J_S-T) curves with Curie temperatures of about 580°C, has revealed considerable amounts of maghemite (γ-Fe₂O₃) in many samples. In view of the expected instability, of maghemite at temperatures above 350°C, this reversibility is rather surprising. Here we report Mössbauer studies on heated lava samples, showing high content of maghemite. The samples were kept at 600°C in oxidizing, reducing, and inactive atmospheres, respectively, for different lengths of time, and then analyzed with Mössbauer spectroscopy at room temperature. The Mössbauer spectra showed that maghemite is stable in the oxidizing atmosphere for at least several hours. In the inactive atmosphere a considerable amount of maghemite still exists after two hours heating. In the reducing atmosphere maghemite had transformed to magnetite after only 30 minutes.     

Paramagnetic defects in BaTiO3 and their role in light-induced charge transport — Optical studies

On the basis of a previous identification of paramagnetic defects in nominally undoped as grown BaTiO₃ single crystals, we have investigated the changes of the concentrations of these centers and their optical absorptions under illumination with light of varying wavelengths. The most pronounced charge transfers occur by hole ionization of Fe⁴⁺ and — to a lesser extent — of Cr⁵⁺ and Cr⁴⁺. At low temperatures the created holes are trapped in the form of O^–-ions next to Al³⁺ or unknown acceptor defects. Corresponding Fe⁴⁺ and O^– absorptions have been identified.     

Rates of redox reactions in basaltic melts determined by Mössbauer spectroscopy

Mössbauer spectroscopy has been widely used for determining the ferric/ferrous ratio in amorphous rock samples to reveal the oxygen pressure in the melt. In the present investigation, Mössbauer spectroscopy in conjunction with melting experiments at controlled oxygen pressures was used to determine the rates of redox reactions in basaltic melts at 1300°C. The samples were kept at a fixed oxygen pressure long enough to reach equilibrium at a well established ferric/ferrous ratio. Then, the oxygen fugacity in the furnace was changed abruptly and the samples were kept for different lengths of time, from 15 min, to 4 hrs, at the new condition. At the end of each run the samples were quenched and the ferric/ferrous ratio analyzed by Mössbauer spectroscopy. A geological corollary of our results is that natural volcanic glasses, representing quenched melts, retain and reflect the oxidation state in the melt immediately prior to eruption, and hence the oxygen fugacity in the magma.