Valence bond ground states in isotropic quantum antiferromagnets

Haldane predicted that the isotropic quantum Heisenberg spin chain is in a massive phase if the spin is integral. The first rigorous example of an isotropic model in such a phase is presented. The Hamiltonian has an exactSO(3) symmetry and is translationally invariant, but we prove the model has a unique ground state, a gap in the spectrum of the Hamiltonian immediately above the ground state and exponential decay of the correlation functions in the ground state. Models in two and higher dimension which are expected to have the same properties are also presented. For these models we construct an exact ground state, and for some of them we prove that the two-point function decays exponentially in this ground state. In all these models exact ground states are constructed by using valence bonds.Supported in part by N.S.F. Grant PHY-80-19754. Fellow of the A.P. Sloan Foundation and the Canadian Institute for Advanced ResearchN.S.F. Post-doctoral FellowSupported in part by N.S.F. Grant PHY-85-15288-A01     

Computer-simulated diffraction patterns for metastable austenitic steels

The paper deals with the computer simulation of composite theoretical electron-diffraction patterns for metastable austenitic steels, containing deformation and martensite transformation structures. In many cases generated data can be used for interpretation of experimentally determined diffraction patterns. A few examples are presented which demonstrate that the application of the composite theoretical diffraction patterns may be complicated due to various diffraction effects which can modify the geometry of experimentally obtained diffraction patterns.     

Linear mode conversion of waves near the maxima or minima of the density in a warm magnetized plasma

Behaviour of the h. f. electrostatic waves near the plasma or upper hybrid resonances was studied in the case that these resonances are situated at the maxima or minima of the plasma density. Supposing the parabolic density profile in these regions we obtained the connection formulae for the WKB solutions. In a weakly inhomogeneous magnetoplasma the effect of the parabolic profile manifests itself only in narrow frequency band centred at the resonance frequency corresponding to the extreme value of the density. The whole process can be then described by only two coefficients, viz. the power conversion and power transmission coefficients.     

Cyclic deformation of aluminium and its alloys

The formation of slip bands is the main mechanism of cyclic deformation in pure Al. Their density, orientation and heights in polycrystalline Al were investigated during cycling. Types, sizes and densities of precipitates are responsible for the mode of cyclic deformation in AlCu4 pure alloy. In technical Al alloys intermetallic phases have detrimental effects on deformation homogeneity and largely govern the fatigue mechanism of the material and especially microcrack initiation.     

Structural and electrical properties of quasicrystalline Al-14 at% Mn alloy

Quasicrystalline Al-14 at. % Mn alloy was prepared by melt-spinning and its structural and electrical properties were studied. This alloy consists of icosahedral grains with sizes from 1 to 4 m and of crystalline aluminium phase. The electrical resistivity was almost temperature independent with a value of about 765 n gWm at 4·2 K.     

The influence of temperature on superplasticity of Zn-Al-Cd alloy

Experimental results of the study of superplastic behaviour in Zn-0·35 wt. % Al-0·25 wt. % Cd alloy are presented. The attention has been paid to the influence of temperature on stress-strain curves, ductility, strain rate sensitivy parameterm and activation energy of superplastic flow. The best superplastic properties have been established at temperatures T370 K (0·53 T_m): ductilityA=600% and parameterm=0·56. A fast grain growth observed at temperaturesT 380 K has been suggested to be responsible both for the decrease in ductility and parameterm values and for the origin of an anomaly in the decreasing temperature dependence of flow stress. The measurements of activation energy have shown an expected decrease in activation energy at the transition from the non-superplastic region at lower temperatures to the superplastic region at higher temperatures. Significant transient effects after strain rate changes have been observed. The experimental results obtained in the Zn-Al-Cd alloy have been compared with those obtained in binary Zn-1·1 wt. % Al alloy and discussed from the point of view of possible models of structural superplasticity.     

Excitation functions for some output channels following the p +55Mn interaction atE p=1·3–2·0 MeV

Excitation functions for the⁵⁵Mn(p, p )⁵⁵Mn,⁵⁵Mn(p, n )⁵⁵Fe and⁵⁵Mn(p, )⁵⁶Fe reactions are studied for proton beam energyE _p=1·3–2 MeV. The excitation functions are established from yield functions for -rays emitted from the first excited states of final nuclei. Many resonances are observed and competition of their decay into all three output channels is analysed. Spin-parity assignment for some resonant states in the⁵⁶Fe compound nucleus is deduced.Participated partly in the course of his work on a Thesis.The authors wish to thank the staff of the Van de Graaff accelerator at Charles University in Prague for the efficient operation of the machine and dr. I. Wilhelm for the valuable technical help in the early period of the experimental work. One of us (N. A. N.) acknowledges the staff of the Dept. of Nuclear Physics of Charles University in Prague for the excellent working conditions.