Evaporation barriers for4He indicate very extended forms for many emitting nuclei

We have analyzed a large set of mean energies and angular anisotropies for evaporative⁴He emission to obtain barriers to evaporation,B. These exit channel barriers are often substantially smaller than the corresponding empirical s-wave fusion barriersE ₀. The differences (E ₀-B) are interpreted as indicators of the extent of distortion of the emitters. These distortions have in turn been characterized by the deformation parameter for a spheroid α₂₀. ForZ=80 the dependence ofB or {α}₂₀ on spin is somewhat suggestive of the superdeformed shapes predicted by the liquid drop model. ForZ>70 significant distortions are indicated for emitters of both large and small spin.     

Syntheses, X-ray structures, photochemistry, redox properties, and DFT calculations of interconvertible fac- and mer-[Mn(SPS)(CO)3] isomers containing a flexible SPS-based pincer ligand

The lithium salt of the anionic SPS pincer ligand composed of a central hypervalent lambda4-phosphinine ring bearing two ortho-positioned diphenylphosphine sulfide side arms reacts with [Mn(CO)5Br] to give fac-[Mn(SPS)(CO)3]. This isomer can be converted photochemically to mer-[Mn(SPS)(CO)3], with a very high quantum yield (0.80+/-0.05). The thermal backreaction is slow (taking ca. 8 h at room temperature), in contrast to rapid electrode-catalyzed mer-to-fac isomerization triggered by electrochemical reduction of mer-[Mn(SPS)(CO)3]. Both geometric isomers of [Mn(SPS)(CO)3] have been characterized by X-ray crystallography. Both isomers show luminescence from a low-lying 3IL (SPS-based) excited state. The light emission of fac-[Mn(SPS)(CO)3] is largely quenched by the efficient photoisomerization occurring probably from a low-lying Mn-CO dissociative excited state. Density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT calculations describe the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) of fac- and mer-[Mn(CO)3(SPS)] as ligand-centered orbitals, largely localized on the phosphinine ring of the SPS pincer ligand. In line with the ligand nature of its frontier orbitals, fac-[Mn(SPS)(CO)3] is electrochemically reversibly oxidized and reduced to the corresponding radical cation and anion, respectively. The spectroscopic (electron paramagnetic resonance, IR, and UV-vis) characterization of the radical species provides other evidence for the localization of the redox steps on the SPS ligand. The smaller HOMO-LUMO energy difference in the case of mer-[Mn(CO)3(SPS)], reflected in the electronic absorption and emission spectra, corresponds with its lower oxidation potential compared to that of the fac isomer. The thermodynamic instability of mer-[Mn(CO)3(SPS)], confirmed by the DFT calculations, increases upon one-electron reduction and oxidation of the complex.     

Performance parameters of a whole body counter

Techniques for the assessment of internally incorporated radionuclides are essential for monitoring potentially exposed workers to radiation as well as for the preparedness of response in the case of Radiological Emergencies. The Whole Body Counter at Instituto Tecnológico e Nuclear (ITN), Portugal, provides a direct way of measuring the activity of internally incorporated radionuclides in possibly contaminated persons. This equipment is calibrated in energy and efficiency, with a calibration source, and is able to detect and quantify several radionuclides with gamma emissions between 60 and 1900 keV. Also, the Minimum Detectable Activity values for several nuclides of interest were determined, since these values are an indication of the sensitivity of the detection system. Finally, in order to assure reliable measurements, a quality assurance routine has been implemented, consisting of routinely monitoring several parameters of chosen radionuclides with gamma emission energies lying in the energy range of interest, and also for the background. The equipment is now fully operational and a set of routine measurements for the monitoring of exposed personnel, working in different areas of activity, is currently being prepared.     

Spatially resolved dynamic eigenmode spectrum of Co rings

The spatially resolved eigenmode spectrum of micrometer-sized Co ring elements has been determined by means of combined vector network analyzer ferromagnetic resonance and time resolved magneto-optic Kerr effect measurements. Up to 5 resonant eigenmodes were observed in the frequency range from 45 MHz to 20 GHz as a function of an external magnetic bias field. A well-defined mode structure was found for the two equilibrium states (vortex and onion) which correspond to distinctive spatial modes. The effect of dynamic inter-ring coupling on the modes in the remanent states was evinced. The experimental results are found to be in good agreement with those of micromagnetic simulations. Our results demonstrate that, in analogy to the well-defined static equilibrium magnetic states of ring elements, the eigenmode spectra of this high symmetry geometry consist of a well-defined and simple mode structure.     

AlNxOy thin films deposited by DC reactive magnetron sputtering

AlN_xO_y thin films were produced by DC reactive magnetron sputtering, using an atmosphere of argon and a reactive gas mixture of nitrogen and oxygen, for a wide range of partial pressures of reactive gas. During the deposition, the discharge current was kept constant and the discharge parameters were monitored. The deposition rate, chemical composition, morphology, structure and electrical resistivity of the coatings are strongly correlated with discharge parameters. Varying the reactive gas mixture partial pressure, the film properties change gradually from metallic-like films, for low reactive gas partial pressures, to stoichiometric amorphous Al₂O₃ insulator films, at high pressures. For intermediate reactive gas pressures, sub-stoichiometric AlN_xO_y films were obtained, with the electrical resistivity of the films increasing with the non-metallic/metallic ratio.     

ON THE SUSTAINABLE GROWTH IN AN ECONOMY WITH PERFECTLY SUBSTITUTABLE EXHAUSTIBLE RESOURCES

Abstract A model of sustainable economic growth in an economy with two types of exhaustible resources is analyzed. The resources are assumed to be perfect substitutes with marginal rate of substitution varying over time. The optimal control framework is used to characterize the optimal paths under the maximin criterion. It is shown that the resource with increasing productivity is not used before the constant productivity resource is depleted. Afterwards the resource with an increasing productivity is asymptotically depleted as well. The results are based on an assumption that transversality conditions hold. A new sufficient condition for the transversality conditions is derived. Finally, an analogue of Hartwick’s rule for this non‐autonomous case is established.     

Effect of selected signals of interest on ultrasonic backscattering measurement in cancellous bones

This study examined how the signals of interest (SOI) effect on the backscattering measurement numerically based on 3-D finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method. High resolution microstructure mappings of bovine cancellous bones provided by micro-CT were used as the input geometry for simulations. Backscatter coefficient (BSC), integrated backscatter coefficient (IBC) and apparent integrated backscatter (AIB) were calculated with changing the start (L1) and duration (L2) of the SOI. The results demonstrated that BSC and IBC decrease as L1 increases, and AIB decreases more rapidly as L1 increases. The backscattering parameters increase with fluctuations as a function of L2 when L2 is less than 6 mm. However, BSC and IBC change little as L2 continues to increase, while AIB slowly decreases as L2 continues to increase. The results showed how the selections of the SOI effect on the backscattering measurement. An explicit standard for SOI selection was proposed in this study and short L1 (about 1.5 mm) and appropriate L2 (6 mm-12 mm) were recommended for the calculations of backscattering parameters.