On a class of optimum problems in structural design

The paper deals with the existence of solutions for a class of optimal design problems. The notion of relaxation of an integral functional with respect toG-convergence is introduced, and a general integral representation theorem is obtained for the relaxed functional. For a particular class of functionals, this integral representation is computed explicitly.This work has been realized in a National Research Project in Mathematics supported by the Ministero della Pubblica Istruzione (Italy).     

Spectra of Organic Molecules in Thin Films

In order to investigate molecules and their interactions at interfaces we have developed a new spectroscopic technique based on integrated optics. A significant increase in sensitivity has been predicted and observed. We report here the details of the method and some preliminary spectra of organic dye molecules on thin films.     

Evidence for a kaon-bound state K(-)pp produced in K(-) absorption reactions at rest

We have searched for a deeply bound kaonic state by using the FINUDA spectrometer installed at the e(+)e(-) collider DAPhiNE. Almost monochromatic K(-)'s produced through the decay of phi(1020) mesons are used to observe K(-) absorption reactions stopped on very thin nuclear targets. Taking this unique advantage, we have succeeded to detect a kaon-bound state K(-)pp through its two-body decay into a Lambda hyperon and a proton. The binding energy and the decay width are determined from the invariant-mass distribution as 115(+6)(-5)(stat)(+3)(-4)(syst) MeV and 67(+14)(-11)(stat)(+2)(-3)(syst) MeV, respectively.     

Spin-flop ordering from frustrated ferro- and antiferromagnetic interactions: a combined theoretical and experimental study of a Mn/Fe(100) monolayer

The occurrence of a noncollinear magnetic structure at a Mn monolayer grown epitaxially on Fe(100) is predicted theoretically, using spinor density-functional theory, and observed experimentally, using x-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) and linear dichroism (XMLD) spectroscopies. The combined use of XMCD and XMLD at the Mn-absorption edge allows us to assess the existence of ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic order at the interface, and also to determine the moment orientations with element specificity. The experimental results thus obtained are in excellent agreement with the magnetic structure determined theoretically.     

Total and differential cross-sections for the pp\rightarrow pp\eta^\prime reaction near threshold

The -meson production in the reaction has been studied at excess energies of Q = 26.5, 32.5 and 46.6 MeV using the internal beam facility COSY-11 at the cooler synchrotron COSY. The total cross-sections as well as one angular distribution for the highest Q-value are presented. The excitation function of the near-threshold data can be described by a pure s-wave phase space distribution with the inclusion of the proton-proton final-state interaction and Coulomb effects. The obtained angular distribution of the -mesons is also consistent with pure s-wave production.Received: 11 August 2003, Revised: 14 November 2003, Published online: 6 April 2004PACS: 13.60.Le Meson production - 13.75.-n Hadron-induced low- and intermediate-energy reactions and scattering (energy GeV) - 13.85.Lg Total cross-sections - 25.40.-h Nucleon-induced reactions     

Recycling asymmetric hydrogenation catalysts by their immobilisation onto ion-exchange resins

New systems based on cationic chiral phosphine-rhodium complexes anchored to a commercial cation-exchange gel-type resin showed high efficiency and easy recycling in the asymmetric hydrogenation of prochiral olefins.