The process\pi ^0 \to \lambda _\gamma \bar \lambda _\gamma as an alternative to\pi ^0 \to v\bar v

The process \(\pi ^0 \to \lambda _\gamma \bar \lambda _\gamma \) is investigated as an alternative to \(\pi ^0 \to v\bar v\) . It is shown that the experimental bound on the branching fraction for missing energy (in the form of \(\lambda _\gamma \bar \lambda _\gamma \) and/or \(v\bar v\) ) may be understood in terms of \(\pi ^0 \to \lambda _\gamma \bar \lambda _\gamma \) for the kinematically allowed photino mass, if the squark mass is >8 GeV.     

Numerical solution of a viscous incompressible flow problem through an orifice

A steady flow problem of a viscous, incompressible fluid through an orifice is widely applicable to many physical phenomena and has been studied previously by many researchers. A problem of such type has been solved by applying LAD method given by Roache [1]. The resulting system of linear equations is solved by Hockney's method [2].     

Statistical mechanics of temporary polymer networks I. The equilibrium theory

In part I of this work (the present article) the equilibrium state of temporary polymer networks is treated in the framework of thermodynamics and statistical mechanics. The network is described as an open system. Thereby we use a modified spring-bead model in which the beads represent junctions that decay and reform thus adding a viscous component to the assumed elastic behaviour of the permanent network. The relevant statistical equation — analogous to Liouville's equation — is solved. The grand-canonical probability density function and two of three equations of state are derived. Explicit formulae are given for several relevant probabilities. For instance the probabilityw (z)dz that a network chain connecting two junctions has a contour length betweenz andz +dz is given by the Wien type formulaw(z) =A z ³ exp {–B z} whereA andB do not depend onz.     

Effect of the crystal potential on electronic polarizabilities of ions in alkaline earth chalcogenides

The electronic polarizabilities of ions in alkaline earth chalcogenides are estimated by taking account of the effect of the crystalline potential. The polarizabilities thus obtained are found to present a good agreement with experimental data. It has been shown that the polarizabilities and radii of alkaline earth and chalcogenide ions follow the polarizability-radius cube relation approximately well.     

LiTaO3 as holographic storage material

The optical storage properties of LiTaO₃:Fe are investigated and compared with those of the isomorphous compound LiNbO₃:Fe. Absorption, photocurrent, photoconductivity and holographic measurements are reported. In the case of photovoltaic writing similar results for LiTaO₃- and LiNbO₃-crystals are obtained. However, in the case of photoconductive writing using external electric fields LiTaO₃:Fe-crystals yield much better results due to large photoconductivity values. Considering the recording sensitivity and the extremely large storage time LiTaO₃:Fe turns out to be one of the most promising materials for photorefractive storage of volume phase holograms.     

Hydromagnetic instability of streaming fluids in porous medium

The instability of the plane interface between two uniform, superposed, electrically conducting and counter-streaming fluids through a porous medium is considered in the presence of a horizontal magnetic field. In the absence of surface tension, perturbations transverse to the direction of streaming are found to be unaffected by the presence of streaming if perturbations in the direction of streaming are ignored. For perturbations in all other directions there exists instability for a certain wavenumber range. The instability of this system is postponed by the presence of magnetic field. The magnetic field and surface tension are able to suppress this Kelvin-Helmholtz instability for small wavelength perturbations and the medium porosity reduces the stability range given in terms of a difference between the streaming velocities and the Alfvén velocity.This research forms a part of the research project awarded to the first author (R.C.S.) by the University Grants Commission.     

Finite Larmor radius effect on thermosolutal instability of a plasma in porous medium

The thermosolutal instability of a plasma in porous medium is considered in the presence of finite Larmor radius effect. The finite Larmor radius, stable solute gradient and magnetic field introduce oscillatory modes in the systems which were nonexistent in their absence. For stationary convection, the finite Larmor radius and stable solute gradient have stabilizing effects on the thermosolutal instability in porous medium. In presence of finite Larmor radius effect, the medium permeability has a destabilizing (or stabilizing) effect and the magnetic field has a stabilizing (or destabilizing) effect under certain condition whereas in the absence of finite Larmor radius effect, the medium permeability and the magnetic field have destabilizing and stabilizing effects, respectively, on thermosolutal instability of a plasma in porous medium. The sufficient conditions for nonexistence of overstability are obtained.The financial assistance to Mr. Sunil in the form of Senior Research Fellowship of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), New Delhi is gratefully acknowledged.     

Search for a precursor crystal-to-crystal phase transition to amorphization in α-GeO2 and α-AlPO4 under pressure

Recent X-ray diffraction studies on α-quartz (SiO₂) by Kingmaet al [1], have shown the occurrence of a reversible, crystalline-to-crystalline, phase transition just prior to amorphization at ≈ 21 GPa. This precursor transition has also been confirmed by our recent molecular dynamics simulation study [2]. In order to investigate the possibility of a similar behaviour in other isostructural compounds, which also undergo pressure induced amorphization, α-GeO₂ and α-AlPO₄ (berlinite form) were studied using energy dispersive X-ray diffraction. In either of these materials, no such phase transition is detected prior to amorphization. The onset of amorphization and its reversal is found to be time dependent in GeO₂.     

Contact hypersurfaces of Kaehler manifolds

Contact hypersurfaces of a Kaehler manifold have been characterized and classified, assuming the second fundamental form to be Codazzi (in particular, parallel). We have also discussed the special cases when the ambient space is a (i) Calabi-Yau manifold and (ii) a complex space-form.