Synthesis of nanosized silver colloids by microwave dielectric heating

Silver nanosized crystallites have been synthesized in aqueous and polyols viz., ethylene glycol and glycerol, using a microwave technique. Dispersions of colloidal silver have been prepared by the reduction of silver nitrate both in the presence and absence of stabilizer poly(vinylpyrolidone) (PVP). It was observed that PVP is capable of complexing and stabilizing Ag nanoparticles formed through the reduction of Ag⁺ ions in water and ethylene glycol. In the case of ethylene glycol, it has been shown that the use of PVP leads to particles with a high degree of stability. The colloids are stable in glycerol for months even in the absence of stabilizer.     

Detection of shallow electron traps in quantum-sized CdS particles using dithiolenes

Photophysical characteristics of capped and uncapped CdS particles have been investigated in aqueous solution. It is seen that the fluorescence spectrum shifts towards lower energies in the presence of toluene dithiol (TDT) and dimercaptophthalic acid (DMPA). This shift, which is due to quenching of shallow traps, is more predominant with TDT. Also, the presence of excess Cd²⁺ ions at the surface of the CdS particles facilitates the binding of dithiolenes.     

Trapping and reactivity of electrons in methanol-isopropanol glasses irradiated at 77 K

Mixtures of methanol and isopropanol in a ratio (v/v) varying from 91 to 19 have been gamma-irradiated at 77 K and relative yields of trapped electrons have been measured. The reactivity of the trapped electrons towards acetone and uranyl nitrate has been studied at various methanol isopropanol ratios. On the basis of the results, an attempt has been made to assess the relative importance of the reaction of the electron with the solute prior to trapping with respect to the tunnelling reaction of the trapped electron with the solute.     

Multiparameter study of 1H, 3H and 4He in fast neutron induced fission of 235U

The emission probabilities per fission of α-particles, tritons and protons have been measured in fast neutron induced fission of ²³⁵U. The measurements were carried out at neutron energies of 120, 180, 230 and 550 keV. AΔE-E semiconductor detector telescope was used to identify different light charged particles and the fission fragments were detected with an ionization chamber. The three-parameter data corresponding to the pulse heights from the ΔE-E detectors and the ion-chamber were recorded event by event on magnetic tape and were analyzed off-line by computer. No significant variation in the most probable energy ($\text{E}$) and the standard deviation (σ_E) of the energy spectra of different light charged particles with incident neutron energy was observed, although $\text{E}{}_{\mathrm{\alpha }}$ was seen to have a slightly higher value beyond E_n = 230 keV. The yield of α-particles in fission induced by neutrons of E_n ～ 200 keV was found to be higher by about 20 % than that in thermal neutron induced fission. The yields of tritons and protons were found to increase significantly with neutron energy.     

On the non-linear vibration of circular plates of variable thickness elastically restrained along the edges

Berger's technique of neglecting the second strain invariant in the middle plane of the plate is used in an investigation of the effect of non-linearity on the frequency of a vibrating circular plate of variable thickness which is elastically restrained along its circumference. A simple polynomial expression for the deflection function and a Galerkin method are used in the analysis.     

Benzoyl hydrazone derivatives of niobium(V) and tantalum(V) ethoxides

Summary Niobium(V) and tantalum(V) pentaethoxides react with monofunctional benzoyl hydrazones (BHy) in refluxing benzene to give products of the type, M(OEt)_5–n(BHy)_n (where M=Nb or Ta and n=1, 2 or 3). The complexes have been characterised on the basis of elemental analysis, spectral (i.r. and n.m.r.) and molecular weight data.     

Forbidden transition LIINII in the spectrum of gadolinium-64

Using a 40 cm curved mica crystal spectrograph of the transmission type, the L spectrum of gadolinium has been investigated. The forbidden transition L_IIN_II at λ = 1618.9 X.U. has been reported for the first time.     

Studies of light-charged particle emission in fission at Trombay

Studies of prompt radiations emitted in fission were started at Trombay in the late 1950’s by Dr R Ramanna and over the years extensive investigations on the emission of prompt neutrons, gamma ray and K x-rays in fission were carried out with neutron beams fromapsara andcirus reactors. In the early 1960’s studies on the emission of light-charged particles in fission, which is a rare mode of fission, were also started. This paper reviews some of the recent studies on the emission of light-charged particles (lcp) in fission which were carried out with a view to investigate the mechanism oflcp emission, the scission configuration and the dynamics of the last stages of the fission process.     

Ejection of massive black holes from galaxies

Gravitational recoil of a gigantic black hole (M∼10^8–9 M_⊙) formed in the nonspherical collapse of the nuclear part of a typical galaxy can take place with an appreciable speed as a consequence of the anisotropic emission of gravitational radiation. Accretion of gaseous matter during its flight through the galaxy results in the formation of a glowing shock front. The accompanying stellar captures can lead to the formation of an accretion disk-star system about the hole. Consequently, the hole can become “luminous” enough to be observable after it emerges out of the galaxy. The phenomenon seems to have an importance in relation to the observations of quasar-galaxy association in a number of cases.     

Systematic trends in optogalvanic signals of some transitions in a uranium hollow cathode discharge

A study of optogalvanic (OG) signals in a uranium hollow cathode discharge using a tunable pulsed dye laser with intensities above saturation revealed certain systematic trends. The peaks of OG signals, for a given hollow cathode current, due to all transitions involving the ground state are within a certain range of values. The same is true of the OG signals due to transitions involving the 620 cm^-1 and 3800 cm^-1 lower metastable levels. For all transitions involving the same lower state, the peaks of OG signal vary linearly with the discharge current. The slopes of such straight lines are different for transitions involving different lower levels of uranium. Effects of radiation trapping are seen in the OG signals due to transitions involving the ground state of uranium at currents above 60 mA. Details of our observations are presented and discussed.