Observation of hydrogen induced intermediate borides in PrFeB based alloys by Mössbauer effect spectroscopy

In the present work, a quantitative analysis of the phase compositions by Mössbauer effect spectroscopy of solid and conventional hydrogen disproportionated Pr_13.7Fe_80.3B_6.0 and Pr_13.7Fe_63.5Co_16.7Zr_0.1B_6.0 alloys was carried out. Significant amounts of intermediate borides t-Fe₃B and Pr(Fe, Co)₁₂B₆ were detected after solid hydrogen disproportionation treatment in Pr_13.7Fe_80.3B_6.0 and Pr_13.7Fe_63.5Co_16.7Zr_0.1B_6.0 alloys, respectively. After conventional hydrogenation–disproportionation–desorption–recombination treatment these phases were not detected and in no case residual Pr₂Fe₁₄B-phase was found. It was observed that the amount of intermediate borides after disproportionation can be correlated with the degree of texture after recombination at various temperatures.     

Nonlinear magneto-optical diffraction by two-dimensional magnetic superstructures

Nonlinear (at the second-harmonic frequency of the incident light) optical reflection by two-dimensional magnetic superstructures is theoretically studied. A square lattice of magnetic dots and a hexagonal lattice of magnetic bubbles (cylindrical magnetic domains) are considered. Because the periods of these structures are comparable with the wavelengths of the fundamental and the second-harmonic radiation, it would be possible to observe diffraction at the second-harmonic frequency. A polarization analysis of nonlinearly diffracted radiation is performed and the numbers of observable diffraction orders for the above structures are estimated. Received: 10 January 2002 / Published online: 11 June 2002     

Necessary and sufficient conditions for existence of exponential dichotomy of impulsive equations

Necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of an exponential dichotomy of impulsive differential equations in a Hilbert space are found.     

Theoretical temperature-electric field phase diagram for deuterated thiourea SC(ND2)2

A theoretical temperature-electric field phase diagram is constructed for thiourea SC(ND₂)₂ using a phenomenological approach based on the representation of the thermodynamic potentials for all phases. The theoretical diagram is compared with the experimental diagram. Fiz. Tverd. Tela (St. Petersburg) 39, 1282–1286 (July 1997)     

Fluorides of ruthenium and chromium: Theoretical studies

The electronic and structural characteristics of CrF₅, CrF₄, RuF₅ and RuF₄ were studied. Ab initio (SCF-CI) calculations were performed with different structures and spin states for each complex. The favored conformation always corresponds to the highest multiplicity: doublet for CrF₅ in D_3h, triplet for CrF₄ in T_d, quadruplet for RuF₅ in C_4v and quintuplet for RuF₄ in D_4h symmetry.     

Transport of gases in aromatic polyesters: Correlation with WAXD studies

Polymer packing density can be conveniently measured by either density-based measurements (direct or estimated free volume) or wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) spectra. Previously reported diffusivity and permeability values for various polyarylates and polyimides are examined on the basis of the packing density measured by these different techniques. It is shown that in these rigid glassy polymers, the mean intersegmental distance, the d-spacing, obtained from WAXD provides a better measure of the effect of polymer packing on diffusivity than either direct density measurements or estimated free volumes. It has been possible to correlate previously reported diffusivity and sorption data for various polyarylates and polycarbonate on the basis of the WAXD investigation, using the d-spacing and the amorphous peak width, respectively. The effect of polyarylate structure on d-spacing has been studied. A series of polyarylates have been synthesized with different substituents on the bridge carbon. In this series the d-spacing remains constant while the carbonyl group density and the glass transition temperatures are varied. However, small substituents on the aromatic ring cause significant changes in the d-spacing. These results can be used to tailor polyarylates with desired intersegmental distances and chain flexibility.     

Study of the reciprocal space image of the biaxial nematic phase in the plane of the amphiphilic bilayer

High resolution synchrotron X-ray measurements have been performed on the uniaxial and biaxial phases of the lyotropic mixture potassuim laurate, decanol and water. An elegant magnetic orientational procedure allows us to obtain the cut of the reciprocal space image of the biaxial phase at the plane perpendicular to the amphiphilic bilayer. The analysis of densitometric profiles of the diffracted bands indicate an anisotropic micellar correlation in the plane of the amphiphilic bilayer. It is suggested that an anisotropic distribution of decanol and potassium laurate in this plane could be responsible for this effect.