Milnor classes of local complete intersections

Let be a compact local complete intersection defined as the zero set of a section of a holomorphic vector bundle over the ambient space. For each connected component of the singular set of , we define the Milnor class in the homology of . The difference between the Schwartz-MacPherson class and the Fulton-Johnson class of is shown to be equal to the sum of over the connected components of . This is done by proving Poincaré-Hopf type theorems for these classes with respect to suitable tangent frames. The -degree component coincides with the Milnor numbers already defined by various authors in particular situations. We also give an explicit formula for when is a non-singular component and satisfies the Whitney condition along .

     

A study of the spectral emissions in laser-irradiated microdot targets at 0.53 and 0.27 μm wavelengths with micron resolution

Using a knife-edge technique, we have determined the spatial extension of H-like and He-like emissions and the time-integrated axial electron density profile in laser-irradiated aluminium microdot targets at 0.53 and 0.25 μm wavelengths with about 3 μm resolution.     

On the uniqueness of bivariant Chern class and bivariant Riemann–Roch transformations

The existence of bivariant Chern classes was conjectured by W. Fulton and R. MacPherson and proved by J.-P. Brasselet for cellular morphisms of analytic varieties. However, its uniqueness has been unsolved since then. In this paper we show that restricted to morphisms whose target varieties are possibly singular but (rational) homology manifolds (such as orbifolds), the bivariant Chern classes (with rational coefficients) are uniquely determined. We also discuss some related results and problems.     

Adsorption of argon on carbon nanotube bundles and its influence on the bundle lattice parameter

We report experimental studies of the adsorption characteristics and structure of both 36Ar and 40Ar on single-wall carbon nanotube bundles. The structural studies make use of the large difference in coherent neutron scattering cross section for the two Ar isotopes to explore the influence of the adsorbate on the nanotube lattice parameter. We observe no dilation of the nanotube lattice with 40Ar, and explain the apparent expansion of this lattice upon 36Ar adsorption by the location of the adsorbed Ar atoms on the outer bundle surface.     

Local second-harmonic generation enhancement on gold nanostructures probed by two-photon microscopy

The localization of surface second-harmonic generation (S-SHG) enhancements from granular gold structures that exhibit local plasmon resonance was investigated. A two-photon microscopy technique was used to perform high spatial resolution S-SHG imaging. The magnitude and the spatial density of S-SHG enhancement confined in submicroscopic regions are strongly dependent on the morphology of the gold's surface. Polarization measurements of local S-SHG responses reveal the local field anisotropy in enhancement regions and furthermore prove the incoherent and strongly depolarized nature of the emission, which is attributed to ultrafast fluctuations of the enhancement location in the focal volume.     

Virtual state scattering with cold electrons: para-xylene and para-difluorobenzene

The scattering of electrons with kinetic energies down to a few meV by para-xylene and para-difluorobenzene has been observed experimentally with an electron beam energy resolution of 0.95 to 1.5 meV (full width half maximum). At low electron energies the collisions can be considered as cold scattering events because the de Broglie wavelength of the electron is considerably larger than the target dimensions. The scattering cross sections measured rise rapidly at low energy due to virtual state scattering. The nature of this scattering process is discussed using s- and p-wave phase shifts derived from the experimental data. Scattering lengths are derived of, respectively, -9.5+/-0.5 and -8.0+/-0.5 a.u. for para-xylene and para-difluorobenzene. The virtual state effect is interpreted in terms of nuclear diabatic and partially adiabatic models, involving the electronic and vibronic symmetries of the unoccupied orbitals in the target species. The concept of direct and indirect virtual state scattering is introduced, through which the present species, in common with carbon dioxide and benzene, scatter through an indirect virtual state process, whereas other species, such as perfluorobenzene, scatter through a direct process.     

Quasielastic 3He(e,e'p)2H reaction at Q2 = 1.5 GeV2 for recoil momenta up to 1 GeV/c

We have studied the quasielastic 3He(e,e(')p)2H reaction in perpendicular coplanar kinematics, with the energy and the momentum transferred by the electron fixed at 840 MeV and 1502 MeV/c, respectively. The 3He(e,e(')p)2H cross section was measured for missing momenta up to 1000 MeV/c, while the A(TL) asymmetry was extracted for missing momenta up to 660 MeV/c. For missing momenta up to 150 MeV/c, the cross section is described by variational calculations using modern 3He wave functions. For missing momenta from 150 to 750 MeV/c, strong final-state interaction effects are observed. Near 1000 MeV/c, the experimental cross section is more than an order of magnitude larger than predicted by available theories. The A(TL) asymmetry displays characteristic features of broken factorization with a structure that is similar to that generated by available models.     

Search for the lepton-number-violating decay Xi(-)-->pmu(-)mu(-)

A sensitive search for the lepton-number-violating decay Xi(-)-->pmu(-)mu(-) has been performed using a sample of approximately 10(9) Xi(-) hyperons produced in 800 GeV/c p-Cu collisions. We obtain B(Xi(-)-->pmu(-)mu(-))<4.0x10(-8) at 90% confidence, improving on the best previous limit by 4 orders of magnitude.     

Effect of the magnetic field on the 3d ordering and on the spin correlations of the linear antiferromagnet TMMC

The effect of an external magnetic field in the range 6–47 kOe on the low temperature proton spin-lattice relaxation rate in TMMC has been investigated. A peak in T₁^?1 at the 3d ordering temperature has been detected. Values of T_N for fields up to 47 kOe have been determined.     

Optically induced deexcitation of rare-Earth ions in a semiconductor matrix

We report on verification of the proposed energy transfer mechanism responsible for photoluminescence of rare earth (RE) ions in semiconductors. Using two-color spectroscopy in the visible and the midinfrared regions (with a free-electron laser) we demonstrate reversal of the most important step in the excitation process. In that way, formation of the intermediate state bridging atomic states of the RE ion core and extended orbitals of a semiconducting host is explicitly confirmed and its characteristic energy spectroscopically determined. The study is performed for InP:Yb. It is argued, however, that the conclusions are valid for all semiconductor:RE systems, including the notorious Si:Er.