Excited states in 163,164Ho populated through incomplete-fusion reactions

High-spin states in ^163,164Ho were investigated by means of in-beam -ray spectroscopy techniques using the multidetector array GASP. Excited states in ^163,164Ho were populated predominantly through the incomplete-fusion mechanism in the ¹⁶⁰Gd (¹¹B reaction at a beam energy of 61 MeV. Known rotational bands in ¹⁶³ Ho have been extended to higher spins and a three-quasiparticle band has been observed in this nucleus. Rotational bands have been identified in ¹⁶⁴Ho and their configurations have been discussed. Empirical Gallagher-Moszkowski (GM) splitting energies were extracted from the and GM doublets. Alignments, band crossing frequencies, and electromagnetic properties have been analyzed in the framework of the cranking model.Received: 13 February 2004, Revised: 18 March 2004, Published online: 14 September 2004PACS: 21.10.Re Collective levels - 21.60.Ev Collective models - 23.20.Lv transitions and level energies - 27.70. + q      

GaAs photonic crystal cavity with ultrahigh Q: microwatt nonlinearity at 1.55 microm

We haves realized and measured a GaAs nanocavity in a slab photonic crystal based on the design by Kuramochi et al. [Appl. Phys. Lett. 88, 041112 (2006)]. We measure a quality factor Q=700,000, which proves that ultrahigh Q nanocavities are also feasible in GaAs. We show that owing to larger two-photon absorption in GaAs nonlinearities appear at the microwatt level and will be more functional in gallium arsenide than in silicon nanocavities.     

A quasi-temporal gauge

We prove that a complete fixing of the temporal gauge,A _o =0, in which one imposesa subsidiary gauge condition, such as, for instance ?_i A _i (x,t ₀) = 0 leads to consistent formulation of the theory with simple Feynman rulesand a well defined gluon propagator. The correct exponentiation of the time dependence of the Wilson loop has been checked to occur up to order g⁴.     

Development of Al-based multilayer optics for EUV

We report on the development of multilayer optics for the extreme ultra-violet (EUV) range. The optical performance of Al-based multilayer mirrors is discussed with regard to promising reflectivity and selectivity characteristics and the problems of the interfacial roughness for this type of multilayers. We demonstrate a possibility to reduce the average roughness by introducing additional metal layer (W or Mo) rather than depositing a buffer layer at each interface. We have prepared and tested Al/SiC, Al/W/SiC and Al/Mo/SiC multilayers of various periods for the spectral range from 15 to 40 nm, which is the range of increasing interest for high-order harmonic generation, synchrotron radiation and astrophysics. The structure of the three-component systems has been optimized in order to obtain the best reflectivity for each wavelength within the spectral range. We have shown that introduction of refractory metal in Al-based periodic stack can improve the optical performance of multilayer reflecting coatings designed for the EUV applications.     

Multiscale laminar flows with turbulentlike properties

By applying fractal electromagnetic force fields on a thin layer of brine, we generate steady quasi-two-dimensional laminar flows with multiscale stagnation point topology. This topology is shown to control the evolution of pair separation (Delta) statistics by imposing a turbulentlike locality based on the sizes and strain rates of hyperbolic stagnation points when the flows are fast enough, in which case Delta(2) approximately t(gamma) is a good approximation with gamma close to 3. Spatially multiscale laminar flows with turbulentlike spectral and stirring properties are a new concept with potential applications in efficient and microfluidic mixing.     

Periodic boundary versus quantum cluster approaches in the simulation of a nanoenergetic metallic model-system: Ni/Al(1 1 1) surface reactions

The adsorption of a Ni atom on the Al(1 1 1) surface, considered as the first elementary step of the formation of the energetic bimetallic model-system Ni/Al, is studied using two techniques: a plane-wave periodic boundary model and a quantum cluster approach. Geometric structures and associated adsorption energies are detailed and systematically compared. The penetration of Ni atoms in the Aluminium surface in interstitial sites is generally observed. From a modelling point of view, results indicate that precaution must be taken with the cluster approach as the results depend strongly on the constraints imposed on the cluster edges.     

Fragrance encapsulation in polymeric matrices by emulsion electrospinning

We present the successful application of emulsion electrospinning for the encapsulation of a model for highly volatile fragrances, namely (R)-(+)-limonene in a poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) fibrous matrix. The influence of the emulsion formulation and of its colloidal properties on the fiber morphology, as well as on the limonene encapsulation efficiency, is described. The release profile of the fragrance from the electrospun nanofibers over a fifteen days range shows that this type of nanofibrous matrices with a high fragrance loading capacity is of great potential for applications in various fields, such as cosmetics or food packaging.     

Asymmetric Synthesis of Highly Enantiomerically Enriched (S)(-)-β-Bisabolene

(S)-β-Bisabolene, (S)-1, was synthetized by a synthetic route in which (S)-4-methyl-3-cyclohexene carboxylic acid, (S)-10, which was the key intermediate, was prepared via a highly diastereoselective TiCl₄-catalyzed Diels-Alder reaction between isoprene and the acrylate of commercial (R)-pantolactone, followed by hydrolysis. Compound (S)-10 was then converted into ketone (S)-13 using two different procedures. The best one of these, as regards the degree of stereospecificity, involved the reaction of (S)-10 with 2 equiv of 4-methyl-3-penten-1-yllithium, 14, in the presence of CeCl₃, and gave (S)-13 having ca. 84% ee. The Zr-promoted methylenation of this ketone afforded highly enantiomerically enriched (S)-1.