Search for the flavor-changing neutral current decay B0s--> mu(+) mu(-) in pp Collisions at sqrt[s] = 1.96 TeV with the D0 detector

We present the results of a search for the flavor-changing neutral current decay B(0)(s)--> mu(+) mu(-) using a data set with integrated luminosity of 240 pb(-1) of pp collisions at sqrt[s] = 1.96 TeV collected with the D0 detector in run II of the Fermilab Tevatron collider. We find the upper limit on the branching fraction to be B(B(0)(s)--> mu(+) mu(-)) < or= 5.0 x 10(-7) at the 95% C.L. assuming no contributions from the decay B(0)(d)--> mu(+) mu(-) in the signal region. This limit is the most stringent upper bound on the branching fraction B(0)(s)--> mu(+) mu(-) to date.     

Structure hyperfine du niveau 6s6d3D1 de l'isotope 199 du mercure par interferometrie fabry-perot

The h.f.s of the 6s6d³D₁ state of ¹⁹⁹Hg has been measured by Fabry-Perot interferometry, using the 6³P₀-6³D₁ transition and taking into account the “forbidden” transition 6³P₀-6¹D₂. Two independent results are obtained: 383,67 ± 0,61 mK and 383,38 ± 0,25 mK, which agree with the theoretical value.     

Measurement of the adsorption energy difference between ortho- and para-D2 on an amorphous ice surface

Molecular hydrogen interaction on water ice surfaces is a major process taking place in interstellar dense clouds. By coupling laser detection and classical thermal desorption spectroscopy, it is possible to study the effect of rotation of D(2) on adsorption on amorphous solid water ice surfaces. The desorption profiles of ortho- and para-D(2) are different. This difference is due to a shift in the adsorption energy distribution of the two lowest rotational states. Molecules in J'=1 rotational state are on average more strongly bound to the ice surface than those in J'=0 rotational state. This energy difference is estimated to be 1.4+/-0.3 meV. This value is in agreement with previous calculation and interpretation. The nonspherical wave function J' =1 has an interaction with the asymmetric part of the adsorption potential and contributes positively in the binding energy.     

Nondestructive room-temperature adsorption of 2,4,6-tri(2'-thienyl)-1,3,5-triazine on a Si-B interface: high-resolution STM imaging and molecular modeling

Organic nanostructures on semiconductors are currently investigated but the surfaces are known to interact strongly with molecules. To reduce the molecule-surface interaction, we used the Si(111)-B square root 3 x square root 3R30 degrees . Deposition of isolated 2,4,6-tri(2'-thienyl)-1,3,5-triazine, was achieved at room temperature without modification of their pi skeleton. This fascinating arrangement, observed by STM, has been validated by full density functional theory computations onto the entire system. The theoretical results give a clear explanation for the specific adsorption sites of molecules on the substrate.     

The NASICON solid solution Li1−x La x /3Zr2(PO4)3: optimization of the sintering process and ionic conductivity measurements

The Li_1−x La _{x /3}Zr₂(PO₄)₃ NASICON-type compounds (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) have been synthesized in powder form by a sol-gel method and sintered for ionic conductivity measurements. In order to improve the compactness of the ceramic without decomposition of the compound, several sintering processes have been tested for one member of the solid solution (x = 0.6): the use of sintering aids (ZnO, B₂O₃, TiO₂ and LiNO₃), a ball-milling of the synthesized powder, a flash heating, high isostatic pressure, and spark plasma sintering. Finally, a satisfactory compactness of 85% is obtained compared to the referenced value (63%) obtained by uniaxial and isostatic pressing. The ionic conductivity study was performed by impedance spectroscopy. It shows that, despite the formation of vacancies, the substitution Li⁺→ 1/3 La³⁺ + 2/3 □ has unfortunately no influence on the conduction for 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.7 since the ionic conductivity remains identical to the LiZr₂(PO₄)₃ one. For higher x values, the ionic conductivity strongly decreases.     

Search for neutral supersymmetric Higgs Bosons in multijet events at sqrt[s]=1.96 TeV

We have performed a search for neutral Higgs bosons produced in association with bottom quarks in pp collisions, using 260 pb-1 of data collected with the D0 detector in Run II of the Fermilab Tevatron Collider. The cross sections for these processes are enhanced in many extensions of the standard model (SM), such as in its minimal supersymmetric extension at large tanbeta. The results of our analysis agree with expectations from the SM, and we use our measurements to set upper limits on the production of neutral Higgs bosons in the mass range of 90 to 150 GeV.     

Fractional band filling in an atomic chain structure

A new chain structure of Au is found on stepped Si(111) which exhibits a 1/4-filled band and a pair of > or =1/2-filled bands with a combined filling of 4/3. Band dispersions and Fermi surfaces for Si(553)-Au are obtained by photoemission and compared to that of Si(557)-Au. The dimensionality of both systems is determined using a tight binding fit. The fractional band filling makes it possible to preserve metallicity in the presence of strong correlations.     

A combined pressure-controlled scanning calorimetry and Monte Carlo determination of the Joule-Thomson inversion curve. Application to methane

A combination of a pressure-controlled scanning calorimetry (PCSC) and Monte Carlo simulations (MCS) is presented for an unequivocal determination of the Joule-Thomson inversion curve (JTIC) with high accuracy over wide ranges of pressure and temperature. The MCS performed with the fluctuation method are fast and easy to operate, but the results can vary significantly depend on the set of primary molecular data needed for the calculations. The PCSC is an experimental and more laborious technique, but supplies data of high quality. Thus, it can be used to check the MCS data and to verify the molecular parameters used for the calculations. Such a combined procedure was used in the present study for determination of the JTIC for methane, for which a correlation equation was established valid from 302.9 to 586.5 K. A combination of a direct experimental technique with molecular simulations permits also to better understand the complex behavior of the Joule-Thomson inversion phenomenon over wide ranges of pressure and temperature.     

Triplet excited States as chiral reporters for the binding of drugs to transport proteins

The triplet excited state of flurbiprofen methyl ester (FBPMe) has been used as a chiral reporter for the two binding sites of human serum albumin (HSA). The occupation level of the binding sites has been estimated from regression analysis of the triplet decays at several [FBPMe]/[HSA] ratios. The data agree with two high affinity binding sites (I and II) that are populated to a different extent. A remarkable stereodifferentiation has been found in the drug triplet lifetimes within the protein microenvironment.     

Simultaneous determination of inorganic anions and organic acids in amine solutions for sour gas treatment by capillary electrophoresis with indirect UV detection

A new CE method has been developed for the simultaneous determination of selected inorganic anions (bromide, chloride, thiosulfate, nitrite, nitrate, sulfate, thiocyanate, fluoride and phosphate) and organic acids (oxalic, malonic, formic, tartric, acetic, glycolic, propionic, butyric and cyclohexanoic) in amine solutions from sour gas treatment units. An electrolyte composed of 10 mM trimellitic acid, 200 mM Tris (pH 9.0), 0.1% polyvinyl alcohol provides a satisfactory separation of all analytes of interest. The electroosmotic flow is reversed by using hexadimethrine bromide as a semi-permanent positively charged coating, making the electrolyte free of additive. Indirect UV detection at 240 nm is used because of the weak absorbing properties of most of analytes. The addition of 1% diethanolamine in standard mixtures permits to better preserve them, inhibiting potential degradation processes, especially for thiosulfate. The quantification is performed using internal standardization, by which molybdate is used as internal standard. Moreover, the use of relative migration times and the excellent repeatabilities obtained allow unambiguous identification of analytes in real samples by comparison with standard mixture. It has been shown that no significant matrix effect came from the presence of 30% diethanolamine in amine solution samples and the developed method was characterized in terms of calibration linearity and accuracy using recovery tests. In short, the developed method allows the simultaneous and rapid determination, in difficult matrices, of numerous inorganic anions and organic acids characterized by a large range of electrophoretic mobilities.