Theoretical investigations of the local distortion and electron paramagnetic resonance parameter for CdCl2:V2+ and CsMgX3:V<sup>2+（X=Cl,Br） systems

This paper systematically investigates the local distortion and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) parameter for CdCl 2 :V 2+ and CsMgX 3 :V 2+ (X=Cl, Br) systems on the basis of the complete energy matrix, in which not only the contributions due to the spin–orbit coupling of the central ions but also that of the ligands are considered. To describe the difference of overlapping between d-orbits and p orbit, two spin–orbit coupling coefficients are introduced. By simulating the crystal field parameter and EPR parameter, the local distortion parameters are studied and the relationships between the EPR parameter and the spin–orbit coupling coefficients as well as divergent parameter are discussed. These results show that the local structures exhibit compression distortion for CdCl 2 :V 2+ and elongation distortions for CsMgX 3 :V 2+ (X=Cl, Br), respectively. It notes that the empirical formula R ≈ R H + (r i-r h )/2 is not suitable for CdCl 2 :V 2+ and CsMgX 3 :V 2+ (X=Cl, Br) systems. The contributions of ligand to spin–orbit coupling interaction cannot be neglected for strong covalent systems, especially for V 2+ doped in CsMgBr 3 :V 2+ .     

Spatio-temporal expression of a novel neuron-derived neurotrophic factor (NDNF) in mouse brains during development

Background  

Neuron-derived neurotrophic factor (NDNF) is evolutionarily well conserved, being present in invertebrate animals such as the nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans, as well as in the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster. Multiple cysteines are conserved between species and secondary structure prediction shows that NDNF is mainly composed of beta-strands. In this study, we aimed to investigate the function of NDNF.     

Density functional theory study of AunMn(n=1-8) clusters

Equilibrium geometries, relative stabilities, and magnetic properties of small Au_nMn (n=1-8) clusters have been investigated using density functional theory at the PW91P86 level. It is found that Mn atoms in the ground state Au_nMn isomers tend to occupy the most highly coordinated position and the lowest energy structure of Au_nMn clusters with even n is similar to that of pure Au_n+1 clusters, except for n=2. The substitution of Au atom in Au_n+1 cluster by a Mn atom improves the stability of the host clusters. Maximum peaks are observed for Au_nMn clusters at n=2, 4 on the size dependence of second-order energy differences and fragmentation energies, implying that the two clusters possess relatively higher stability. The HOMO-LUMO energy gaps of the ground state Au_nMn clusters show a pronounced odd-even oscillation with the number of Au atoms, and the energy gap of Au₂Mn cluster is the biggest among all the clusters. The magnetism calculations indicate that the total magnetic moment of Au_nMn cluster, which has a very large magnetic moment in comparison to the pure Au_n+1 cluster, is mainly localized on Mn atom.     

Results from DAMA/LIBRA at Gran Sasso

The DAMA project is an observatory for rare processes and it is operative deep underground at the Gran Sasso National Laboratory of the I.N.F.N. In particular, the DAMA/LIBRA (Large sodium Iodide Bulk for RAre processes) set-up consists of highly radiopure NaI(Tl) detectors for a total sensitive exposed mass of ?250 kg. Recent results, obtained by this set-up by exploiting the model independent annual modulation signature of Dark Matter (DM) particles, have confirmed and improved those obtained by the former DAMA/NaI experiment. A model independent evidence for the presence of Dark Matter particles in the galactic halo is cumulatively obtained at 8.2?σ C.L. No systematics or side reactions able to account for the measured modulation amplitude and to contemporaneously satisfy all the many specific requirements of the signature have been found or suggested by anyone over more than a decade. An example of one of the many possible model dependent corollary quests for the candidate particles and for the related astrophysical, nuclear and particle physics scenarios is presented considering the whole cumulative exposure. Future perspectives are shortly addressed.     

Theoretical studies of the optical and EPR spectra for Fe ion in the MF3:Fe (M=Al, Ga) systems

By analyzing the EPR spectra of Fe³⁺ ion in the fluorinde glasses, the local lattice structures around impurity Fe³⁺ ion in MF₃:Fe³⁺ (M=Al, Ga) systems have been studied by means of diagonalizing the complete energy matrices of the electron-electron repulsion, the ligand-field and the spin-orbit coupling for a d⁵ configuration ion in a trigonal ligand-field. Both the second-order and fourth-order EPR parameters D and (a−F) are taken simultaneously in the structural investigation. The results indicate that the local lattice structure around octahedral Fe³⁺ center has an expansion distortion for Fe³⁺ in MF₃:Fe³⁺ (M=Al, Ga). The expansion distortion may be ascribed to the fact that the radius of Fe³⁺ ion is larger than that of Al³⁺ ion and Ga³⁺ ion, and the Fe³⁺ ion will push the fluoride ligands upwards and downwards, respectively. The local lattice structure parameters R=1.927 A, θ=55.538° for Fe³⁺ in AlF₃:Fe³⁺ and R=1.931 A, θ=56.09° for Fe³⁺ in GaF₃:Fe³⁺ are determined, respectively, and the EPR spectra of the MF₃:Fe³⁺ (M=Al, Ga) systems are satisfactorily explained.     

Study of uranium isotope separation using CO2 laser and CO laser

First, the kinetic investigation of UF₆ + HCl reaction and the isotopic selectivity under CO laser irradiation is performed. On this investigation, the kinetics of UF₆ + HCl reaction by using an intracativity CO laser and CO₂ laser irradiation system, and the isotopic selectivity for this process are studied theoretically. It is found that under the resonant CO laser and CO₂ laser irradiations, the laser-catalyzed reaction rate can increase, and a good selectivity can be achieved. The uranium isotope separation factors β calculated are about 2.44 ∼ 4.05 at laser intensity 50 ∼ 100 W cm⁻² and temperature 235 K.     

Cavity resonant mode in a metal film perforated with two-dimensional triangular lattice hole arrays

The transmission property of metallic films with two-dimensional hole arrays is studied experimentally and numerically. For a triangular lattice subwavelength hole array in a 150 nm thick Ag film, both cavity resonance and planar surface modes are identified as the sources of enhanced optical transmissions. Semi-analytical models are developed for calculating the dispersion relation of the cavity resonant mode. They agree well with the experimental results and full-wave numerical calculations. Strong interaction between the cavity resonant mode and surface modes is also observed.     

Phase encoding for sharper focus of the azimuthally polarized beam

We demonstrate that a sharper focal spot area can be generated (0.147λ(2)) by using an azimuthally polarized beam propagating through a vortex 0-2π phase plate than for radial polarization (0.17λ(2)) or for linear polarization (0.26λ(2)) under the same condition. Further research illustrates that such optimistic results can still be expected when condition limitations are liberalized. This will facilitate new approaches to get superresolution in confocal systems.