UV tuning of the electro-optical and morphology properties in polymer-dispersed liquid crystals

Polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) films operating in reverse mode are transparent electro-optical devices, which can be turned into an opaque state by application of a suitable electric field. The effect was investigated of different UV powers, used during the polymerization process, on the electro-optical and morphology properties of PDLCs, working in reverse mode operation. Films were obtained by UV polymerization of mixtures of a low molecular weight nematic liquid crystal and a photopolymerizable liquid crystal monomer, homeotropically aligned by rough conductive surfaces. The electro-optical and morphology properties of samples were related to the polymerization conditions. Samples polymerized by lower UV powers exhibited “polymer ball” morphology and an electro-optical response due to the liquid crystal director reorientation, whereas samples obtained at higher UV powers showed a “Swiss cheese” morphology and an electro-optical response due to dynamic scattering. In addition, we observed by conductivity and IR measurements that UV exposure induces a degradation of the nematic liquid crystal.     

Nitration of iron corrolates: further evidence for non-innocence of the corrole ligand

Mono- and di-substituted β-nitro derivatives have been obtained from the reaction of ttcorrFeCl with sodium nitrite in refluxing DMF. This result is unprecedented for iron corrolates and further evidences the non-innocent character of the corrole ligand.     

Limits on decaying dark energy density models from the CMB temperature–redshift relation

The nature of the dark energy is still a mystery and several models have been proposed to explain it. Here we consider a phenomenological model for dark energy decay into photons and particles as proposed by Lima (Phys Rev D 54:2571, 1996). He studied the thermodynamic aspects of decaying dark energy models in particular in the case of a continuous photon creation and/or disruption. Following his approach, we derive a temperature redshift relation for the cosmic microwave background (CMB) which depends on the effective equation of state w _eff and on the “adiabatic index” γ. Comparing our relation with the data on the CMB temperature as a function of the redshift obtained from Sunyaev–Zel’dovich observations and at higher redshift from quasar absorption line spectra, we find w _eff = −0.97 ± 0.03, adopting for the adiabatic index γ = 4/3, in good agreement with current estimates and still compatible with w _eff = −1, implying that the dark energy content being constant in time.     

Some Properties of Bell Groups

For any integer n ≠ 0,1, a group G is said to be “n-Bell” if it satisfies the identity [x ⁿ ,y] = [x,y ⁿ ]. It is known that if G is an n-Bell group, then the factor group G/Z ₂(G) has finite exponent dividing 12n ⁵(n ? 1)⁵. In this article we show that this bound can be improved. Moreover, we prove that every n-Bell group is n-nilpotent; consequently, using results of Baer on finite n-nilpotent groups, we give the structure of locally finite n-Bell groups. Finally, we are concerned with locally graded n-Bell groups for special values of n.     

Photoracemization-Based Viedma Ripening of a BINOL Derivative

Viedma ripening is a deracemization process that has been used to deracemize a range of chiral molecules. The method has two major requirements: the compound needs to crystallize as a conglomerate and it needs to be racemizable under the crystallization conditions. Although conglomerate formation can be induced in different ways, the number of racemization methods is still rather limited. To extend the scope of Viedma ripening, in the present research we applied UV-light-induced racemization in a Viedma ripening process, and report the successful deracemization of a BINOL derivative crystallizing as a conglomerate. Irradiation by UV light activates the target compound in combination with an organic base, required to promote the excited-state proton transfer (ESPT), leading thereafter to racemization. This offers a new tool towards the development of Viedma ripening processes, by using a cheap and “green” catalytic source like UV light to racemize suitable chiral compounds.     

Detection of the singularities of a complex function by numerical approximations of its Laurent coefficients

For several applications, it is important to know the location of the singularities of a complex function: just for example, the rightmost singularity of a Laplace Transform is related to the exponential order of its inverse function. We discuss a numerical method to approximate, within an input accuracy tolerance, a finite sequence of Laurent coefficients of a function by means of the Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) of its samples along an input circle. The circle may also enclose some singularities, since the method works with the Laurent expansion. The DFT is computed by the FFT algorithm so that, from a computational point of view, the efficiency is guaranteed. The function samples may be obtained by solving a numerical problem such as, for example, a differential problem. We derive, as consequences of the method, some new outcomes able to detect those singularities which are close to the circle and to discover if the singularities are all external or internal to the circle so that the Laurent expansion reduces to its regular or singular part, respectively. Other singularities may be located by means of a repeated application of the method, as well as an analytic continuation. Some examples and results, obtained by a first implementation, are reported.     

Inclusive and semi-inclusive ϱ0 production in π−p interactions at 147 GeV/c

We present data on inclusive and semi-inclusive ?⁰ production in 147 GeV/c π^?p interactions. We find a total cross section of 7.3 ± 1.3 mb. Most of this cross section is found in the lower topology events (? 10 prongs), and in the central and forward rapidity regions. The P_T² dependence of ?⁰ production, 〈:n>_?0 per event, and the ?⁰/π⁺ ratios are also discussed.     

Inelastic 2-prong events in 147 GeV/cπ−p collisions

An SU(3) gauge-field non-topological soliton in three space-dimensions is discussed. Let N be the largest among the magnitudes of eigenvalues of the matrix Σ₁⁸λ_aQ_a, where the Q_a's are the eight conserved charges in the classical SU(3) gauge theory, and the λ_a's the usual 3 × 3 Gell-Mann matrices. We show that stable solitons exist if N > a critical value N_S, and if the ratio between the mass of the SU(3) gauge field and that of a relevant spin-0 field is >√6. Our trial function analysis suggests that, for large N, states with dets (Σ₁⁸λ_aQ_a) ≠ 0 are unstable against fission.