Quantum Vacuum Fluctuations in a Chromomagnetic-Like Background

In this paper, we study the effects associated to quantum vacuum fluctuations of vectorial perturbations of the Abelian SU(2) Yang-Mills field in a static and homogeneous chromomagnetic-like background field, at zero temperature. We use periodic and antiperiodic boundary conditions in order to calculate the Casimir energy by means of the frequency sum technique and of the regularization method based on zeta functions, analyzing its behavior in the weak and strong coupling regimes. We compare the obtained results with the similar ones found for scalar and spinor fields placed in an ordinary magnetic field background. We show that only in the weak coupling regime the non-trivial topology of the system encoded in the antiperiodic boundary conditions changes the nature of the Casimir force with respect to the periodic ones. Considering the weak coupling scenario, we show that the introduction of a third polarization state in the perturbations makes manifest the effects on the Casimir energy due to the coupling with the chromomagnetic-like background field, for both the boundary conditions. Finally, in the strong coupling regime, in which the quantum vacuum is not stable due to the Nielsen-Olesen instabilities, we evaluate the effects of a compact extra dimension on its stabilization.     

A Modified Linear Sampling Method Valid for all Frequencies and an Application to the Inverse Inhomogeneous Medium Problem

We consider the inverse inhomogeneous medium scattering problem in acoustics where one tries to recover the support of anomalies in a medium by interrogating the region of interest with plane waves at fixed frequency. We discuss the validity of the Linear Sampling Method (LSM) for solving this inverse problem, and its connection to an unusual eigenvalue problem. It turns out that the existence of non-trivial solutions of the so-called interior transmission eigenvalue problem results in the failure of the LSM. We then propose a modification of the LSM that avoids these shortcomings and is numerically sound. (© 2005 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Photochemical and pharmacological aspects of nitric oxide release from some nitrosyl ruthenium complexes entrapped in sol–gel and silicone matrices

The entrapped [Ru(terpy)(L)NO](PF₆)₃, where terpy = 2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine and L = 2,2′-bipyridine (bpy) and 3,4-diiminebenzoic acid (NH · NHq) complexes into sol–gel processed polysiloxane and silicone matrices, shows NO release characteristics when submitted to light irradiation at 355 and 532 nm, as judged by NO measurement using a NO-sensor electrode. The pharmacological properties of doped matrix showed vasodilator characteristics by visible light irradiation, which is of great interest because the target delivery system can avoid the occurrence of side effects possibly by the aquo ruthenium species. All matrices obtained showed to be amorphous materials. The scanning electron micrographs of the matrices showed irregularly shaped particles, with a broad size of 1000 μm for both matrices and homogeneous distribution.     

The synthesis of non‐symmetrical stilbene analogs of trans‐resveratrol using the same Pd catalyst in a sequential double‐Heck arylation of ethylene

We have developed a sequential and selective Pd‐catalyzed double‐Heck arylation of ethylene that results in non‐symmetrical nitro‐stilbene analogs of trans‐resveratrol at excellent yields. A catalytic system consisting of Pd(OAc)₂ and P(o‐tolyl)₃ permitted us to carry out the two consecutive Heck arylations without losing activity from the first to the second Heck reaction. After the first Heck arylation of ethylene, no isolation or additional catalyst loading is required for the second Heck arylation reaction. This protocol was applied to the synthesis of methylated trans‐resveratrol, which was obtained at a 65% overall yield. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Magnetic field tomography

Neutral atoms may be trapped via the interaction of their magnetic dipole moment with magnetic field gradients. One of the possible schemes is the cloverleaf trap. It is often desirable to have at hand a fast and precise technique for measuring the magnetic field distribution. We use for instantaneous imaging the equipotential lines of the magnetic field a diagnostic tool which is based on spatially resolved observation of the fluorescence emitted by a hot beam of sodium atoms crossing a thin slice of resonant laser light within the magnetic field region to be investigated. The inhomogeneous magnetic field spatially modulates the resonance condition between the Zeeman-shifted hyperfine sublevels and the laser light and therefore the amount of scattered photons. We apply this technique for mapping the field of our cloverleaf trap in three dimensions under various conditions. Received 20 March 2001 and Received in final form 12 May 2001