Measuring the Michel parameter ξ'

Unlike the majority of Michel parameters which are consistent with the Standard Model V-A interaction, the experimental value of ξ″(=0.65±0.36) [1] is poorly known. Our experiment will measure the longitudinal polarization, P _L , of positrons emitted from the decay of polarized muons. The value of P _L , equal to unity in the Standard Model, will decrease for high energy positrons emitted antiparallel to the muon spin if the combination of Michel parameters ξ″/ξξ′ − 1 deviates from the Standard Model value of zero. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Electrical properties of modified TZP(+TiO2,FeOx)

1 to 24 mol% TiO₂ and FeO_X were added to 3.2 mol% Y₂O₃ doped ZrO₂ (Z3Y) to obtain tetragonal zirconia polycrystals (TZP) with modified electronic properties. The materials were prepared by coprecipitation which allows to obtain fine, homogeneous and sinteractive powders. The solubility of TiO₂ in Z3Y can reach 24 mol%, while the maximum solubility of FeO_x is about 8 mol%. The impedance results show a decrease of the bulk and total conductivity of titania doped TZP with increasing titania concentration, while those of FeO_x doped TZP show only minor changes. The Hebb-Wagner polarization method was applied to evaluate the partial hole and electron conductivities. Three models are presented to interpret the polarization curves. 1.6 mol% FeO_x doped TZP has higher hole conductivity in air, while titania doped TZP has higher electronic conductivity at low oxygen partial pressures as compared to pure Z3Y. Paper presented at the 1st Euroconference on Solid State Ionics, Zakynthos, Greece, 11–18 Sept.1994     

Optimizing phase imaging via dynamic force curves

Tapping mode (TM, also called intermittent contact mode) atomic force microscopy (AFM) has been routinely used in many laboratories. However, consistent or deliberate control of measuring conditions and interpretation of results are often difficult. In this article, we demonstrate how measurement parameters (drive frequency, cantilever stiffness and oscillation amplitude) affect the tapping tip's state. This has been done by systematic dynamic force measurements performed on mica and polystyrene surfaces together with computer simulations. Our study shows the following results. (1) Weaker cantilevers, smaller amplitude and higher drive frequency (around the resonance) lead to an extension of the attractive region (greater phase lag) in amplitude–phase–distance curves and thus can help to achieve stable high-setpoint TM imaging with minimal tip–sample pressure. (2) Bistability of tapping tips often exists and may cause height artefacts if the setpoint falls in the bistable region. (3) Tapping tips with high vibrating energy (stiff cantilevers and large amplitude) driven at resonance are only slightly perturbed by tip–sample interactions and usually remain monostable during the sweep of the scanner position. This can help to achieve good phase contrast without significant artefacts when the setpoint falls in a continuous negative–positive phase shift transition region. (4) Low energy cantilevers (compliant cantilevers and small amplitude) usually result in large phase shift and can be used to acquire large phase contrast images. However, height artefacts will occur when the setpoint falls in the bistable region usually existing for such cantilevers. (5) Computer simulations are useful in understanding the bistability in dynamic force curves and determining either material properties or the optimal imaging parameters.     

Coaxial ZnO/SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanocables fabricated by thermal evaporation/oxidation

ZnO/SiO₂ coaxial nanocables have been synthesized on silicon substrates by simply evaporating zinc powder under an argon and argon/oxygen mixed atmosphere sequentially. The diameters of these nanocables vary from 50 to 100 nm and the lengths up to several millimeters. Electron microscopy and chemical composition investigations reveal that the nanocable consists of a crystalline ZnO core surrounded by an amorphous silica sheath. The electron diffraction pattern proves that the long-axis direction of ZnO cores grows along the [0001] direction. Silica nanotubes with wall structures have been obtained by the selective dissolution of the cores with hydrochloric acid. PACS 81.10.Bk; 81.05.Hd     

Transition of MHD kink-stability properties between line-tied and non-line-tied boundary conditions

Magnetic flux tubes or flux ropes in plasmas are important in nature and the laboratory. Axial boundary conditions strongly affect flux rope behavior, but this has never been systematically investigated. We experimentally demonstrate for the first time axial boundary conditions that are continuously varied between ideal magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) line-tied (fixed) and non-line-tied (free). In contrast with the usual interpretation that mechanical plasma motion is MHD line-tied to a conducting boundary, we constrain boundary plasma motion to cause the line-tied condition.     

Effect of partonic "wind" on charm quark correlations in high-energy nuclear collisions

In high-energy collisions, massive heavy quarks are produced back to back initially and they are sensitive to early dynamical conditions. The strong collective partonic wind from the fast expanding quark-gluon plasma created in high-energy nuclear collisions modifies the correlation pattern significantly. While the hot and dense medium in collisions at the BNL Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (sqrt[_s{NN}]=200 GeV) can only smear the initial back-to-back D_D correlation, a clear and strong near side D_D correlation is expected at the CERN Large Hadron Collider (sqrt[_s{NN}]=5500 GeV). This is considered as a signature for the strongly coupled quark-gluon plasma.     

CFD study on the magnetic fluid delivering in the vessel in high-gradient magnetic field

This paper simulated the advection and diffusion behaviors of the moving magnetic fluid in the vessel in the high-gradient magnetic field using Navier–Stokes equations. The particles accumulation behavior and the streamlines and the contour of concentration are all affected by the susceptibility, intensity of magnetic field and its gradient, and the flow velocity and also by the difference in size of vessels. The typical accumulation behaves as a solid obstacle in the flow as result of the competing between magnetic and fluid drag forces, and gives rise to a rigidly bound core region followed by a wash away region near the vessel boundary under the condition of 10 mm vessel in width. While the vessel is near 1 mm in width, the magnetic force is exerted almost on the whole vessel area, the vortex is not seen, the wash away area disappears and the concentration changes in the whole vessel. The results of the analysis provide meaningful information on ferrofluid transport and stabilization for various magnetic drug targeting and the magnetic fluid sealing, and other use in industrial and medical fields.     

Scaling law of anomalous Hall effect in Fe/Cu bilayers

The scaling of anomalous Hall resistivity on longitudinal resistivity has been intensively studied in different magnetic systems, including multilayer and granular films, to examine whether a skew scattering or a side jump mechanism dominates in the origin of anomalous Hall effect (AHE). The scaling law is based on the premise that both resistivities are a consequence of electron scattering by the imperfections in the materials. By studying the anomalous Hall effect in the simple Fe/Cu bilayers, it was demonstrated that the measured anomalous Hall effect should not follow the scaling laws derived from skew scattering or side jump mechanism due to the short-circuit and shunting effects of the non-magnetic layers.     

Synthesis,Crystal Structures,and Catalytic Properties of Dioxomolybdenum(VI) Complexes Derived from 4-Chloro-2-{[4-Diethylamino-2-Hydroxybenzylidene]amino}phenol

Russian Journal of Coordination Chemistry - Two new dioxomolybdenum(VI) complexes, [MoO2L(EtOH)] (I) and [MoO2L(Sal)] (II), where L is the dianionic form of...     

Impact Force Identification on Carbon Fibre–Epoxy Honeycomb Composite Panel Based on Local Convex Curve Criterion

Experimental Mechanics - Identification of impact force is essential for various engineering applications, such as performance evaluation, design optimisation, noise suppression, and vibration...