Nonlinear fluctuating hydrodynamics and sequence of time scales of relaxation in supercooled liquids

Nonlinear fluctuating hydrodynamic (NFH) models for relaxation in the supercooled liquid are considered. Recent results on self consistent mode coupling theory for the slow relaxation of density fluctuations are analyzed to explain the glassy dynamics. The relaxation mechanisms for different types of models with and without wave vector dependences are discussed. For the schematic models where all wave vector dependences are dropped a sequence of time scales enters the relaxation process. For the non-ergodicity parameter very close to the ideal transition point is scaled by an exponent equal to 1/2. This is demonstrated here through an analysis of the mode-coupling equations for the wave vector dependent models that follow from equations of NFH.     

Chiral ordering in the nematic and an optically isotropic mesophase of bent-core mesogens with a halogen substituent at the central core

Two new homologous series of bent-core compounds have been synthesized. Their mesophase behaviour has been investigated by polarizing microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction, NMR spectroscopy, and by dielectric and electro-optical measurements. It was found that, with one exception, all the chlorine-substituted compounds form a nematic phase and an optically isotropic 'banana phase'. The latter phase shows spontaneously chiral domains of opposite handedness. This phase may be considered as a type of smectic blue phase. The mesophase behaviour of the homologous bromine-substituted compounds is more complicated. Depending on the chain length, B₆, columnar, nematic or the isotropic 'banana phase' occur.     

Low-limit photo-acoustic detection of solid RDX and TNT explosives with carbon dioxide laser

We report the absorption spectra of RDX and TNT explosive samples in solid form at room temperature using a carbon dioxide laser-based photo-acoustic technique. A continuous wave ¹²C¹⁶O₂ laser, tunable between the 9.25–10.74 μm wavelength region, was used as an energy source. Interference-free limits of detection of solid RDX and TNT in simulated samples are estimated to be 10.0 and 16.5 ppbw, respectively. Published in Zhurnal Prikladnoi Spektroskopii, Vol. 73, No. 1, pp. 113–118, January–February, 2006.     

Radiative stability of neutrino-mass textures

Neutrino-mass textures proposed at high scales are known to be unstable against radiative corrections especially for nearly degenerate mass eigenvalues. We find a mechanism in a class of gauge models including 2HDM where the RG constraints can be evaded. Consequently, a high-scale texture can match the low-energy data or be reproduced at low energies.     

Short duration gamma ray bursts

After a short review of gamma ray bursts (GRBs), we discuss the physical implications of strong statistical correlations seen among some of the parameters of short duration bursts (T ₉₀ < 2 s). Finally, we conclude with a brief sketch of a new unified model for long and short GRBs.     

1,2-polybutadiene complexes with d8 pseudo-square-planar transition-metal salts based on nickel(II), palladium(II), and platinum(II)

The effects of four d⁸ transition-metal complexes from Group 10 on the thermal, mechanical, optical, and spectroscopic properties of atactic 1,2-polybutadiene are compared, in addition to their ability to induce gelation. Olefin coordination and subsequent metal-catalyzed chemical crosslinking occur much more quickly, and to a greater extent, at ambient temperature with PdCl₂(CH₃CN)₂ than with PtCl₂(C₆H₅CN)₂. Alkene side groups in the polymer attack the pseudo-square-planar metal center (i.e., Pd²⁺ or Pt²⁺) from above or below the plane of the coordinatively unsaturated low-molecular-weight organometallic complex and displace neutral acetonitrile or benzonitrile ligands via an associative mechanism. Gelation occurs much more quickly with Pd²⁺ than with Pt²⁺, and the ambient-temperature elastic modulus of solid polybutadiene/palladium complexes increases significantly, without high-temperature annealing, so that a weak rubbery polymer is transformed into a glass via 3 mol % Pd²⁺. Alkene functional groups in the side chain of the polymer do not coordinate to bis(dimethyl)glyoximatonickel(II) at ambient temperature because (1) it is difficult to displace anionic dimethylgloxime ligands that are bidentate; (2) these planar nickel complexes with C_2h symmetry are stacked along the c axis via interlocking methyl groups on adjacent molecules; and (3) there is a lack of π back-bonding between d_xy on Ni(II) and empty π* antibonding orbitals of CC, which typically stabilizes olefin complexes with pseudo-square-planar d⁸ metal centers. Pseudo-octahedral nickel(II) chloride hexahydrate does not form a complex with the polymer, in agreement with some macroscopic properties of these materials. The observed trend in the transition-metal-modified properties of atactic 1,2-polybutadiene in the solid state and in the gel state is Pd(II) > Pt(II) ≫ Ni(II). © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 2270–2285, 2004     

Trinucleon system with Reid soft core potential by hyperspherical harmonics expansion method

The hyperspherical harmonics expansion method has been used to solve the trinucleon system where the nucleons interact through Reid soft core potential. The binding energy of triton, both for extreme adiabatic approximation and uncoupled adiabatic approximation, and theS-state,S′-state andD-state probabilities are calculated and compared with the results by the Faddeev method.