Quantum diffusion

Basic ideas and results which characterize quantum diffusion of defects in quantum crystals like solid helium as a new phenomenon are presented. Quantum effects in such media lead to a delocalization of point defects (vacancies, impurities etc.) and they turn into quasiparticles of a new type—defectons, which are characterized not by their position in the crystal lattice but by their quasimomentum and dispersion law. Defecton-defecton and defecton-phonon scattering are considered and an interpolation formula for the diffusion coefficient valid in all interesting temperature and concentration regions is presented. A comparison with the experimental data is made. Some alternative points of view are discussed in detail and the inconsistency of the Kisvarsanyi-Sullivan theory is shown.     

Backscattering in the vicinity of a mode cutoff

In a recent paper to this journal (Whitman A M et al 2003 Waves Random Media 13 269-86) we derived a set of coupled equations that describe the intermodal scattering of acoustic radiation in a duct whose speed of sound varies randomly in space and time. In the paper we were mainly interested in modes that were not near cutoff. Here we study the solution of these equations in the vicinity of the cutoff. We find that near cutoff almost all the energy is reflected back independent of the other duct parameters. In addition to presenting these results, we analyse the mathematical structure of the equations in these regions in order to elucidate the reason for this behaviour.     

Rate constants for the gas‐phase reaction of CF3CF2CF2CF2CF2CHF2 with OH radicals at 250–430 K

The rate constants k₁ for the reaction of CF₃CF₂CF₂CF₂CF₂CHF₂ with OH radicals were determined by using both absolute and relative rate methods. The absolute rate constants were measured at 250–430 K using the flash photolysis–laser‐induced fluorescence (FP‐LIF) technique and the laser photolysis–laser‐induced fluorescence (LP‐LIF) technique to monitor the OH radical concentration. The relative rate constants were measured at 253–328 K in an 11.5‐dm³ reaction chamber with either CHF₂Cl or CH₂FCF₃ as a reference compound. OH radicals were produced by UV photolysis of an O₃–H₂O–He mixture at an initial pressure of 200 Torr. Ozone was continuously introduced into the reaction chamber during the UV irradiation. The k₁ (298 K) values determined by the absolute method were (1.69 ± 0.07) × 10^?15 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 (FP‐LIF method) and (1.72 ± 0.07) × 10^?15 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 (LP‐LIF method), whereas the K₁ (298 K) values determined by the relative method were (1.87 ± 0.11) × 10^?15 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 (CHF₂Cl reference) and (2.12 ± 0.11) × 10^?15 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 (CH₂FCF₃ reference). These data are in agreement with each other within the estimated experimental uncertainties. The Arrhenius rate constant determined from the kinetic data was K₁ = (4.71 ± 0.94) × 10^?13 exp[?(1630 ± 80)/T] cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1. Using kinetic data for the reaction of tropospheric CH₃CCl₃ with OH radicals [k₁ (272 K) = 6.0 × 10^?15 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1, tropospheric lifetime of CH₃CCl₃ = 6.0 years], we estimated the tropospheric lifetime of CF₃CF₂CF₂CF₂CF₂CHF₂ through reaction with OH radicals to be 31 years. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 36: 26–33, 2004     

Detection of NO traces Using resonantly enhanced multiphoton ionization: A method for monitoring atmospheric pollutants

Resonantly enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) is proposed as an ultrasensitive detection method forreal-time monitoring of atmospheric pollutants in situ. The technique is demonstrated in the laboratory for NO diluted in pure nitrogen at 560 mbar. The MPI current resulting from (2+1) photon ionization of NO via the resonantC ² H (v=0) state has been measured for several NO concentrations. Detection levels as low as 50 ppt have been obtained.Laboratoire associé à l'Université de Paris-Sud     

Observation of nucleon clusters in the spontaneous decay of234U

The emission of Ne and Mg nuclei was detected in the spontaneous decay of²³⁴U with probabilities of, respectively, (3.9 ±1.0) × 10^?13 and (2.3 ±0.7) × 10^?13 relative toα-decay. The upper limits of this kind of decay for²³⁵U and²³⁶U have been established. Systematics of half-lives for cluster emission are found to be similar to the Geiger-Nuttall dependence forα-decay. Some evidence for the presence of hindrance to cluster emission from the odd-mass nuclei²³³U and²³⁵U is obtained.     

Synthesis of novel 2-perfluoroacylcyclohexane-1,3-diones

A one-pot synthesis of 2-perfluoroalkanoylcyclohexane-1,3-diones via C-acylation of cyclohexane-1,3-diones with N-perfluoroacylimidazole as an acylating agent is reported. A reaction was examined with isolated N-trifluoroacetylimidazole and with N-perfluoroacylimidazoles generated in situ from perfluorocarboxylic acid anhydrides or perfluorocarboxylic acids.