Measurement of the electron electric dipole moment using YbF molecules

The most sensitive measurements of the electron electric dipole moment d(e) have previously been made using heavy atoms. Heavy polar molecules offer a greater sensitivity to d(e) because the interaction energy to be measured is typically 10(3) times larger than in a heavy atom. We have used YbF to make the first measurement of this kind. Together, the large interaction energy and the strong tensor polarizability of the molecule make our experiment essentially free of the systematic errors that currently limit d(e) measurements in atoms. Our first result d(e) = (-0.2+/-3.2)x10(-26)e cm is less sensitive than the best atom measurement but is limited only by counting statistics and demonstrates the power of the method.     

Halogen bridging in the 2-chloroethyl radical

INDO calculations predict an unsymmetrically bridged structure for the 2-chloroethyl radical with the CCl bond almost perpendicular to the radical plane.     

Dramatic nondipole effects in low-energy photoionization: experimental and theoretical study of Xe 5s

The Xe 5s nondipole photoelectron parameter gamma is obtained experimentally and theoretically from threshold to approximately 200 eV photon energy. Significant nondipole effects are seen even in the threshold region of this valence shell photoionization. In addition, contrary to previous understanding, clear evidence of interchannel coupling among quadrupole photoionization channels is found.     

An examination of metal-ligand binding modes in rubidium diphenylmethanide

A powerful new synthetic method allows for the exploration of an interesting class of rubidium diphenylmethanides showing different solid-state modifications depending on the crystallization temperatures. Theoretical and structural analysis in the solution and the solid state leads to a broader understanding of metal-ligand binding modes.     

Droplet growth by coalescence in binary fluid mixtures

The evolution of the drop-size distribution in immiscible fluid mixtures following well-specified shear histories is investigated by in situ microscopy, allowing determination of the shear-induced coalescence efficiency epsilon. At small capillary number Ca, epsilon is constant, whereas at larger values of Ca, epsilon decreases, in agreement with theory accounting for slight deformation of the drops in close approach. Coalescence causes the drop-size distribution to broaden in general, but greater deformation of the larger drops at high shear rates causes the drop-size distribution to remain narrow.