Growth,structure and optical properties of an efficient NLO crystal-aqua maleatocopper(II)

A promising non-linear optical (NLO) crystal, aqua maleatocopper(II) (CuC₄H₂O₄·H₂O), was grown at room temperature by the controlled ionic diffusion technique. Fourier transform infrared spectrum could identify the various functional groups in the crystal. Structural analysis using single crystal XRD revealed that the compound crystallizes in the monoclinic system with space group P2₁ and unit cell parameters a = 7.7277(5) Å, b = 5.2967(3) Å, c = 7.7179(4) Å, α = γ = 109.170(5)°, β = 111.995(2)°. The thermal stability and decomposition pattern of the material were explored using thermogravimetry (TG) and differential thermal analysis (DTA). The optical band gap energy of the material was estimated as 2.2 eV from the diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The Kurtz and Perry powder technique established the crystal to be an efficient non-linear optical (NLO) material.     

Multi-jet events in the k T -factorisation scheme

A Markovian Monte Carlo algorithm for multi-parton production in the high-energy limit is proposed and the matching with unintegrated parton densities is discussed.     

Asymptotics of the Farey Fraction Spin Chain Free Energy at the Critical Point

We consider the Farey fraction spin chain in an external field h. Using ideas from dynamical systems and functional analysis, we show that the free energy f in the vicinity of the second-order phase transition is given, exactly, by $$f\sim\frac{t}{\log t}-\frac{1}{2}\frac{h^2}{t}\quad\mbox{for }h^2\ll t\ll1.$$ Here $t=\lambda_{G}\log(2)(1-\frac{\beta}{\beta_{c}})$ is a reduced temperature, so that the deviation from the critical point is scaled by the Lyapunov exponent of the Gauss map, λ _G . It follows that λ _G determines the amplitude of both the specific heat and susceptibility singularities. To our knowledge, there is only one other microscopically defined interacting model for which the free energy near a phase transition is known as a function of two variables. Our results confirm what was found previously with a cluster approximation, and show that a clustering mechanism is in fact responsible for the transition. However, the results disagree in part with a renormalisation group treatment.     

Investigating generation mechanisms of tyre/road noise by speed exponent analysis

The purpose of this study is to clarify the influence of air-pumping related noise sources on typical tyre/road noise. The aim is to increase the understanding of noise generation mechanisms and catalyse the development of existing tyre/road noise simulation tools. The speed dependency of measured and simulated tyre/road noise is analysed and the results show that a large part of the noise can be explained by a high speed exponent traditionally connected with air-pumping mechanisms. Surprisingly, this is also the case for rough road surfaces which are expected to mainly generate noise by tyre vibrations. It is also found that vehicle wind noise may have a strong influence on the pass-by noise and care must be taken when analysing measurement data of quiet tyre/road combinations. Even simulated tyre/road noise shows higher speed exponents than what is anticipated without the inclusion of any type of air-pumping mechanism in the model. It is concluded that it is unfeasible to separate noise created by tyre vibrations from noise created by air-pumping with a speed exponent analysis due to the overlap in the speed exponents connected with the different generation mechanisms.     

The Franssen effect illusion in budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus) and zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata)

The properties of the Franssen effect (FE) were measured in budgerigars and zebra finches. To elicit the FE, listeners are presented with a signal which has been split into a transient component, carrying an abrupt onset and ramped offset and separated in space from the sustained component which has a slowly rising onset and longer duration. When these two signals are played under certain conditions, the perception is that of a long-duration steady state tone being played at the location of the transient. The birds were trained using operant conditioning methods on a categorization task to peck a left key when presented with a stimulus from a left speaker and to peck a right key when presented with a stimulus from a right speaker. Once training was completed, FE stimuli were presented during a small proportion of trials. The FE was measured at speaker separations of 60 degrees and 180 degrees in both echoic and echoic-reduced conditions. Both species of birds exhibited the FE, although to varying degrees, across conditions. These results show that nonmammals also experience the FE illusion in confusing listening situations in a manner similar to mammals, suggestive of similar auditory processing mechanisms.     

The N4 molecule and the N3 + ion

The possibility of the nitrogen molecule forming a stable dimer is investigated. Through ab initio calculations in an extended contracted-gaussian basis, it is demonstrated that N₄ in tetrahedral geometry and N₃ ⁺ in D _3h geometry are local minimum points on their respective internuclear potential energy surfaces. The N₄ molecule is considerably higher in energy than two ground-state N₂ molecules and some study of the barrier for N₄ decomposition has been made. The bond lengths and force constants for the two systems are shown to be similar to their hydrocarbon counterparts, C₄H₄ and C₃H₃ ⁺, tetrahedrane and cyclopropenyl cation. Other related systems are discussed as well.