Topologically Irreducible Representations and Radicals in Banach Algebras

It is shown that the topologically irreducible representationsof a normed algebra define a certain topological radical inthe same way that the strictly irreducible representations definethe Jacobson radical and that this radical can be strictly smallerthan the Jacobson radical. An abstract theory of ‘topologicalradicals’ in topological algebras is developed and usedto relate this radical to the Baer radical (prime radical).The relations with topologically transitive representationsand standard representations in the sense of Meyer are alsoexplored. 1991 Mathematics Subject Classification: 46H15, 46H25,16Nxx.     

Spinodal for the solution-to-crystal phase transformation

The formation of crystalline nuclei from solution has been shown for many systems to occur in two steps: the formation of quasidroplets of a disordered intermediate, followed by the nucleation of ordered crystalline embryos within these droplets. The rate of each step depends on a respective free-energy barrier and on the growth rate of its near-critical clusters. We address experimentally the relative significance of the free-energy barriers and the kinetic factors for the nucleation of crystals from solution using a model protein system. We show that crystal nucleation is 8-10 orders of magnitude slower than the nucleation of dense liquid droplets, i.e., the second step is rate determining. We show that at supersaturations of three or four k(B)T units, crystal nuclei of five, four, or three molecules transform into single-molecule nuclei, i.e., the significant nucleation barrier vanishes below the thermal energy of the molecules. We show that the main factor, which determines the rate of crystal nucleation, is the slow growth of the near-critical ordered clusters within the quasidroplets of the disordered intermediate. Analogous to the spinodal in supersaturated fluids, we define a solution-to-crystal spinodal from the transition to single-molecule crystalline nuclei. We show that heterogeneous nucleation centers accelerate nucleation not only because of the wettinglike effects that lower the nucleation barrier, as envisioned by classical theory, but by helping the kinetics of growth of the ordered crystalline embryos.     

Variable range hopping conductivity in manganites

The nature of variable range hopping (VRH) conductivity which is observed in the insulating state of doped rare-earth manganites with perovskite structure is considered in the two component model of metallic-like droplets embedded in dielectric matrix. When the density of the metallic droplets is less than the percolation limit, the system falls into the insulating state with VRH conductivity defined by inter granular tunneling and electrostatic barriers. With temperature increasing the VRH regime is transforming into the hopping regime of small radius polarons.     

Electronic spectrum of the three-dimensional Penrose lattice

The electronic spectrum of the three-dimensional Penrose lattice with “central” decoration by atoms is investigated using the tight binding model with nearest-neighbor interaction. Inverse participation ratios, higher moments of density probabilities, and fractal dimensions of the system are determined. The WFs are critical (they have a power-law dependence on the distance) at all energies in the band and are multifractal measures leading to the entire spectrum of the exponents. The results show that the system is in the critical state of the metal-insulator transition. On critical WFs, the cubic root temperature dependence of the conductivity is obtained.     

The microscopic investigation of structures of moving flux lines by neutron and muon techniques

We have used a variety of microscopic techniques to reveal the structure and motion of flux line arrangements, when the flux lines in low T _c type II superconductors are caused to move by a transport current. Using small-angle neutron scattering by the flux line lattice (FLL), we are able to demonstrate directly the alignment by motion of the nearest-neighbor FLL direction. This tends to be parallel to the direction of flux line motion, as had been suspected from two-dimensional simulations. We also see the destruction of the ordered FLL by plastic flow and the bending of flux lines. Another technique that our collaboration has employed is the direct measurement of flux line motion, using the ultra-high-resolution spectroscopy of the neutron spin-echo technique to observe the energy change of neutrons diffracted by moving flux lines. The muon spin rotation (μSR) technique gives the distribution of values of magnetic field within the FLL. We have recently succeeded in performing μSR measurements while the FLL is moving. Such measurements give complementary information about the local speed and orientation of the FLL motion. We conclude by discussing the possible application of this technique to thin film superconductors.     

Quasicrystals: Structure and properties

The structure and properties of quasicrystals are discussed. The short-and long-range atomic orders and the effect of these factors on the physical characteristics are considered. It is noted that investigations of the physical properties of quasicrystals at temperatures above room temperature should be performed. Promising applications are briefly outlined.     

The stability of the inert gas A(2)B(8) compounds

We analyse the stability of the hypothetical crystalline compounds of inert gases B⁽⁸⁾ with metals A⁽²⁾ of the second group of the periodic table. Compounds stable within wide temperature limits, and possessing specific optical properties are predicted.     

Corresponding-states laws for protein solutions

The solvent around protein molecules in solutions is structured and this structuring introduces a repulsion in the intermolecular interaction potential at intermediate separations. We use Monte Carlo simulations with isotropic, pair-additive systems interacting with such potentials. We test if the liquid-liquid and liquid-solid phase lines in model protein solutions can be predicted from universal curves and a pair of experimentally determined parameters, as done for atomic and colloid materials using several laws of corresponding states. As predictors, we test three properties at the critical point for liquid-liquid separation: temperature, as in the original van der Waals law, the second virial coefficient, and a modified second virial coefficient, all paired with the critical volume fraction. We find that the van der Waals law is best obeyed and appears more general than its original formulation: A single universal curve describes all tested nonconformal isotropic pair-additive systems. Published experimental data for the liquid-liquid equilibrium for several proteins at various conditions follow a single van der Waals curve. For the solid-liquid equilibrium, we find that no single system property serves as its predictor. We go beyond corresponding-states correlations and put forth semiempirical laws, which allow prediction of the critical temperature and volume fraction solely based on the range of attraction of the intermolecular interaction potential.