Thorium: Phase transformations and equation of state to 300 GPa

Abstract

Equation of state and phase transformations of thorium metal have been investigated to 300 GPa at 300 K in a diamond anvil cell using energy dispersive X-ray diffraction employing synchrotron source. Phase transformations in the 70–100 GPa range indicative of 5f-electron bonding are observed and thorium metal is isostructural with its 4f counterpart cerium at ultra high pressures. The measured static equation of state of thorium to 300GPa (volume fraction V/V _o = 0.40) at 300K is given. At high pressures, the sd to f electronic transfer has significant influence on the measured equation of state of thorium.     

Synthesis of homopolymers bearing novel chromophore 4‐oxy‐4′‐(vinylbarbituratephenyl)azobenzene for nonlinear optical applications

The synthesis of new acrylate, methacrylate, and styrene with 4‐(oxyethoxy)‐4′‐vinylbarbituratephenyl azobenzene chromophore are described. The monomers were well characterized (NMR, UV, and IR) for the structure. These were then homopolymerized and characterized for spectral responses and thermal properties. The stronger acceptor barbiturate would result in more effective second harmonic generation. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 962–971, 2000     

Transverse load sensing by use of pi-phase-shifted fiber Bragg gratings

The birefringence of a pi -phase-shifted fiber Bragg grating can be determined with high accuracy by measurement of the polarization-induced spectral splitting of its narrow central transmission window. The use of this feature for sensing of a load applied in the direction transverse to the optical fiber is demonstrated. A distributed force resolution of 1.4x10(-3) N/mm was obtained, which corresponds to a difference in the principal strains of the fiber core of 0.5mu? . We also show that the transverse load response of the sensor is insensitive to temperature.     

Rate constants for quenching of O2(1Δg) with sulfur compounds

The rate constants for the quenching of O₂(¹Δ_g) with carbon disulfide, dimethyl sulfide, dimethyl disulfide, diallyl disulfide, ethyl mercaptan, and thiophene have been determined in a discharge flow system in the absence of oxygen atoms. The rate constants are found to be (6.5 ± 0.6) × 10⁴, (1.8 ± 0.2) × 10⁴, and (3.5 ± 0.6) × 10³ L/mol · s for dimethyl sulfide, ethyl mercaptan, and thiophene, respectively. The other compounds have rate constants <9.9 × 10² L/mol · s. In the case of dimethyl sulfide, even when NO₂ concentration is more than what is required to remove oxygen atoms completely, the rate constants are found to vary with different amounts of NO₂. No correlation is found to exist between the logarithm of the rate constants and the ionization potentials of the compounds.     

5f localization in actinide elements at high temperatures

It is suggested that the itenerant 5f electrons in plutonium and neptunium become localized at high temperatures close to melting. This conclusion is supported by unusually large thermal expansions and recent observation of high temperature β-Np structure in trivalent scandium under pressure.     

A simple method for the determination of benzo[a]pyrene and benzo[k]fluoranthene in a mixture

Atmospheric particulate matter is routinely analysed for the concentration of the carcinogen benzo[a]pyrene (BaP). Benzo[k]fluoranthene (BkF) has identical spectral characteristics and interferes in the fluorimetric estimation. A simple method for the determination of BaP in the presence of BkF is described. Based on quenching of the fluorescence of BaP by the addition of small amounts of nitromethane, the method can be used for accurate estimation for wide concentration ratios of BaP to BkF ranging from 0.1 to 10.0.     

Determination of 2-methylaziridine in workplace atmospheres

A sampling and analytical procedure was developed for the monitoring of airborne 2-methylaziridine (MA). The analyte is collected by drawing air through a solution of 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulphonic acid (TNBS). In situ derivatisation of MA with TNBS during sample collection provides stability to the highly reactive analyte and makes it amenable to a sensitive high-performance liquid chromatographic determination with ultraviolet detection. The purified synthetic derivative of MA with TNBS is more suitable as a calibration standard than commercially available MA.     

Observation of stochastic resonance near a subcritical bifurcation

A hysteretic Subcritical period-doubling bifurcation is observed in the nonlinear strain dynamics of a magnetostrictive oscillator. The dynamic strain response of the magnetostrictive oscillator was observed with a high-resolution fiber optic interferometer. The effects of low-frequency modulation and band-limited stochastic fluctuations on such a bifurcation are investigated. Power spectral density measurements show that for an optimal value of externally injected noise the signal-to-noise ratio of a low-frequency modulation signal is enhanced by greater than 14 dB, thus indicating the first experimental observation of stochastic resonance near a bistable period-doubling bifurcation.