Links in a thickened surface

For a given two-dimensional surface μ, we studi invariants for oriented links in μ×[0,1] which generalize the two-variable HOMFLY polynomials when μ is the 2-disk. These invariants are connected to multiparameter quantum groups whose special properties are discussed. Si studiano gli invarianti dei nodi in spazi del tipo μ×[0,1], dove μ è una superficie. Questi invarianti generalizzano gli invarianti di HOMFLY.

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(Conferenza tenuta dal Prof. P. Cotta-Ramusino il 16 maggio 1991)     

Preparation and physical characterization of forms II and III of paracetamol

The polymorphic forms II and III of paracetamol were obtained by melting the marketed form I. Under the melting and cooling conditions used, it was possible to obtain forms I, II and III. The recrystallization conditions and the physical properties of forms II and III were investigated by means of various techniques: thermomicroscopy, DSC analysis, infrared microspectrometry and X-ray powder diffraction at room temperature and as a function of temperature. Form III was found to be very unstable. However, its formation seems to be an important intermediate step in the preparation of form II.     

FT-EPR and HPLC study of the mechanism of 4-chlorophenol photolysis

The mechanism of 4-chlorophenol (4CP) photolysis was investigated with the aid of Fourier Transform Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (FT-EPR) and pulsed-laser photolysis combined with High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) detection-of stable (diamagnetic) products. With FT-EPR transient free radicals produced by pulsed-laser excitation of solutions of 4CP in alcohols could be identified. Time profiles of the FT-EPR spectra provided information on reaction kinetics and Chemically Induced Dynamic, Electron Polarization (CIDEP) effects. It was found that 4CP photolysis in alcohols leads to the simultaneous formation of the phenoxyl radical and radicals produced by hydrogen abstraction from the solvent. CIDEP patterns establish that these radicals are formed in a reaction sequence involving a triplet state precursor and radical pair intermediate. Results of earlier transient optical absorption measurements indicate that the triplet precursor must be the carbene 4-oxocyclohexa-2,5-dienylidene. This assignment is supported by the finding that photolysis of quinone diazide in a hydrogen-donating solvent gives the same free radical products as those obtained from 4CP. The formation of the phenoxyl radical intermediate accounts for the finding that photolysis of deoxygenated solutions of 4CP in alcohols gives phenol as stable diamagnetic product. By contrast, photolysis of aerated and deoxygenated aqueous solutions of 4CP produces benzoquinone and hydroquinone as primary products, respectively.     

2D Ising Model with Layers of Quenched Spins

The model considered is a d=2 disordered Ising system on a square lattice with nearest neighbor interaction. The disorder is induced by layers (rows) of spins, randomly located, which are frozen in an antiferromagnetic order. It is assumed that all the vertical couplings take the same positive value J _v, while all the horizontal couplings take the same positive value J _h. The model can be exactly solved and the free energy is given as a simple explicit expression. The zero-temperature entropy can be positive because of the frustration due to the competition between antiferromagnetic alignment induced by the quenched layers and ferromagnetic alignment due to the positive couplings. No phase transition is found at finite temperature if the layers of frozen spins are independently distributed, while for correlated disorder one finds a low-temperature phase with some glassy properties.     

FexNi100−x nanometric films deposited by laser ablation on SiO2/Si substrates

Fe_xNi_100−x nanometric films were deposited on SiO₂/Si substrates at room temperature using the pulsed laser deposition technique. The targets were Fe-Ni amorphous magnetic foils with composition Fe₅₀Ni₅₀, Fe₃₅Ni₆₅ and Fe₂₂Ni₇₈. Morphological and structural properties of the deposited films were investigated using scanning electron microscopy, Rutherford backscattering spectrometry, grazing incidence X-ray diffraction, and X-ray reflectivity. Electrical and magnetic characteristics of the films were investigated by using the four-point probe and the magneto-optic Kerr effect techniques, respectively. The film properties are strictly dependent on the Fe-Ni compositional ratio.