Optical background measurement in a potential site for the NEMO KM undersea neutrino telescope

We describe the measurement of the deep sea optical background in some sites south of Capo Passero, Sicily. A continuous flux of about 440 photons cm ^-2 s ^-1 in the wavelength interval 440-550 nm is estimated due to the decays of the ⁴⁰K contained in the sea water. Bioluminescence light bursts are also observed and an example of time evolution is reported. All the measurements were accomplished using a deep sea module also described in this article. Received: 20 April 2002 / Published online: 26 July 2002     

Normalization and Fermi–Coulomb and Coulomb hole sum rules for approximate wave functions

For approximate wave functions, we prove the theorem that there is a one‐to‐one correspondence between the constraints of normalization and of the Fermi–Coulomb and Coulomb hole charge sum rules at each electron position. This correspondence is surprising in light of the fact that normalization depends on the probability of finding an electron at some position. In contrast, the Fermi–Coulomb hole sum rule depends on the probability of two electrons staying apart because of correlations due to the Pauli exclusion principle and Coulomb repulsion, while the Coulomb hole sum rule depends on Coulomb repulsion. We demonstrate the theorem for the ground state of the He atom by the use of two different approximate wave functions that are functionals rather than functions. The first of these wave function functionals is constructed to satisfy the constraint of normalization, and the second that of the Coulomb hole sum rule for each electron position. Each is then shown to satisfy the other corresponding sum rule. The significance of the theorem for the construction of approximate “exchange‐correlation” and “correlation” energy functionals of density functional theory is also discussed. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2007     

Signatures of the fast dynamics in glassy polystyrene: first evidence by high-field electron paramagnetic resonance of molecular guests

The reorientation of one small paramagnetic molecule (spin probe) in glassy polystyrene (PS) is studied by high-field electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy at two different Larmor frequencies (190 and 285 GHz). Two different regimes separated by a crossover region are evidenced. Below 180 K the rotational times are nearly temperature independent with no apparent distribution. In the temperature range of 180-220 K a large increase of the rotational mobility is observed with the widening of the distribution of correlation times which exhibits two components: (i) a deltalike, temperature-independent component representing the fraction of spin probes w which persist in the low-temperature dynamics; (ii) a strongly temperature-dependent component, to be described by a power distribution, representing the fraction of spin probes 1-w undergoing activated motion over an exponential distribution of barrier heights g(E). Above 180 K a steep decrease of w is evidenced. The shape and the width of g(E) do not differ from the reported ones for PS within the errors. For the first time the large increase of the rotational mobility of the spin probe at 180 K is ascribed to the onset of the fast dynamics detected by neutron scattering at T(f)=175+/-25 K.     

Acyl- und Alkylidenphosphane. XXII [1]. Synthese und Struktur des 1, 3-Dimethyl-2,2,4,4-tetrakis-(trimethylsilylsulfano)-1,3-diphosphetans

Acyl- and Alkylidenephosphines. XXII. Synthesis and Structure of 1, 3-Dimethyl-2,2,4,4-tetrakis(trimethylsilylsulfano)-1,3-diphosphetane At ?30°C methylbis(trimethylsilyl)phosphine reacts with carbon disulfide to give a red adduct first which rearranges to [bis(trimethylsilylsulfano)methylidene]methylphosphine 1a . In contrast to the thermally stable phenyl derivative 1b [2], this compound with its insufficiently shielded P?C group dimerizes fast with increasing temperature. 1,3-Dimethyl-2,2,4,4-tetrakis(trimethylsilylsulfano)-1,3-diphosphetane 2a formed by this reaction, crystallizes in the triclinic space group P1 with following dimensions of the unit cell, determined at a temperature of measurement of ?80 ± 3°C: a = 1024.7(3); b = 1360.2(5); c = 1326.3(6)pm; α = 117.85(4); ß = 111.05(3); γ = 72.09(3)°; Z = 2. Due to ring folding at the P1? P2 axis of 149.1°, the molecule shows pseudosymmetry C_s. Characteristic averaged bond lengths and angles obtained at an R_w-value of 0.030, are: P? C(endocyclic) 188 and 191; P? CH₃ 184; C? S 183; S? Si 216 pm; C? P? CH₃ 105; P? C? S 113; S? C? S 114; C? S? Si 108; P? C? P 90 and C? P? C 86°.     

Convenient procedure of Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons olefination for the synthesis of simple and functionalized α,β-unsaturated nitriles

A mild and practical procedure of Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons olefination promoted by lithium hydroxide and α-cyano phosphonates has been set up for the synthesis of α,β-unsaturated nitriles. The reaction conditions are tolerated by functionalized ketones and the exclusive formation of E-γ-hydroxy α,β-unsaturated nitriles has been observed.