Role of different Skyrme forces and surface corrections in exotic cluster decay

We present cluster-decay studies of ⁵⁶Ni^* formed in heavy-ion collisions using different Skyrme forces. Our study reveals that different Skyrme forces do not alter the transfer structure of fractional yields significantly. The cluster decay half-lives of different clusters lie within ±10% for preformed cluster models (PCM) and ±15% for unified fission models (UFM).     

Structural and optical tunability of metallodielectric composites with gradual shell growth

Metallodielectric (gold@silica) composites were prepared by seed and grow method. The dielectric microspheres (core material) of an average size of 400 nm were synthesized by sol–gel method and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were prepared by reducing the chloroauric solution. Shell growth around silica (SiO₂) microspheres was carried out in a multistep layer-by-layer process. The synthesized composites were characterized using techniques such as field emission-scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and UV–Visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy. FE-SEM and FTIR analyses have confirmed the functionalization of SiO₂ surfaces with the amine terminal group along with the gold shell growth. XRD analysis has given an average crystallite size of 12.3 nm for metallodielectric composites. Absorption spectra have demonstrated the dependence of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) peak on the successive shell growth by exhibiting a red shift.     

MODELING AND ANALYSIS OF THE ACID RAIN FORMATION DUE TO PRECIPITATION AND ITS EFFECT ON PLANT SPECIES

Abstract In this paper, a nonlinear mathematical model is proposed and analyzed to study the formation of acid rain in the atmosphere because of precipitation and its effect on plant species. It is considered that acid‐forming gases such as SO₂ , NO₂ emitted from various sources combine with water droplets (moisture) during precipitation and form acid rain affecting plant species. It is assumed that the biomass density of plant species follows a logistic model and its growth rate decreases with increase in the concentration of acid rain. The model is analyzed by using stability theory of differential equations and numerical simulation. The model analysis shows that as the concentration of acid rain increases because of increase in the cumulative emission rates of acid forming gases, the biomass density of plant species decreases. It is noted that if the amount of acid formed becomes very large, the plant species may become extinct.     

On the enigmatic Λ – A true constant of spacetime

Had Einstein followed the Bianchi differential identity for the derivation of his equation of motion for gravitation, Λ would have emerged as a true new constant of spacetime on the same footing as the velocity of light? It is then conceivable that he could have perhaps made the most profound prediction that the Universe may suffer accelerated expansion some time in the future! Further we argue that its identification with the quantum vacuum energy is not valid as it should have to be accounted for like the gravitational field energy by enlarging the basic framework of spacetime and not through a stress tensor. The acceleration of the expansion of the Universe may indeed be measuring its value for the first time observationally.