Published by De Gruyter

Volume 63 Issue 7-8

Issue of Zeitschrift für Naturforschung A

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Open Access June 2, 2014

New Applications of the Homotopy Analysis Method

Elsayed Abd Elaty Elwakil, Mohamed Aly Abdou

Page range: 385-392

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Abstract

An analytical technique, namely the homotopy analysis method (HAM), is applied using a computerized symbolic computation to find the approximate and exact solutions of nonlinear evolution equations arising in mathematical physics. The HAM is a strong and easy to use analytic tool for nonlinear problems and does not need small parameters in the equations. The validity and reliability of the method is tested by application on three nonlinear problems, namely theWhitham-Broer-Kaup equations, coupled Korteweg-de Vries equation and coupled Burger’s equations. Comparisons are made between the results of the HAM with the exact solutions. The method is straightforward and concise, and it can also be applied to other nonlinear evolution equations in physics.

Open Access June 2, 2014

Large Amplitude Solitary Waves in a Four-Component Dusty Plasma with Nonthermal Ions

Prasanta Chatterjee, Kaushik Roy

Page range: 393-399

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Abstract

Dust acoustic solitary waves are studied in a four-component dusty plasma. Positively and negatively charged mobile dust and Boltzmann-distributed electrons are considered. The ion distribution is taken as nonthermal. The existence of a soliton solution is determined by the pseudo-potential approach. It is shown that in small amplitude approximation our result obtained from the Sagdeev potential technique reproduce the result obtained by Sayed and Mamun [Phys. Plasmas 14, 014501 (2007)] provided one cosiders the nonthermal distribution for ions.

Open Access June 2, 2014

Effects of Ions on the Propagation of Langmuir Oscillations in Cold Quantum Electron-Ion Plasmas

Hyun-Jae Rhee, Young-Dae Jung

Page range: 400-404

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Abstract

The effects of ions on the propagation of Langmuir oscillations are investigated in cold quantum electron-ion plasmas. It is shown that the higher and lower frequency modes of the Langmuir oscillations would propagate in cold quantum plasmas according to the effects of ions. It is also shown that these two propagation modes merge into one single propagation mode if the contribution of ions is neglected. It is found that the quantum effect enhances the phase and group velocities of the higher frequency mode of the propagation. In addition, it is shown that the phase velocity of the lower frequency mode is saturated with increasing the quantum wavelength and further that the group velocity of the lower frequency mode has a maximum position in the domains of the wave number and quantum wavelength.

Open Access June 2, 2014

Homotrinuclear Spin Cluster with Orbital Degeneracy in a Magnetic Field: Algebraic Dynamic Studies of the Geometric Phase January 25, 2008

Ji-Wen Cheng, Qin-Sheng Zhu, Xiao-Yu Kuang, Shi-Xun Zhang, Cai-Xia Zhang

Page range: 405-411

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Abstract

Based on the homotrinuclear spin cluster having SU(2)⊗SU(2) symmetry with twofold orbital degeneracy τ = 1/2) and the SU(2) algebraic structures of both ŝ and τˆ subspaces in the external magnetic field, we calculate exactly the non-adiabatic energy levels and the cyclic and non-cyclic non-adiabatic geometric phase of the homotrinuclear spin cluster by making use of the method of algebraic dynamics. The solution will show that the Berry phase is much influenced by the parameters N =γ s /γ τ (γ s and γ τ are the magnetic momentums of ŝ and τ̂ subspaces, respectively) in addition to ω/Ω in a rotating magnetic field. The change of the Berry phase in the basis state of the system is demonstrated from the changing diagram.

Open Access June 2, 2014

Nitrogen Glow Discharge by a DC Virtual Cathode

Azza M. Shager, Amany T. Sroor, Hoda A. El Tayeb, Hoda A. El Gamal, Mohamed M. Masoud

Page range: 412-418

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Abstract

A DC glow discharge operating with a virtual cathode is studied. The system consists of a solid disc cathode and mesh anode. The discharge occurs in nitrogen gas at the left-hand side of Paschen’s curve. The plasma electron density in the axial direction has been found to be 0.2 · 10 8 cm −3 at 2 cm from the mesh. The electron temperature peak value has been found to be 3.5 eV at 6 cm from the mesh. The radial distribution of the plasma electron density and temperature are discussed. The variation of the plasma parameters are in good agreement with the experimental results.

Open Access June 2, 2014

Plasma Acceleration and Heating Using Hybrid Magnetic Fields

Alexandre Pozwolski

Page range: 419-422

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Abstract

The repulsive force between two wires with large currents flowing in opposite directions through the wires can be used to propel a light circular conductor located above a massive ring. Then the axial velocity can reach 500 km/s and an auxiliary constant magnetic field controls the radial velocity. This allows to get a high concentration of energy at any distance from the laboratory equipment. A further application could be the investigation of the equation of state of matter at high densities and the triggering of fusion reactions.

Open Access June 2, 2014

Requirements for Thermochemical Data in the Lighting Community

R. Hugh Davies, Alan T. Dinsdale, Torsten Markus, Stuart A. Mucklejohn, Georges Zissis

Page range: 423-434

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Abstract

The need for thermochemical data in the lighting industry is reviewed; these data are required not only in the research and development phase but also throughout the product life cycle. This review has lead to: a summary of commercially available integrated thermochemical databanks; a bibliography of thermodynamic databases available in electronic format; a list of collections of thermodynamic data that are highly valuable but not available in electronic format; a bibliography for chemical systems of specific interest to research into high intensity discharge lamps. The bibliographies will be of interest to those involved in molten salts and ionic liquids research as well as to those seeking information on alloys, oxide systems and nuclear materials. A review of the current state of ab initio calculations for the determination of thermochemical parameters is also included.

Open Access June 2, 2014

Experimental Evidence of an Ambient Ferroelectric Phase and a Low Frequency-Induced Transition in an Achiral Mesogen

Mathukumallli Lakshmi Narayana Madhu Mohan, Balasubramanian Arunachalam

Page range: 435-439

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Abstract

A series of achiral liquid crystals with an azo base have been successfully isolated. Thermal and electrical characteristics of these compounds are studied. One of the mesogens exhibits liquid crystallinity at ambient temperature which is observed to be ferroelectric and can be switched. For the first time in the class of achiral liquid crystals, one of the compounds of the isolated series exhibits a low frequency-induced transition (LFiT) from ferroelectric to antiferroelectric ordering. Furthermore this transition can be controlled by proper attenuation of an applied frequency to the mesogen. The threshold frequency and its implication on the LFiT along with the thermal and electrical characterizations of the mesogens are discussed.

Open Access June 2, 2014

Effect of Annealing Temperatures and Pre-Heating on the Characteristics of a Nanocrystalline Zno Thin Film Prepared by the Sol-Gel Dip-Coating Method

Mohammad Hossein Habibi, Mohammad Khaledi Sardashti

Page range: 440-444

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Abstract

For effectively fabricating nanocrystalline ZnO thin films by the sol-gel method, the relationships between the temperature of the heat treatment and the quality of the ZnO thin films was observed. The decomposition of the sol was analyzed by TG-DTA. The orientation of the c-axis of the ZnO thin film was identified by XRD. The morphology was observed and estimated by SEM. The experimental results did show that the orientation of the c-axis is determined by the pre-heating and annealing temperatures, and that the grain size and roughness of the ZnO thin films are mainly influenced by the annealing temperature. A qualified ZnO thin film was prepared by using a sol-gel with a preheating temperature of 275 °C for 10 min and an annealing temperature of 550 °C for 60 min.

Open Access June 2, 2014

The Effect of Boronizing on the Radiation Shielding Properties of Steel

Iskender Akkurt, Adnan Calik, Hakan Akyıldırım, Betul Mavi

Page range: 445-447

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Abstract

The radiation shielding properties of steel and its variation with the boronizing process have been investigated. For this purposes the linear attenuation coefficients of steel have been measured before and after boronizing the steel at the photon energy of 662 and 1250 keV. The measured results before boronizing were compared with the theoretical calculation. It was clearly seen that boronizing improved the radiation shielding properties of steel.

Open Access June 2, 2014

Specimen Geometry Effect on the Mechanical Properties of AISI 1040 Steel

Adnan Calik, Osman Sahin, Nazim Ucar

Page range: 448-452

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Abstract

The specimen geometry effect on some mechanical properties, such as tensile behaviour and hardness, of borided and unborided AISI 1040 steels was investigated. Boronizing of steels was performed by the powder pack method at 1210 K for 4 h. The specimen geometry and the boride layer thickness and hardness is similar for all tested boronized steels and independent of varying the shape of cross-sections. On the other hand, the ultimate tensile stress and elongation depend on the specimen geometry due to stress concentration at the corners of the specimen.

Open Access June 2, 2014

Design and Construction of Equipment to Make Adsorption at Pilot Plant Scale of Heavy Metals

Juan C. Moreno-Piraján, David Rangel, Bibiana Amaya, Edgar M. Vargas, Liliana Giraldo

Page range: 453-461

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Abstract

The purpose of this paper was to illustrate the procedure to obtain activated carbon from lignocellulosic residues through chemical and physical paths. A general surface characterization was made and aqueous solution isotherms were obtained in order to evaluate the behaviour of each carbon atom in solutions contaminated with selective ions. The other purpose was to show a simple way to perform a scale-up process of an absorber from the laboratory level to an industrial level, using the breaking curves in fixed beds developed through the continuous pursuit of the Pb(II) and Cr(VI) ions concentration in the effluent of the bed. Activated carbon was used to study the adsorption of Pb(II) and Cr(VI). Isotherms of aqueous adsorption were determined. This model was developed in order to examine its efficiency and to compare it with an experimental model made in the laboratory, which rendered very similar results. The main characteristic of the feasibility of the application of this design is the fact that neither tedious calculations nor mass transfer coefficients are required in order to construct the above-mentioned curves. The model was developed by applying concepts such as mass transfer zone (MTZ) and length of unused bed (LUB), which are the dynamical basis understanding for the adsorption process in fixed beds. As a complementary item of the experiment, within a pilot plant scale, a filter was developed in order to achieve flexibility when manipulating the most important adsorption parameters and to enable the control of the variables involved in the process that change the operating conditions.

Open Access June 2, 2014

A Physical Model of Molten Salt Data

Alexander Redkin, Yurii Zaikov, Olga Tkatcheva, Anatoly Shuryghin

Page range: 462-466

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Abstract

Molten alkali halides can be regarded as model ionic systems. Physical properties of molten alkali halides and their mixtures depending on molar volume and temperature are considered. The properties under examination are divided into two groups: cation-dependent and anion-dependent ones. The character of property changes with temperature and molar volume is different for these groups.

Open Access June 2, 2014

Electrolytic Generation of Nano-Scale Carbon Phases with Framework Structures in Molten Salts on Metal Cathodes

Inessa A. Novoselova, Nikolai F. Oliinyk, Anastasiya B. Voronina, Sergei V. Volkov

Page range: 467-474

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Abstract

An electrochemical study of mechanisms of electrodeposition of carbon solid phases from halide melts (Na,K|Cl; Na,K,Cs|Cl), saturated with carbon dioxide under an excessive pressure of up to 1.5 MPa, has been carried out in the temperature range 550 - 850 °C by cyclic voltammetry. It has been found that the cathode process occurs in three steps at sweep rates of less than 0.1 Vs −1 , and its electrochemical-chemical-electrochemical (ECE) mechanism is suggested. It has furthermore been found that cathodic deposits contain nano-sized carbon particles of different forms and structure: blocks of amorphous carbon, crystalline graphite, carbon nanotubes (CNT), and nanofibres. The outer diameter of the tubes is 5 - 250 nm, and the internal diameter is 2 - 140 nm. A correlation between the product structure and yield against electrolysis conditions and regimes has been established.

Open Access June 2, 2014

The Effect of Anionic, Cationic and Nonionic Surfactants on the Uncatalyzed Bromate Oscillator

Ol’ga Grančičová, Anna Olexová, Tomáš Zacher

Page range: 475-481

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Abstract

The response of an uncatalyzed bromate oscillator with phenol as substrate to the increasing concentrations of cationic (CTAN), anionic (SDS) and nonionic surfactants (Brij-30 and Triton X-100) was monitored at (25±0.1) °C under stirred batch conditions. Addition of the surfactants influenced the oscillatory parameters: a slight increase of the induction period of the first series of oscillations, a significant increase of the induction period of the second series of oscillations and a gradual decrease of the oscillation numbers of both series until complete disappearance at a certain surfactant concentration. The changes in the oscillatory parameters have been ascribed to solubilization of phenol and of bromination products in the micelles, to inhibition of bromination of the aromatic substrate due to bromine solubilization, and to the catalytic effect of the charged micelle surface.

Open Access June 2, 2014

Correlation Analysis of Reactivity in the Photo- and Electro-Reduction of Cobalt(III) Complexes in Binary Organic Solvent/Water Mixtures

Kumarasamy Sivaraj, Kuppanagounder P. Elango

Page range: 482-492

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Abstract

The photo- and electro-reduction of a series of cobalt(III) complexes of the type cis-β - [Co(trien)(RC 6 H 4 NH 2 )Cl]Cl 2 with R = H, p-OMe, p-OEt, p-Me, p-Et, p-F, and m-Me has been studied in binary propan-2-ol/water mixtures. The redox potential (E 1/2 ) and photo-reduction quantum yield (Φ Co(II) ) data were correlated with solvent and structural parameters with the aim to shed some light on the mechanism of these reactions. The correlation of E 1/2 and Φ Co(II) with macroscopic solvent parameters, viz. relative permittivity, indicated that the reactivity is influenced by both specific and non-specific solute-solvent interactions. The Kamlet-Taft solvatochromic comparison method was used to separate and quantify these effects: An increase in the percentage of organic cosolvent in the medium enhances both reduction processes, and there exists a good linear correlation between E 1/2 and Φ Co(II) , suggesting a similar solvation of the participants in these redox processes.

Open Access June 2, 2014

Solvent Hydrogen Bonding and Structural Effects on Nucleophilic Substitution Reactions: Part 5 – Reaction of 2-Bromo-5-nitropyridine with para-Substituted Anilines in Acetonitrile/Dimethylformamide Mixtures

Durvas S. Bhuvaneshwari, Kuppanagounder P. Elango

Page range: 493-504

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Abstract

Substitution reactions of some para-substituted anilines with 2-bromo-5-nitropyridine are carried out conductometrically in binary acetonitrile/dimethylformamide mixtures. The second-order rate constants correlate well with Hammett’s substituent constants yielding a negative value of ρ. The multiparameter correlation with Kamlet-Taft’s solvatochromic parameters is excellent (100R 2 ~ 98%), and the computed percentage contributions of these parameters (Pα = 58%, Pβ = 4%, Pπ∗ = 38%) suggest that both specific and non-specific solute-solvent-solvent interactions influence the reactivity. The solvation model proposed is well supported by the solvatochromism exhibited by the anilines in the solvent mixture under investigation. The molar extinction coefficient (ε max ) of aniline varies appreciably up to ~ 25% with a change in the mole fraction of the mixture. The multivariate correlation analysis of ε max (with α, β , π∗) suggests that the solvation around the NH2 moiety of aniline through the solvent’s hydrogen-bond donor (HBD) property is found to be dominant in the solvation process and consequently in altering the rate. The dominance of the solvent’s HBD property in solvation is further confirmed by the cyclic voltammetric oxidation of aniline in the solvent mixture.

Open Access June 2, 2014

Solvatochromic Study on Binary Solvent Mixtures with Ionic Liquids

Mihkel Koel

Page range: 505-512

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Abstract

Solvent effects on 2,6-dichloro-4-(2,4,6-triphenyl-pyridinium-1-yl)phenolate [E T (33) dye] and 7- diethylamino-3,4-benzophenoxazine-2-one (Nile Red) in binary mixtures of organic solvents (acetone, acetonitrile, propylene carbonate, methanol and ethane-1,2-diol) with 1,3-dialkyl imidazoliumbased ionic liquids were studied by UV-visible spectroscopy. Highly nonlinear behaviour of mixtures of alcohols and ionic liquids was found. A preferential solvation model was applied to the data obtained on solvatochromic shifts over the entire mixing range. It is fitting the data well for alcohol mixtures and for other solvent mixtures with different ionic liquids.

Open Access June 2, 2014

Relation between the Mass-Centric Coordinates in Multicomponent Salt Systems

Vasily Lutsyk, Vera Vorob’eva

Page range: 513-518

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Abstract

An algorithm which allows to define relations between concentration coordinates of subsystems formed in the initial system consisting of simple elements is proposed. The same algorithm gives a possibility to determine the conditions under which the point belongs to the given concentration simplex or complex.

Open Access June 2, 2014

Study on Intermediate Valence Fluctuation in Samarium Telluride (SmTe)

Shanmuga Sundaram Ariponnammal, Somasundarapandian Kameswaran Rathika

Page range: 519-522

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Abstract

Intermediate valence fluctuation of samarium telluride (SmTe) is analyzed by charge transfer calculation using experimental and theoretical X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) data. The direction and amount of charge transfer are determined by plotting and comparing the structure factor components. The charge transfer thus obtained for SmTe is 0.11 electrons from Sm to Te.

Open Access June 2, 2014

Investigations of the Spin Hamiltonian Parameters and the Local Structures of the Substitutional V⁴⁺ Centres in Rutile-Type MO₂ (M = Sn, Ti, Ge)

Shao-Yi Wu, Li-Hua Wei, Zhi-Hong Zhang, Xue-Feng Wang, Ji-Zi Lin

Page range: 523-528

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Abstract

The spin Hamiltonian parameters and the local structures of the substitutional V4 + centres in rutiletype MO 2 (M = Sn, Ti and Ge) are theoretically investigated from the perturbation formulas of these parameters for a 3d 1 ion in a rhombically compressed octahedron. The oxygen octahedra around V4 + are found to transform from the original elongation on the host M 4+ site to compression in the impurity centres due to the Jahn-Teller effect. The calculated spin Hamiltonian parameters based on the above local structures show good agreement with the experimental data.

About this journal

Objective
A Journal of Physical Sciences: Zeitschrift für Naturforschung A (ZNA) is an international scientific journal which publishes original research papers from all areas of experimental and theoretical physics. Authors are encouraged to pay particular attention to a clear exposition of their respective subject, addressing a wide readership. In accordance with the name of our journal, which means “Journal for Natural Sciences”, manuscripts submitted to ZNA should have a tangible connection to actual physical phenomena. In particular, we welcome experiment-oriented contributions.

Manuscripts considered for publication in A Journal of Physical Sciences: Zeitschrift für Naturforschung A undergo high-level refereeing. Mere formal correctness of a paper is not sufficient for its acceptance. Moreover, articles reporting a merely marginal extension of already existing knowledge are considered unsatisfactory. Instead, the key quality a publication in A Journal of Physical Sciences: Zeitschrift für Naturforschung A should possess is that it makes a genuine contribution to the advancement of its topic.

Topics

Atomic, Molecular & Optical Physics
Chemical Physics
Dynamical Systems & Nonlinear Phenomena
Fundamental Concepts of Physical Sciences
Gravitation & Cosmology
Hydrodynamics & Plasma Physics
Nuclear Physics & Particle Physics
Quantum Field Theory
Solid State Physics & Materials Science
Thermodynamics & Statistical Physics
Article formats
Original research articles, research notes, letters and review articles from all areas of theoretical and experimental physics

Information on submission process

Volume 63 Issue 7-8

Issue of Zeitschrift für Naturforschung A

New Applications of the Homotopy Analysis Method

Abstract

Large Amplitude Solitary Waves in a Four-Component Dusty Plasma with Nonthermal Ions

Abstract

Effects of Ions on the Propagation of Langmuir Oscillations in Cold Quantum Electron-Ion Plasmas

Abstract

Homotrinuclear Spin Cluster with Orbital Degeneracy in a Magnetic Field: Algebraic Dynamic Studies of the Geometric Phase January 25, 2008

Abstract

Nitrogen Glow Discharge by a DC Virtual Cathode

Abstract

Plasma Acceleration and Heating Using Hybrid Magnetic Fields

Abstract

Requirements for Thermochemical Data in the Lighting Community

Abstract

Experimental Evidence of an Ambient Ferroelectric Phase and a Low Frequency-Induced Transition in an Achiral Mesogen

Abstract

Effect of Annealing Temperatures and Pre-Heating on the Characteristics of a Nanocrystalline Zno Thin Film Prepared by the Sol-Gel Dip-Coating Method

Abstract

The Effect of Boronizing on the Radiation Shielding Properties of Steel

Abstract

Specimen Geometry Effect on the Mechanical Properties of AISI 1040 Steel

Abstract

Design and Construction of Equipment to Make Adsorption at Pilot Plant Scale of Heavy Metals

Abstract

A Physical Model of Molten Salt Data

Abstract

Electrolytic Generation of Nano-Scale Carbon Phases with Framework Structures in Molten Salts on Metal Cathodes

Abstract

The Effect of Anionic, Cationic and Nonionic Surfactants on the Uncatalyzed Bromate Oscillator

Abstract

Correlation Analysis of Reactivity in the Photo- and Electro-Reduction of Cobalt(III) Complexes in Binary Organic Solvent/Water Mixtures

Abstract

Solvent Hydrogen Bonding and Structural Effects on Nucleophilic Substitution Reactions: Part 5 – Reaction of 2-Bromo-5-nitropyridine with para-Substituted Anilines in Acetonitrile/Dimethylformamide Mixtures

Abstract

Solvatochromic Study on Binary Solvent Mixtures with Ionic Liquids

Abstract

Relation between the Mass-Centric Coordinates in Multicomponent Salt Systems

Abstract

Study on Intermediate Valence Fluctuation in Samarium Telluride (SmTe)

Abstract

Investigations of the Spin Hamiltonian Parameters and the Local Structures of the Substitutional V4+ Centres in Rutile-Type MO2 (M = Sn, Ti, Ge)

Abstract

Investigations of the Spin Hamiltonian Parameters and the Local Structures of the Substitutional V⁴⁺ Centres in Rutile-Type MO₂ (M = Sn, Ti, Ge)