It’s not the size, it’s the relationship: from ‘small states’ to asymmetry

Debate about the definition of “small state” has produced more fragmentation than consensus, even as the literature has demonstrated its subjects’ roles in joining international organizations propagating norms, executing creative diplomacy, influencing allies, avoiding and joining conflicts, and building peace. However, work on small states has struggled to identify commonalities in these states’ international relations, to cumulate knowledge, or to impact broader IR theory. This paper advocates a changed conceptual and definitional framework. Analysis of “small states” should pivot to examine the dynamics of the asymmetrical relationships in which these states are engaged. Instead of seeking an overall metric for size as the relevant variable—falling victim in a different way Dahl’s “lump-of-power fallacy,” we can recognize the multifaceted, variegated nature of power, whether in war or peacetime

Synthesis, crystal structure and spin-density-wave anomaly of the iron arsenide-fluoride SrFeAsF

The new quaternary iron arsenide-fluoride SrFeAsF with the tetragonal ZrCuSiAs-type structure was synthesized and the crystal structure was determined by X-ray powder diffraction (P4/nmm, a = 399.30(1), c = 895.46(1) pm). SrFeAsF undergoes a structural and magnetic phase transition at 175 K, accompanied by strong anomalies in the specific heat, electrical resistance and magnetic susceptibility. In the course of this transition, the space group symmetry changes from tetragonal (P4/nmm) to orthorhombic (Cmme). 57Fe Moessbauer spectroscopy experiments show a single signal at room temperature at an isomer shift of 0.30(1) mm/s and magnetic hyperfine-field splitting below the phase transition temperature. Our results clearly show that SrFeAsF exhibits a spin density wave (SDW) anomaly at 175 K very similar to LaFeAsO, the parent compound of the iron arsenide-oxide superconductors and thus SrFeAsF may serve as a further parent compound for oxygen-free iron arsenide superconductors.Comment: 5 pages, 7 figure

Nanocrystalline Oxides and Sulphides prepared by Hydrothermal Processing and Mechanical Milling

The synthesis of nanocrystalline oxyhydroxides by hydrothermal processing and of sulphides by mechanical milling is described. The morphology and magnetic properties of the materials is discussed

Iron-57 Mossbauer spectroscopic studies of the high temperature properties of metal-doped iron oxides

Fe-57 Mossbauer spectra recorded in situ in vacuo from chromium- and gallium-doped Fe3O4 at elevated temperatures show the dopant ions to depress the Curie temperature of Fe3O4 by ca. 70 K. Spectra recorded from aluminium-doped. gamma-Fe2O3 show the onset of conversion to aluminium-doped alpha-Fe2O3 to begin at ca. 750 K, which is ca. 100 K above the conversion temperature for undoped. gamma-Fe2O3. The variation in magnetic hyperfine fields at temperatures exceeding ca. 750 K is similar to that recorded from alpha-Fe2O3 when doped with zinc or magnesium. At temperatures exceeding 900 K the zinc doped alpha-Fe2O3 partially converts to spinel-related ZnFe2O4