Two-dimensional electron system in high magnetic fields: Wigner crystal vs. composite-fermion liquid

The two dimensional system of electrons in a high magnetic field offers an opportunity to investigate a phase transition from a quantum liquid into a Wigner solid. Recent experiments have revealed an incipient composite fermion liquid in a parameter range where theory and many experiments had previously suggested the Wigner crystal phase, thus calling into question our current understanding. This Letter shows how very small quantitative corrections (< 1%) in the energy due to the weak interaction between composite fermions can cause a fundamental change in the nature of the ground state, thus providing insight into the puzzling experimental results.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figure

Eigenvalue spectrum for single particle in a spheroidal cavity: A Semiclassical approach

Following the semiclassical formalism of Strutinsky et al., we have obtained the complete eigenvalue spectrum for a particle enclosed in an infinitely high spheroidal cavity. Our spheroidal trace formula also reproduces the results of a spherical billiard in the limit $\eta\to1.0$. Inclusion of repetition of each family of the orbits with reference to the largest one significantly improves the eigenvalues of sphere and an exact comparison with the quantum mechanical results is observed upto the second decimal place for $kR_{0}\geq{7}$. The contributions of the equatorial, the planar (in the axis of symmetry plane) and the non-planar(3-Dimensional) orbits are obtained from the same trace formula by using the appropriate conditions. The resulting eigenvalues compare very well with the quantum mechanical eigenvalues at normal deformation. It is interesting that the partial sum of equatorial orbits leads to eigenvalues with maximum angular momentum projection, while the summing of planar orbits leads to eigenvalues with $L_z=0$ except for L=1. The remaining quantum mechanical eigenvalues are observed to arise from the 3-dimensional(3D) orbits. Very few spurious eigenvalues arise in these partial sums. This result establishes the important role of 3D orbits even at normal deformations.Comment: 17 pages, 7 ps figure

Ethnobotanical Survey of Sariska and Siliserh Regions from Alwar District of Rajasthan, India

The aim of present survey is to identify and document the plants used amongst the indigenes of Sariska and Siliserh regions of Alwar district from Rajasthan, India. A total of 110 species of plants representing 88 genera and 43 families employed in the literature as traditional medical practice have been recorded from the studied regions. Ailments such as fever, diorrhoea, dysentery, skin-problems, jaundice, rheumatism etc. are mostly treated with the different medicinal plants. Due to overgrazing, encroachments, unsustainable utilization and other developmental activities in the regions, several persistent medicinal plant species are on the verge of extinction. Due to lack of awareness and research on these groups of plant in this area, people of this region are unaware of the wealth of this heritage. The survey provides a veritable source of information for traditional medical practitioners and medicinal plant researchers and help in developing strategies for future conservation

A Simple Method for Computing the Non-Linear Mass Correlation Function with Implications for Stable Clustering

We propose a simple and accurate method for computing analytically the mass correlation function for cold dark matter and scale-free models that fits N-body simulations over a range that extends from the linear to the strongly non-linear regime. The method, based on the dynamical evolution of the pair conservation equation, relies on a universal relation between the pair-wise velocity and the smoothed correlation function valid for high and low density models, as derived empirically from N-body simulations. An intriguing alternative relation, based on the stable-clustering hypothesis, predicts a power-law behavior of the mass correlation function that disagrees with N-body simulations but conforms well to the observed galaxy correlation function if negligible bias is assumed. The method is a useful tool for rapidly exploring a wide span of models and, at the same time, raises new questions about large scale structure formation.Comment: 10 pages, 3 figure

Spontaneously Igniting Hybrid Fuel-Oxidiser Systems

After briefly outlining the recent developments in hybrid rockets, the work carried out by the author on self-igniting (hypergolic) solid fuel-liquid oxidiser systems has been reviewed. A major aspect relates to the solid derivatives of hydrazines, which have been conceived as fuels for hybrid rockets. Many of these N-N bonded compounds ignite readily, with very short ignition delays, on coming into contact with liquid oxidisers, like HNO/sub 3/ and N/sub 2/ O/sub 4/. The ignition characteristics have been examined as a function of the nature of the functional group in the fuel molecule, in an attempt to establish a basis for the hypergolic ignition in terms of chemical reactivity of the fuel-oxidiser combination. Important chemical reactions occurring in the pre-ignition stage have been identified by examining the quenched reaction products. Hybrid systems exhibiting synergistic hypergolicity in the presence of metal powders have investigated. An estimation of the rocket performance parameters, experimental determination of the heats of combustion in HNO/sub 3/, thermal decomposition characteristics, temperature profile by thin film thermometry and product identification by the rapid scan FT-IR, are among the other relevant studies made on these systems. A significant recent development has been the synthesis of new N-N bonded viscous binders, capable of rataining the hypergolicity of the fuel powders embedded therein as well as providing the required mechanical strength to the grain. Several of these resins have been characterised. Metallised fuel composites of these resins having high loading of magnesium are found to have short ignition delays and high performance parameters