Thesis (M.S.)--Rutgers University, 2009. / "Graduate Program in Physics and Astronomy." Includes bibliographical references (p. 83-87).

Since the discovery of superconductivity in Sr2RuO4, there has been intense research interest and efforts on its unconventional pairing symmetry. Although its normal state can be qualitatively described as a quasi-two-dimensional Fermi liquid, surprisingly, Sr2RuO4 turns out to be the prime candidate of the chiral p + ip superconductor, analogous to 3He-A. Such a state is of great interest surrounding, since under a certain conditions it hosts such exotic objects as half-quantum vortices and Majorana bound states, one possible route to an enigmatic quantum computer. Nevertheless, although it is well established now that this superconducting state has odd-parity, and most likely breaks time-reversal symmetry, the negative result on the search of edge current is one of the critical challenges to its chiral p-wave order. These serious discrepancies have even triggered a debate on the primary source of its superconductivity. Motivated by this debate, in this thesis we propose two independent methods to resolve this controversy via “smoking-gun" experiments. First, the vortex structure within the single-band and two-band models is studied within a mean-field theory. The pattern of the local density-of-state at zero bias shows significant anisotropy in the two-band model, while it is nearly isotropic in the single-band case. Also, the spin lattice relaxation rate at the vortex site is greatly enhanced in the single-band case but not in the two-band scenario. These important distinctions stem from the topology of different Fermi surfaces, and can be tested by using standard probes such as scanning tunneling microscope and nuclear magnetic resonance. In the second proposal, we focus on the two-band scenario, and apply a renormalization group theory to explain the form of spin density wave fluctuations. This theory not only reconciles the absence of long range spin density wave order with strongly enhanced fluctuations, but also unveils the mutual exclusion of these fluctuations and p-wave superconducting pairing. Such an exclusion is reflected in the suppression of the spin-spin correlation function at low energies, which can be measured in the inelastic neutron scattering experiment. This suppression, if not observed experimentally, would be a critical challenge to the two-band model, and an indirect but strong support to the assignment of the single γ-band as the primary source of the unconventional pairing. / published_or_final_version / Physics / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

Three gas phase alkaline earth molecules were analyzed using dye laser spectroscopy. The A¹Σ⁺ - X¹Σ⁺ transition of gas phase SrS was studied with high resolution techniques. The 0-0, 0-1, 1-1, 2-1, 3-0, 3-2, 4-1, 5-1, and 5-2 bands were rotationally analyzed and spectroscopic constants were determined. The A¹Σ⁺ state was extensively perturbed. Ground state (X¹Σ⁺) constants derived from the analysis of the nine vibrational levels include: ωₑ = 388.2643 cm⁻¹, Bₑ = 0.1208034(33) cm⁻¹, and rₑ = 2.439687(14) Å. Excited state (A¹Σ⁺) constants determined include: Tₑ = 13932.7068(10) cm⁻¹, ωₑ = 339.1454(20) cm⁻¹, Bₑ = 0.1139895(38) cm⁻¹, and rₑ = 2.511601(17) Å. The spectra of calcium and strontium borohydrides were observed using low resolution laser spectroscopy. The spectra were assigned to the òA₁ - Ẋ²A₁ and Ḃ²E - Ẋ²A₁ transitions of CaBH₄ and SrBH₄. The vibrational frequencies of the metal-ligand stretch determined for CaBH₄ were 457 cm⁻¹ (Ẋ²A₁), 473 cm⁻¹ (Ā²A₁), and 465 cm⁻¹ (Ḃ²E). The corresponding SrBH4 frequencies were 399 cm⁻¹, 420 cm⁻¹, and 421 cm⁻¹.

Thesis (Ph.D.) - University of St Andrews, June 2009.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2002. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references. Available also from UMI Company.

Not available / text

Thesis (M.S.)--Oregon State University, 2008. / Printout. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 39-42). Also available on the World Wide Web.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Delaware, 2008. / Principal faculty advisor: Douglas J. Buttrey, Dept. of Chemical Engineering. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2004. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 194-209).

The growth of strontium sulfate precipitate by diffusion in various gels was studied by using optical transmission and confocal microscopies, scanning and transmission electron microscopies, and energy dispersive X ray fluorescence. Pure silica gel, pure agarose gel and the silica/agarose mixed gel at pH 7 - 10 were used throughout the present study. Precipitate morphology is sensitive to pH and to the nature of the growth medium. The morphology was observed as a function of time. The lack of change is presumably because of rapid depletion of the limiting reagent after the very beginning of precipitation. The problem of separating strontium sulfate precipitate from the gel medium is discussed.