A definition for the intrinsic time co-ordinate is proposed, using the phase of the wave function of the universe. This definition generalizes the notion of time co-ordinate which arises in the semiclassical cosmology. It also leads to acceptable results for the evaluation of expectation values of physical variables.

The relaxational dynamics of a classical planar Heisenberg spin system is studied using the Fokker-Planck equation. A new approach is introduced in which we attempt to directly calculate the eigenvalues of the Fokker-Planck operator. In this connection a number space representation is introduced, which enables us to visualize the eigenvalue structure of the Fokker-Planck operator. The mean field approximation is derived and a systematic method to improve the mean field approximation is presented.

The secular equation (GF - Eλ)L = 0 contains more force constants than can be calculated from the equations formulated using the frequencies. For a 3 × 3 matrix, there are 6 force constants but only 3 frequencies. Attempts were made by others to estimate all the 6 constants to satisfy the frequencies and Coriolis constants and rotation distortion constants. However, many attempts are not made in these estimations to satisfy the intensities. A full complement of equations is derived to evaluate all the force constants combining the intensity equationsI =L’A withLL’ =G and evaluated the force constants ofA₁ species of CH₃Cl and CD₃Cl. A simple analysis of a 2 × 2 matrix shows thatF₁₂/F₂₂=G₁₂⁻¹/G₂₂⁻¹ as reported earlier.

Emission spectra of BH(A¹Π-X¹Σ⁺) system were recorded and studied using a low pressure (3.0 torr) arc in flowing hydrogen and argon + hydrogen mixture. The rotational distributions in theA¹Π state determined from the intensities of rotational lines for the 0–0 band of theA-X system conforms to a Maxwellian distribution with effective rotational temperature of 1000 ± 50°K. Intensities of Balmer lines of hydrogen were measured and used to determine electronic excitation temperature which was found to be around 2000°K.

A flow chart (inverted ‘tree’) for generating and identifying the 58 magnetic and 18 polychromatic point groups using a classification for the 32 generating crystallographic point groups is suggested. The idea of colour generator is explored for generating the colour symmetry point groups. The advantages in presenting the identification of colour groups through a tree are discussed.

A model based on the presence of two-level systems identified with defect clusters is used to study different properties of superionic lead fluoride and calcium fluoride. The high degeneracy of the higher level indicates a liquid-like arrangement of anions within the cluster.

New parameters which separately take into account the effects of elastic anisotropy and phonon dispersion on the lattice specific heat in the case of fcc metals have been evaluated. A new graded mesh method which uses 162-direction approximation in (1/16) part of the Brillouin zone has been developed to evaluate the two new parameters.

Hydrostatic pressure has been used to tune in resonance Raman scattering (RRS) in bulk GaAs. Using a diamond anvil cell, both the photoluminescence peak (PL) and the 2 LO and LO-phonon Raman scattered intensities have been monitored, to establish RRS conditions. When theE₀ gap of GaAs matchesħω_S orħω_L, the 2 LO and LO-phonon intensity, respectively, exhibit resonance Raman scattering maxima, at pressures determined byħω_L. With 647.1 nm radiation (ħω_L = 1.916 eV), a sharp and narrow resonance peak at 3.75 GPa is observed for the 2 LO-phonon. At this pressure the 2 LO-phonon goes through its maximum intensity, and falls right on top of the PL peak, revealing thatħω_S(2 LO) =E₀. This is the condition for “outgoing” resonance. Experiments with other excitation energies (ħω_L) show, that the 2 LO resonance peak-pressure moves to higher pressure with increasingħω_L, and the shift follows precisely theE₀ gap. Thus, the 2 LO RRS is an excellent probe to follow theE₀ gap, far beyond the Γ-X cross-over point. A brief discussion of the theoretical expression for resonance Raman cross section is given, and from this the possibility of a double resonance condition for the observed 2 LO resonance is suggested. The LO-phonon resonance occurs at a pressure whenħω_L ≈E₀, but the pressure-induced transparency of the GaAs masks the true resonance profile.

AlPO₄ has been compressed to pressures of 16 GPa in a diamond anvil cell and its X-ray diffraction pattern studied by the energy-dispersive technique. The compound is observed to become amorphous at ∼ 12 GPa. This explains the loss of Raman spectrum of AlPO₄ reported by Jayaraman and coworkers (1987).

The anomalous ultrasonic attenuationα_c of longitudinal waves propagating along (100) direction in KTaO₃ has been analyzed above the phase transition temperature in the frequency range 150–300 MHz in the paraelectric phase. The attenuation of longitudinal ultrasonic waves in KTaO₃ is primarily due to a strong interaction with thermally-excited phonons in the soft mode. Frequency and temperature variations of attenuation are discussed.

A few facts related to the aberrations for toroidal and plane gratings are presented. Some design aspects of the plane grating-based monochromator devised by Petersen (1982) are discussed. We also point out that for a cylindrical grating astigmatic correction can be reduced and suggest that following Petersen’s scheme some improvements in the monochromator performance could be achieved with such a grating.