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Abstract  The equilibrium geometrical parameters and frequencies of the normal vibrations of Ln2Cl7− ions (Ln = La and Lu) and the enthalpies of the dissociation reactions Ln2Cl7− → Ln2Cl6 Cl− and Ln2Cl7− → LnCl3 LnCl4− were calculated at the MP2 and MP4 levels (with regard to single, double, triple, and quadruple perturbations). The basis set superposition errors were eliminated by using the counterpoise approach. The potential energy surface of the Ln2Cl7− ions was found to reach a minimum for a configuration with three bridging and four terminal Cl atoms (symmetry C 2). The terminal fragments LnCl2 show almost free inherent rotation. The lanthanide compression of the interatomic Ln-Cl distances differed for the bridging and terminal Ln-Cl bonds. The calculated enthalpies of dissociation of the Ln2Cl7− ions were compared with data from high-temperature mass spectrometry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gravity Probe B (GP-B) is a landmark physics experiment in space designed to yield precise tests of two fundamental predictions of Einstein's theory of general relativity, the geodetic and frame-dragging effects, by means of cryogenic gyroscopes in Earth orbit. Launched on 20 April 2004, data collection began on 28 August 2004 and science operations were completed on 29 September 2005 upon liquid helium depletion. During the course of the experiment, two unexpected and mutually-reinforcing complications were discovered: (1) larger than expected 'misalignment' torques on the gyroscopes producing classical drifts larger than the relativity effects under study and (2) a damped polhode oscillation that complicated the calibration of the instrument's scale factor against the aberration of starlight. Steady progress through 2006 and 2007 established the methods for treating both problems; in particular, an extended effort from January 2007 on 'trapped flux mapping' led in August 2007 to a dramatic breakthrough, resulting in a factor of [?]20 reduction in data scatter. This paper reports results up to November 2007. Detailed investigation of a central 85-day segment of the data has yielded robust measurements of both relativity effects. Expansion to the complete science data set, along with anticipated improvements in modeling and in the treatment of systematic errors may be expected to yield a 3-6% determination of the frame-dragging effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]