An accurate and simple universal curve for the energy‐dependent electron inelastic mean free path

The values of inelastic mean free paths (IMFPs) calculated from optical data for the three material categories of elements, inorganic compounds and organic compounds are re‐assessed to provide a simple equation giving an estimate of the IMFP, knowing only the identities of the elements in an analysed layer and the atomic density of that layer. This simple equation is required for quantification of the thicknesses for layers of mixed elements in which the required parameters for use of the popular equation, TPP‐2M, are insufficiently known. It describes the published values, calculated from optical data for energies above 100 eV, to a similar root mean square (RMS) deviation as that for TPP‐2M in the three material categories. The RMS deviation for all three categories averages 8.4%, provided the inorganic data are ‘corrected’ for the published sum rule errors. If, in an analysed layer, only elements are identified and the atomic density is unknown, i.e. only the average Z value of the layer is known, a simpler relation is provided for the IMFP in monolayers with only one unknown parameter Z that exhibits an RMS deviation from the IMFPs calculated from optical data of 11.5%. Copyright © 2011 Crown copyright.     

Thermodynamic properties of chain liquid mixtures with strong,local interactions

This paper addresses the effect in chain liquids on thermodynamic behavior of a large charge in the strength of local interactions on mixing. We classified real systems according to the ability of the Flory equation of state (FES) theory to prodict the excess volume. The FES theory enables reliable estimates provided the mixture is nearly athermal and the pure components obey the Flory equation of state. These requirements arise from Flory's approximations for the lattice part of the configuration integral, Z_L, and the cell part, Z_C, respectively. We revised Z_L without adding adjustable parameters by the quasichemical perturbation method to account for local ordering in the mixture because of a large change in the strength of binary interactions on mixing. The modification improves the predictions of the thermodynamic functions for systems where Flory's Z_L is inadequate.     

Liquid Photonic Crystals for Mesopore Detection

Nitrogen adsorption–desorption for mesopore characterization requires the using of expensive instrumentation, time‐consuming processes, and the consumption of liquid nitrogen. Herein, a new method is developed to measure the pore parameters through mixing a mesoporous substance with a supersaturated SiO₂ colloidal solution at different temperatures, and subsequent rapid measurement of reflection changes of the precipitated liquid photonic crystals. The pore volumes and diameters of mesoporous silica were measured according to the positive correlation between unit mass reflection change (Δλ/m) and pore volume (V), and the negative correlation between average absorption temperature (T) and pore diameter (D). This new approach may provide an alternative method for fast, convenient and economical characterization of mesoporous materials.     

Calculations of electron inelastic mean free paths

We report calculations of electron inelastic mean free paths (IMFPs) for 50–2000 eV electrons in 14 elemental solids (Li, Be, diamond, graphite, Na, K, Sc, Ge, In, Sn, Cs, Gd, Tb, and Dy) and for one solid (Al) using better optical data than in our previous work. The new IMFPs have also been used to test our TPP‐2M equation for estimating IMFPs in these materials. We found surprisingly large root‐mean‐square (RMS) deviations (39.3–71.8%) between IMFPs calculated from TPP‐2M and those calculated here from optical data for diamond, graphite and cesium; previously we had found an average RMS deviation of 10.2% for a group of 27 elemental solids. An analysis showed that the large deviations occurred for relatively small computed values of the parameter β in the TPP‐2M equation (β ～ 0.01 for diamond and graphite) and also for relatively large values of β (β ～ 0.25 for Cs). Although such extreme values of β are unlikely to be encountered for many other materials, the present results indicate an additional limitation in the reliability of the TPP‐2M equation. We also show that the parameter N_v in the TPP‐2M equation should be computed for the rare‐earth elements from the number of valence electrons and the six 5p electrons. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Steric Demand and Rate‐determining Step for Photoenolization of Di‐ortho‐substituted Acetophenone Derivatives

Laser flash photolysis of ketone 1 in argon‐saturated methanol yields triplet biradical 1BR (τ = 63 ns) that intersystem crosses to form photoenols Z‐1P (λ_max = 350 nm, τ ~ 10 μs) and E‐1P (λ_max = 350 nm, τ > 6 ms). The activation barrier for Z‐1P re‐forming ketone 1 through a 1,5‐H shift was determined as 7.7 ± 0.3 kcal mol^?1. In contrast, for ketone 2, which has a less sterically hindered carbonyl moiety, laser flash photolysis in argon‐saturated methanol revealed the formation of biradical 2BR (λ_max = 330 nm, τ ~ 303 ns) that intersystem crosses to form photoenol E‐2P (λ_max = 350 nm, τ > 42 μs), but photoenol Z‐2P was not detected. However, in more viscous basic H‐bond acceptor (BHA) solvent, such as hexamethylphosphoramide, triplet 2BR intersystem crosses to form both Z‐2P (λ_max = 370 nm, τ ~ 1.5 μs) and E‐2P. Thus, laser flash photolysis of ketone 2 in methanol reveals that intersystem crossing from 2BR to form Z‐2P is slower than the 1,5‐H shift of Z‐2P, whereas in viscous BHA solvents, the 1,5‐H shift becomes slower than the intersystem crossing from 2BR to Z‐2P. Density functional theory and coupled cluster calculations were performed to support the reaction mechanisms for photoenolization of ketones 1 and 2 .     

Bestimmung der Stabilit?tskonstanten von mehrkernigen Komplexen mit Hilfe einer spektrophotometrischen Methode

Zusammenfassung Es wurde eine allgemeine Gleichung für die Berechnung der Stabilitätskonstante von Komplexen L _mH_iM_nZ_j (Z=OH^–, usw.) abgeleitet und für Maximumbedingungen der Jobschen Kurve die Schwarzenbachsche graphische Methode so modifiziert, daß sie die allgemeine Bestimmung der Zusammensetzung und Stabilität von Komplexen L _mH_iM_nZ_j ermöglicht.

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Summary A general equation has been derived for the calculation of stability constants of complexes L _mH_iM_nZ_j (Z=OH^–, etc.). The graphic method of Schwarzenbach has been modified for maximum conditions of Job's curve in order to make possible the general determination of the composition and stability of complexes L _mH_iM_nZ_j.

     

Evaluation of high pressure oxygen microwave-assisted wet decomposition for the determination of mercury by CVAAS utilizing UV-induced reduction

The UV-induced cold vapor generation with formic acid coupled to AAS after high pressure oxygen microwave decomposition was developed for determination of total Hg in analytical samples. Certified reference materials were decomposed in 1.5 mol L^{− 1} HNO₃ and 0.6 mol L^{− 1} H₂O₂. Microwave decomposition with oxygen has allowed the use of diluted reagents. The oxygen at a pressure of ca. 15 bar was delivered during the mineralization to the closed vessel. Interference by unused residues of H₂O₂ and HNO₃ was observed. In order to overcome the negative effect of remaining oxidants pre-reduction with hydroxylammonium chloride at a concentration 0.75 mmol L^{− 1} was used. Recovery of mercury in four reference materials containing 0.20–1.99 µg g^{− 1} Hg were 99–104% of certificate values. The limits of detection and quantification in the sample solutions were determined as 0.12 and 0.38 µg L^{− 1}, which corresponds to absolute detection limits of 12 and 38 ng g^{− 1} for total mercury, respectively. The results were in good agreement with the t-test at a 95% confidence level of the certified values in the investigated reference materials. The relative standard deviation was better than 7% for most of the samples.     

A model for the fragility of the melts

The concept of fragility has been used widely to characterize the temperature dependence of the viscosity of glass forming materials. However, the physical background that determines the degree of fragility is still not well understood. In the present study an expression for the fragility is derived based on a simple model of the melt. According to the model, the fragility is determined by the relaxation of structural units that form the melt, and is described in terms of the bond strength (E ₀), coordination number (Z ₀), and their fluctuations (ΔE and ΔZ). It is shown that a strong system is characterized by large value of total bond strength (Z ₀ E ₀) and small value of its fluctuation ((ΔZ)²(ΔE)²). On the other hand, a fragile system is characterized by small value of total bond strength and large value of its fluctuation. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Visible‐Light‐Triggered Molecular Photoswitch Based on Reversible E/Z Isomerization of a 1,2‐Dicyanoethene Derivative

A designed bis(dithienyl) dicyanoethene‐based, strictly E/Z photoswitch (4TCE) operates through state‐selective (E and Z isomer) photoactivation with visible light. The E and Z isomers of 4TCE exhibit remarkably different spectroscopic characteristics, including a large separation (70 nm) in their absorption maxima (λ_max) and a 2.5‐fold increase in molar extinction coefficient from cis to trans. The energetically stable trans form can be completely converted to the cis form within minutes when exposed to white light, whereas the reverse isomerization occurs readily upon irradiation by blue light (λ<480 nm) or completely by thermal conversion at elevated temperatures. These features together with excellent thermal stability and photostability of both isomers make this new E/Z photoswitch a promising building block for photoswitchable materials that operate without the need for UV light.     

Acoustical study on ternary mixture of dimethyl acetamide (DMAC) in diethyl ether and isobutyl methyl ketone at different frequencies

The experimental density (ρ) and the velocity (U) for ternary mixture of dimethyl acetamide diethyl ether and isobutyl methyl ketone at different frequencies (2, 4, 6 and 8 MH_Z) have been measured at a constant temperature of 308 K. These data have been used to compute acoustic impedance (Z), adiabatic compressibility (K _s), intermolecular free length (L_f ), molar volume (V_m ), molar sound velocity (R), molar compressibility (B), available volume (V _a), Lennard-Jones potential repulsive term exponent (n), relative association (R _A), interaction parameter (X) and excess values of some of the above parameters for entire range of mole fraction and are interpreted to explain molecular interaction occurring in the liquid mixture.     

Notes on asymptotic series by H0-strictly singular perturbations

Let two strongly continuous one-parameter semigroups of contraction operators, {Z(t); t≧ 0} and {Z₀(t); t ≧ 0}, determine physical evolutions realized in the Hilbert spaces ? and ?₀, respectively. We consider the mappings under Z(t) and Z₀(t), when the infinitesimal generators G and G₀ belong to a product class, properly defined with respect to an H⁰-norm. The inversed transform of each side in the identity R(λ, G) = R(λ, –iH⁰)–iR(λ, –iH⁰)VR(λ, G), which represents a simple algebraic decomposition of the resolvent of G, converges on Ψ if and only if Ψ ∈ ??(G). By iteration an asymptotic series emerges, when t → 0. Numerical considerations of this approximation in its first order may support the form of a deviation from the pure exponential decay when the semigroup is compared with a integral transform corresponding to a certain self-adjoint H₀ in ?₀. The deviation may hardly ever be observed and it is therefore most fruitful to discuss the results inside the framework of the enveloping algebra of the semigroups.     

Reference materials to evaluate measurement systems for the nutrient composition of foods: results from USDA’s National Food and Nutrient Analysis Program (NFNAP)

Over a 6.5-year period a total of 2554 values were reported by nine laboratories for 259 certified or reference nutrient concentrations in 26 certified reference materials (CRM) submitted to contract laboratories, blinded, as part of the qualifying process for analytical contracts and in the routine sample stream as part of the National Food and Nutrient Analysis Program. Each value was converted to a Z′-score, reflecting the difference from the assigned value related to the combined expected analytical uncertainty plus the uncertainty in the CRM value. Z′-scores >|3.0| were considered unacceptable. For some nutrients (Na, folate, dietary fiber, pantothenic acid, thiamin, tocopherols, carotenoids, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fatty acids), >20% of Z′-scores were >|3.0|. For total fat, vitamin C, and niacin >25% of Z′-scores were >|2.0|. Components for which CRM data were best (more than 90% of Z′-scores <|2.0|) were Mg, P, Mn, Se, and vitamin B12. In some cases deviations from assigned values were not uniform across laboratories and materials. For Na almost all high Z′-scores were for low-Na matrices, suggesting analytical problems related to concentration. Figure Z′-scores for vitamins in certified reference materials Disclaimer: Certain commercial equipment, instruments, or materials are identified in this paper in order to specify the experimental procedure adequately. Such identification is not intended to imply recommendation or endorsement by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, or the United States Department of Agriculture, nor is it intended to imply that the materials or equipment identified are necessarily the best available for the purpose.     

Li (i=1–3) subshell fluorescence and Coster-Kronig yields for elements with 70Z92

The atomic inner-shell vacancy decay processes comprised of radiative and nonradiative transitions are characterized by the fluorescence, Auger and Coster-Kronig yields. We present a review of our recent measurements of the L_i (i=1, 2, 3) sub-shell fluorescence yields (ω_i) and the L₁–L₃ Coster-Kronig transition probabilities (f₁₃) for elements with 70Z92 following photoionization. The comparison of the measured ω_i and f₁₃ values with the theoretical ones, based on the relativistic Dirac–Hartree–Slater (RDHS) model calculations, indicated the need for more refined calculations of transition probabilities for different Coster-Kronig transitions.     

DFT Simulation of Electron Spectra for Auger Electron and Photoelectron Spectra of Lithium Compounds

(Li, O, F)-Auger electron, and X-ray photoelectron spectra (AES, VXPS) of solid lithium compounds (Li metal, LiCl, LiF, Li₂O) are simulated by deMon density functional theory (DFT) calculations using the model molecules of the unit cell. Calculated valence XPS, core-electron binding energies (CEBE)s, and Li-, O-, and F-KVV AES for the substances correspond considerably well to experimental results. For the calculation of VXPS, the observed spectra of Li₂O pellet with chemisorbed CO₂ almost show agreement with simulation curve of the valence XPS according to the model for the 1/1 ratio of Li₂O/Li₂CO₃. In the case of AES calculation, we analyze the experimental AES with our modified Auger electron kinetic energy calculation method which corresponds to the two final-state holes at the ground state and at the transition-state in DFT calculation by removing 1 and 2 electrons, respectively. Experimental KVV AES of the Li atom, and (O, F) KVV AES of (Li₂O and LiF) in the substances almost agree well to the AES calculated with maximum kinetic energies at the ground state, and at the transition-state, respectively.     

Extremal hexagonal chains

Some extremal properties of the linear chainL _h ofh hexagons are pointed out. In the class of all hexagonal chains withh hexagons,L _h has minimumK,Z andx ₁ values, as well as maximum W and values;K = number of perfect matchings,Z = number of independent edge sets (Hosoya index),x ₁ = largest graph eigenvalue,W = Wiener index, = number of independent vertex sets (Merrifield-Simmons index). The extremality ofL _h with respect toZ, andx ₁ is demonstrated here for the first time.Dedicated to Frank Harary, teacher, inspirer and friend, pioneer, champion and proprietor of graph theory, on the occasion of his 70th birthday.     

Study of Scaling Exponents of the Surface Evolved in 2 + 1 Dimension through Competitive Growth between Random Deposition and that with Surface Relaxation

Rough surface develops through computer simulation by competition between growth mechanism random deposition (RD) with a probability of occurrence p and growth mechanism random deposition with surface relaxation (RDSR) with a probability of occurrence 1 − p, on L × L square plane for system size L to record the statistical average of time variation of surface roughness W(L, t) and average height H(t) for the model for specific values of L and p. Other than the pure RD model, the entire evolution may be divided into three regions separated by two specific cross-over times t_x and t_sat. The value of interface width at saturation W_sat depends on both L and p. The first growth exponent β₁ increases exponentially with an increase in p and does not depend on L. The values of the second growth exponent β₂, roughness exponent α, dynamic exponent z( = α/β₂ ), and α + z are 0.0234 ± 0.0008, 0.0506 ± 0.0065, 2.1577 ± 0.0073, and 2.2083 ± 0.0138 respectively and they show no dependence on L and p values. Value of the first cross-over time t_x increases exponentially with an increase in p and does not depend on L. Value of the second cross-over time t_sat increases with an increase in both p and L values. The average growth velocity is unity for the model and is independent of both L and p. For the model, the growth velocity is unity and the fractional porosity is zero. The scaling exponents show some deviation from the relevant universality classes and depend on competitive growth probability for this model. No finite-size effect is present in the model.     

Comparative surface and bulk analysis of oxygen in Si3N4 powders

Summary Five commercially available -Si₃N₄ powders and one in the modification were subjected to Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) and carrier-gas-heat extraction (CGHE) analysis.AES depth profiles of the oxygen/nitrogen ratio could be obtained, from which total oxygen contents were calculated and compared to CGHE data. It is demonstrated that by the latter method also dissolved oxygen in -Si₃N₄ is detected, whereas by AES only chemically bound oxygen can semiquantitatively be analyzed. Evidence is found for the existence of water, adsorbed or present as hydroxyl groups, near the surface.

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Vergleichende Oberflächen- und Bulkanalyse von Sauerstoff in Si₃N₄-Pulvern

List of Symbols A Surface area of an idealized Si₃N₄ grain - c _o ^AES Bulk concn. (by wt.) of oxygen in Si₃N₄ as estimated from AES depth profiles - C _O ^GHE Bulk concn. (by wt.) of oxygen in Si₃N₄ as obtained using CGHE in the fixed temperature mode - C _pr Bulk concn. (by wt.) of oxygen in Si₃N₄ as obtained using CGHE in the temperature programme mode - C_surf Bulk concn. (by wt.) of oxygen in Si₃N₄, tentatively assigned to superficial oxygen on Si₃N₄ particles, as obtained using CGHE in the temperature programme mode - C _U c _o ^AES as recalculated from X_U - d Diameter of an idealized Si₃N₄ grain (1 m) - M_index Formula mass of the species named in the index (O, 2 SiO₂, Si₃N₄) - m _o Mass of oxygen in the Si₃N₄ material - M_x Estimated formula mass of a (SiO₂)_2XSi₃N₄ compound as detected by AES via X - r Radius of an idealized Si₃N₄ grain (0.5 m) - V Volume of an idealized Si₃N₄ grain - X atomic oxygen-to-nitrogen ratio (AES) - X_a X values obtained in the scanning beam (area) mode - X_dec X values obtained in the fixed beam (point) mode after about 30 min measuring time (i.e., in some cases, severe decomposition) - X_p X values obtained in the fixed beam (point) mode within about 2 min measuring time (before severe decomposition) - X_U Background value for X in the AES depth profiles - xxps Atomic oxygen-to-nitrogen ratio as obtained from XPS data - Z Sputter depth - Z _E End value for the integration below the depth profile curves - _O Oxygen mass per unit area - _O Oxygen mass per unit volume (recalculated bulk concentration) - _U Oxygen mass per unit volume as recalculated from X_U.     

Oxidation of a depleted uranium-5 wt% molybdenum (U-5Mo) alloy in UHV by AES and XPS

Early stage oxidation of a dilute-depleted uranium-molybdenum alloy was analysed in situ under ultra-high vacuum conditions by AES and XPS. At the equivalent of less than 300 ns at 1-atm O₂, U-5Mo oxidizes to form stoichiometric UO₂. No molybdenum oxidation is observed. After an oxygen dose of approximately 39 L, the oxide layer approached a limiting thickness of approximately 2.4 nm. The oxidation kinetics followed a logarithmic rate law, with the best fit to the experimental data for the oxide thickness, d, being given by d = 1.26 log(0.12t + 0.56). Changes in oxygen KLL and 1s peak positions associated with transformation from chemisorbed oxygen to metal oxide were observed at similar oxygen doses of 2.3 and 2.6 L O₂ by AES and XPS, respectively, which opens up the possibility of using well-characterized XPS chemical information to inform Auger peak shifts.     

Photon-echo experiments on singlet-triplet transitions in organic mixed crystals

The homogeneous optical linewidth of a spin-forbidden S_o → T₁ transition in a chemically mixed organic crystal was directly measured in a two-pulse photon-echo experiment. The experimental values of T₂^Opt for the system dibromobenzophenone in dibromodiphenyl ether ranged from 1.4(3) to 3.8(2) μs, depending on the nuclear spins of the host. A temperature-dependent contribution to (T₂^Opt)^?1 revealed an activation energy ΔE of 13.8(5) cm^?1, which is tentatively attributed to a librational mode frequency.     

Natural widths and Coster–Kronig transitions of L X-ray spectra in elements between Pd and Sb

The Lα and Lβ X-ray emission spectra in the elements between Pd (Z=46) and Sb (Z=51) were measured using a high-resolution double-crystal vacuum spectrometer. The relative intensities of satellite structures, which originate in L₁L₃M_4,5 Coster–Kronig transitions, were estimated to that of each diagram line, and compared with calculated values. According to the work of Chen et al. [1977a. Theoretical L-shell Coster–Kronig energies 11⩽Z⩽103. At. Data Nucl. Data Tables 19, 97–151], Salgueiro et al. [1987. J. Phys. (Paris) 48 Colloq. C9, 609] and Vlaicu et al. [1998. Investigation of the 74W L emission spectra and satellites. Phys. Rev. A 58, 3544] L₁L₃M₄ Coster–Kronig transition is forbidden for 50⩽Z⩽77, and L₁L₃M₅ Coster–Kronig transition is forbidden for 50⩽Z⩽73. The results suggest that L₁L₃M_4,5 Coster–Kronig transitions may be allowed even for Sn (Z=50) and Sb (Z=51).