Radiative decay of nonstationary system

When a finite quantum system, say a fluorescent molecule is attached to a bulk surface and excited by a short laser pulse, the decay dynamics of the system is modulated by the surface and the signal is enhanced due to the bulk surface. We have considered the decay dynamics of a model of displaced distorted molecule whose excited potential surface is coupled to a continuum and then this first continuum is in turn coupled to a second continuum. In the short time scale there is a coherent exchange of energy between the system molecule and the first continuum states. In the long time scale the energy of the whole system plus first continuum drains out to the final continuum states. A dendrimer nanocomposite with the gold surface shows an enhanced light emission. This can be qualitatively understood from the model we proposed here. We have numerically studied the various potential parameters of the molecule which can affect the signal. When the potential surfaces are flat, the band structure of the first continuum states along with its initial excitation has some nontrivial effect on the profile of the radiative decay.     

Saturated-absorption spectroscopy: eliminating crossover resonances by use of copropagating beams

We demonstrate a new technique for saturated-absorption spectroscopy by use of copropagating beams that does not have the problem of crossover resonances. The pump beam is locked to a transition, and its absorption signal is monitored while the probe beam is scanned. As the probe comes into resonance with another transition, the pump absorption is reduced and the signal shows a Doppler-free dip. We use this technique to measure hyperfine intervals in the D2 line of 85Rb with a precision of 70 kHz and to resolve hyperfine levels in the D2 line of 39K that are less than 10 MHz apart.     

Are cluster magnetic fields primordial?

We present results of a detailed and fully nonlinear numerical and analytical investigation of magnetic field evolution from the very earliest cosmic epochs to the present. We find that, under reasonable assumptions concerning the efficiency of a putative magnetogenesis era during cosmic phase transitions, surprisingly strong magnetic fields 10(-13)-10(-11) G on comparatively small scales 100 pc-10 kpc may survive to the present. Building on prior numerical work on the evolution of magnetic fields during the course of gravitational collapse of a cluster, which indicates that precollapse fields of approximately 4 x 10(-12) G extant on small scales may suffice to produce clusters with acceptable Faraday rotation measures, we argue that it seems possible for cluster magnetic fields to be entirely of primordial origin.     

Search for heavy particles decaying into electron-positron pairs in pp collisions

We present results of searches for technirho (rho(T)), techniomega (omega(T)), and Z' particles, using the decay channels rho(T),omega(T),Z'-->e(+)e(-). The search is based on 124.8 pb(-1) of data collected by the D0 detector at the Fermilab Tevatron during 1992-1996. In the absence of a signal, we set 95% C.L. upper limits on the cross sections for the processes pp-->rho(T),omega(T),Z'-->e(+)e(-) as a function of the mass of the decaying particle. For certain model parameters, we exclude the existence of degenerate rho(T) and omega(T) states with masses below about 200 GeV. We exclude a Z' with mass below 670 GeV, assuming that it has the same couplings to fermions as the Z boson.     

Experimental evidence for a light and broad scalar resonance in D(+) --> pi(-)pi(+)pi(+) decay

From a sample of 1172 +/- 61 D(+)-->pi(-)pi(+)pi(+) decays, we find gamma(D(+)-->pi(-)pi(+)pi(+))/gamma(D(+)-->K-pi(+)pi(+)) = 0.0311 +/- 0.0018(+0.0016)(-0.0026). Using a coherent amplitude analysis to fit the Dalitz plot of these decays, we find strong evidence that a scalar resonance of mass 478(+24)(-23) +/- 17 MeV/c(2) and width 324(+42)(-40) +/- 21 MeV/c(2) accounts for approximately half of all decays.     

Optical Characterization of Iridescent Wings of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Morpho</Emphasis> Butterflies using a High Accuracy Nonstandard Finite-Difference Time-Domain Algorithm

In certain species of moths and butterflies iridescent colors arise from subwavelength diffractive surface corrugation of the wing-scales. The optical properties of such structures depend strongly on wavelength, incidence angle, and state of polarization of illuminating radiation, and the viewing angle. In this paper, we study the reflection spectra of the wings of the Morpho didius butterfly by simulating a double-layered model of a transverse cross-section comprised of the ground scale and the cover scale. Each layer contains a certain quasi-periodic arrangement of tree-like subwavelength microstructures. The simulation is done using a high accuracy nonstandard finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method in two dimensions. We assume that the structure is made of a slightly lossy dielectric material. The wavelength dependence of the complex refractive index for the ground scale of Morpho didius is assumed to be similar to that of Morpho sulkowskyi. The complex refractive index in the latter case was obtained by comparing the computed reflection/transmission spectra with corresponding experimental measurements at normal incidence.     

Precise positioning of carbon nanotubes by ac dielectrophoresis using floating posts

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) have been precisely aligned and positioned in device architectures using ac dielectrophoresis by patterning floating metal posts or strips within the electrode gaps. These structures perturb the electric field, causing local enhancements in the field intensity, as seen in simulation, that guide the nanotubes along a predictable path in given directions, in zigzag patterns, or as single or a sequence of tubes along a series of posts. This method enables the assembly of SWNTs in complex multi-electrode geometries, when specifying the electrode voltages is not sufficient to direct the desired assembly. The device characteristics of the dielectrophoretically-aligned SWNTs are discussed. PACS 61.46.Fg; 73.63.-b; 87.15.Tt     

Scaling and self-similarity in Pb<Subscript>1-x</Subscript>Fe<Subscript>x</Subscript>S nanoparticle films

This paper addresses the issues of scaling and self-similarity in typical nanoparticle films. The role played by microscopic processes contributing to growth on these issues is probed. While we perform this investigation for a specific system viz., Pb_1-xFe_xS nanoparticle films for clarity of the procedures, the analysis is general and can be applied to a variety of systems obtained using different deposition techniques.     

Sinter-active nanocrystalline CeO<Subscript>2</Subscript> powder prepared by a mixed fuel process: Effect of fuel on particle agglomeration

A modified combustion process, namely a mixed fuel process making use of a mixture of two fuels, such as citric acid and glycine has been developed to prepare nanocrystalline ceria powders. The effect of the mixed fuel and the different fuel to oxidant ratios on the decomposition characteristics of the gels were investigated by simultaneous thermal analysis experiments. It was established from various characterization techniques that the ceria powder prepared through the mixed fuel process has got the optimum powder characteristics, namely, a surface area of 33.33 m²/g and a crystallite size of 14 nm compared to the powders produced through the combustion process using a single fuel like glycine or citric acid. Such powders when sintered at 1250°C resulted in pellets with densities in the range of 94–96% of theoretical density. In this paper, we have carried out systematic studies on the sintering of ceria powders prepared by different approaches. The sintered ceramic from mixed fuel batch, exhibited and retained relative density more than 95% up to 1250°C and this data clearly underscores the ability of this process in developing ceria ceramics with increased stability against reduction.     

A new palladium catalyzed protocol for atom-efficient cross-coupling reactions of triarylbismuths with aryl halides and triflates

A new palladium catalyzed protocol for an atom-efficient cross-coupling reaction of triarylbismuths with aryl halides and triflates has been described. The palladium catalytic system with Cs₂CO₃ base was found to be very efficient in DMA solvent to furnish excellent yields of cross-coupled functionalized biaryls in short reaction times.