Imaging transport resonances in the quantum Hall effect

We use a scanning capacitance probe to image transport in the quantum Hall system. Applying a dc bias voltage to the tip induces a ring-shaped incompressible strip (IS) in the 2D electron system (2DES) that moves with the tip. At certain tip positions, short-range disorder in the 2DES creates a quantum dot island in the IS. These islands enable resonant tunneling across the IS, enhancing its conductance by more than 4 orders of magnitude. The images provide a quantitative measure of disorder and suggest resonant tunneling as the primary mechanism for transport across ISs.     

The structural and spectroscopic characterisation of three actinyl complexes with coordinated and uncoordinated perrhenate: [UO2(ReO4)2(TPPO)3], [[(UO2)(TPPO)3]2(mu2-O2)][ReO4]2 and [NpO2(TPPO)4][ReO4

The first structural characterization of an actinide complex with coordinated perrhenate is reported, [UO2(ReO4)2(TPPO)3] (1). In this [UO2]2+ complex two [ReO4]- anions and three TPPO (triphenylphosphine oxide) P=O donor ligands are coordinated in the equatorial plane in a cisoid arrangement. This bonding arrangement, and apparent strain observed in the equatorially bonded ligands, is attributed to the solid state packing in adjacent molecules in which hydrophobic TPPO ligands form an effective "shell" around a hydrophilic core of two UO2(ReO4)2 moieties. Solid state vibrational spectroscopy (infrared and Raman), 31P CP MAS NMR and elemental analysis are also consistent with the formula of 1. Solution state vibrational spectroscopy and 31P NMR measurements in EtOH indicate the lability of the TPPO and [ReO4]- groups. The photolytic generation of peroxide in EtOH solutions of 1 leads to the formation of trace quantities of [[(UO2)(TPPO)3]2(mu2-O2)][ReO4]2, 2, in which the coordinated [ReO4]- groups of 1 have been displaced by bridging O2(2-), derived from atmospheric O2. Finally, attempts to synthesise a [NpO2]+ analogue of have resulted only in the formation of [NpO2(TPPO)4][ReO4], 3, in which [ReO4]- acts solely as a counter anion. From these results it can be concluded that [ReO4]- will bond to [UO2]2+, but will be readily displaced by a more strongly coordinating ligand (e.g. peroxide) and will not coordinate to an actinyl cation with a lower charge, [NpO2]+, under the same reaction conditions.     

Ab initio molecular dynamics with dual basis set methods

On-the-fly, ab initio classical molecular dynamics are demonstrated with an underlying dual basis set potential energy surface. Dual-basis self-consistent field (Hartree-Fock and density functional theory) and resolution-of-the-identity second-order M?ller-Plesset perturbation theory (RI-MP2) dynamics are tested for small systems, including the water dimer. The resulting dynamics are shown to be faithful representations of their single-basis analogues for individual trajectories, as well as vibrational spectra. Computational cost savings of 58% are demonstrated for SCF methods, even relative to Fock-extrapolated dynamics, and savings are further increased to 71% with RI-MP2. Notably, these timings outperform an idealized estimate of extended-Lagrangian molecular dynamics. The method is subsequently demonstrated on the vibrational absorption spectrum of two NO(+)(H?O)? isomers and is shown to recover the significant width of the shared-proton bands observed experimentally.     

A tiered approach to Monte Carlo sampling with self-consistent field potentials

A "tiered" approach to Monte Carlo sampling of nuclear configurations is presented for ab initio, self-consistent field (SCF)-based potentials, including Hartree-Fock and density functional theory. Rather than Metropolis testing only the final SCF energy, individual cycle energies are tested in a tiered fashion, without approximation. Accordingly, rejected configurations are terminated early in the SCF procedure. The method is shown to properly obey detailed balance, and effective modifications are presented for cases in which the initial SCF guess is particularly poor. Demonstrations on simple systems are provided, including an assessment of the thermal properties of the neutral water dimer with B3LYP/6-31++G**. Cost analysis indicates a factor-of-two reduction in SCF cycles, which makes the method competitive with accelerated molecular dynamics sampling techniques, without the need for forces.     

Microplasma patterning of bonded microchannels using high-precision "injected" electrodes

A rapid, high-precision method for localised plasma-treatment of bonded PDMS microchannels is demonstrated. Patterned electrodes were prepared by injection of molten gallium into preformed microchannel guides. The electrode guides were prepared without any additional fabrication steps compared to conventional microchannel fabrication. Alignment of the "injected" electrodes is precisely controlled by the photomask design, rather than positioning accuracy of alignment tools. Surface modification is detected using a fluorescent dye (Rhodamine B), revealing a well-defined micropattern with regions less than 100 μm along the length of the microchannel.     

A supramolecular spin crossover Fe(III) complex and its Cr(III) isomer: stabilization of water-chloride cluster within supramolecular host

The metal complexes, [M(Hdammthiol)(2)]Cl·3H(2)O [M = Cr(III) (1), Fe(III) (2)] [where H(2)dammthiol is the thiol form of the ligand, diacetylmonoxime morpholine N-thiohydrazone] were synthesized by metal template reactions of diacetylemonoxime with morpholine N-thiohydrazide in the presence of CrCl(3)·6H(2)O and FeCl(3)·6H(2)O. Both the complexes (1 and 2) were characterized by single crystal X-ray crystallography, spectroscopic (IR and UV-vis), M?ssbauer and TGA analyses. The single crystal X-ray studies of both complexes show that the supramolecular hosts, constructed by the discrete mononuclear complexes, form supramolecular channels along the c-axis which are filled up by water-chloride clusters. In both complexes, the 1D water-chloride chain with chair-like architecture within the supramolecular hosts presents novelty. The magnetic measurement study of Fe(III) complex shows a spin crossover from S = 1/2 at 2.5 K to S = 5/2 at 300 K. At very low temperature, the presence of strong cooperative hydrogen bonding interactions stabilizes the S = 1/2 state.