Diamond monochromator-splitter with enhanced reflectivity for synchrotron radiation

It has been shown that a damaged surface layer can enhance the reflectivity of a diamond monochromator-splitter for synchrotron radiation. The X-ray diffraction analysis with the use of asymmetric Bragg reflections allowed the determination of the layer thickness and its mosaicity dispersion equal to 3 μm and 19″, respectively. In this case, the observed integrated intensity of a quasisymmetric 422 Laue reflection ( $Mo_{K_\alpha } $ radiation) exceeds its calculated value by a factor of 2.5 at a sufficiently high energy resolution (δE/E = 1.1 × 10^?5). The perspectives of the practical use of a diamond monochromator-splitter with enhanced reflectivity are also discussed.     

Colloidal dynamics: influence of diffusion, inertia and colloidal forces on cluster formation

Computer simulations of colloidal suspensions are discussed. The simulations are based on the Langevin equations, pairwise interaction between colloidal particles and take into account Brownian, hydrodynamic and colloidal forces. Comparison of two models, one taking into account inertial term in Langevin equation and another based on diffusional approximation proposed in [D.L. Ermak, J.A. McCammon, J. Chem. Phys. 69 (1978) 1352], has shown that both models enable the prediction of the correct values of the diffusion coefficient and residence time of particle in a doublet and are therefore suitable to study the dynamics of formation and breakage of clusters in colloidal suspensions. It is shown that the appropriate selection of the time step and taking into account inertia of particles provides also the correct value of the average kinetic energy of each particle during the simulations, what allows to use the model based on full Langevin equations as a reference model to verify the validity of the numerical scheme for simulation using diffusion approximation.     

Electron microscopy study of the microstructure of Ni–W substrate surface

The surface microstructure of Ni–W alloy tapes, which are used as substrates to form films of high-temperature superconductors and photovoltaic devices, has been studied. Several samples of a Ni₉₅W₅ tape (Evico) annealed under different conditions were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis, electron diffraction, and electron energy-loss spectroscopy. NiWO₄ precipitates are found on the surface of annealed samples. The growth of precipitates at a temperature of 950°С is accompanied by the formation of pores on the surface or under an oxide film. Depressions with a wedge-shaped profile are found at the grain boundaries. Annealing in a reducing atmosphere using a specially prepared chamber allows one to form a surface free of nickel tungstate precipitates.     

Possibilities of surface-sensitive X-ray methods for studying the molecular mechanisms of interaction of nanoparticles with model membranes

The processes of structural rearrangement in a model membrane, i.e., an arachic acid monolayer formed on a colloidal solution of cerium dioxide or magnetite, are studied in situ in real time by the methods of X-ray standing waves and 2D diffraction. It is shown that the character of the interaction of nanoparticles with the monolayer is determined by their nature and sizes and depends on the conditions of nanoparticle synthesis. In particular, the structure formation in the monolayer–particle system is greatly affected by the stabilizer (citric acid), which is introduced into the colloidal solution during synthesis.     

X-ray diffraction and X-ray standing-wave study of the lead stearate film structure

A new approach to the study of the structural quality of crystals is proposed. It is based on the use of X-ray standing-wave method without measuring secondary processes and considers the multiwave interaction of diffraction reflections corresponding to different harmonics of the same crystallographic reflection. A theory of multiwave X-ray diffraction is developed to calculate the rocking curves in the X-ray diffraction scheme under consideration for a long-period quasi-one-dimensional crystal. This phase-sensitive method is used to study the structure of a multilayer lead stearate film on a silicon substrate. Some specific structural features are revealed for the surface layer of the thin film, which are most likely due to the tilt of the upper layer molecules with respect to the external normal to the film surface.     

Proton induced fission of <Superscript>232</Superscript>Th at intermediate energies

The mass-energy distributions and cross sections of proton-induced fission of ²³²Th have been measured at the proton energies of 7, 10, 13, 20, 40, and 55 MeV. Experiments were carried out at the proton beam of the K-130 cyclotron of the JYFL Accelerator Laboratory of the University of Jyväskylä and U-150m cyclotron of the Institute of Nuclear Physics, Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The yields of fission fragments in the mass range A = 60–170 a.m.u. have been measured up to the level of 10?4%. The three humped shape of the mass distribution up has been observed at higher proton energies. The contribution of the symmetric component grows up with increasing proton incident energy; although even at 55 MeV of proton energy the shoulders in the mass energy distribution clearly indicate the asymmetric fission peaks. Evolution of shell structure was observed in the fission fragment mass distributions even at high excitation energy.     

Recognition and dissociation kinetics in the interfacial molecular recognition of barbituric acid by amphiphilic melamine-type monolayers

Progress in the understanding of interfacial molecular recognition kinetics is obtained by use of the sweeping technique for experimental studies of the reaction kinetics between a host monolayer and a non-surface-active species dissolved in the aqueous subphase. The experimental results show that the interfacial recognition reaction between a 2C(11)H(23)-melamine (2,4-di(n-undecylamino)-6-amino-1,3,5-triazine) monolayer and dissolved barbituric acid is reversible when the 2C(11)H(23)-melamine/barbituric acid monolayer is transferred back onto a pure water subphase. The kinetics of the recognition and dissociation reaction is experimentally and theoretically investigated. The approximate additive theoretical model developed recently is extended to consider the dissociation kinetics of the interfacial supramolecular complex. The kinetic constants for the recognition and dissociation reactions in the mixed monolayer consisting of 2C(11)H(23)-melamine and 2C(11)H(23)-melamine/barbituric acid complex are determined. It is shown that the kinetic constant of the recognition reaction is nearly independent of temperature, whereas that of the dissociation reaction increases with increasing temperature.     

Investigation of the dynamics of the interaction of metal particles with a Langmuir single layer upon an increase in the surface pressure

X-ray studies of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) single layers on the surface of a liquid provide detailed information on the interaction of metal particles with a single layer upon an increase in the surface pressure up to the collapse. Two complementary X-ray methods are used: grazing incidence diffraction and the X-ray standing waves method. The experimental results obtained for a single layer formed on a colloidal solution of magnetite nanoparticles reveal that the increase in the surface pressure is accompanied by an increase in the concentration of nanoparticles near the surface. In a series of experiments where metal particles of submicron size are sputtered onto a DPPC single layer, a sharp decrease in the intensity of the fluorescence yield from metal atoms is observed while the single layer is compressed. These data suggest that metal particles deposited onto the surface of a single layer were extruded into the aqueous subphase.     

Diffractive scattering of <Superscript>7</Superscript>Be and <Superscript>8</Superscript>B nuclei by <Superscript>12</Superscript>C nuclei

A theory of the diffractive scattering of loosely bound three-cluster nuclei by nuclei was developed with allowance for Coulomb interaction. The differential cross sections for the scattering of projectile exotic nuclei ⁷Be and ⁸B by ¹²C nuclei at an energy of 40 MeV per nucleon were calculated within the proposed formalism. The results describe satisfactorily relevant experimental data.     

Thermodynamics, adsorption kinetics and rheology of mixed protein-surfactant interfacial layers

Depending on the bulk composition, adsorption layers formed from mixed protein/surfactant solutions contain different amounts of protein. Clearly, increasing amounts of surfactant should decrease the amount of adsorbed proteins successively. However, due to the much larger adsorption energy, proteins are rather strongly bound to the interface and via competitive adsorption surfactants cannot easily displace proteins. A thermodynamic theory was developed recently which describes the composition of mixed protein/surfactant adsorption layers. This theory is based on models for the single compounds and allows a prognosis of the resulting mixed layers by using the characteristic parameters of the involved components. This thermodynamic theory serves also as the respective boundary condition for the dynamics of adsorption layers formed from mixed solutions and their dilational rheological behaviour. Based on experimental studies with milk proteins (β-casein and β-lactoglobulin) mixed with non-ionic (decyl and dodecyl dimethyl phosphine oxide) and ionic (sodium dodecyl sulphate and dodecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide) surfactants at the water/air and water/hexane interfaces, the potential of the theoretical tools is demonstrated.The displacement of pre-adsorbed proteins by subsequently added surfactant can be successfully studied by a special experimental technique based on a drop volume exchange. In this way the drop profile analysis can provide tensiometry and dilational rheology data (via drop oscillation experiments) for two adsorption routes — sequential adsorption of the single compounds in addition to the traditional simultaneous adsorption from a mixed solution. Complementary measurements of the surface shear rheology and the adsorption layer thickness via ellipsometry are added in order to support the proposed mechanisms drawn from tensiometry and dilational rheology, i.e. to show that the formation of mixed adsorption layer is based on a modification of the protein molecules via electrostatic (ionic) and/or hydrophobic interactions by the surfactant molecules and a competitive adsorption of the resulting complexes with the free, unbound surfactant. Under certain conditions, the properties of the sequentially formed layers differ from those formed simultaneously, which can be explained by the different locations of complex formation.