Reactions of d0 group 4 amides with dioxygen. Preparation of unusual oxo aminoxy complexes and theoretical studies of their formation

Reactions of d0 amides M(NMe2)4 (M = Zr, 1; Hf, 2) with O2 have been found to yield unusual trinuclear oxo aminoxide complexes M3(NMe2)6(mu-NMe2)3(mu3-O)(mu3-ONMe2) (M = Zr, 3; Hf, 4) in high yields. Tetramethylhydrazine Me2N-NMe2 was also observed in the reaction mixtures. Crystal structures of 3 and 4 have been determined. Density functional theory calculations have been performed to explore the mechanistic pathways in the reactions of model complexes Zr(NR2)4 (R = H, 5; Me, 1) and [Zr(NR2)4]2 (R = H, 5a; Me, 1a) with triplet O2. Monomeric and dimeric reaction pathways in the formation of the Zr complex 3 are proposed.     

183-W, M(2) = 2.4 Yb:YAG Q-switched laser

We have fabricated a diode-array end-pumped Yb:YAG rod laser with output powers greater than 200 W cw and 195 W Q -switched at 5 kHz. At an output power of 183 W and a repetition rate of 5 kHz, the beam quality was measured to be M(2)=2.4 . The laser design incorporates a hollow lens duct to concentrate the diode pump light for delivery to the end of the laser rod while maintaining access to the laser beam. This configuration provides increased flexibility for the resonator design and permits the use of birefringence compensation in the cavity to yield polarized output with increased efficiency. Using the recently described birefringence compensation method of Clarkson et al. [in Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics (Optical Society of America, Washington, D.C., 1998), paper CTuI3], we obtained 112 W of cw power with a polarized beam of M(2)=3.2.     

X-ray determination of the mean amplitudes of vibration and debye temperatures of some rare earth monochalcogenides

The x-ray diffraction intensities of Bragg reflections have been measured at room temperature for thulium selenide, samarium sulphide, samarium selenide and samarium telluride. On the basis of a common amplitude approximation, the Debye-Waller factor, the mean amplitude of vibration and the Debye temperature have been evaluated. The values of the Debye temperatures and mean amplitudes of vibration are 176±16°K, 0·185 ± 0·017 Å (TmSe), 155 ± 7°K, 0·244 ± 0·012 Å (SmS), 153 ± 14°K, 0·221 ± 0·020 Å (SmSe) and 151 ± 20°K, 0·204 ± 0·027 Å (SmTe).     

Carbon nanotube salts. Arylation of single-wall carbon nanotubes

[reaction: see text] Carbon nanotube salts prepared by treating single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) with lithium in liquid ammonia react readily with aryl iodides to give SWNTs functionalized by aryl groups.     

Current-induced domain wall motion

The present understanding of domain wall motion induced by spin-polarized electric current is assessed by considering a subset of experiments, analytical models, and numerical simulations based on an important model system: soft magnetic nanowires. Examination of this work demonstrates notable progress in characterizing the experimental manifestations of the “spin-torque” interaction, and in describing that interaction at a phenomenological level. At the same time, an experimentally verified microscopic understanding of the basic mechanisms will require substantial future efforts, both experimental and theoretical.     

High-average-power diode-pumped femtosecond Cr:LiSAF lasers

Received: 27 February 1997/Revised version: 14 April 1997