Photodiffraction in InGaAs/InGaAsP multiple quantum wells enclosed in a microcavity

We report new results on the diffraction properties of photoinduced gratings in InGaAs/InGaAsP MQW structures. The original feature of this device is that the QWs are enclosed in an asymmetric Fabry–Perot microcavity in order to increase the diffraction efficiency. We observe oscillations in the diffraction efficiency due to resonant effects in the microcavity. The experimental spectra are compared with theory. Diffraction efficiency at 1.55 μm attains a maximum value of 2.7% at a write beam fluence of 260 μ J cm⁻², and then decreases at higher fluences. We explain this phenomenon by an absorption saturation at high excitation.     

Observation of baker’s yeast strains used in biotransformation by atomic force microscopy

Different strains of baker’s yeast(Saccharomyces cerevisiae) were imaged with an atomic force microscope (AFM). The images of uncoated and nonfixed samples were reproducible with high-constrast and nanometer-resolution. Molecules from the polysaccharide surface of the cell wall were pictured and the distance of atoms was measured. The preparation of samples was easy, suggesting that AFM is a useful tool in this type of analyses.     

Synthesis,characterization, spectroscopy and thermal analysis of rare earth picrate complexes with <Emphasis Type="Italic">L</Emphasis>-lysine

Summary Rare earth picrate (RE) complexes with L-lysine (Lys) were synthesized and characterized. Elemental analysis (CHN), EDTA titrations and thermogravimetry data suggest a general formula RE(pic)₃·2Lys·2H₂O, where RE=La-Lu (without Pm) and Y, pic=picrate). IR spectra suggest that Lys is coordinated to the central ion through the nitrogen of the α-amino group. Parameters obtained from the absorption spectrum of the Nd compound indicated that the metal-ligand bonds are essentially electrostatic. Emission spectrum and biexponential behavior of the luminescence decay of the Eu compound suggest the existence of polymeric species. Thermogravimetric/derivative thermogravimetric (TG/DTG) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) curves of all complexes are very similar, with five events. The final products are the corresponding rare earth oxides and their X-ray diffraction patterns are identical to the calcinated oxides.</o:p>     

Thermal decomposition and indirect structural determination of rare earth element picrates with the dtso ligand

The complexes [Ln(pic)₃(DTSO)₃] (Ln=La, Lu and Y; pic=picrate; DTSO=1,3-dithiane-1-oxide) were synthesized and characterized. Indirect structural determination by far infrared spectroscopy is presented. Results from thermal decomposition of these complexes by TG/DTG and DSC techniques are reported. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Coordination modes of 2-hydroxynicotinic acid in second- and third-row transition metal complexes

The new Pd(II), Pt(II), Re(V), Mo(VI) and W(VI) complexes of 2-hydroxynicotinic acid (H₂nicO), trans-[PdCl(HnicO)(PPh₃)₂]·0.75CH₃CN (1), K[PdCl(HnicO)₂]·H₂O (2), [Pd(HnicO)₂(bipy)] (3), cis-[PtCl(HnicO)(PPh₃)₂]·0.75CH₃OH·0.5H₂O (4), [PtCl(HnicO)(bipy)] (5), cis-[ReOI₂(HnicO)(PPh₃)] (6), Na₂[Mo₂O₆(HnicO)₂]·5H₂O (7), Na₂[Mo₄O₁₂(HnicO)₂]·2H₂O (8) and Na₂[W₂O₆(HnicO)₂]·5H₂O (9) have been prepared. The crystal structures of 1 and 4, were determined by X-ray diffraction and show the HnicO⁻ ligand coordinated to palladium or platinum through the nitrogen atom only. Infrared, Raman, ¹H and ¹³C{¹H} NMR spectroscopic data for the complexes are presented and are in agreement with the crystallographic results.     

Molecular dynamics simulations of a nucleoside analogue of 1,4-dihydro-4-oxoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid synthesized as a potential antiviral agent: Conformational studies in vacuum and in water

Conformational analysis of nucleosides may have direct applications to the structure–activity relationship (SAR) studies and in the design of new drug candidates. Although conformational analysis may be accessed in many different ways, in this work it was performed using molecular dynamics (MD) simulation in order to study the dynamic behavior of a nucleoside derivative of 1,4-dihydro-4-oxoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid, synthesized by our group as a potential antiviral agent. The MD simulation was carried out during 10 ns in vacuum and in a box of water at two different temperatures (i.e., 300 and 600 K) using the AMBER force field. The in vacuum MD simulation results are in agreement with the crystallographic structure and with the DFT calculations of the nucleoside, revealing the anti conformer as the more stable one. The simulation in water, however, shows that both conformers may exist at 300 K, the temperature of the in vivo and in vitro assays, revealing that both the syn and anti conformers should be considered in a MD simulation study of the inhibitor–enzyme complex. Simulations are also in agreement with the NOE experiment, which shows that the anti conformer is the preferential one in DMSO-d6 solution at 298 K.     

Actinide heterobimetallic oxides (Th, U): reduction studies

In our laboratories we have been studying the synthesis and reactivity of binary actinide and lanthanide intermetallic compounds. In this work, the air-oxidation of ThCu₂ and AnNi₂ (An = Th, U) was followed by thermogravimetry (TG) and the products were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD). The heterobimetallic oxides obtained are described by the formulas 2MO·ThO₂ (M = Cu, Ni) and 2NiO·UO₃. The thermogravimetric analysis under hydrogen of these heterobimetallic oxides show one mass loss for 2MO·ThO₂ and two mass losses for 2NiO·UO₃ over a wide range of temperature (293–1273 K). The characterization by XRD shows that the reduction products are 2M·ThO₂ (M = Cu, Ni) and 2Ni·UO₂, with all the actinides in the 4+ oxidation state. The actinide heterobimetallic oxides were described as copper or nickel supported catalysts.