Luminescence investigations of the GaP-based dilute nitride Ga(NAsP) material system

Multi-quantum well heterostructures (MQWHs) of the novel Ga(NAsP)/GaP material system have been grown, pseudomorphically strained to GaP-substrate. The crystalline perfection is verified by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). For As-concentrations in excess of about 70%, a direct band structure and adequate luminescence efficiency for laser device application is observed. Temperature-dependent photoluminescence (PL) investigations show the influence of carrier localisation and non-radiative recombination processes typical for dilute nitride materials. With rising N content in the active material, the emission wavelength shifts towards longer wavelength, leading to Ga(NAs)/GaP MQW structures with photon energies below the indirect band gap of silicon (Si). At the same time the luminescence intensity drops due to an increase in non-radiative carrier traps and/or structural degradation.     

Determination of metal-ligand stoichiometries for inorganic complexes using total reflection X-ray fluorescence

The methods usually used to determine the ratio metal-ligand in inorganic complexes require a set of solutions with different concentrations for both the ligand and metal. We propose a new method using the total reflection X-ray fluorescence technique, in which the ratio between metal and ligand is determined precisely, easily, and quickly. Experimental results provide evidence that for different chemical complexes, the ligand-metal ratio determined by this technique deviates at most from stoichiometric values by 6%. The technique is restricted usually to elements with Z above 14, and its detection limit is on the order of 10(-8) g/g.     

Disturbing effect of CaCl2 used for drying in the measurement of 226Ra in water

A frequently used method in determining the radium concentration of water is the radon emanation method. When radon gas is transferred to the Lucas-cell usually CaCl₂ is used to remove the water traces. When we measured the background of the system using ultra clear distilled water the results were astonishing. The detailed investigation has shown that the unwanted radon originated from the CaCl₂, contained about 1000 Bq/kg of ²²⁶Ra. Depending on the time interval between two measurement, the radon deriving from the CaCl₂ disturbed the measurements.     

Selective and shape-selective Baeyer-Villiger oxidations of aromatic aldehydes and cyclic ketones with Sn-beta zeolites and H2O2

Sn-Beta is used as a heterogeneous catalyst for the Baeyer-Villiger reaction with hydrogen peroxide. Cyclic ketones are transformed into the corresponding lactones, while unsaturated ketones are oxidized to the corresponding unsaturated lactones with very high chemoselectivity. The catalyst is also selective for the oxidation of aromatic aldehydes with H2O2, producing the formate ester or the corresponding hydrolyzed product, that is the alcohol. Shape-selective oxidations are observed for isomeric reactants with different molecular shapes. The catalytic Sn sites have been characterized by 119Sn MAS-NMR spectroscopy, and tetrahedral incorporation into the zeolite framework has been demonstrated. In situ IR spectroscopy and 18O labeling experiments have shown that the oxidation mechanism involves an intermediate of the Criegee type.     

Model for the evolution of hot and compressed spherical nuclei

A hydrodynamical approach and the Thomas Fermi approximation have been used to study the evolution of hot and compressed nuclei. Spherical symmetry was assumed in the calculation. The dynamical equations have been transformed into “Schrödinger like” equations (using the Madelung transformation) and were solved numerically. Dissipation was simulated in the same way as in the Navier-Stokes equation by introducing shear and bulk viscosities. Global as well as local thermal equilibrium have been studied. The model has been applied to small amplitude oscillations (the breathing mode) and to the stability of hot and compressed nuclei. It was found that compression is more efficient to break nuclei than thermal excitation. The relaxation time for global equilibrium was estimated to be of the order of 10^?22 s. It was found that the results obtained in the case of global and local thermal equilibrium are very similar.     

Rotationally constrained Hartree-Fock calculations and nuclear fission

Static Hartree-Fock calculations for a model ${}^{144}\text{Nd}$ nucleus are carried out under the assumption of axial symmetry and with constraints on the component of angular momentum perpendicular to the symmetry axis. The resulting energy surfaces exhibit a well defined fission barrier which decreases with increasing angular momentum more rapidly than predicted by liquid drop calculations.     

Entropy of transfer of n-nitroalkanes from n-octane to water at 25°C

Entropy of transfer of nitromethane, nitroethane, 1-nitrobutane, 1-nitropentane, and 1-nitrohexane from n-octane to water at 25°C is calculated using an electrostatic model. The calculations indicate that the electrostatic transfer entropy depends primarily on the dipole moment and the size of the-C–NO₂ group, showing a trend which is similar to that previously found for the transfer free energy of the same process.     

Uniform catalytic site in Sn-beta-zeolite determined using X-ray absorption fine structure

The Sn silicate zeolite, Sn-beta, has been shown to be an efficient, selective heterogeneous catalyst for Baeyer-Villiger oxidations. Using primarily a multishell fit to extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) data, we show that the Sn does not randomly insert into the beta-zeolite structure but rather occupies identical, specific, crystallographic sites. These sites are the T5/T6 sites in the six-membered rings. Moreover, the Sn is substituted in pairs on opposite sides of these six-membered rings. We believe that it is the specific, uniform crystallographic location of the Sn in the beta crystal structure that leads to sites with uniform catalytic activity, and consequently to the high chemical selectivity demonstrated for this catalyst. This manifests itself in the almost enzyme-like selectivity of this catalyst in Baeyer-Villiger oxidations. This uniform site distribution of the Sn suggests that there is likely a symbiotic relationship between the structure-directing agent in the zeolite synthesis and the Sn heteroatoms during the framework formation.     

Spherical time dependent Thomas-Fermi calculation of the dynamical evolution of hot and compressed nuclei

We have used a self-consistent time dependent Thomas-Fermi model at finite temperature to calculate the dynamical evolution of hot and compressed nuclei. It has been found that nuclei can accomodate more thermal energy than compressional energy before they break.