Totally avoided surface crossings in amino radical-radical recombinations

Semi-empirically generated potential energy surfaces for NN bond rupture in hydrazine and NH bond rupture in ammonia show that ground-excited singlet state crossings or near crossings occur along certain geometrical pathways while other lower energy pathways exhibit no theoretical vestige of such a crossing. This latter observation is in agreement with experimental evidence indicating that NH₂ + NH₂ or NH₂ + H reactions occur without activation energies. Thus, while orbital or state symmetry arguments are useful qualitative guides as to the possible shape of surfaces along certain symmetry restricted pathways they provide no information for the non-symmetrical ones.     

Non-adiabatic transitions near avoided crossings: theory and numerics

We present a review of rigorous mathematical results about non-adiabatic transitions in molecular systems that are associated with avoided crossings of electron energy level surfaces. We then present a novel numerical technique for studying these transitions that is based on expansions in semiclassical wavepackets.     

The role of avoided crossings in the dynamics of strong laser field — matter interactions

The structure of quasi-energy surfaces, i.e. of quasi-energies as functions of external parameters like the laser frequency, laser intensity, atomic distances etc., is discussed and avoided crossings are traced to the existence of diabolical points at the origin of doublecone structures. The notion of non-contractable closed loops produces non-trivial Berry-phases. We then consider the interaction of atomic or molecular systems with relatively short smooth pulses and find that avoided crossings and, hence, diabolical points essentially, dominate non-adiabatic effects; away from avoided crossings the system evolves adiabatically in Floquet states, phases picked up during this motion lead to a new interference phenomenon which we study numerically in an appropriately simplified model. A scenario for the measurement of Berry phases is proposed which is linked to this interference in an essential manner; its eventual feasibility stems from the fact that at least two external parameters can be freely tuned in laser-atom (molecule) systems.     

Calculation of avoided crossings for highly excited Stark states of Rb

Using the method of diagonalization, in which zero-field wavefunctions from a potential model are chosen as a basis, we calculate positions and widths of anticrossings for highly excited Stark states of Rb with principal quantum number n up to 49. We obtain the theoretical positions and widths in good agreement with available experimental values, and we present scaling laws of the field positions and widths of anticrossings that can be used to provide information for future experiments.     

Clarification of the concept of avoided crossings in the NH-bond-rupture surfaces of excited ammonia

An expanded orbital and state symmetry analysis of the NH-bond-rupture-surfaces of the ground and various excited states of ammonia clarifies the concept of avoided crossings in this system. The diagrammatic analysis is confirmed by small and large Rydberg-basis-set ab initio CI calculations on this system.     

The spectral dispersion curves of highly oriented fibres

Spectral dispersion curves of the refractive indices and birefringence of highly oriented fibres [poly(ethylene 2,6-naphthalene-dicarboxylate) (1000 denier/248 filaments, PEN-Q50M4; PEN), poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), Seun yarn (meta-aramid fibres, Teijin Japan; CONEX) and Technora T-240 (1000 denier/667 filaments aramid fibres, Teijin Japan; TECHNORA)] have investigated using the automatic variable-wavelength interferometric (VAWI) technique. This technique is especially recommended for measuring the refractive indices of highly oriented fibres. The polarizabilities per unit volume are calculated for these fibres and the molecular orientation function of PEN and PET are determined. Microinterferograms are given for illustration.     

Explicitly correlated multireference configuration interaction with multiple reference functions: avoided crossings and conical intersections

We develop an explicitly correlated multireference configuration interaction method (MRCI-F12) with multiple reference functions. It can be routinely applied to nearly degenerate molecular electronic structures near conical intersections and avoided crossings, where the reference functions are strongly mixed in the correlated wave function. This work is a generalization of the MRCI-F12 method for electronic ground states, reported earlier by Shiozaki et al. [J. Chem. Phys. 134, 034113 (2011)]. The so-called F12b approximation is used to arrive at computationally efficient formulas. The doubly external part of the wave function is expanded in terms of internally contracted configurations generated from all the reference functions. In addition, we introduce a singles correction to the CASSCF reference energies, which is applicable to multi-state calculations. As examples, we present numerical results for the avoided crossing of LiF, excited states of ozone, and the H(2)?+?OH (A(2)Σ(+)) reaction.     

The dispersion damping functions and interaction energy curves for Xe-Xe

Ab initio potential energy curves have been calculated for the ground state of Xe₂ including dispersion interactions. The total interaction energy has been approximated by a sum of the repulsive Hartree-Fock interaction plus the attractive dispersion interaction which is appropriately damped to take account of charge overlap.     

Controlled dynamics at an avoided crossing interpreted in terms of dynamically fluctuating potential energy curves

The nonadiabatic nuclear wavepacket dynamics on the coupled two lowest (1)Σ(+) states of the LiF molecule under the action of a control pulse is investigated. The control is achieved by a modulation of the characteristics of the potential energy curves using an infrared field with a cycle duration comparable to the time scale of nuclear dynamics. The transition of population between the states is interpreted on the basis of the coupled nuclear wavepacket dynamics on the effective potential curves, which are transformed from the adiabatic potential curves with use of a diabatic representation that diagonalizes the dipole-moment matrix of the relevant electronic states. The basic feature of the transition dynamics is characterized in terms of the notion of the collision between the dynamical crossing point and nuclear wavepackets running on such modulated potential curves, and the transition amplitude is mainly dominated by the off-diagonal matrix element of the time-independent electronic Hamiltonian in the present diabatic representation. The importance of the geometry dependence of the intrinsic dipole moments as well as of the diabatic coupling potential is illustrated both theoretically and numerically.     

The interpretation of kinetic parameters from thermogravimetric polymer degradation curves

In addition to the method of Flynn—Wall the Freeman—Carroll method too was employed to determine the kinetic parameters of polymer degradation, since this latter method is also applicable in cases where the kinetic parameters vary during the decomposition process or where the temperature of the sample does not increase according to a strictly linear programme. To interpret the results an extension of Boyd's theory was attempted with a formal model of polymer decomposition by elimination; it was possible to describe the kinetic constants of the reaction with the values obtained. In depolymerization and polymer decomposition by elimination the reaction mechanism may readily be determined using these kinetic parameters.

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Zusammenfassung Bei der Bestimmung der kinetischen Parameter von Polymeren wurde außer der Flynn—Wall-Methode auch die Freeman —Carroll-Methode eingesetzt, da letztere auch in solchen Fällen anzuwenden ist, bei denen sich die kinetischen Parameter während des Abbauvorganges ändern oder bei welchen der Temperaturanstieg in der Probe nicht nach einem genau linearen Programm erfolgt. Zur Deutung der Ergebnisse wurde versucht, die Boydsche Theorie mit Hilfe eines formalen Modells für den Polymer-Abbau durch Eliminierung auszuweitern und somit zu beweisen, daß die Beschreibung der kinetischen Konstanten dieser Reaktionen an Hand der erhaltenen Werte möglich ist. Es wurde auch betont, daß in den Fällen der Depolymerisierung und der Polymerzersetzung durch Eliminierung der Reaktionsmechanismus unter Anwendung dieser kinetischen Parameter leicht bestimmt werden kann.

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Résumé Dans le but de déterminer les paramètres cinétiques des polymères, on a utilisé la méthode de Flynn—Wall et celle de Freeman — Carroll qui peut aussi s'appliquer quand les paramètres cinétiques varient pendant la décomposition ou lorsque la température de l'échantillon n'augmente pas suivant un programme strictement linéaire. Pour interpréter les résultats, on a étendu la théorie de Boyd pour la dégradation des polymères par élimination et montré qu'il était possible de décrire les constantes cinétiques de ces réactions à l'aide des valeurs obtenues. On a mis également en relief que, dans le cas de la dépolymérisation et de la décomposition des polymères avec perte de poids, ces paramètres cinétiques se prÊtent aisément à la détermination du mécanisme de la réaction.

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The dispersion damping functions and interaction energy curves HeHe

Dispersion damping functions for the dipole—dipole, dipole—quadrupole, dipole—octupole, and quadrupole—quadrupole dispersion energy have been computed for HeHe. They are obtained using separated fragment polarizabilities of complex argument. The interaction energy is computed by adding the damped dispersion energy to the Hartree—Fock interaction energy. The resulting interaction energy curve is in excellent agreement with experiment.     

Phonon dispersion curves and phonon lifetimes in crystalline ammonia

The theory of lattice dynamics of molecular crystals using atom—atom and multiple—multipole potentials developed in previous papers is extended to take account of anharmonic effects. Calculations of the dispersion curves and the density of states for the harmonic phonons in solid ammonia are presented. The finite phonon lifetimes due to anharmonicity are calculated for the zero wave vector modes and compared with experiment.     

Uniform polymer particles by dispersion polymerization in alcohol

Uniform polystyrene particles in 1–10 μm size range and up to 40% solid contents have been prepared by polymerizing styrene in ethyl alcohol with azo-type initiators and a polymeric stabilizer polyvinylpyrrolidone along with an anionic, nonionic, or comonomeric co-stabilizer. Effects of polymerization parameters, such as monomer concentration, type of co-stabilizer, initiator type and concentration, crosslinking monomer, and diluent on average particle size and size distribution have been studied. Functional groups such as hydroxyl, carboxyl, amine, amide, silane, polydimethylsiloxane, and silacrown have been successfully incorporated onto the particles by copolymerization. A mechanism for particle formation and growth in dispersion polymerization is presented.     

Characterisation of the dispersion in polymer flame retarded nanocomposites

Flame retardant nanocomposites have attracted many research efforts because they combine the advantages of a conventional flame retardant polymer with that of polymer nanocomposite. However the properties obtained depend on the dispersion of the nanoparticles. In this study, three types of polymer flame retarded nanocomposites based on different matrices (polypropylene (PP), polybutadiene terephtalate (PBT) and polyamide 6 (PA6)) have been prepared by extrusion. In order to investigate the dispersion of nanoparticles in the polymer containing flame retardant, conventional methods used to characterise the morphology of composites have been applied to FR composites containing nanoclays. XRD, TEM and melt rheology give useful information to describe the dispersion of the nanofiller in the flame retarded nanocomposite. In the PA6-OP1311 (phosphorus based flame retardant) materials, the clay is well dispersed unlike in PBT and PP materials where microcomposites are obtained with some intercalation. The poor dispersion is also highlighted by NMR measurements but the presence of flame retardant particles interferes in the quantitative evaluation of nanoclay dispersion and underestimations are made.     

Axial dispersion of polymer molecules in gel permeation chromatography

Gel permeation chromatography is an elution chromatographic process depending on the permeation of the solute through a bed of gel particles. This process is used in the estimation of molecular weight distributions of polymers, since elution occurs in decreasing order of molecular size. The eluting species, however, are not perfectly fractionated, and apparent broadening of the distribution occurs. This broadening results from an axial (longitudinal) mixing of the eluting species. Consideration of the accessible bed volume for each species permits a correction to be made for this axial dispersion. The concept was applied to heterodisperse distributions by solving the resulting simultaneous equations. A least-squares regression may be employed to utilize the experimental data most effectively. The experimental chromatogram can be described in terms of accessible bed volume and dispersion coefficient of each species together with flow rate, sample concentration, and chromatograph column geometry. The chromatogram corrected for the axial dispersion describes the molecular weight distribution more accurately than does the experimentally determined curve. The correction procedure was applied to a well-characterized polystyrene; the results of the gel permeation chromatography show excellent confirmation of the results of fractionation and of other instrumental analyses.     

Coagulation of a polymer solution: Effect of initial dispersion of polymer in solvent

Modeling results indicate that a moderate increase in coarseness of the initial dispersion of the polymer in solution leads to a faster coagulation rate and to the formation of a more uniform structure. Such an increase in coarseness can be obtained either by bringing the polymer solution close to the solubility limit or by increasing the stiffness of the polymer chains. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J. Polym. Sci. B Polym. Phys. 36: 2493–2497, 1998     

The Christiansen effect of brightly colored colloidal dispersion with an amphiphilic polymer

A novel coloration phenomenon in a colloidal dispersion with an amphiphilic polymer was found. The dispersion consists of tetrahydrofuran (THF), an aqueous solution of sodium thiosulfate (Na(2)S(2)O(3).5H(2)O), and hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC). The dispersion was emulsified by HPC as an amphiphilic polymer, so that the aqueous phase was confined in droplets in the THF matrix. It typically appeared bluish violet at room temperature and turned into blue with increasing temperature. In this system, the refractive indices of the inside and outside of the droplet coincided at a certain wavelength at which the light passes through without scattering, which is called the Christiansen effect. The color observed was successfully simulated by Mie's scattering theory in combination with the Christiansen effect.