Optical constants of thin CoSi2 films on silicon

The optical transmission of CoSi₂ films of thickness 2.6–15 nm is measured in the wavelength range 1–20 m. The optical constants are evaluated by taking into account multiple reflections in the film and by fitting a Drude model. The plasma frequency _p=5.4–7.6 eV is equivalent to a carrier density n _eff=3×10²² cm^–3 and one carrier per unit cell. The relaxation frequency of the plasma resonance assumes high values =2 eV near the interface to silicon and decreases into the bulk film over several nanometers. Films grown off-axis from the (111) Si orientation exhibit an enhanced relaxation frequency.     

Structural properties and reactivity of bimetallic silver-gold clusters

Bimetallic silver-gold clusters are well suited to study changes in metallic versus ionic properties involving charge transfer as a function of the size and the composition. We present structures, ionization potentials (IP) and vertical detachment energies (VDE) for neutral and charged bimetallic Au_nAg_m ( 2(n + m)5) clusters obtained from density functional level of theory. In the stable structures of these clusters Au atoms assume positions which favor charge transfer from Ag atoms. In clusters with equal numbers of hetero atoms (n = m = 1- 4) heteronuclear bonding is preferred to homonuclear bonding, giving rise to large values of ionization potentials. For larger clusters (n=m=5, 10) stable structures do not favor neither hetero bonding nor segregation into the single components, although they exhibit more metallic than ionic features. This remains valid also for Au₈Ag₁₂ cluster characterized by strong charge transfer to gold subunit. The influence of doping of pure gold clusters with silver atoms on VDE and IP values is discussed in context of their reactivity towards O₂ and CO molecules. As a starting point we consider reactivity towards CO and O₂ molecules on the example of AgAu^- dimer. The results show that the catalytic cycle can be fullfilled.     

Continuity and relative hamiltonians

Let ( _n ) _n 1 be a norm convergent sequence of normal states on a von Neumann algebraA with _n . Let (k _n ) _n1 be a strongly convergent sequence of self-adjoint elements ofA withk _n k. It is shown that the sequence of perturbed states converges in norm to . A related result holds forC ^*-algebras. A counter-example is provided to show that it is not sufficient to assume weak convergence of ( _n ) _n 1 even whenk _n=k for alln. However, conditions are given which, together with weak convergence, are sufficient. Relative entropy methods are used, and a relative entropy inequality is proved.     

On the dynamics of a quantum system which is classically chaotic

We investigate the dynamics of one anisotropic spin in an external time-dependent magnetic field. The classical dynamics of the system is nonintegrable (and very similar to the standard map). We present results on this model for a quantum spin (i.e. for finite values of the spin lengthS). In particular we discuss the semiclassical regime,S1, using the concept of Wigner functions to define a suitable probability distribution. In regular regions of phase space the time evolution of the probability distribution shows an algebraic decay of correlations as in quantum mechanics. In chaotic regions of phase space it is characterised by a positive Lyapunov exponent which depends onS. In these regions semiclassical trajectories coincide with classical ones fort <₀ where ₀InS.     

Mach's principle and the reciprocal symmetry of nature

This article develops the postulate that spacetime-charge inversion invariance reflects a fundamental reciprocal symmetry in nature between the two long range forces, from which the derivation of Mach's principle (i.e., the principle that the fundamental parameters of the electromagnetically elementary charged particle are related to those describing the electromagnetically observable universe) follows quite easily. Interpreting this result, it is argued that relativity and quantum mechanics can be made conceptually compatible and mathematically consistent by this reciprocal symmetry if one realizes that relativity isboth a macroscopic, semiclassical theory (i.e., the global half of relativity, described by Eq. (1.1), including special and general relativity) and a microscopic theory (i.e., the local half of relativity, described by Eq. (2.1), including relativistic quantum mechanics and field theory). The reciprocal symmetry of nature, then, promises unique (differential and/or integral) relationships between the coordinate variables of the observers of these tworeciprocally related theories, which implies unique, consistent numerical values for the scalar curvatureR, the massM, and the critical density for closure, _c, of the observable universe [derived from the elementary particle parameters (i.e., the electron mass and Coulomb radius)]. With this symmetry we also postulate a plausible mechanism for spontaneous generation of matter from the ubiquitous (zero-mass ether) nothingness of the Dirac sea of filled negative energy states, and can consistently interpret both the positive and negative-energy state solutions of Dirac's equation for massive, spin-1/2 (i.e., fermion) particles and both the advanced and retarded potential solutions of electromagnetic field equations. It is pointed out that, with this interpretation of the advanced potential solutions from electromagnetic field theory, one can actuallyderive causality from electromagnetic theory.     

Convergence of Nelson fiffusions

Let _t, _t ⁿ ,n1, be solutions of Schrödinger equations with potentials form-bounded by –1/2 and initial data inH ¹( ^d ). LetP, P ⁿ ,n1, be the probability measures on the path space =C(₊, ^d ) given by the corresponding Nelson diffusions. We show that if { _t ⁿ } _n1 converges to _t inH ¹( ^d ), uniformly int over compact intervals, then converges to in total variation t0. Moreover, if the potentials are in the Kato classK _d , we show that the above result follows fromH ¹-convergence of initial data, andK _d -convergence of potentials.     

Finite-size dependence of the helicity modulus within the mean spherical model

The validity of the finite-size scaling prediction about the existence of logarithmic corrections in the helicity modulus of three-dimensional O(n)-symmetric order parameter systems in confined geometries is studied for the three-dimensional mean spherical model of geometryL ^3/s-d×^d, 0d<3. For a fully finite geometry the general case ofd _p0 periodic,d _a0 antiperiodic,d ₀0 free, andd ₁0 fixed (d _p+d_a+d₀+d₁=d, d=3) boundary conditions is considered, whereas for film (d=2) and cylinder (d=1) geometries only the case of antiperiodic and/or periodic boundary conditions is investigated. The corresponding expressions for the finite-size scaling function of the helicity modulus and its asymptotics in the vicinity, below, and above the bulk critical temperatureT _c and the shifted critical temperatureT _c,L are derived. The obtained results are not in agreement with the hypothesis of the existence of a log(L) correction term to the finite-size behavior of the helicity modulus in the finite-size critical region if d=3. In the case of film and cylinder geometries there are no logarithmic corrections. In the case of a fully finite geometry a universal logarithmic correction term –[(d ₀ –d ₁)/4–2^da–1/²] lnL/L is obtained only for (T _c-T) LlnL.     

Catalytically active gold clusters and nanoparticles for CO oxidation

Electronic states of gold nanoparticles in mordenite and their transformations under redox treatments have been studied by the methods of FTIR spectroscopy of adsorbed CO and diffuse reflectance UV-visible spectroscopy. Different states of ionic and metallic gold were detected in the zeolite channels and on the external surface of the zeolite - Au⁺ and Au³⁺ ions, charged clusters , and neutral nanoparticles Au_m. Catalytic tests of the samples revealed the existence of two types of active sites of gold in CO oxidation - gold clusters <2 nm (low-temperature activity) and gold nanoparticles (high temperature activity).     

Nonlinear lagrangians and Einstein spaces

It is shown that, for a Riemannian spaceV _d of dimensiond, solutions of the equation ((–g)^1/2 R ⁿ)/g^ab = 0 forn = (1/4)(d+2) may be interpreted as (d + 1)-dimensional Einstein spaces.     

Solution of the Semi-Infinite Toda Lattice for Unbounded Sequences

The semi-infinite Toda lattice is the system of differential equations d _n (t)/dt = _n (t)(b _n+1(t) – b _n (t)), db _n (t)/dt = 2( _n ²(t) – _n–1 ²(t)), n = 1, 2, ..., t > 0. The solution of this system (if it exists) is a pair of real sequences _n (t), b _n (t) which satisfy the conditions _n (0) = _n ,, b _n (0) = b _n , where _n > 0 and b _n are given sequences of real numbers. It is well known that the system has a unique solution provided that both sequences _n and b _n are bounded. When at least one of the known sequences _n and b _n is unbounded, many difficulties arise and, to the best of our knowledge, there are few results concerning the solution of the system. In this letter we find a class of unbounded sequences _n and b _n such that the system has a unique solution. The results are illustrated with a typical example where the sequences _i (t), b _i (t), i = 1, 2, ... can be exactly determined. The connection of the Toda lattice with the semi-infinite differential-difference equation d²/dt ² log h _n = h _n+1 + h _n–1 – 2h _n , n = 1, 2, ... is also discussed and the above results are translated to analogous results for the last equation.     

Percolation cluster sizes and perimeters in three dimensions

From exact perimeter polynomials of Sykes et al ind=3 dimensions we determine the average perimeter s _n of clusters, the width of the distribution about the average value, and the numberc _n of clusters containingn occupied sites each. The exponent, defined through log (c _n ) —n for largen, is found to be consistent with the predictions (p < p _c ) = 1 and (p>p _c )=(d—1)/d.     

Speeding-up and scaling of domain-wall relaxation nearT c of a uniaxial ferromagnet

The dynamic susceptibility () measured between 10 Hz and 10 MHz on different GdCl₃-ellipsoids (T _c=2.21 K) reveals a completely reversible motion of the domain walls. Taking into account the contribution of the fast adiabatic intradomain magnetization to the nearly Debye-shaped (), we determine for the first time the kinetic Onsager coefficientL _d of the domain wall relaxation of a ferromagnet. Approaching the CurietemperatureL _d speeds up critically, which by a novel simple relaxational model can be related to the increasing width (=correlation length) of linear Bulaevskii-Ginzburg domain-walls and to the shrinking domain period. The reduction ofL _d by an external field can be represented by a universal scaling function, and within the same dynamical model, this effect is ascribed to the increase of the domain period, predicted for a bubble phase. However, the effect of sample size onL _d is much smaller than expected.     

Space-Charge Field Induced in a Photorefractive Crystal with an Applied Square-Wave Electric Field for Large Contrast of an Interference Pattern

In the quasi-static approximation, the nonlinear equation for the space-charge field E _sc formed in a photorefractive crystal with an applied square-wave voltage under the action of light with an inhomogeneous transverse intensity distribution is derived. The spatial spectrum of the field E _sc induced in a Bi₁₂TiO₂₀ crystal with typical values of the acceptor density N _A and of the product of the electron mobility by the recombination time _R is analyzed. An approximate analytical solution of the nonlinear equation is derived in the case in which the amplitudes of spatial harmonics of the spectrum E _sc form a nonmonotonic sequence. The spatial distribution of the induced electric field is calculated numerically for crystals with different parameters N _A and _R .     

A long-time tail for random walk in random scenery

Consider a simple random walk on ^d whose sites are colored black or white independently with probabilityq, resp. 1–q. Walk and coloring are independent. Letn _k be the number of steps by the walk between itskth and (k+1) th visits to a black site (i.e., the length of itskth white run), and let _k =E(n _k )–q ^–1. Our main result is a proof that (*) lim _k k ^d/2 _k = (1 –q)q ^{d/2 – 2}(d/2) ^d/2. Since it is known thatq ^{– 1} _k =E(n ₁ n _{k + 1} B) –E(n ₁ B)E(n _{k + 1} B), withB the event that the origin is black, (*) exhibits a long-time tail in the run length autocorrelation function. Numerical calculations of _k (1k100) ind=1, 2, and 3 show that there is an oscillatory behavior of _k for smallk. This damps exponentially fast, following which the power law sets in fairly rapidly. We prove that if the coloring is not independent, but is convex in the sense of FKG, then the decay of _k cannot be faster than (*).     

Photon scattering on quasi-free neutrons in the reaction γd→γ′np and neutron polarizabilities

The possibility to obtain information on n scattering at intermediate energies from the reaction dnp is analyzed. To this aim, the differential cross sectiond ³ /d ,d _n dE _n and the scattering asymmetry with linearly polarized photons are calculated at photon energies 100 to 400 MeV in the diagrammatic approach. The pole diagrams of the impulse approximation are evaluated with realistic n and p scattering amplitudes. One-loop diagrams withnp rescattering in the final state and with meson-exchange and isobar currents are taken into account as well. The main contribution to the differential cross sectiond ³ /d ,d _n dE _n in the kinematics of quasi-free n scattering arises from the neutron pole diagram. The correction due to other diagrams is typically –30% to –10% and decreases with increasing photon energy and momentum transfer. The sensitivity of the cross sections to the magnitude of the neutron electric polarizability and to the sign of the ⁰2 decay constant is demonstrated.     

197Au Mössbauer study of a gold-doped YBa2Cu3O7-σ high-temperature superconductor

A high temperature superconductor with the composition YBa₂Cu_2.9Au_0.1O_7– was studied by Mössbauer spectroscopy with the 77 keV gamma rays of¹⁹⁷Au, by X-ray diffraction, and by magnetization measurements. The main component in the Mössbauer spectrum, a quadrupole doublet with an isomer shift of +3.29 mm/s with respect to metallic gold and a quadrupole splitting of 3.61 mm/s, can be attributed to Au³⁺ in a square planar oxygen coordination, as is expected for gold replacing Cu(1). A further, weak doublet becomes dominant upon reduction of the specimen, and has an isomer shift of +3.46 mm/s and a quadrupole splitting of 7.12 mm/s. This component may be Au⁺ or Au³⁺ in an unusual coordination. Only a small fraction of the gold was found to be metallic in both the oxidized and the reduced state.     

On Percolation with Fibers or Layers

We consider site percolation on Z ^d, directed edges going from any sZ ^d to s+A ₁,..., s+A _n, where A ₁,..., A _n are the same for all sites and at least two of them are noncollinear. A site is closed if it belongs to p+Block, where p is a point in a Poisson distribution in R ^dZ ^d with a density and Block={sL: |s|M}+{sR ^d: |s|}, where L is a linear subspace of R ^d, |·| is the Euclidean norm, =max(|A ₁|,..., |A _n|) and M is a parameter. We study the behavior of *, the critical value, and P _closed*, corresponding critical percentage of closed sites, when M. Denote R ^d/L the factor space. Call two nonzero vectors U, V codirected if U=kV, where k>0. Theorem. If there are A _i and A _j whose projections to R ^d/L are not codirected, then *1/M ^dim(L) and P _closed* remains separated both from 0 and 1 when M. If projections of all A ₁,..., A _n to R ^d/L are codirected, then *1/M ^dim(L)+1 and P _closed*1/M when M.     

Imaging {Au0-PAMAM} Gold-dendrimer Nanocomposites in Cells

Dendrimer nanocomposites (DNC) are hybrid nanoparticles formed by the dispersion and immobilization of guest atoms or small clusters in dendritic polymer matrices. They have a great potential in biomedical applications due to their controlled composition, predetermined size, shape and variable surface functionalities. In this work, d=5–25nm spherical nanoparticles composed of gold and poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimers have been selected to demonstrate this nanoparticle based concept. {Au(0)_n-PAMAM} gold dendrimer nanocomposites with a well-defined size were synthesized and imaged by transmission electron microscopy both in vitro and in vivo. DNC have also the potential to be used for imaging and drug delivery vehicles either by utilizing bioactive guests or through the incorporation of radioactive isotopes, such as Au-198.     

A note on differentiability of the cluster density for independent percolation in high dimensions

The cluster density function of independent percolation in ad-dimensional lattice is considered. For eachn, it is shown that(p) has finitenth leftderivative at critical probabilityp _c ifd is sufficiently large. This result agrees with the Bethe lattice approximation, where thenth one-sided derivative of(p) is bounded atp _c for alln.     

Microwave relaxation and phenomenological damping in thin films

The relation between relaxation timeT, frequency swept resonance linewidth , and phenomenological damping is given by =2/T=(_x+_y), where _x,y = (H ₀+(N _x,y –N _z ) 4M _s ).N _x,y,z are sample demagnetizing factors,H ₀ is the effectivez-directed static field, 4M _s is the saturation induction, and is the gyromagnetic ratio. This fairly simple but general relation shows that the numerical relation between damping and relaxation at a given frequency can be quite different for in-plane and normally magnetized thin films. For thesame loss processes, so thatT andT are equal, is larger than . For permalloy films at 1 GHz, =15 . In addition, the conventional field swept linewidth, H=/, is simply related to only forN _x =N _y . Both and H are geometry dependent and do not provide an intrinsic measure of the relaxation. These results are confirmed by both resonance and transient response experiments. The large values of for large angle switching may also be partially explained by this analysis because the relevant magnetization motion is due to a demagnetizing field normal to the film plane.Visiting scientist on leave fromRaytheon Company, U.S.A. Supported by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science.