The mixed alkali effect in ionically conducting glasses revisited: a study by molecular dynamics simulation

When more than two kinds of mobile ions are mixed in ionic conducting glasses and crystals, there is a non-linear decrease of the transport coefficients of either type of ion. This phenomenon is known as the mixed mobile ion effect or Mixed Alkali Effect (MAE), and remains an unsolved problem. We use molecular dynamics simulation to study the complex ion dynamics in ionically conducting glasses including the MAE. In the mixed alkali lithium-potassium silicate glasses and related systems, a distinct part of the van Hove functions reveals that jumps from one kind of site to another are suppressed. Although, consensus for the existence of preferential jump paths for each kind of mobile ions seems to have been reached amongst researchers, the role of network formers and the number of unoccupied ion sites remain controversial in explaining the MAE. In principle, these factors when incorporated into a theory can generate the MAE, but in reality they are not essential for a viable explanation of the ion dynamics and the MAE. Instead, dynamical heterogeneity and "cooperativity blockage" originating from ion-ion interaction and correlation are fundamental for the observed ion dynamics and the MAE. Suppression of long range motion with increased back-correlated motions is shown to be a cause of the large decrease of the diffusivity especially in dilute foreign alkali regions. Support for our conclusion also comes from the fact that these features of ion dynamics are common to other ionic conductors, which have no glassy networks, and yet they all exhibit the MAE.     

Response dynamics of 2-D quantum dots in the presence of time-varying fields: Anharmonicity and pulse shape effects

We explore the pattern of time evolution of different observables in a harmonically confined single carrier 2-D quantum dot when an external time-varying electric field is switched on. A static transverse magnetic field is also present. For given strengths of the confining field, cyclotron frequency, intensity and oscillation frequency of the external field, and pulse shape parameters, the system reveals a long time dynamics that leads to a kind of localization in the unperturbed state space. The presence of cubic anharmonicity in the confining field brings in new features in the dynamics. Frequency dependent linear and non-linear response properties of the dot are analyzed.     

微波波谱法研究分子系统内基团大幅度运动动力学

分子中基团的运动方式、机制对分子体系性质、分子功能的表达等具有重要作用。微波波谱法在研究分子系统内部动力学、分子结构、构象变化、弱相互作用、基团大幅度运动以及探索量子溶剂等方面具有独特的能力,特别适合研究分子的精细结构、分子系统基团的内部转动运动,具有高灵敏度、高分辨率的特点。本文讨论了微波波谱法在研究分子系统基团大幅度运动动力学方面的应用,包括分子系统中甲基基团的内部转动、OH基团的运动、氨和氨基化合物的反演以及环状有机分子环运动等的动力学,同时结合作者使用微波波谱法研究的部分体系进行了分析。     

Quantum two-state dynamics driven by stationary non-Markovian discrete noise: Exact results

We consider the problem of stochastic averaging of a quantum two-state dynamics driven by non-Markovian, discrete noises of the continuous time random walk type (multistate renewal processes). The emphasis is put on the proper averaging over the stationary noise realizations corresponding, e.g., to a stationary environment. A two-state non-Markovian process with an arbitrary non-exponential distribution of residence times (RTDs) in its states with a finite mean residence time provides a paradigm. For the case of a two-state quantum relaxation caused by such a classical stochastic field we obtain the explicit exact, analytical expression for the averaged Laplace-transformed relaxation dynamics. In the limit of Markovian noise (implying an exponential RTD), all previously known results are recovered. We exemplify new more general results for the case of non-Markovian noise with a biexponential RTD. The averaged, real-time relaxation dynamics is obtained in this case by numerically exact solving of a resulting algebraic polynomial problem. Moreover, the case of manifest non-Markovian noise with an infinite range of temporal autocorrelation (which in principle is not accessible to any kind of perturbative treatment) is studied, both analytically (asymptotic long-time dynamics) and numerically (by a precise numerical inversion of the Laplace-transformed averaged quantum relaxation).     

Femto-picosecond relaxation of triazole-bridged bis(zinc porphyrin)

The femtosecond dynamics of excitation relaxation has been revealed for the zinc porphyrin dimer using the pump-probe technique. The data obtained have been analyzed with the use of quantum-chemical calculations. The excitation relaxation dynamics shows that systems of this kind hold promise as models for investigation of photosystems and development of artificial analogues of natural photosynthetic centers. A model has been proposed to explain the found coherent dynamics of exciton bands.     

Aging in short-ranged attractive colloids: a numerical study

We study the aging dynamics in a model for dense simple liquids, in which particles interact through a hard-core repulsion complemented by a short-ranged attractive potential, of the kind found in colloidal suspensions. In this system, at large packing fractions, kinetically arrested disordered states can be created both on cooling (attractive glass) and on heating (repulsive glass). The possibility of having two distinct glasses, at the same packing fraction, with two different dynamics offers the unique possibility of comparing-within the same model-the differences in aging dynamics. We find that, while the aging dynamics of the repulsive glass is similar to the one observed in atomic and molecular systems, the aging dynamics of the attractive glass shows novel unexpected features.     

Ab initio molecular dynamics simulation of a 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium fluoride-hydrogen fluoride mixture

The intermolecular structure and dynamics of an acidic 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium fluoride-hydrogen fluoride solution ([emim][F].2.3HF) have been studied through a Car-Parrinello molecular dynamics simulation. The calculated structure factor is found to be in good agreement with X-ray scattering data. The solution consists of [emim] cations and polyfluoride anions of the kind F(HF)n(-). With increasing n, the length of the H-F covalent bond in the polyfluoride species is found to decrease, with a concomitant blue shift in the frequency of its stretching mode. Evidence for the presence of a hydrogen bond between the acidic ring hydrogen of the cation and the fluoride ion is presented.     

Communication: Propagator for diffusive dynamics of an interacting molecular pair

We introduce a new method of solution for the Fredholm integral equations of the second kind. The method would be useful when the direct iterative approach leads to a divergent perturbation series solution. By using the method, we obtain an accurate expression of the propagator for diffusive dynamics of a pair of particles interacting via an arbitrary central potential and hydrodynamic interaction. We test the accuracy of the propagator expression by calculating the diffusion-controlled geminate and bimolecular reaction rates. It is shown that our propagator expression provides very accurate results for the whole time region.     

Molecular dynamics simulations of the enzyme catechol-O-methyltransferase: methodological issues

Results from extensive 70 ns all-atom molecular dynamics simulations of catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) enzyme are reported. The simulations were performed with explicit TIP3P water and Mg2+ ions. Four different crystal structures of COMT, with and without different ligands, were used. These simulations are among the most extensive of their kind and as such served as a stability test for such simulations. On the methodological side we found that the initial energy minimization procedure may be a crucial step: particular hydrogen bonds may break, and this can initiate an irreversible loss of protein structure that becomes observable in longer time scales of the order of tens of nanoseconds. This has important implications for both molecular dynamics and quantum mechanics-molecular mechanics simulations.     

实验控制Belousov-Zhabotinsky-CSTR化学混沌反应

用两种方法来控制在连续流动釜式反应器(CSTR)中的Belousov-Zhabotinsky(BZ)化学混沌反应:(1)自适应延迟时间反馈控制方案;(2)线性自相互作用控制方案。第一种控制方案是一种微扰控制,并能将BZ-CSTR化学混沌稳定控制到其内嵌的不稳定周期轨道(UPO)上去。这种方法的优越之外可以由系统延迟时间的自适应调节得以显示。第二种控制方案可以驱动BZ-CSTR混沌动力学到达一系列规则的动力学状态,这些动力学状态可能并不是混沌轨道中内嵌的本征轨道。在控制BZ-CSTR化学混沌反应的实验中,这两种方案显示出了很大的灵活性和有效性。     

Molecular dynamics simulations of the enzyme Catechol-O-Methyltransferase: methodological issues1

Results from extensive 70 ns all-atom molecular dynamics simulations of catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) enzyme are reported. The simulations were performed with explicit TIP3P water and Mg^2?+ ions. Four different crystal structures of COMT, with and without different ligands, were used. These simulations are among the most extensive of their kind and as such served as a stability test for such simulations. On the methodological side we found that the initial energy minimization procedure may be a crucial step: particular hydrogen bonds may break, and this can initiate an irreversible loss of protein structure that becomes observable in longer time scales of the order of tens of nanoseconds. This has important implications for both molecular dynamics and quantum mechanics–molecular mechanics simulations.     

Analog of Rabi oscillations in resonant electron-ion systems

Quantum coherence between electron and ion dynamics, observed in organic semiconductors by means of ultrafast spectroscopy, is the object of recent theoretical and computational studies. To simulate this kind of quantum coherent dynamics, we have introduced in a previous article [L. Stella, M. Meister, A. J. Fisher, and A. P. Horsfield, J. Chem. Phys. 127, 214104 (2007)] an improved computational scheme based on Correlated Electron-Ion Dynamics (CEID). In this article, we provide a generalization of that scheme to model several ionic degrees of freedom and many-body electronic states. To illustrate the capability of this extended CEID, we study a model system which displays the electron-ion analog of the Rabi oscillations. Finally, we discuss convergence and scaling properties of the extended CEID along with its applicability to more realistic problems.     

"Pump-probe" atom-centered density matrix propagation studies to gauge anharmonicity and energy repartitioning in atmospheric reactive adducts: case study of the OH + isoprene and OH + butadiene reaction intermediates

Time-resolved "pump-probe" ab initio molecular dynamics studies are constructed to probe the stability of reaction intermediates, the mechanism of energy transfer, and energy repartitioning, for moieties involved during the interaction of volatile organic compunds with hydroxyl radical. These systems are of prime importance in the atmosphere. Specifically, the stability of reaction intermediates of hydroxyl radical adducts to isoprene and butadiene molecules is used as a case study to develop novel computational techniques involving "pump-probe" ab initio molecular dynamics. Starting with the various possible hydroxyl radical adducts to isoprene and butadiene, select vibrational modes of each of the adducts are populated with excess energy to mimic the initial conditions of an experiment. The flow of energy into the remaining modes is then probed by subjecting the excited adducts to ab initio molecular dynamics simulations. It is found that the stability of the adducts arises directly due to the anhormonically driven coupling of the modes to facilitate repartitioning of the excess vibrational energy. This kind of vibrational repartitioning has a critical influence on the energy density.     

Ab initio and direct dynamics study of the reaction of Cl atoms with HOCO

The reaction of Cl with HOCO has been examined using the coupled-cluster method to locate and optimize the critical points on the ground-state potential energy surface. The results show that the reaction produces the HCl and CO(2) products as experimentally observed. The reaction occurs via a HOC(O)Cl intermediate with an estimated heat of formation of -97.8+/-2.0 kcal/mol. A direct ab initio dynamics method has been used to provide insight into the reaction mechanisms and to determine the thermal rate coefficients in the temperature range of 200-600 K. At room temperature, the thermal rate coefficient is predicted to be 3.0x10(-11) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) with an activation energy of -0.2 kcal/mol. Two kinds of reactive trajectories are found. One kind proceeds through short-lived HOC(O)Cl complexes with a lifetime of 310 fs while the other kind occurs via longer-lived intermediates with a lifetime of 1.9 ps.     

Nature of the water molecules in the palisade layer of a triton X-100 micelle in the presence of added salts: A solvation dynamics study

The effect of added electrolytes on the nature of water molecules in the palisade layer of a Triton X-100 (TX-100) micelle has been investigated using solvation dynamics studies of C153 dye in the presence of different concentrations of NaCl, KCl, and CsCl salts. In all of the cases, the solvation dynamics is found to be biexponential in nature. It is seen that in the presence of added salts the solvation dynamics becomes slower. As previously reported (Charlton et al. J. Phys. Chem. B 2000, 104, 8327; Molina-Bolivar et al. J. Phys. Chem. B 2002, 106, 870), the presence of salt increases micellar hydration (and also size) for TX-100, mainly due to enhancement in the mechanically trapped water content in the palisade layer. Under normal circumstances, increased micellar hydration was expected to cause faster solvation dynamics (Kumbhakar et al. J. Phys. Chem. B 2004, 108, 19246), though in the present work, a reverse trend is in fact observed with the added salts. In accordance with solvation dynamics results, fluorescence anisotropy studies also indicate an increase in microviscosity for the palisade layer of the TX-100 micelle with the added salts. The present results have been rationalized assuming that the ions reside in the palisade layer, and due to the hydration of the ions, especially the cations, the water molecules in the palisade layer undergo a kind of clustering, causing the microviscosity to in fact increase rather than decrease as expected due to increased micellar hydration. A partial collapse of the surfactant chains due to their dehydration as caused by the hydration of the ions in the palisade layer may also add to the increase in microviscosity and the consequent retardation in relaxation dynamics in the presence of salts.     

Molecular Dynamics Simulation of Sulfobetaine-Type Zwitterionic Surfactants at the Decane/Water Interface: Structure,Interfacial Properties

Molecular dynamics simulations of interfacial properties of new sulfobetaine-type zwitterionic surfactants were performed using a united atomistic model, and a detailed analysis of hydrophilicity, temperature sensitivity, and salt resistance of surfactants was carried out. The new model was parameterized to reproduce the density and showed good agreement with experimental values. The results showed that the surfactant will not cease to be effective with the increase of the temperature from 300 to 373 K but as it rises, the interfacial tension will have a reduction. This kind of surfactant can be proved to remain an activity at high concentration of monovalent and divalent cations. It has commendable salt tolerance.     

Time-dependent Fourier grid Hamiltonian method for modelling real-time quantum dynamics: Theoretical models and applications

A local grid method for modelling real-time quantum dynamical events is formulated. The formulation is straightforward for 1-D systems. For more than one dimension, appeal has to be made to mean-field approximation of the appropriate kind. The simplest mean-field model results in time-dependent Hartree-Fourier grid method. The relationship of the proposed method with some other methods available in the literature is examined. A few examples of numerical applications dealing with (i) the dynamics of dissociation and ionization processes in diatoms and atoms respectively and (ii) tunnelling dynamics in the intramolecular H-atom transfer phenomenon are presented.     

离子液中溶剂化电子的结构及其演化动力学

本文综述了离子型液体介质中过剩电子的结构、存在状态及其时间演化动力学特征。基于从头算分子动力学模拟及计算结果,重点阐述了咪唑型、吡啶型、碱金属离子型熔盐氯化物离子液中与过剩电子溶剂化密切相关的溶剂化能量学、结构特征、可能的存在状态以及态-态转化稳态动力学机制,分析了此类离子型介质中电子高效传导的内在本质及离子液组成离子的重要作用。阳离子的最低未占轨道组成的导带结构是离子液中过剩电子的溶剂化态及其稳定性的决定因素,任何能影响或改变其导带结构的因素均能显著影响过剩电子溶剂化。但快速的态-态转化及电子迁移并不明显取决于其组成离子扩散动力学,而是敏感地受离子液涨落所控制。这种基于溶剂化电子的迁移模式构成了此类离子型介质甚至其它液态介质中电子转移的新途径。