Investigation of the interaction of some astrobiological molecules with the surface of a graphite (0 0 0 1) substrate. Application to the CO, HCN, H2O and H2CO molecules

Detailed interaction potential energy calculations are performed to determine the potential energy surface experienced by the molecules CO, HCN, H₂O and H₂CO, when adsorbed on the basal plane (0 0 0 1) of graphite at low temperatures. The potential energy surface is used to find the equilibrium site and configuration of a molecule on the surface and its corresponding adsorption energy. The diffusion constant associated with molecular surface diffusion is calculated for each molecule.     

Fabrication and characterization of 1.55 μm single transverse mode large diameter electrically pumped VECSEL

We report on the design, fabrication, and characterization of InP-based 1.55 μm wavelength large diameter (50 μm) electrically pumped vertical external cavity surface emitting lasers (EP-VECSELs). The hybrid device consists of a half vertical cavity surface emitting laser (1/2-VCSEL) structure assembled with a concave dielectric external mirror. The 1/2-VCSEL is monolithically grown on InP substrate and includes a semiconductor Bragg mirror and a tunnel junction for electrical injection. Buried (BTJ) and ion implanted (ITJ) tunnel junction electrical confinement schemes are compared in terms of their thermal and electrical characteristics. Lower thermal resistance values are measured for BJT, but reduced current crowding effects and uniform current injection are evidenced for ITJ. Using the ITJ technique, we demonstrate Room-Temperature (RT) continuous-wave (CW) single transverse mode laser operation from 50-μm diameter EP-VECSEL devices. We show that the experimental laser optical output versus injected current (L–I) curves are well-reproduced by a simple analytical thermal model, consistent with the thermal resistance measurements performed on the 1/2-VCSEL structure. Our results indicate that thermal heating is the main mechanism limiting the maximum CW output power of 50-μm diameter VECSELs, rather than current injection inhomogeneity.     

Micro‐thermal analysis of polymers: current capabilities and future prospects

The current state of development of micro‐thermal analysis (micro‐TA) and related techniques are briefly reviewed. Results for a PET/epoxy resin composite and a bilayer polymer film are given as illustrations. Details are given of a new interface that enables the micro‐TA unit to be placed inside a conventional FTIR spectrometer to carry out photothermal IR microscopy. New results are presented for a micro‐pyrolysis‐mass spectroscopy technique. The limitations of the current instrumentation are discussed in terms of the overriding problem being one of spatial resolution. Images obtained using pulsed force mode AFM with a high‐resolution heated tip indicate the scope for future development of this technique. The possibility of even higher spatial resolution with other forms of probe are discussed along with the potential for imaging micro‐pyrolysis time of flight mass spectroscopy and even tomography. It is concluded that these methods offer excellent prospects for characterising a wide range of polymer systems.     

Cooperative spin crossover and order-disorder phenomena in a mononuclear compound [Fe(DAPP)(abpt)](ClO(4))(2) [DAPP = [bis(3-aminopropyl)(2-pyridylmethyl)amine], abpt = 4-amino-3,5-bis(pyridin-2-yl)-1,2,4-triazole

The synthesis and detailed characterization of the new spin crossover mononuclear complex [Fe(II)(DAPP)(abpt)](ClO(4))(2), where DAPP = [bis(3-aminopropyl)(2-pyridylmethyl)amine] and abpt = 4-amino-3,5-bis(pyridin-2-yl)-1,2,4-triazole, are reported. Variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements and M?ssbauer spectroscopy have revealed the occurrence of an abrupt spin transition with a hysteresis loop. The hysteresis width derived from magnetic susceptibility measurements is 10 K, the transition being centered at T(c) downward arrow = 171 K for decreasing and T(c) upward arrow = 181 K for increasing temperatures. The crystal structure was resolved in the high-spin (293 and 183 K) and low-spin (123 K) states. Both spin-state structures belong to the monoclinic space group P2(1)/n (Z = 4). The thermal spin transition is accompanied by the shortening of the mean Fe-N distances by 0.177 A. The two main structural characteristics of [Fe(DAPP)(abpt)](ClO(4))(2) are a branched network of intermolecular links in the crystal lattice and the occurrence of two types of order-disorder transitions (in the DAPP ligand and in the perchlorate anions) accompanying the thermal spin change. These features are discussed relative to the magnetic properties of the complex. The electronic structure calculations show that the structural disorder in the DAPP ligand modulates the energy gap between the HS and LS states. In line with previous studies, the order-disorder phenomena and the spin transition in [Fe(DAPP)(abpt)](ClO(4))(2) are found to be interrelated.     

Mass effect on the equienergetic high-spin/low-spin states of spin-crossover in 4,4'-bipyridine-bridged iron(II) polymeric compounds: synthesis,structure, and magnetic,Mössbauer,and theoretical studies

The suitability of the system [Fe(4,4'-bipy)(H(2)O)(2)(NCX)(2)].(4,4'-bipy), where 4,4'-bipy stands for 4,4'-bipyridine and X = S (1) and Se (2), as a precursor for the synthesis of new polymeric spin-crossover compounds has been studied. The reaction of 1 or 2 with bt (2,2'-bithiazoline) afforded the polymeric compounds of formula [Fe(4,4'-bipy)(bt)(NCX)(2)] (X = S (3), Se (4)). Compounds 3 and 4 are isostructural, but only the crystal structure of 3 has been fully determined. It crystallizes in the orthorhombic system, Fdd2 space group, Z = 24, with a = 38.962(8) A, b = 11.545(2) A, c = 30.889(6) A, V = 13895(5) A(3). The structure consists of linear chains constituted by trans-4,4'-bipy linked iron(II) ions; two cis equatorial positions are occupied by two pseudohalide ligands, and the remaining positions are filled by the bidentate bt ligand. Investigation of their magnetic properties and M?ssbauer spectra has revealed the occurrence of a low-spin (LS) <--> high-spin (HS) conversion involving 12% (3, S) and 20% (4, Se) of the Fe(II) ions. The thermal variation of the HS fraction is gradual with onset temperatures as low as 60 K. A theoretical approach based on the Ising-like model, completed with molecular vibrations, through harmonic oscillators, fits the data successfully, leading to an energy gap of 65 cm(-1) (3) and 86 cm(-1) (4) between the lowest LS and HS levels, and an average vibration frequency ohgrmacr;(LS) of 382 cm(-1) (3) and 365 cm(-1) (4) in the LS state. The ca. 1.05 omega(LS(3))/omega(LS(4)) ratio is close to the ca. 1.09 Se/S molar mass ratio. The simple electrovibrational Ising-like model permits us to explain, for the first time, a mass effect through the molecular vibrations in a spin-crossover complex that is in the unusual situation of equienergy among the HS and LS states.     

Structural and electronic properties of wurtzite,zincblende and rocksalt Al1 − xInxN ternary alloys at ambient and high pressure

ABSTRACT

Although AlInN is originally a wurtzite structure, zincblende and rocksalt are other potential phases. It will be interesting to have a comparative study of the physical properties of this compound in various phases. A DFT-based study of wurtzite, zincblende and rocksalt phases of AlInN alloys is carried out. Structural (lattice parameter, bulk modulus) and electronic properties (energy band gap, and electron effective mass) of the Al_{1??? x}In_xN alloys are investigated, at ambient pressure, throughout the whole range of indium contents for all considered phases. High pressure effects on the studied parameters are also examined, with the phase transition pressures computed for different values of In concentrations, and compared with available data. Structural density functional calculations are performed with Perdew–Burke–Ernzerhof gradient-corrected functional for solids (PBEsol), while electronic structure is computed with the modified Becke–Johnson (TB-mBJ) potential exchange to ensure a better accuracy of calculated the band gaps. Alloy randomness is taken into account using a special quasi-random structure.     

Thermoreflectance imaging of laser diodes and VCSELs along and perpendicular to the emission direction

Thermal characterization of semiconductor lasers is an important issue for optoelectronics. This paper presents our thermoreflectance measurements on two different types of laser diodes: classical ridge laser diodes and vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs). We first studied the external temperature increase in ridge diodes in order to determine inhomogeneity. Then, we tried to determine the inner temperature of the VCSELs.     

Synthesis, structure, and magnetic properties of tetranuclear cubane-like and chain-like iron(II) complexes based on the N(4)O pentadentate dinucleating ligand 1,5-bis[(2-pyridylmethyl)amino]pentan-3-ol

The tetranuclear complexes [Fe(4)(pypentO)(pym)(3)(Oac)(NCS)(3)] x 1.5EtOH (1), [Fe(4)(pypentO)(pym)(Oac)(2)(NCS)(2)(MeO)(2)(H(2)O)] x H(2)O (2), [Fe(2)(pypentO)(NCO)(3)](2) (3), and [Fe(2)(pypentO)(N(3))(3)](2) (4) have been prepared, and their structure and magnetic properties have been studied (pypentOH = 1,5-bis[(2-pyridylmethyl)amino]pentan-3-ol, pymH = 2-pyridylmethanol). The X-ray diffraction analysis of 1 (C(43)H(53)N(10)O(7.5)S(3)Fe(4), monoclinic, P2(1)/n, a = 11.6153(17) A, b = 34.391(17) A, c = 14.2150(18) A, beta = 110.88(5) degrees, V = 5305(3) A(3), Z = 4) and 2 (C(31)H(45)N(7)O(10)S(2)Fe(4), monoclinic, C2/c, a = 19.9165(17) A, b = 21.1001(12) A, c = 21.2617(19) A, beta = 104.441(10) degrees, V = 8652.7(12) A(3), Z = 8) showed a Fe(4)O(4) cubane-like arrangement of four iron(II) atoms, four mu(3)-O bridging ligands, one (1) or two (2) syn-syn bridging acetates. The X-ray diffraction analysis of 3 (C(40)H(46)N(14)O(8)Fe(4), monoclinic, P2(1)/c, a = 11.7633(18) A, b = 18.234(3) A, c = 10.4792(16) A, beta = 99.359(18) degrees, V = 2217.7(6) A(3), Z = 2) and 4 (C(34)H(46)N(26)O(2)Fe(4), monoclinic, P2(1)/c, V = 4412.4(10) A(3), a = 23.534(3) A, b = 18.046(2) A, c = 10.4865(16) A, beta = 97.80(2) degrees, Z = 4) showed a zigzag bis-dinuclear arrangement of four iron(II) cations, two mu(2)-O bridging pypentO ligands, four mu(2)-N-cyanato bridging ligands (3) or four end-on azido bridging ligands (4): they are the first examples of cyanato and azido bridged discrete polynuclear ferrous compounds, respectively. The M?ssbauer spectra of 1 are consistent with four different high-spin iron(II) sites in the Fe(4)O(4) cubane-type structure. The M?ssbauer spectra of 3 are consistent with two high-spin iron(II) sites (N(5)O and N(4)O). Below 190 K, the M?ssbauer spectra of 4 are consistent with one N(5)O and two N(4)O high-spin iron(II) sites. The temperature dependence of the magnetic susceptibility was fitted with J(1) approximately 0 cm(-1), J(2) = -1.3 cm(-1), J(3) = 4.6 cm(-1), D = 6.4 cm(-1), and g = 2.21 for 1; J(1) = 2.6 cm(-1), J(2) = 2.5 cm(-1), J(3) = - 5.6 cm(-1), D = 4.5 cm(-1), and g = 2.09 for 2; J(1) = 1.5 cm(-1), J(2) = 0.2 cm(-1), D = - 5.6 cm(-1), D' = 4.5 cm(-1), and g = 2.14 for 3; and J(1) = - 2.6 cm(-1), J(2) = 0.8 cm(-1), D= 6.3 cm(-1), D' = 1.6 cm(-1), and g = 2.18 for 4. The differences in sign among the J(1), J(2), and J(3) super-exchange interactions indicate that the faces including only mu(3)-OR bridges exhibit ferromagnetic interactions. The nature of the ground state in 1-3 is confirmed by simulation of the magnetization curves at 2 and 5 K. In the bis-dinuclear iron(II) compounds 3 and 4, the J(2) interaction resulting from the bridging of two Fe(2)(pypentO)X(3) units through two pseudo-halide anions is ferromagnetic in 3 (X = mu(2)-N-cyanato) and may be either ferro- or antiferromagnetic in 4 (X = end-on azido). The J(1) interaction through the central O(alkoxo) and pseudo-halide bridges inside the dinuclear units is ferromagnetic in 3 (X = mu(2)-N-cyanato) and antiferromagnetic in 4 (X = end-on azido). In agreement with the symmetry of the two Fe(II) sites in complexes 3 and 4, D (pentacoordinated sites) is larger than D' (octahedral sites).