Electronic Structure and Crystalline Coherence in Fe/Si Multilayers

Soft x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy has been used to examine the electronic structure of deeply buried silicide thin films that arise in Fe/Si multilayers. These systems exhibit antiferromagnetic (AF) coupling of the Fe layers, despite their lack of a noble metal spacer layer found in most GMR materials. Also, the degree of coupling is very dependent on preparation conditions, especially spacer layer thickness and growth temperature. The valence band spectra are quite different for films with different spacerlayer thickness yet are very similar for films grown at different growth temperatures. The latter result is surprising since AF coupling is strongly dependent on growth temperature. Combining near-edge x-ray absorption with the fluorescence data demonstrates that the local bonding structure in the silicide spacer layer in epitaxial films which exhibit AF coupling are metallic. These results indicate the equal roles of crystalline coherence and electronic structure in determining the magnetic properties of these systems.     

Conformations of 2-phenylethanol and its singly hydrated complexes: UV–UV and IR–UV ion-dip spectroscopy

The structures of 2-phenylethanol and its 1:1 water complexes have been investigated by UV–UV holeburning and IR–UV ion-dip spectroscopy, coupled with ab initio computation. The most populated molecular conformer is stabilized by an intramolecular π-type H-bond and its rotational band contours suggest the incidence of vibronic coupling involving motion of the side chain. Its 1:1 water complexes are associated with two distinct structures – water binds either as a proton donor or an acceptor. In the latter, the intramolecular H-bond is disrupted and the water molecule inserts between the OH and the aromatic ring. A second, extended anti conformer can also be detected.     

Criteria of algebraic independence with multiplicities and interpolation determinants

We generalize Gel'fond's criterion of algebraic independence by taking into account the values of the derivatives of the polynomials, and show how the new criterion applies to proving results of algebraic independence using interpolation determinants. We also establish a new result of approximation of a transcendental number by algebraic numbers of bounded degree and size. It contains an earlier result of E. Wirsing and also a result announced by A. Durand.

     

Microscopic and Molecular Insights into Heterogeneous Phase Degradation of Agars and Carrageenans by Marine Bacterial Galactanases

Agars and carrageenans are sulfated galactans and are the main matrix component of the cell wall of red algae. They form gels made of a 3D network of fibres built by the aggregation of polysaccharide double-helices. Agarases and carrageenase are enzymes produced by marine bacteria involved in the conversion of algal biomass. We have analyzed the structures and the modes of action of these enzymes adapted to the degradation of anionic polysaccharides in heterogeneous phase. We found that κ- and ι-carrageenases proceed via an endo-processive mode of action as it was already described for other enzymes active on neutral polysaccharides (cellulose, starch).     

Tailoring the Flow Properties of Soft Colloidal Dispersions

Summary: The dynamics and the non-linear rheology of concentrated dispersions of soft particles are shown to exhibit generic properties. They display both solid-like and liquid-like properties depending on the applied stress. Below the yield point, dispersions exhibit history-dependent phenomena that have all the hallmarks of ageing in glasses. The close-packed disordered structures of the dispersions lie at the heart of this behaviour. Other properties such as the propensity of pastes to slip on solid surfaces appear to be governed by specific contact interactions between the squeezed particles.     

New modelling approach for damped mutilayed composites

The aim of this paper is to get a good approximation of damping properties of viscoelastic damped sandwich structures. Firstly we will compare the classical models based on the kinematics of Kirchhoff-Love, Mindlin, Reddy or Touratier. In the second stage these models are used to establish the zig-zag models which describe a piecewise continuous displacement field. These models are compared in the static and the dynamic fields. In all cases the Finite-Element-based solution is considered as reference. (© 2005 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Parallel Breakup of Polymer Drops under Simple Shear

The deformation and breakup of a single polycarbonate drop in a polyethylene matrix is studied at high temperatures under simple shear flow using a transparent Couette device. We observed “parallel breakup” where the drop breaks after being stretched into a thin sheet parallel to the flow. The breakup occurs at a viscosity ratio greater than 3.5. Deborah number and a stress ratio incorporating elastic moduli can characterize the “parallel breakup”.

Deformation and breakup of a polycarbonate drop in a polyethylene matrix.     

The crystallization and melting of linear polyethylene studied by temperature-modulated SAXS and WAXD

Temperature-reversible and -irreversible morphological events could be separated in the case of linear polyethylene during quasi-isothermal crystallization by using simultaneous temperature-modulated synchrotron SAXS and WAXD. Crystallization and subsequent annealing was followed at 126 °C for 90 min while applying a temperature modulation with an amplitude of 1 °C and a period of 2 min. The crystal growth rate associated with the irreversible part of the crystallization decreases with increasing temperature in a cycle. The crystalline lamellae irreversibly thicken with time. The actual crystallite thickness, however, exhibits a superimposed modulation out of phase with that of the temperature modulation. Melting was studied during heating at 1 °C/min after cooling at 10 °C/min. A temperature modulation was superimposed with an amplitude of 2 °C and a period of 3 min. Once again temperature-reversible crystal thickness changes and irreversible crystal thickening could be observed.     

Side‐Chain‐Functionalized Polyacetylenes, 1. Liquid Crystalline and Stereomutational Properties

Stereospecific polymerizations of functionalized acetylenes were successfully performed using a Rh complex as the catalyst and triethylamine as a base yielding poly(3,4,5‐tridodecyloxyphenylacetylene) ( Poly5 ) and poly[3,4,5‐tris((S)‐3,7‐dimethyloctyloxy)phenylacetylene] ( Poly6 ). Poly5 and Poly6 are liquid crystalline with presumably a bilayer‐type architecture in which the mesogens are arranged in an antiparallel overlapping interdigitated manner. Poly6 showed unusual thermal stereomutation in solution in a very narrow temperature range.     

Functionalized conducting polymers for chemical sensors – an in situ ESR/UV‐Vis‐NIR voltammetric study

The redox and optical properties of various well defined polymer and copolymer films containing pyrrole or thiophene units were studied. The in situ ESR/UV‐Vis‐NIR spectroelectrochemistry was applied to investigate polymers and copolymers deposited both electrochemically or by a special chemical procedure using adhesion promoter onto the optically transparent indium‐tin‐oxide (ITO) electrodes. The spectroelectrochemical responses of chemically and electrochemically prepared polythiophenes on ITO were compared and the electronic structures of both polymers found to be similar. In situ ESR/UV‐Vis‐NIR voltammetric studies on electrochemically prepared copolymers containing pyrrole units and various N,N′‐ethylene‐bis(salicylidenimine) (salen) transition metal complexes indicate the presence of both polysalen and polypyrrole redox active centers in the copolymer.