Investigation of the chemical state of copper in Cu/SiO2 composite films by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy

The concentration and chemical state of copper in the subsurface region of Cu/SiO₂ composite films obtained by simultaneous magnetron sputtering from two sources (Cu and SiO₂) are determined by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). It is established that copper in the as-grown film is primarily in the form of unoxidized atoms dispersed in a SiO₂ matrix. Annealing of the film results in practically no oxidation, but about 70% of the copper atoms condense into metallic clusters with sizes below 10 Å in the subsurface region and about 50 Å in the bulk of the film. The changes in the binding energy of core electrons, and especially in the energies of Auger electrons, are so large in this situation that photoelectron and Auger spectroscopy are efficient methods for monitoring the chemical state of this composite material.     

High quantum efficiency of intersubband transitions in coherent tunneling of electrons through asymmetric double-barrier structures

A converging perturbation series that can be summed analytically has been obtained for intersubband transitions of electrons coherently tunneling through the middle of a dimensionally quantized level in an asymmetric double-barrier structure in a high-frequency terahertz electric field. The possibility of a substantial increase in tunneling current accompanied by either absorption or emission of a photon has been demonstrated. The quantum efficiency of radiative transitions between dimensionally quantized levels can be up to 66%. Zh. éksp. Teor. Fiz. 112, 237–245 (July 1997)     

Student-Invented Numeration Systems: Pattern-Analysis and Mathematical Understanding

Thirteen fifth graders were given an assignment to invent their own numeration systems, following a unit on bases and a look at early events in the history of numbers. The task presented options that required the students to make decisions (such as whether to use a base, which base to use, design of symbols, etc.), and build a rationale for the elements of their system. Analyses of patterns embedded in their invented systems provided an assessment of student understanding of numeration. The progression of more and less complex thinking related to the student's choice of a base other than 10, consistency of logic throughout the system in words and symbols, rationale for change, and perception of real life examples that would change if the system was adopted. The invention task is presented as another way to make connections.     

Pseudo-epitaxial C60 films prepared by a hot-wall method

We have used both reflection-geometry and grazing-incidence-geometry X-ray scattering to study thin films of C₆₀ evaporated onto mica substrates via a hot-wall technique. The growth mode yields close-packed C₆₀ planes, which are parallel to the substrate surface and which exhibit out-of-plane correlation lengths of 850 Å. In the film plane the C₆₀ is at best pseudo-epitaxial, with a 0.9° distribution of crystallite orientations, a 450 Å in-plane correlation length, and a 3.7% lattice mismatch, better than obtained by other thin film techniques but far from the accepted definition of single crystal thin film epitaxy.     

Porphyrins 34. Mass spectrometric study of ethane- and ethylene-bis-porphyrins

The mass spectral behavior of 1, 2-di (mesoetioporphyr inyl-1)- and 1, 2-di (mesooctaethylporphyrlnyl) ethanes and ethylenes, their Cu and Ni complexes, as well as Ni Schiff bases of 1, 2-di (mesooctaethylporphyrinyl)ethane complexes, under ionization by electron impact and bombardment by accelerated atoms, was studied. Peaks of molecular ions, for which the basic decomposition pathways were established on the basis of an analysis of the parent and daughter ions, were observed in the electron impact mass spectra of all these compounds.For Communication 29, see [1].Translated from Khimiya Geterotsiklicheskikh Soedinenii, No. 1, pp. 24–29, January, 1994.     

Synthesis,structure, and chemical properties of some N-(3-chloro-2-quinoxalyl)arylsulfonamides

We have developed a method for synthesis of N-(3-clzloro-2-quinoxalyl)sulfonamides by reaction of 2,3-dichloroquinoxaline with substituted arylsufonamides. Based on the IR spectra, we have established that in the solid state, the synthesized compounds exist in the form of amide tautomers. Alkylation of these compounds leads to N-metliyl-N-(3-chloro-2-quinoxalyl)arylsulfonamides. We demonstrate the possibility of nucleophilic substitution of the halogen upon treatment with O- and N-nucleophiles. The use of bifunctional nucleophiles leads to condensed quinoxalines.Translated from Khimiya Geterotsiklicheskikh Soedinenii, Vol. 30, No. 3, pp. 387–392, March, 1994.     

Hydroxyl-containing mesogens. Synthesis and liquid-crystalline properties of 2-o-hydroxyarylpyrimidines

We have synthesized 5-alkyl(alkoxy)-2-(o-lzydroxy-p-alkoxyphenyl)pyrimidines and considered the effect of the OH group on the inesomorphism. We have found that in binuclear o-hydroxyarylpyrimidines, an ortho OH group forming an intramolecular hydrogen bond increases T_mp, inhibits the appearance of nematic properties, and promotes the appearance of a smectic A.Translated from Khimiya Geterotsiklicheskikh Soedinenii, Vol. 30, No. 1, pp. 90–92, January, 1994.