Temperature resolved X-ray diffraction as a tool of thermal analysis

Time and temperature resolved X-ray diffraction was used for thermal analysis. Series of diffraction patterns were measured, while the samples are heated/cooled stepwise or isothermally with freely selectable temperature programs.The method was applied for the investigation of the phase transitions of ammonium nitrate and HMX (1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetraaza-cyclooctane), when the identification of phases was required. Its capability in the field of kinetics is demonstrated with the isothermal investigation of the solid state reaction of ammonium nitrate with copper oxide and the non-isothermal investigation of the high temperature corrosion of nickel, which was performed by means of a difference procedure. For obtaining structural details peak fitting and Rietveld refinement were applied for the investigation of ammonium nitrate and HMX.We are indebted to Mr. K. O. Hartmann, Mr. H. Fietzek and Mr. H. G. Farr for their assistance during the measurements and for the maintenance of the measuring systems.     

Self-assembly of monatomic complex crystals and quasicrystals with a double-well interaction potential

For the study of crystal formation and dynamics, we introduce a simple two-dimensional monatomic model system with a parametrized interaction potential. We find in molecular dynamics simulations that a surprising variety of crystals, a decagonal, and a dodecagonal quasicrystal are self-assembled. In the case of the quasicrystals, the particles reorder by phason flips at elevated temperatures. During annealing, the entropically stabilized decagonal quasicrystal undergoes a reversible phase transition at 65% of the melting temperature into an approximant, which is monitored by the rotation of the de Bruijn surface in hyperspace.     

Single-shot gradient-assisted photon echo electronic spectroscopy

Two-dimensional electronic spectroscopy (2D ES) maps the electronic structure of complex systems on a femtosecond time scale. While analogous to multidimensional NMR spectroscopy, 2D optical spectroscopy differs significantly in its implementation. Yet, 2D Fourier spectroscopies still require point-by-point sampling of the time delay between two pulses responsible for creating quantum coherence among states. Unlike NMR, achieving the requisite phase stability at optical frequencies between these pulse pairs remains experimentally challenging. Nonetheless, 2D optical spectroscopy has been successfully demonstrated by combining passive and active phase stabilization along with precise control of optical delays and long-term temperature stability, although the widespread adoption of 2D ES has been significantly hampered by these technical challenges. Here, we exploit an analogy to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to demonstrate a single-shot method capable of acquiring the entire 2D spectrum in a single laser shot using only conventional optics. Unlike point-by-point sampling protocols typically used to record 2D spectra, this method, which we call GRadient-Assisted Photon Echo (GRAPE) spectroscopy, largely eliminates phase errors while reducing the acquisition time by orders of magnitude. By incorporating a spatiotemporal encoding of the nonlinear polarization along the excitation frequency axis of the 2D spectrum, GRAPE spectroscopy achieves no loss in signal while simultaneously reducing overall noise. Here, we describe the principles of GRAPE spectroscopy and discuss associated experimental considerations.     

Quantitative evaluation of mechanosensing of cells on dynamically tunable hydrogels

Thin hydrogel films based on an ABA triblock copolymer gelator [where A is pH-sensitive poly(2-(diisopropylamino)ethyl methacrylate) (PDPA) and B is biocompatible poly(2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl phosphorylcholine) (PMPC)] were used as a stimulus-responsive substrate that allows fine adjustment of the mechanical environment experienced by mouse myoblast cells. The hydrogel film elasticity could be reversibly modulated by a factor of 40 via careful pH adjustment without adversely affecting cell viability. Myoblast cells exhibited pronounced stress fiber formation and flattening on increasing the hydrogel elasticity. As a new tool to evaluate the strength of cell adhesion, we combined a picosecond laser with an inverted microscope and utilized the strong shock wave created by the laser pulse to determine the critical pressure required for cell detachment. Furthermore, we demonstrate that an abrupt jump in the hydrogel elasticity can be utilized to monitor how cells adapt their morphology to changes in their mechanical environment.     

Quantum coherence in photosynthesis

Quantum coherence improves the quantum efficiency of excitonic energy transport within the Fenna-Matthews-Olson photosynthetic complex from the green sulphur bacterium, Chlorobium tepidum. Experimental evidence from third-order nonlinear spectroscopies provides clear evidence of quantum coherence among excited states persisting for picoseconds despite rapid (<100fs) dephasing of quantum coherence between ground and excited states. This protection of quantum coherence can arise from multiple mechanisms, but the net effect is the same: the energetic landscape is course-grained thereby improving efficiency by effectively smoothing the rugged energetic landscape while simultaneously eliminating trap states. The protein bath enables the unusual observed dynamics and illustrates some simple design principles that provide direction to synthetic efforts to mimic the effect. This communication provides an overview of experimental and theoretical notions for those interested in exploiting design principles of photosynthetic energy transfer in synthetic systems.     

The impact of the natural sciences on archaeology

This article reviews some of the applications of physics to the solution of archaeological problems. The use of magnetic, resistivity and electromagnetic surveying techniques for the location of buried features is described. Various methods of age determination are outlined while the problems associated with radiocarbon dating of organic material and thermoluminescent dating of pottery are discussed in detail. The techniques, including petrological examination, chemical analysis and isotopic analysis, employed in the physical examination of archaeological artefacts are described. Examples of the application of these techniques in establishing the source of the raw materials used in pottery, metal and stone implements and in elucidating the techniques of manufacture of pottery and metal objects are also given.     

Replica calculation of the Vapnik-Chervonenkis bound for the perceptron

Using the replica technique, we calculate the maximum difference between test and generalization error for the ensemble of all perceptrons trained by a teacher perceptron. The result is compared with the bound provided by the Vapnik-Chervonenkis theorem.     

Mesomorphic molecular materials. Influence of chain length on the structural properties of octa-alkyl substituted phthalocyanines

Phthalocyanines R, PcM (R = alkyl, M = H, Ni, Cu) substituted with alkyl chains have been synthesized and their liquid crystalline properties studied by differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction at small angles. The influence of the chain length on the mesomorphic properties has been determined. A model is proposed to rationalize the structural modifications induced by varying the nature of the connecting link between the macrocycle and the side chains (alkyl, alkoxymethyl, alkoxy).     

Diffractive meson production from virtual photons with odd charge-parity exchange

We calculate the cross section of diffractive charge-parity neutral meson production in virtual photon proton collision at high energies. Due to the opposite -parities of photon and meson () this process probes the -channel odderon exchange which is described here as noninteracting three–gluon exchange. Estimates for the cross section of inelastic diffractive process are presented. The total cross section of diffractive meson photoproduction is found to be 47 pb. The cross sections for the diffractive production of light mesons () in collisions are of the same order if the photon virtuality is . Received: 30 July 1997