Synthesis and Raman analysis of 1D-ZnO nanostructure via vapor phase growth

1D-nanostructural zinc oxide (ZnO) with different shapes have been synthesized on p-type Si(1 0 0) and glass substrates via vapor phase growth by heating pure zinc powder at temperatures between 480 and 570 °C. The different ZnO nanostructures depend on the substrates and the growth temperatures. Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction revealed that a well-aligned nanowires array, which are vertical to the substrate of Si(1 0 0) with 18 sides on their heads, but six sides on their stems, has been formed at 480 °C. Raman study on the ZnO nanostructures shows that the coupling strength between electron and phonon determined by the ratio of the second- to the first-order Raman scattering cross-sections declines with decreasing diameter of the nanowires. However, a little changes of the coupling strength in terms of the width of the nanobelts have been observed.     

On two theorems for flat,affine group schemes over a discrete valuation ring

We include short and elementary proofs of two theorems that characterize reductive group schemes over a discrete valuation ring, in a slightly more general context.     

Groups in which every non-abelian subgroup is permutable

A subgroupH of a groupG is said to bepermutable ifHX=XH for every subgroupX ofG. In this paper the structure of groups in which every subgroup either is abelian or permutable is investigated. This work was done while the last author was visiting the University of Napoli Federico II. He thanks the “Dipartimento di Matematica e Applicazioni” for its financial support.     

Letter: Axial Torsion-Dirac Spin Effect in Rotating Frame with Relativistic Factor

In the framework of spacetime with torsion and without curvature, the Dirac particle spin precession in the rotational system is studied. We write out the equivalent tetrad of the rotating frame, in the polar coordinate system, through considering the relativistic factor, and the resultant equivalent metric is a flat Minkowski one. The obtained rotation-spin coupling formula can be applied to the high speed rotating case, which is consistent with the expectation.     

Random matrix theory and non-parametric model of random uncertainties in vibration analysis

Recently, a new approach, called a non-parametric model of random uncertainties, has been introduced for modelling random uncertainties in linear and non-linear elastodynamics in the low-frequency range. This non-parametric approach differs from the parametric methods for random uncertainties modelling and has been developed in introducing a new ensemble of random matrices constituted of symmetric positive-definite real random matrices. This ensemble differs from the Gaussian orthogonal ensemble (GOE) and from the other known ensembles of the random matrix theory. The present paper has three main objectives. The first one is to study the statistics of the random eigenvalues of random matrices belonging to this new ensemble and to compare with the GOE. The second one is to compare this new ensemble of random matrices with the GOE in the context of the non-parametric approach of random uncertainties in structural dynamics for the low-frequency range. The last objective is to give a new validation for the non-parametric model of random uncertainties in structural dynamics in comparing, in the low-frequency range, the dynamical response of a simple system having random uncertainties modelled by the parametric and the non-parametric methods. These three objectives will allow us to conclude about the validity of the different theories.     

The elastic theory of a single DNA molecule

We study the elastic responses of double-(ds) and single-stranded (ss) DNA at external force fields. A double-strand-polymer elastic model is constructed and solved by path integral methods and Monte Carlo simulations to understand the entropic elasticity, cooperative extensibility, and supercoiling property of dsDNA. The good agreement with experiments indicates that short-ranged base-pair stacking interaction is crucial for the stability and the high deformability of dsDNA. Hairpin-coil transition in ssDNA is studied with generating function method. A threshold force is needed to pull the ssDNA hairpin patterns, stabilized by base pairing and base-pair stacking, into random coils. This phase transition is predicted to be of first order for stacking potential higher than some critical level, in accordance with experimental observations.     

Obituary Gilbert Grynberg (1948-2003)

We mourn the death of Professor Dr. Gilbert Grynberg, April 17, 1948 - January 27, 2003. We have lost an excellent and highly esteemed scientist, an outstanding character and a good friend. He has been a very active colleague in the merger of Zeitschrift für Physik and Journal de Physique in the early days. As one of the Co-Editors-in-Chief of The European Physical Journal D, from its start, he has formed the scienti.c standards of EPJ. Untiringly he has served our Journal with greatest dedication. We are grateful that he has been with us. The editorial board and o.ce of EPJ B Siegfried Grossmann, Denis Jérome, Antonio Paoletti     

Time-resolved electron transport studies on InGaAs/GaAs-QWIPs

Due to the short internal response time, quantum-well infrared photodetectors (QWIPs) are interesting for high-speed applications such as heterodyne spectroscopy or laser pulse monitoring. We studied the photocurrent transients of InGaAs/GaAs-QWIPs after irradiation with infrared laser pulses of 250 fs duration. The excitation wavelength of about 9 μm matches the peak wavelength of the QWIP structure. The photocurrent transient consists of two different dynamical components, representing the fast photoionization in the quantum-wells and the slow injection current that compensates the remaining space charge. The investigations of the different components as a function of temperature and bias voltage were performed on a nanosecond time-scale. The experimental separation of the two photocurrent contributions allows us to determine the photoconductive gain. The Fourier transform of the photocurrent transient was compared with other experimental methods including heterodyne detection and microwave rectification. The quantitative agreement between these different measurement techniques is excellent.     

Volcanic monitoring for radon and chemical species in the soil and in spring water samples

Soil radon has been monitored at two fixed stations in the northern flank of Popocatepetl Volcano, a high risk volcano located 60 km SE from Mexico City. Water samples from three springs were also studied for radon as well as major and trace elements. Radon in the soil was recorded using track detectors. Radon in the water samples was evaluated using the liquid scintillation method and an Alphaguard. The major elements were determined through conventional chemical methods and trace elements using an ICP-MS equipment. Soil radon levels were low, indicating a moderate diffuse degassing through the flanks of the volcano. Groundwater radon had almost no relation with the eruptive stages. Water chemistry was stable in the reported time (2000–2002).