Search for supernova relic neutrinos at Super-Kamiokande

A search for the relic neutrinos from all past core-collapse supernovae was conducted using 1496 days of data from the Super-Kamiokande detector. This analysis looked for electron-type antineutrinos that had produced a positron with an energy greater than 18 MeV. In the absence of a signal, 90% C.L. upper limits on the total flux were set for several theoretical models; these limits ranged from 20 to 130 macro nu(e) cm(-2) s(-1). Additionally, an upper bound of 1.2 macro nu(e) cm(-2) s(-1) was set for the supernova relic neutrino flux in the energy region E(nu)>19.3 MeV.     

Measurement of turbulence decorrelation during transport barrier evolution in a high-temperature fusion plasma

A low power polychromatic beam of microwaves is used to diagnose the behavior of turbulent fluctuations in the core of the JT-60U tokamak during the evolution of the internal transport barrier. A continuous reduction in the size of turbulent structures is observed concomitant with the reduction of the density scale length during the evolution of the internal transport barrier. The density correlation length decreases to the order of the ion gyroradius, in contrast with the much longer scale lengths observed earlier in the discharge, while the density fluctuation level remain similar to the level before transport barrier formation.     

Stereoselective synthesis of 3-alkylideneoxindoles using tandem In-mediated carbometalation and Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction

Efficient methods for stereoselective synthesis of various (E)-, (Z)-, and disubstituted 3-alkylideneoxindoles were investigated using tandem In-mediated carbometalation and ligandless Pd-catalyzed coupling reaction.     

A new redox-active coordination polymer with cobalticinium dicarboxylate

A new two-dimensional coordination polymer with cobalticinium 1,1'-dicarboxylate (ccdc) incorporated in the framework has been prepared, the ccdc functioning as unique monoanionic dicarboxylate ligands. The compound shows a high redox activity based on the ccdc units.     

Nano- and micro-fabrications of polystyrene having atactic and syndiotactic structures using focused ion beams lithography

Micro- and nano-fabrications of polystyrene (PS) having the atactic and syndiotactic structures were carried out with direct maskless etching using focused ion beam (FIB). Micro- and nano-scale structures were obtained with selective beam and material conditions avoiding the beam-heating and charge-up effects. The etching rates were different between atactic and syndiotactic PS. The rate of fabrication for syndiotactic PS shows higher than that of atactic one. Moreover, the direct etching was influenced by the molecular weight. The etching rate for the lower molecular weight became the faster. The FIB direct etching proceeds through the two steps (decomposition and desorption (outgas)). Both decomposition and desorption are influenced by both conformation (morphology) and configuration (stereoregularity). Furthermore, the beam profiles and fluence play the important roles to perform the nano-fabrication of PS.     

The impact properties of laminated composites containing ultrahigh carbon (UHC) steels

An ultrahigh carbon (UHC) steel/mild steel laminated composite and a UHC steel/UHC steel laminate have been successfully manufactured by a roll-bonding procedure. Impact properties of these laminates, as well as of monolithic samples of the steels contained in these laminates, have been determined in the crackarrestor orientation over the temperature range 25 to ?196°C. Both notched and unnotched samples of the laminated composite and laminate have been tested. Extremely low ductile-to-brittle temperatures of ?140°C, and very high shelf energies (>325 J), have been found both for the laminated composites and the laminates. This remarkably good behavior is shown to be a result of notch blunting by delamination within the laminates.     

Observation of the pure rotational spectra of trans- and cis-HOCO

Pure rotational spectra of trans- and cis-HOCO have been observed by Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy and the millimeter-wave double resonance technique, where gas phase spectra of the cis-conformer were observed for the first time. These radicals were produced in a supersonic jet by discharging a mixture gas of CO and H(2)O diluted in Ar. The molecular constants including the fine and hyperfine constants have been precisely determined for both conformers. Deuterated analogs have also been observed. The determined r(0) structures agree with these of ab initio calculations. The Fermi contact constants show a difference of the unpaired electron densities on the protons between the two conformers. Intensity of the spectrum for cis-HOCO was compared with that of trans-HOCO, leading to a conclusion that both conformers were produced nearly equally in abundance under the present experimental conditions.     

1‐Aryl‐4‐Silylmethyl[60]fullerenes: Synthesis,Properties, and Photovoltaic Performance

The efficient nucleophilic addition of aryl Grignard reagents (aryl=4‐MeOC₆H₄, 4‐Me₂NC₆H₄, Ph, 4‐CF₃C₆H₄, and thienyl) to C₆₀ in the presence of DMSO produced 1,2‐arylhydro[60]fullerenes after acid treatment. The reactions of the anions of these arylhydro[60]fullerenes with either dimethylphenylsilylmethyl iodide or dimethyl(2‐isopropoxyphenyl)silylmethyl iodide yielded the target compounds, 1‐aryl‐4‐silylmethyl[60]fullerenes. The properties and structures of these 1‐aryl‐4‐silylmethyl[60]fullerenes (aryl=4‐MeOC₆H₄, thienyl) were examined by electrochemical studies, X‐ray crystallography, flash‐photolysis time‐resolved microwave‐conductivity (FP‐TRMC) measurements, and electron‐mobility measurements by using a space‐charge‐limited current (SCLC) model. Organic photovoltaic devices with a polymer‐based bulk heterojunction structure and small‐molecule‐based p–n and p–i–n heterojunction configurations were fabricated by using 1‐aryl‐4‐silylmethyl[60]fullerenes as an electron acceptor. The most efficient device exhibited a power‐conversion efficiency of 3.4 % (short‐circuit current density: 8.1 mA/ cm², open‐circuit voltage: 0.69 V, fill factor: 0.59).