Physics in Novosibirsk and Akademgorodok

Novosibirsk, founded in 1893, and Akademgorodok, founded in the 1950s, are places where Soviet and Russian physicists realize long-term large-scale socially-oriented projects. This article provides a walking tour of Akademgorodok, and discusses the unique interaction between Novosibirsk University and dozens of research institutes located in and around Akademgorodok. The tour includes a visit to one of the finest technology parks in Russia.     

Characterization of the Phase Mixture Comprising Sodium Hafnate and Hafnia

Solid state electrochemical and XRD studies reveal that the phase relation between Na₂HfO₃ and HfO₂ in the temperature region below about 600 °C is governed by the existence of a third phase disregarded so far, i.e. non‐stoichiometric Na‐modified cubic HfO₂, which is intermediate in terms of the sodium oxide chemical potential.     

Synthesis of [Re2Cl4(O)2(µ-O)(3,5-lut)4] and investigation of its structure via X-ray and spectroscopic measurements and DFT calculations

A combined experimental and computational study of the dinuclear rhenium(V) complex containing (ReO)₂(µ-O) core is presented in this article. The solid-state [Re₂Cl₄(O)₂(µ-O)(3,5-lut)₄] (3,5-lut = 3,5-dimethylpyridine) complex was characterised structurally (by single crystal X-ray diffraction) and spectroscopically (by IR, NMR, UV-VIS). The electronic structure was examined using the density functional theory (DFT) method. The spin-allowed electronic transitions were calculated using the time-dependent DFT method, and the UV-VIS spectrum was discussed.     

Anomalous phase sequence in new chiral liquid crystalline materials

We have prepared and studied a series of rod-like liquid crystalline compounds with the molecular core laterally substituted by bromine atom and with the lactate unit in the chiral terminal chain. Microscopic observation under the polarising microscope, x-ray and dielectric spectroscopy results enable us to establish the TGBA–SmA–TGBA_RE–TGBC phase sequence. The presence of the re-entrant TGBA phase below the regular SmA phase, found for three homologues, is quite uncommon. Results are discussed and compared with the previously studied compounds with regular phase sequences.