Spontaneous decay of an excited atom placed near a rectangular plate

Using the Born expansion of the Green tensor, we consider the spontaneous decay rate of an excited atom placed in the vicinity of a rectangular plate. We discuss the limitations of the commonly used simplifying assumption that the plate extends to infinity in the lateral directions and examine the effects of the atomic dipole moment orientation, atomic position, and plate boundary and thickness on the atomic decay rate. In particular, it is shown that due to the plate finite size, the spontaneous decay may be inhibited even when the atom is situated very close to the surface, and that in the boundary region, the spontaneous decay rate can be strongly modified.     

Inclusion of SWCNTs in Nb/Pt co-doped TiO2 thin-film sensor for ethanol vapor detection

Nb-Pt co-doped TiO₂ and the hybrid SWCNTs/Nb-Pt co-doped TiO₂ thin films have been prepared by the sol–gel spin-coating process for gas-sensor fabrication. Field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM, TEM and X-ray diffraction (XRD) characterizations indicated that the SWCNTs inclusion did not affect the morphology of the TiO₂ thin film and the particle size. Additionally, the SWCNTs were well embedded in the TiO₂ matrix. The gas-sensing properties of Nb–Pt co-doped TiO₂ thin films with and without SWCNTs inclusion were investigated. The hybrid sensors with the inclusion of different SWCNTs contents are examined to elucidate the effect of SWCNTs content on the gas-sensing properties. Experimental results revealed that the responses to ethanol of Nb–Pt co-doped TiO₂ sensors with SWNCTs inclusion increase by factors of 2–5 depending on the operating temperature and the ethanol concentration, compared to that of the sensor without SWCNTs inclusion. Moreover, all hybrid sensors can operate with high sensitivity and stability at a relatively low operating temperature (<335 °C). The responses of the hybrid sensors are greatly affected by SWCNTs content inclusion. The optimized SWCNTs content of 0.01% by weight was obtained for our experiment. The improved gas-sensing performance should be attributed to the additional formation of the p/n junction between SWCNTs (p-type) and TiO₂ (n-type).     

Construction of [4.3.1]propellanes via molybdenum fischer carbene complexes

Treatment of molybdenum Fischer carbene complexes with 6-methylene-7-octen-1-yne derivatives at 40 degrees C generates substituted tricyclo[4.3.1.0(1,6)]deca-2,4-dienes in good yield. Pentacarbonyl(butylmethoxycarbene)molybdenum(0) afforded the highest cyclization yields (54%), while the analogous chromium carbene complex gave no reaction. The range of dienyne substrates that participate in this reaction is explored and its mechanism is analyzed and discussed.     

Extremely low vertical-emittance beam in the accelerator test facility at KEK

Electron beams with the lowest, normalized transverse emittance recorded so far were produced and confirmed in single-bunch-mode operation of the Accelerator Test Facility at KEK. We established a tuning method of the damping ring which achieves a small vertical dispersion and small x-y orbit coupling. The vertical emittance was less than 1% of the horizontal emittance. At the zero-intensity limit, the vertical normalized emittance was less than 2.8 x 10(-8) rad m at beam energy 1.3 GeV. At high intensity, strong effects of intrabeam scattering were observed, which had been expected in view of the extremely high particle density due to the small transverse emittance.     

Historical Note on the Stefan-Reynolds Equations

We comment on the theory on the dynamics of fluid films confined between parallel surfaces established by Stefan and Reynolds over a centry ago. From a historical perspective, the established theory (often referred to as the lubrication approximation) and the derived equations, as used in colloid science, are to be correctly attributed to both Stefan and Reynolds. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.     

New synthetic technology for efficient construction of alpha-hydroxy-beta-amino amides via the Passerini reaction

[reaction: see text] The Passerini reaction of N-protected amino aldehydes, isonitriles, and TFA using pyridine-type bases proceeds under mild conditions and directly affords alpha-hydroxy-beta-amino amide derivatives in moderate to high yields. These adducts are readily hydrolyzed to alpha-hydroxy-beta-amino carboxylic acids. Application of these key intermediates to concise syntheses of P(1)-alpha-ketoamide protease inhibitors is illustrated.     

Formation of two-dimensional crystal-like structures from inclusions in smectic C films

The structures formed by inclusions in smectic C (SmC) free-standing films are investigated using polarized light microscopy. The domains confined in these two-dimensional (2D) systems induce distortion of the inplane orientational order, which governs the elastic interaction between the inclusions. The balance between long-range quadrupolar attraction and short-range repulsion gives rise to a nontrivial collective behavior of domains. Various 2D structures are created as a function of the concentration and size of inclusions. We observe the formation of chains and then a 2D square lattice when the concentration of domains increases. Further increase in the domain size leads to the transition from square to hexagonal close-packed structure.     

Theory of spherofibrous composites. 2. Fundamental equations

Fundamental equations of the theory of spatially reinforced media with a matrix reinforced by spherical particles are proposed on the basis of a linearly reinforced layer and tl.e hypothesis of a longitudinal state. For an arbitrary orientation of the fibers, the generalized elasticity equation for composites was found to contain 21 elastic constants and approximate formulas were derived for their determination.Presented at the Ninth International Conference on the Mechanics of Composite Materials, Riga. Latvia (October, 1995).Communication 1. see preceding article.A. A. Blagonravov Institute of Mechanical Engineering. Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow. Russian. Translated from Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 32, No. 3, pp. 306–316, May–June, 1996.     

Synthesis, characterization and crystal structure of mesogenic compounds with an alkyloxy and a semi-perfluorinated chain. Influence of the alkyloxy chain length on molecular arrangement and molecular interactions

This paper describes the synthesis and study of the mesomorphic properties (by DSC, microscopic observation and X-ray diffraction) of three new series of semi-perfluorinated liquid crystals: 4-(2,2,3,3,4,4,4-heptafluorobutyloxycarbonyl)phenyl, 4-(2,2,3,3,4,4,5,5-octafluoropentyloxycarbonyl)phenyl, and 4-(3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,8,8,8-tridecafluoro-octyloxy-carbonyl)phenyl 4-(n-alkyloxy)benzoates. One compound of the second family crystallizes in the P1 space group with Z ' 2. The molecule adopts a slightly bent conformation with a fully extended alkyloxy and semi-perfluorinated chain in a smectic C-like structure. The comparison of the present structure is made with that of a similar compound of the first family with a longer alkyloxy chain (this latter crystallizes in the P1 space group with two independent molecules in the unit cell). Comparison of the molecular packing shows the importance of the chain lengths in the molecular arrangement and molecular interactions in both structures.     

485—Spectroelectrochemical evidence for imine-alcohol intermediate formed upon electrochemical oxidation of uric acid

Electrochemical oxidation of uric acid in phosphate-containing supporting electrolytes between pH 3–9 at a reticulated vitreous carbon electrode in a thin-layer spectroelectrochemical cell leads to formation of U.V.-absorbing intermediate species. Electrochemical reduction of the intermediate-containing solution leads to the partial regeneration of uric acid. This behavior provides compelling evidence that an imine-alcohol is one of the U.V.-absorbing intermediate species since only this compound may be expected to be reduced to a species which can regenerate uric acid.