Ligand effects in bimetallic high oxidation state palladium systems

Ligand effects in bimetallic high oxidation state systems containing a X-Pd-Pd-Y framework have been explored with density functional theory (DFT). The ligand X has a strong effect on the dissociation reaction of Y to form [X-Pd-Pd](+) + Y(-). In the model system examined where Y is a weak σ-donor ligand and a good leaving group, we find that dissociation of Y is facilitated by greater σ-donor character of X relative to Y. We find that there is a linear correlation of the Pd-Y and Pd-Pd bond lengths with Pd-Y bond dissociation energy, and with the σ-donating ability of X. These results can be explained by the observation that the Pd d(z(2)) population in the PdY fragment increases as the donor ability of X increases. In these systems, the Pd(III)-Pd(III) arrangement is favored when X is a weak σ-donor ligand, while the Pd(IV)-Pd(II) arrangement is favored when X is a strong σ-donor ligand. Finally, we demonstrate that ligand exchange to form a bimetallic cationic species in which each Pd is six-coordinate should be feasible in a high polarity solvent.     

The ac Stark effect in nitric oxide induced by rapidly swept continuous wave quantum cascade lasers

A large ac Stark effect has been observed when nitric oxide, at low pressure in a long optical path (100 m) Herriot cell, is subjected to infrared radiation from a rapidly swept, continuous wave infrared quantum cascade laser. As the frequency sweep rate of the laser is increased, an emission signal induced by rapid passage occurs after the laser frequency has passed through the resonance of 1-0 R(11.5)(3/2 /)molecular absorption line. At very high sweep rates a laser field-induced splitting of the absorptive part of the signal is observed, due to the ac Stark effect. This splitting is related to the Autler-Townes mixing of the e, f lambda doublet components of the 1-0 R(11.5)(3/2) transition, which lie under the Doppler broadened envelope.     

Sub-Doppler spectra of infrared hyperfine transitions of nitric oxide using a pulse modulated quantum cascade laser: rapid passage, free induction decay, and the ac Stark effect

Using a low power, rapid (nsec) pulse-modulated quantum cascade (QC) laser, collective coherent effects in the 5 μm spectrum of nitric oxide have been demonstrated by the observation of sub-Doppler hyperfine splitting and also Autler-Townes splitting of Doppler broadened lines. For nitrous oxide, experiments and model calculations have demonstrated that two main effects occur with pulse-modulated (chirped) quantum cascade lasers: free induction decay signals, and signals induced by rapid passage during the laser chirp. In the open shell molecule, NO, in which both Λ-doubling splitting and hyperfine structure occur, laser field-induced coupling between the hyperfine levels of the two Λ-doublet components can induce a large ac Stark effect. This may be observed as sub-Doppler structure, field-induced splittings, or Autler-Townes splitting of a Doppler broadened line. These represent an extension of the types of behaviour observed in the closed shell molecule nitrous oxide, using the same apparatus, when probed with an 8 μm QC laser.     

An infinite-dimensional statistical manifold modelled on Hilbert space

We construct an infinite-dimensional Hilbert manifold of probability measures on an abstract measurable space. The manifold, M, retains the first- and second-order features of finite-dimensional information geometry: the α-divergences admit first derivatives and mixed second derivatives, enabling the definition of the Fisher metric as a pseudo-Riemannian metric. This is enough for many applications; for example, it justifies certain projections of Markov processes onto finite-dimensional submanifolds in recursive estimation problems. M was constructed with the Fenchel–Legendre transform between Kullback–Leibler divergences, and its role in Bayesian estimation, in mind. This transform retains, on M, the symmetry of the finite-dimensional case. Many of the manifolds of finite-dimensional information geometry are shown to be $C^{\infty }$-embedded submanifolds of M. In establishing this, we provide a framework in which many of the formal results of the finite-dimensional subject can be proved with full rigour.     

Nanostructural and magnetic studies of virtually monodispersed NiFe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> nanocrystals synthesized by a liquid–solid-solution assisted hydrothermal route

This study presents a comprehensively and systematically structural, chemical and magnetic characterization of ~9.5 nm virtually monodispersed nickel ferrite (NiFe₂O₄) nanoparticles prepared using a modified liquid–solid-solution (LSS) assisted hydrothermal method. Lattice-resolution scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) and converged beam electron diffraction pattern (CBED) techniques are adapted to characterize the detailed spatial morphology and crystal structure of individual NiFe₂O₄ particles at nano scale for the first time. It is found that each NiFe₂O₄ nanoparticle is single crystal with an fcc structure. The morphology investigation reveals that the prepared NiFe₂O₄ nanoparticles of which the surfaces are decorated by oleic acid are dispersed individually in hexane. The chemical composition of nickel ferrite nanoparticles is measured to be 1:2 atomic ratio of Ni:Fe, indicating a pure NiFe₂O₄ composition. Magnetic measurements reveal that the as-synthesized nanocrystals displayed superparamagnetic behavior at room temperature and were ferromagnetic at 10 K. The nanoscale characterization and magnetic investigation of monodispersed NiFe₂O₄ nanoparticles should be significant for its potential applications in the field of biomedicine and magnetic fluid using them as magnetic materials.     

Visualizing macromolecular complexes with in situ liquid scanning transmission electron microscopy

A central focus of biological research is understanding the structure/function relationship of macromolecular protein complexes. Yet conventional transmission electron microscopy techniques are limited to static observations. Here we present the first direct images of purified macromolecular protein complexes using in situ liquid scanning transmission electron microscopy. Our results establish the capability of this technique for visualizing the interface between biology and nanotechnology with high fidelity while also probing the interactions of biomolecules within solution. This method represents an important advancement towards allowing future high-resolution observations of biological processes and conformational dynamics in real-time.     

Topology of dynamical lattice configurations including results from dynamical overlap fermions

We investigate how the topological charge density in lattice QCD simulations is affected by violations of chiral symmetry caused by the fermion action. To this end we compare lattice configurations generated with a number of different actions including first configurations generated with exact dynamical overlap quarks. We visualize the topological profiles after mild smearing. In the topological charge correlator we measure the size of the positive core, which is known to shrink to zero extension in the continuum limit. To leading order we find the core size to scale linearly with the lattice spacing with the same coefficient for all actions, even including quenched simulations. In the subleading term the different actions vary over a range of about 10%. Our findings suggest that non-chiral lattice actions at current lattice spacings do not differ much for observables related to topology, both among themselves and compared to overlap fermions.     

Lamellar thickness of crystallizable ethene runs in ethene-propene copolymers by solid state NMR

Crystallizable runs of ethene in ethene-propene copolymers can be identified in ¹³C CPMAS NMR spectra as a resonance at 33 ppm. In the absence of spin diffusion, the variation in intensity of this resonance with a ¹H spin lock will reflect the intrinsic T^H_1ρ. Spin diffusion leads to a more complex relaxation decay, which reflects the local polymer morphology. Simulations of the spin diffusion process have been carried out for a simplified two-phase model for the morphology with the aim of determining whether the lamellar thickness of the crystalline and amorphous regions can be found from the T^H_1ρ observed via the ¹³C NMR spectrum. Calculations covering the expected range of the input parameters, namely the spin diffusion coefficients, domain lengths, and intrinsic relaxation times, show that, providing the intrinsic relaxation time in the amorphous phase is known, an accurate estimate of the crystalline and amorphous lamellar thicknesses can be made. Analysis of simulated T^H_1ρ decays indicate that, in general, the time constant of the fastest decaying component can be identified with the intrinsic relaxation time of the amorphous phase. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.