Photo-responsive behavior of a monolayer composed of an azobenzene containing polypeptide in the main chain

A photoresponsive polypeptide, two -helical poly(-methyl L-glutamate)s joined with an azobenzene (MAzoM,Mn=11000), have been prepared. Monolayers of the polypeptide were formed at air-water interface and the photoresponsive behavior of the monolayer obtained was investigated. A trans to cis photo-isomerization of the azobenzene moiety in the main chain of MAzoM induced by UV light irradiation resulted in a bending structure formation in the main chain of the polypeptide via photo-induced changes in the geometry of the azobenzene chromophore. As a result, the limiting area per molecule of the MAzoM monolayer was decreased. Based on the degree of the decrease in the limiting area per molecule, it was estimated that the bending angle between the two -helical rods of MAzoM molecule under UV light irradiation was ca. 140°. The photo-responsive behavior of the MAzoM monolayer was reversible and consisted along with the photo-isomerization of azobenzene moiety.     

Coexistence of infinite (*)-clusters II. Ising percolation in two dimensions

Summary We show a strong type of conditionally mixing property for the Gibbs states ofd-dimensional Ising model when the temperature is above the critical one. By using this property, we show that there is always coexistence of infinite (+ *)-and (–*)-clusters when is smaller than _c andh=0 in two dimensions. It is also possible to show that this coexistence region extends to some non-zero external field case, i.e., for every < _c, there exists someh _c()>0 such that |h|<h _c() implies the coexistence of infinite (*)-clusters with respect to the Gibbs state for (,h).work supported in part by Grant in Aid for Cooperative research no. 03302010, Grant in Aid for Scientific Research no. 03640056 and ISM Cooperative research program (91-ISM,CRP-3)To the memory of Professor Haruo Totoki     

A sharp transition for the two-dimensional Ising percolation

We show that the percolation transition for the two-dimensional Ising model is sharp. Namely, we show that for every reciprocal temperature >0, there exists a critical valueh _c () of external magnetic fieldh such that the following two statements hold.

Float zone growth of Dy:GdVO4 single crystals for potential use in solid-state yellow lasers

Single crystals of dysprosium-doped gadolinium orthovanadate (Dy:GdVO₄) were successfully grown by the floating zone method and their fluorescence properties were investigated. The as-grown crystals did not contain any macroscopic defects such as cracks and inclusions for any Dy-concentration of up to 4 at%. Every crystal showed optical homogeneity under observation with a polarizing microscope; that is, no low-angle grain boundaries and growth striations were detected. In the visible region, two distinct fluorescence bands were observed around 480 and 575 nm, corresponding to ⁴F_9/2→⁶H_15/2 and ⁴F_9/2→⁶H_13/2 transitions, respectively. The excitation spectrum for the emission of 573 nm indicates the possibility to use a commercially available laser diode of 450 nm as a pumping source for solid-state yellow laser.     

Rheological properties and self-assembled structures of a newly synthesized organogelator: cyclohexane carboxamido-2C<Subscript>8</Subscript>/oleyl in different solvent oils

We synthesized a low-molecular-mass organogelator, cyclohexanecarboxamide (HPMDA-R), which is composed of four amide groups with two kinds of side chains (R and R′). We selected two different alkyl groups, 2-ethylhexyl and oleyl, as side chains, considering the solubility and formation of a self-assembled structure within the solvents. We measured the rheological properties of HPMDA-2C₈/oleyl dissolved in paraffin oil and three kinds of ester oils as solvents. The results indicated that the compound contributed to viscoelasticity in both isododecane and 2-ethylhexyl isononanoate, but increased viscosity only in cetyl caprylate. In addition, the compound behaved as a gelator for isostearyl isostearate. We were able to associate differences in function with the morphology of self-assembly observed by TEM. The formation of a gel may have contributed to the presence of the minute network structure. Our measurements for time-dependency supported that notion.