Time-domain differentiation of terahertz pulses

We report on the time-domain differentiation of light waves by metallic transmission gratings. Time-resolved terahertz experiments show that the first time derivative of an arbitrary waveform can be achieved by use of gratings of subwavelength period. The results are in accord with classical diffraction theory and may permit novel applications for tailoring few-cycle light pulses and ultrahigh-frequency optoelectronics.     

Materials for hydrogen storage: structure and dynamics of borane ammonia complex

The activation energies for rotations in low-temperature orthorhombic ammonia borane were analyzed and characterized in terms of electronic structure theory. The perdeuterated (11)B-enriched ammonia borane, (11)BD(3)ND(3), sample was synthesized, and the structure was refined from neutron powder diffraction data at 175 K. This temperature has been chosen as median of the range of previously reported nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy measurements of these rotations. A representative molecular cluster model was assembled from the refined geometry, and the activation energies were calculated and characterized by analysis of the environmental factors that control the rotational dynamics. The barrier for independent NH(3) rotation, E(a) = 12.7 kJ mol(-1), largely depends on the molecular conformational torsion in the solid-state geometry. The barrier for independent BH(3) rotation, E(a) = 38.3 kJ mol(-1), results from the summation of the effect of molecular torsion and large repulsive intermolecular hydrogen-hydrogen interactions. However, a barrier of E(a) = 31.1 kJ mol(-1) was calculated for internally correlated rotation with preserved molecular conformation. Analysis of the barrier heights and the corresponding rotational pathways shows that rotation of the BH(3) group involves strongly correlated rotation of the NH(3) end of the molecule. This observation suggests that the barrier from previously reported measurement of BH(3) rotation corresponds to H(3)B-NH(3) correlated rotation.     

High resolution atomic coherent control via spectral phase manipulation of an optical frequency comb

We demonstrate high resolution coherent control of cold atomic rubidium utilizing spectral phase manipulation of a femtosecond optical frequency comb. Transient coherent accumulation is directly manifested by the enhancement of signal amplitude and spectral resolution via the pulse number. The combination of frequency comb technology and spectral phase manipulation enables coherent control techniques to enter a new regime with natural linewidth resolution.     

Packed uniform sphere model for solids: interstitial access opening sizes and pressure deficiencies for wetting liquids with comparison to reported experimental results

Mathematical relationships have been developed to describe the pressure deficiencies required for drainage and removal of wetting liquids through the access openings to the interstitial void space for a model comprised of uniform packed solid spheres. Access openings and associated pressure deficiencies are defined in terms of the packing and radius of the spheres, using a circular arc approximation for the liquid-vapor portion of the perimeter of the opening. This allows determination of equivalent particle radius rather than equivalent cylindrical pore radius within a porous solid sample by use of standard pressure, porosity and desorption data. For a known particle size and porosity, it allows comparison and prediction of drainage of wetting liquids and pressures required for removal of the liquid from compacted materials and collections of random packed spherical particles. Comparisons are made to experimental packing of spheres. Sorption isotherms for a volatile wetting liquid are presented, covering the access to the interstitial void space, the pendular liquid ring between adjacent touching spheres and the monolayer surface area. The larger size of the interstitial void space compared to the size of the access opening leads to lower imbibition pressures and hysteresis for both volatile and nonvolatile wetting liquids. The relationship to mercury porosimetry and the adjustment for contact angles other than 0 degrees and 180 degrees are discussed.