Gamma ray line constraints on effective theories of dark matter

A monochromatic gamma ray line results when dark matter particles in the galactic halo annihilate to produce a two body final state which includes a photon. Such a signal is very distinctive from astrophysical backgrounds, and thus represents an incisive probe of theories of dark matter. We compare the recent null results of searches for gamma ray lines in the galactic center and other regions of the sky with the predictions of effective theories describing the interactions of dark matter particles with the Standard Model. We find that the null results of these searches provide constraints on the nature of dark matter interactions with ordinary matter which are complementary to constraints from other observables, and stronger than collider constraints in some cases.     

Robust surface nano-architecture by alkali-carboxylate ionic bonding

Ionic bonding in supramolecular surface networks is a promising strategy to self-assemble nanostructures from organic building blocks with atomic precision. However, sufficient thermal stability of such systems has not been achieved at metal surfaces, likely due to partial screening of the ionic interactions. We demonstrate excellent stability of a self-assembled ionic network on a metal surface at elevated temperatures. The structure is characterized directly by atomic resolution scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) experiments conducted at 165 °C showing intact domains. This robust nanometer-scale structure is achieved by the on-surface reaction of a simple and inexpensive compound, sodium chloride, with a model system for carboxylate interactions, terephthalic acid (TPA). Rather than distinct layers of TPA and NaCl, angle resolved X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy experiments indicate a replacement reaction on the Cu(100) surface to form Na-carboxylate ionic bonds. Chemical shifts in core level electron states confirm a direct interaction and a +1 charge state of the Na. High-temperature STM imaging shows virtually no fluctuation of Na-TPA island boundaries, revealing a level of thermal stability that has not been previously achieved in noncovalent organic-based nanostructures at surfaces. Comparable strength of intermolecular ionic bonds and intramolecular covalent bonds has been achieved in this surface system. The formation of these highly ordered structures and their excellent thermal stability is dependent on the interplay of adsorbate-substrate and ionic interactions and opens new possibilities for ionic self-assemblies at surfaces with specific chemical function. Robust ionic surface structures have potential uses in technologies requiring high thermal stability and precise ordering through self-assembly.     

Comparisons of some molecular properties calculated with basis sets of Slater-type orbitals and floating spherical gaussian orbitals for BH3, BH4 -, B2H6, B4H4, C2H2, C2H4, C2H6, CH4, and C3H4

Some one-electron molecular properties are calculated for BH₃, BH₄ ^-, B₂H₆, B₄H₄, CH₄, C₂H₂, C₂H₄, C₂H₆, and C₃H₄. The wave functions used are constructed from minimal basis sets of STO's and FSGO's. The results obtained from the latter wave functions show that the good agreement with the STO values of the molecular energy is not always maintained with one-electron properties.     

A Versatile Co(bisalen) Unit for Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Cooperative Catalysis in the Hydrolytic Kinetic Resolution of Epoxides

Bisalen—very cooperative : A novel styryl‐substituted, unsymmetrical bisalen is shown to be a versatile precursor to both soluble and insoluble cooperative catalysts for the hydrolytic kinetic resolution of epoxides. The unique bisalen motif ensures all catalysts derived from it have the necessary molecular‐level ligand pairing needed for cooperative bimetallic catalytic reactions (see scheme).

     

Macrocyclic Cyclooctene-Supported AlCl–Salen Catalysts for Conjugated Addition Reactions: Effect of Linker and Support Structure on Catalysis

AlCl–salen (salen=N,N′-bis(salicylidene)ethylenediamine dianion) catalysts supported onto macrocyclic oligomeric cyclooctene through linkers of varying length and flexibility have been developed to demonstrate the importance of support architecture on catalyst activity. The role played by the support and the linkers in dictating catalyst activity was found to vary for reactions with contrasting mechanisms, such as the bimetallic cyanide and the monometallic indole addition reactions. While the flexible support significantly enhanced the cyanide addition reaction, most likely by improving salen–salen interactions in the transition state, it lowered the reaction rate for the monometallic indole reaction. For both reactions, significant increase in catalytic activity was observed for catalysts with the longest linkers. The effect of the flexible macrocyclic support on catalysis was further exemplified by the enhanced activity of the supported catalyst in comparison with its unsupported analogue for the conjugate addition of tetrazoles, which is known to be catalyzed by dimeric μ-oxo–salen catalysts. Our studies with the cyclooctene supported AlCl–salen catalysts provides significant insights for rationally designing highly efficient AlCl–salen catalysts for a diverse set of reactions.     

The origin of spiking pulses in HCN gas lasers

The time varying plasma refractive index of the gas discharge in a 337 μm HCN laser is shown to be responsible for its spiking output pulses.     

Dielectric behavior of aqueous solutions of sodium carboxymethyl cellulose

Measurements are reported for the dielectric loss factor of the SCMC solutions over the frequency range 2 MHz to 50 MHz as a function of concentration of SCMC, concentration of added sodium chloride, molecular weight, and temperature. The results are in general agreement with those of other workers and are interpreted in terms of ionic theories in which motion of the diffuse counterions is the dominant feature.     

Growth and sintering of Pd clusters on alpha-Al2O3(0001)

The growth and sintering of Pd nanoparticles on alpha-Al(2)O(3)(0001) have been studied by noncontact atomic force microscopy (NC-AFM), low-energy ion scattering spectroscopy (LEIS), temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). This is the first study of metal nanoparticles on a well-defined oxide surface where both NC-AFM and LEIS are used for characterization. These prove to be a powerful combination in assessing particle dimensions. The clean alumina surface showed atomically flat, 200-700 nm wide terraces. The sharp step edges are straight (within our resolution) for lengths of >300 nm and have heights in multiples of 0.2 nm. The Pd grows initially as two-dimensional (2D) islands at 300 K, with the transition to 3D particle growth at 0.25 ML (ML=monolayers). Upon heating at 1 K/s, the Pd starts to sinter below 400 K, and sinters at a nearly constant rate with increasing temperature, covering approximately 50% less of the alumina surface by approximately 1000 K, with a doubling in particle diameter and an eightfold decrease in particle number density. By approximately 1000 K, the number density was approximately 9 x 10(11)cm(2) for 0.8 ML of Pd, with an average diameter of 5 nm and an average thickness of 1 nm.     

PHOTOINACTIVATION OF CATALASES FROM MAMMAL LIVER, PLANT LEAVES AND BACTERIA. COMPARISON OF INACTIVATION CROSS SECTIONS AND QUANTUM YIELDS AT 406 nm

Abstract— Photoinactivation in vitro at pH 7.0 of catalases from different sources (bovine liver, spinach leaves, and Micrococcus lysodeikticus) was studied. The wavelength of the inactivating light was close to the Soret peak of catalase. No great difference in light sensitivity between soluble catalases were found; the inactivation cross sections found ranged from 3.8.10^-4 to 5.0. 10^-4Ų/molecule. The inactivation quantum yield is 2.2. 10^-5 for bovine liver catalase and 3.110^-5 for Micrococcus catalase. The quantum yield for soluble spinach catalase is of a similar order of magnitude. There are some indications of a greater resistance to photodestruction of the spinach leaf catalase activity associated with small particles.