New source of dense, cryogenic positron plasmas

We have developed a new method, based on the ballistic transfer of preaccumulated plasmas, to obtain large and dense positron plasmas in a cryogenic environment. The method involves transferring plasmas emanating from a region with a low magnetic field (0.14 T) and relatively high pressure (10(-9) mbar) into a 15 K Penning-Malmberg trap immersed in a 3 T magnetic field with a base pressure better than 10(-13) mbar. The achieved positron accumulation rate in the high field cryogenic trap is more than one and a half orders of magnitude higher than the previous most efficient UHV compatible scheme. Subsequent stacking resulted in a plasma containing more than 1.2 x 10(9) positrons, which is a factor 4 higher than previously reported. Using a rotating wall electric field, plasmas containing about 20 x 10(6) positrons were compressed to a density of 2.6 x 10(10) cm(-3). This is a factor of 6 improvement over earlier measurements.     

Multiple and Polynomial Recurrence for Abelian Actions in Infinite Measure

The (C,F)-construction from a previous paper of the first authoris applied to produce a number of funny rank one infinite measurepreserving actions of discrete countable Abelian groups G with‘unusual’ multiple recurrence properties. In particular,the following are constructed for each p N{}:

1. a p-recurrent actionT=(T_g)_gG such that (if p) no one transformationT_g is (p+1)-recurrentfor every element g of infinite order;
2. an action T=(T_g)_gGsuch that for every finite sequence g1,...,g_rGwithout torsionthe transformation T_g1x...x T_gr is ergodic,p-recurrent but(if p) not (p+1)-recurrent;
3. a p-polynomially recurrent (C,F)-transformationwhich (if p)is not (p+1)-recurrent.

-recurrence here meansmultiple recurrence. Moreover, it is shown that there existsa (C,F)-transformation which is rigid (and hence multiply recurrent)but not polynomially recurrent. Nevertheless, the subset ofpolynomially recurrent transformations is generic in the groupof infinite measure preserving transformations endowed withthe weak topology.     

Mode dependent vibrational autoionization of Rydberg states of NO2. II. Comparing the symmetric stretching and bending vibrations

Triple-resonance excitation and high-resolution photoelectron spectroscopy are combined to characterize the mode selectivity of vibrational autoionization of the high Rydberg states of NO2. Photoelectron spectra and vibrational branching fractions are reported for autoionizing Rydberg states converging to the NO2+ X 1Sigmag +(110) state, that is, with one quantum in the symmetric stretch, nu1, and one quantum in the bending vibration, nu2. These results indicate that autoionization proceeds most efficiently through the loss of one quantum from the symmetric stretch rather than from the bending vibration. The implications of this result are discussed in terms of the autoionization mechanism.     

High yield production of long branched Au nanoparticles characterized by atomic resolution transmission electron microscopy

Long multi-branched gold nanoparticles have been synthesized in a very high yield through a facile synthesis combining two different capping agents. The stability of these materials with the time has been tested and their characterization have been performed by diverse advanced electron microscopy techniques, paying special attention to aberration corrected transmission electron microscopy in order to unambiguously analyze the surface structure of the branches and provide insights for the formation of stellated gold nanoparticles.     

Nafion/tetraruthenated porphyrin glassy carbon-modified electrode: characterization and voltammetric studies of sulfite oxidation in water–ethanol solutions

In this work, the modification of a glassy carbon electrode with tetraruthenated porphyrins electrostatically assembled onto a Nafion film, previously adsorbed on the electrode surface, is reported. This modified electrode was characterized by scanning electron microscopy–energy-dispersive X-ray, Raman spectroscopy, UV-Vis spectroelectrochemistry, and cyclic voltammetry. The Nafion film onto the glassy carbon electrode shows a smooth disposition; when the tetraruthenated porphyrin is incorporated on the Nafion film, the complex is adsorbed in a homogeneous way. The modified electrode catalyzes HSO₃⁻ oxidation in water–ethanol solutions and shows an enhanced stability compared with the electrode modified with the dip coating method. Rotating disk electrode experiments showed a kinetic limitation to the electron transfer controlled by charge propagation in the film. I/E curves show a Tafel slope of 120 mV/decade corresponding to a first electron-transfer reaction, depending on the potential, as the determining step. Spectroelectrochemical experiments demonstrated that Ru(II) is the active site for the electrocatalysis.     

Relative acidities and structure analysis of cis and trans isomers of 1,5‐oxazaspiro[5.5] undecane derivatives by multinuclear magnetic resonance

The relative acidities of the cis and trans isomers of a series of 1,5‐oxazaspiro[5.5]undecane derivatives were determined by measuring ΔpK in acid‐base titrations followed by ¹ H NMR. Relative structural stabilities were determined by measuring substituent chemical shift and γ‐gauche effects in ¹³C, ¹⁵N, and ¹⁷O NMR. Crystallographic characterization of a model spiro[5.5]undecane is presented to support the basicity in solid state. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis and characterization of new complexes of the type [Ru(CO)2Cl2 (2‐phenyl‐1,8‐naphthyridine‐kN) (2‐phenyl‐1,8‐naphthyridine‐kN′)]. Preliminary applications in homogeneous catalysis

Novel ruthenium (II) complexes were prepared containing 2‐phenyl‐1,8‐naphthyridine derivatives. The coordination modes of these ligands were modified by addition of coordinating solvents such as water into the ethanolic reaction media. Under these conditions 1,8‐naphthyridine (napy) moieties act as monodentade ligands forming unusual [Ru(CO)₂Cl₂(η¹‐2‐phenyl‐1,8‐naphthyridine‐ kN )(η¹‐2‐phenyl‐1,8‐naphthyridine‐kN′)] complexes. The reaction was reproducible when different 2‐phenyl‐1,8‐naphthyridine derivatives were used. On the other hand, when dry ethanol was used as the solvent we obtained complexes with napy moieties acting as a chelating ligand. The structures proposed for these complexes were supported by NMR spectra, and the presence of two ligands in the [Ru(CO)₂Cl₂(η¹‐2‐phenyl‐1,8‐naphthyridine‐ kN )(η¹‐2‐phenyl‐1,8‐naphthyridine‐kN′)] type complexes was confirmed using elemental analysis. All complexes were tested as catalysts in the hydroformylation of styrene showing moderate activity in N,N′‐dimethylformamide. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A simple and general preparation of vinylic sulfides, selenides and tellurides

A general method for the synthesis of vinylic chalcogenides by nucleophilic and Ni-catalyzed vinylic substitution on vinylic halides by phenyl chalcogenolates is described. The reactions were regio and stereoselective for the nickel catalyzed substitution, and mixture of isomers was observed for some examples in the thermal process in DMF.