Can luminescent quantum dots be efficient energy acceptors with organic dye donors?

We assessed the ability of luminescent quantum dots (QDs) to function as energy acceptors in fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) assays, with organic dyes serving as donors. Either AlexaFluor 488 or Cy3 dye was attached to maltose binding protein (MBP) and used with various QD acceptors. Steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence measurements showed no apparent FRET from dye to QD. We attribute these observations to the dominance of a fast radiative decay rate of the donor excitation relative to a slow FRET decay rate. This is due to the long exciton lifetime of the acceptor compared to that of the dye, combined with substantial QD direct excitation.     

Solvothermal synthesis and structure of a new selenium-rich selenophosphate K(3)PSe(4).2Se(6)

The compound K(3)PSe(4).2Se(6) was synthesized at 110 degrees C via solventothermal techniques from binary starting materials and Se in acetonitrile. The compound crystallizes in the space group Fd macro 3 of the cubic system with eight formula units in a cell with a dimension of a = 16.415(2) A at T = 193 K. The structure contains an unusual intermixing of ionic and uncharged species. The selenophosphate tetrahedral trianions PSe(4)(3-) are surrounded by potassium cations; other potassium cations in the structure are coordinated to 12 selenium atoms from four Se(6) rings in a tetrahedral arrangement. There are no short contacts between adjacent selenium rings. Heating the same reaction mixture to 160 degrees C results in the formation of only needles of trigonal selenium.     

Wall and boundary free energies

The asymptotic free energy of a planar wall with potentialsW, cut in scalar spin systems, with ferromagnetic interactionsK, enclosed in general domains subject to reasonable shape conditions, is shown (under conditions used in Part I) to exist and to be equal to the unique limiting wall free energy,f _x(K,W), of simple rectangular or box domains. Similar results are found for sets of walls forming the complete boundaries of domains; for subfree walls bulk plus a uniquely-defined surface term. Some limited results for periodic boundary conditions are reported.     

Magnetic Properties of Pt-Based Nanoalloys: A Critical Review

In recent years, magnetic nanoalloys (MNAs) have attracted many attentions from all over the world, due to their potential applications in the broad fields of magneto-optics, data storage, engineering, and biology. Among these MNAs, Pt–M (M = Fe, Co, Ni) MNAs have been considered to be the most promising ones, due to their superparamagnetism and response to a magnetic field. Here, we firstly review the experimental work on the synthesis, characterization, and magnetic properties of Pt–Fe, Pt–Co, and Pt–Ni MNAs. Then, we discuss the recent theoretical work on Pt–Fe, Pt–Co, and Pt–Ni MNAs. Moreover, we also review the main applications of Pt–Fe, Pt–Co, and Pt–Ni MNAs in the fields of biology, information storage, and magnetic separation. It is found that the size, shape, and composition of Pt–Fe, Pt–Co, and Pt–Ni MNAs play a critical role on their fundamental magnetic properties from both the experimental and theoretical points of view. It is expected that this review could be a valuable resource for both experimental and theoretical researchers, who are interested in Pt-based MNAs.     

Solid argon : Monte Carlo calculations along the solid-vapour coexistence curve

Thermodynamic properties and elastic constants of solid argon have been calculated using an accurate pair-potential together with the Monte Carlo method and the Axilrod-Teller three-body potential. Excellent agreement is obtained with experimental values of the pressure and internal energy. However the calculated elastic constants show systematic deviations from the experimental values. These discrepancies are examined in some detail and possible reasons for them are given.     

Infrared and Raman investigation of the charge–density-wave state in rare-earth tri-telluride compounds

We summarize our recent efforts in investigating the charge–density-wave (CDW) state of the rare-earth tri-tellurides RTe₃ by means of infrared and Raman techniques. We identify the CDW gap, as order parameter of the broken-symmetry ground state, as well as the collective mode of the CDW condensate.