Effect of quantum interference on tunneling photoionization rates of N2 and O2 molecules

In this work, we reexamine the photoionization rates of N(2) and O(2) molecules using the previously published photoionization rate theory which is based on the original atomic Keldysh theory [K. Mishima et al., Phys. Rev. A 66, 033401 (2002); ibid.66, 053408 (2002)]. We have found that the constructive quantum interference takes place for N(2) molecule while the destructive quantum interference plays an important role for O(2) molecule. This is consistent with the experimental and theoretical results reported in the literature. The formulas derived in this paper clearly show that this is due to the different symmetries of the valence orbitals of N(2) and O(2) molecules.     

Towards the realization of the quantum chemistry approach to tunneling photoionization processes in strong laser fields

Based on Keldysh's theory, we investigate the possibility to use the molecular orbital theoretic approach for calculating the tunneling photoionization rates of molecules. As a demonstration, we concentrate on the 1s state of the hydrogen atom as the initial state.     

Proton donor–acceptor property of matrix during the sol–gel reaction

The UV–VIS absorption spectrum of thymol blue (TB), which was used for an in situ probe for the proton donor–acceptor property of the surrounding matrix, has been observed as a function of time during the sol–gel–xerogel reactions of tetraethyl orthosilicate under HCl catalyzed and uncatalyzed conditions. The value of relative abundance, RA _Z , of zwitter ion species was calculated. In the ethanol-containing system, RA _Z increased for 7 h, then decreased until 114 h had passed, and finally increased gradually. These dynamic changes of the RA _Z were commonly observed for all the systems. The final RA _Z values were expected larger than 0.7 irrespective of the initial chemical composition. The characteristic increase and decrease in RA _Z are ascribed to the increase and decrease in proton-donating ability from the surrounding matrix to encapsulated TB molecules. A general acidity function, H ₋, of the matrix was estimated.     

Highly polarized very cold neutrons through a permanent magnet quadrupole

We obtained highly polarized very cold neutrons through a quadrupole magnet with a large aperture. When neutrons go through a quadrupole magnet, parallel-spin neutrons are attracted to the magnet axis and anti-parallel-spin neutrons are repelled off the axis. Therefore, the neutrons through a sufficiently long quadrupole magnet have completely parallel-spin. At the downstream of the quadrupole magnet, we placed another quadrupole magnet to divide neutrons into two regions depending on their spin directions. We obtained the neutron polarization from the integrated count of the two regions and found it was 99.88±0.09 (stat.)±0.05 (syst.)%.     

Unusual role of the substrate in droplet‐induced GaAs/AlGaAs quantum‐dot pairs

The structural complexity of GaAs quantum‐dot pairs has been revealed by cross‐sectional transmission electron microscopy. As a result of high‐temperature droplet epitaxy, the AlGaAs substrate beneath the quantum‐dot pairs is no longer immobile and its reconstruction is observed to define the crystallization of gallium droplets under an arsenic flux. The GaAs quantum‐dot pairs are immersed into the substrate and further confined by the re‐distributed AlGaAs materials above the substrate plane. There are two underlying mechanisms responsible for the final nanostructure configuration, melt‐back etching by the gallium droplets and preferential crystallization of gallium around reconstructed sidewalls. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Transparent polymeric hybrid film of ZnO nanoparticle quantum dots and PMMA with high luminescence and tunable emission color

ZnO nanoparticle quantum dots (QDs)/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) composites are synthesized by conventional radical polymerization in the presence of 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propylmethacrylate (TPM)-modified ZnO nanoparticle QDs. Although unmodified ZnO nanoparticle QDs were precipitated in tetrahydrofuran (THF) and show only weak emissions under UV irradiation, ZnO nanoparticle QDs/PMMA composite is well dispersed in THF and shows high emissions. TPM acts as the stabilizer and promotes the compatibility between the ZnO nanoparticle QDs and the PMMA matrix. After evaporation of THF from the ZnO nanoparticle QDs/PMMA composite solution, transparent polymeric hybrid films of ZnO nanoparticle QDs and PMMA are obtained. These polymeric hybrid films are characterized by photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and thermogravimetric analysis. The hybrid film exhibited a high quantum yield and PL emission under ultraviolet excitation. PL emission has been successfully tuned from blue to yellow.     

Controlled Alternating Copolymerization of (Meth)acrylates and Vinyl Ethers by Using Organoheteroatom‐Mediated Living Radical Polymerization

Alternating copolymers comprised of (meth)acrylates and vinyl ethers with controlled molecular weights and polydispersities were synthesized for the first time by living radical polymerization using organotellurium, stibine, and bismuthine chain transfer agents. Combining living alternating copolymerization and living radical or living cationic polymerization afforded hitherto unavailable block copolymers with controlled macromolecular structures.

     

Palladium-catalyzed regio- and stereoselective formate reduction of fluorine-containing allylic mesylates. A new entry for the construction of a tertiary carbon attached with a fluoroalkyl group

The regioselective palladium-catalyzed formate reduction of gamma-fluoroalkylated allylic esters is described. Reduction of the allylic esters under the influence of palladium with a monodentate phosphine ligand proceeded preferentially at the gamma position, the corresponding reduction products with a fluoroalkyl group at the tertiary carbon being afforded in high yields. When the chiral allylic ester was employed, complete chirality transfer was observed, leading to the optically active materials in high yields.