Interference swapping in scattering from a nonlocal quantum target

We describe a new and distinctive interferometry in which a probe particle scatters off a superposition of locations of a single free target particle. Probe particles scattering off a single free "mirror" (in one dimension) or a single free "slit" (in two dimensions) can "swap" interference with the superposed target states. The condition for interference is loss of orthogonality of the target states and reduces, in simple examples, to transfer of orthogonality from target to probe states. We analyze experimental parameters and conditions necessary for interference to be observed.     

Luminescent sol–gel materials based on lanthanide aminopolycarboxylates (Ln = Nd, Eu, Tb, Yb)

Luminescent organic–inorganic hybrid materials containing immobilized lanthanide(III) complexes (Ln = Nd, Eu, Tb, Yb) with modified ethylenediaminetetraacetic and diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid were synthesized by sol–gel method. Obtained hybrids exhibit 4f-luminescence in the visible (Eu(III) and Tb(III)) and IR-region (Nd(III) and Yb(III)). The influence of the hybrid matrix on the lanthanide luminescence was established and it was shown, that the location of resonance level of Eu(III) is optimal for efficient energy transfer from matrix, while in the case of Tb(III) energy transfer does not occur and Tb(III) is able to absorb energy only due to its own week f–f transitions. It was also established that the inorganic matrix leads to elimination of nonradiative energy losses and increase of 4f-luminescence lifetimes. Covalent binding of Ln(III) aminopolycarboxylates in the matrix allows to consider obtained materials as promising for creation of photo- and chemically-stable luminescent sensors.     

Solid state interaction between V2O5 and MoO3: specific features related to minor vanadia transfer

Vanadia transport, which is a minor reaction flux in the solid state reaction between V₂O₅ and MoO₃, was studied using chemical and neutron activation analyses and electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis. It was found that negligible quantities of vanadia were transferred in a molybdena briquette during the reaction. Vanadia was presumably localized in thin external layers of molybdena grains. The reaction potential difference U _r across a Pt|MoO₃|V₂O₅|Pt cell was studied. It was shown that in this cell U _r was produced at the molybdena briquette and was due to vanadia transport. The U _r value changed with time in two stages. The reaction potential difference U _r was constant (or diminished slightly) at the first stage and dropped abruptly at the second stage. The duration of the first stage depended on the initial thickness of the MoO₃ briquette: the thicker the briquette, the longer the U _r value was nearly constant. Causes and probable mechanisms of U _r generation are discussed in different terms: chemical reaction, variation of a _{O 2} at the boundary between the reaction product and initialoxides, or surface spreading of the minor (V₂O₅ or V₉Mo₆O₄₀) diffusant. The last mechanism, which received the least study in the general case, was shown to be the most probable one for the reaction at hand. Electronic Publication     

Conductivity and hydration of lanthanum-substituted barium calcium niobates Ba4 ? xLaxCa2Nb2O11 + 0.5x (x = 0.5; 1; 1.5)

A double perovskite Ba₄(Ca₂Nb₂)O₁₁ known as the oxygen-ionic and protonic conductor is modified by substitution of La atoms for Ba atoms in its composition. Three phases with different lanthanum contents Ba_{4 − x} La _x Ca₂Nb₂O_{11 + 0.5x} with x = 0.5; 1; 1.5 are studied. The temperature dependences of conductivity are measured and the thermogravimetric studies are carried out. The thermogravimetric curves of heating are close for all three compounds, whereas their curves of cooling strongly differ from one another. For compositions with x = 0.5 and 1.5, the dependences of conductivity on the partial oxygen pressure P_O2 P_{O_2 } and the partial water vapor pressure P_{H2 O}P_{H_2 O} are measured. The total transport numbers of ions and the transport numbers of protons are calculated. It is shown that the slope of the logs_tot ( logP_{H2 O} )_Tlog\sigma _{tot} \left( {logP_{H_2 O} } \right)_T dependence reaches 1/3 in the range of medium P_{H2 O}P_{H_2 O} under the condition of electroneutrality 2[O″ _V ] = [H* _i ], which coincides with the result obtained earlier for the Ba₄Ca₂Nb₂O₁₁ (x = 0) composition and the solid solutions on its basis with different Ba/Ca ratios. The obtained results are compared with the literature data describing the incorporation of water into Ba₂In₂O₅ and BaCe_0.89(Y_0.2)O_2.9.     

Introduction to Focus Issue: nonlinear and stochastic physics in biology

Frank Moss was a leading figure in the study of nonlinear and stochastic processes in biological systems. His work, particularly in the area of stochastic resonance, has been highly influential to the interdisciplinary scientific community. This Focus Issue pays tribute to Moss with articles that describe the most recent advances in the field he helped to create. In this Introduction, we review Moss's seminal scientific contributions and introduce the articles that make up this Focus Issue.     

Mechanical Properties of Ti–Ni–Ta and Ti–Ni–Ta–Si Surface Alloys Synthesized on Titanium Nickelide Substrates

Technical Physics - The physical-mechanical properties of Ti-Ni-Ta and Ti-Ni-Ta-Si surface alloys (about 1 μm thick) synthesized on TiNi substrates by the additive thin-film electron-beam...     

Coordination polymers of CdII and PbII with croconate show remarkable differences in coordination patterns: a structural and spectroscopic study

The croconate dianion is a highly versatile ligand with two tautomeric forms making it useful for building large superstructures in the solid state. The single‐crystal X‐ray structures of Pb^II– and Cd^II–croconate coordination polymers, namely catena‐poly[[[diaqualead(II)]‐μ‐croconato‐κ⁴O¹,O²:O³,O⁴] monohydrate], {[Pb(C₅O₅)(H₂O)₂]·H₂O}_n, 1 , and catena‐poly[[triaquacadmium(II)]‐μ‐croconato‐κ⁴O¹,O²:O³,O⁴], [Cd(C₅O₅)(H₂O)₃]_n, 2 , have been determined. Both polymers form one‐dimensional (1D) structures; 1 is a nonplanar 1D zigzag coordination polymer extended along the crystallographic b axis, whereas 2 is a planar 1D ribbon parallel to the [101] direction. In 2 , three H₂O molecules are coordinated directly to the metal atom, while in 1 , only two H₂O molecules are directly coordinated to the metal atom. A third interstitial H₂O molecule is involved in hydrogen bonding with O atoms of the croconate ligands of an adjacent layer and other H₂O molecules, resulting in stacked double layers parallel to the [105] plane. Solid‐state FT–IR and solution UV–Vis spectra also substantiate the croconate coordination.     

Hyperentanglement source by intersubband two-photon emission from semiconductor quantum wells

We propose an efficient hyperentanglement source emitting photon pairs entangled in both energy and polarization. The compact electrically driven room-temperature source, based on intersubband two-photon emission from semiconductor quantum wells (QWs) exhibits pair generation rates several orders of magnitude higher than alternative conventional schemes. A theoretical formalism is derived for the calculation of photon pair generation spectra and rates. The results are presented for superlattice structures similar to quantum cascade lasers of GaAs/AlGaAs QWs emitting in the mid-IR and far-IR and for InN/AlN QW structures suitable for telecommunication wavelengths.