Coherence and wavefront characterization of Si‐111 monochromators using double‐grating interferometry

A study of the coherence and wavefront properties of a pseudo‐channel‐cut monochromator in comparison with a double‐crystal monochromator is presented. Using a double‐grating interferometer designed for the hard X‐ray regime, the complex coherence factor was measured and the wavefront distortions at the sample position were analyzed. A transverse coherence length was found in the vertical direction that was a factor of two larger for the channel‐cut monochromator owing to its higher mechanical stability. The wavefront distortions after different optical elements in the beam, such as monochromators and mirrors, were also quantified. This work is particularly relevant for coherent diffraction imaging experiments with synchrotron sources.     

Simultaneous determination of temperature and OH-concentration in flames using high-resolution laser-absorption spectroscopy

The development of tunable cw dye lasers with an extremely narrow bandwidth of <20 MHz and high stability in frequency and amplitude, which operate in the wavelength region from 2800 to 3150 Å by frequency doubling, has made possible the quantitative proof of the presence of OH with high-resolution laser-absorption spectroscopy.A method is presented, which allows the simultaneous measurement of temperature and OH-concentration by tuning across a suitable rotational line.     

A mixed hp FEM for the approximation of fourth‐order singularly perturbed problems on smooth domains

We consider fourth‐order singularly perturbed problems posed on smooth domains and the approximation of their solution by a mixed Finite Element Method on the so‐called Spectral Boundary Layer Mesh. We show that the method converges uniformly, with respect to the singular perturbation parameter, at an exponential rate when the error is measured in the energy norm. Numerical examples illustrate our theoretical findings.     

Octacyanidorhenate(V) Ion as an Efficient Linker for Hysteretic Two-Step Iron(II) Spin Crossover Switchable by Temperature,Light, and Pressure

A two-step hysteretic Fe^II spin crossover (SCO) effect was achieved in programmed layered Cs{[Fe(3-CNpy)₂][Re(CN)₈]}⋅H₂O ( 1 ) (3-CNpy=3-cyanopyridine) assembly consisting of cyanido-bridged Fe^II-Re^V square grid sheets bonded by Cs⁺ ions. The presence of two non-equivalent Fe^II sites and the conjunction of 2D bimetallic coordination network with non-covalent interlayer interactions involving Cs⁺, [Re^V(CN)₈]³⁻ ions, and 3-CNpy ligands, leads to the occurrence of two steps of thermal SCO with strong cooperativity giving a double thermal hysteresis loop. The resulting spin-transition phenomenon could be tuned by an external pressure giving the room-temperature range of SCO, as well as by visible-light irradiation, inducing an efficient recovery of the high-spin Fe^II state at low temperatures. We prove that octacyanidorhenate(V) ion is an outstanding metalloligand for induction of a cooperative multistep, multiswitchable Fe^II SCO effect.     

Linear and nonlinear relations between DSC parameters and elastic moduli for chemically and thermally treated human hair

Against the practical context of thermal straightening, hair samples were obtained with a chemical (bleaching) as well as a cumulative thermal history (0–800 s, 200 °C). On these samples, tensile testing and DSC analysis, both in the wet state, were conducted to obtain the elastic moduli E_w as well as denaturation temperatures T_D and enthalpies ΔH_D. 3D plots show overall linearity for the relationships between the parameters for natural hair. For bleached hair, pronounced nonlinearities develop beyond 300 s of thermal treatment. At this stage, T_D as well as E_w approaches limiting values, consistent with the state of a highly cross-linked, thermoset polymer. 2D projections are used to investigate the correlations between pairs of parameters. The results show that bleaching imparts a specific sensitivity for thermal damage, namely, to the matrix proteins, which more readily than the intermediate filaments (IF) turn into a thermoset. Overall, correlations between parameters hold well prior to the thermoset range. It is thus suggested that tensile testing to determine the elastic modulus and DSC come to consistent and equivalent results, at least, for the current experimental context. However, while E_w combines contributions of IFs and matrix, DSC differentiates the specific property changes of these components.

     

Sulfur derivatives of 3-methyl-5-phenyl-1,2,4,3-triazaphosphole

The triazaphosphole 1 adds sulfur along with HCl or H₂S to yield, respectively, the dihydrotriazaphosphole thiochloride 4 and sesquisulfide 5 (two diastereomers). In pyridine solution, 1 adds sulfur alone to yield the trimer of a triazaphosphole monosulfide 7 . Its central cyclotriphosphazane trisulfide ring has a trans structure and a boat conformation.     

New fluorine derivatives of methylcyclohexasilane

1,1-Difluorodecamethyl- and 1,1,4,4-tetrafluorooctamethylcyclohexasilane were synthesized by the reaction of LiF with the corresponding trifluoromethanesulfonic derivatives and were characterized by spectroscopic methods, mainly by modern NMR techniques. The stability of the fluorinated cyclosilanes decreases with an increase of fluorine substituents. This seems to be the reason for the instability of perfluorinated cyclosilanes.     

The crystal structure of zinc azide · 2-methylpyridine at 98 K

The crystal structure of the title compound has been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction methods at 98 K. Zinc azide · 2-methyl pyridine crystallizes in the space group P1 with a = 6.028(2) Å, b = 7.610(3) Å, c = 10.052(4) Å, α = 92.81(3)°, β = 101.08(2)·, γ = 94.64(3)° and Z = 2. Least-squares refinement gave an R value of R_w = 0.039 for 2096 observed reflections. Each zinc atom is surrounded by four nitrogen atoms of different azide groups and one nitrogen atom of the pyridine adduct in a distorted trigonal bipyramidal fashion. The ZnN₅-polyhedra share common edges to form chains along the crystallographic a-axis.     

Covariant Spectator Theory: Foundations and Applications

We provide a short overview of the covariant spectator theory and its applications. The basic ideas are introduced through the example of a ${\phi^4}$ -type theory. High-precision models of the two-nucleon interaction are presented and the results of their use in calculations of properties of the two- and three-nucleon systems are discussed. A short summary of applications of this framework to other few-body systems is also presented.