Chemical bonding variations and electron-phonon interactions

A new functional, Psib(Phi), of an electronic state in solids based on the bonding indicator B(tau,tau') in terms of Mulliken's electron partitioning approach has been introduced. Using Psib(Phi), the bonding variations of an electronic state caused by electron-phonon coupling can be studied. With this proposed approach, the differences between the "flat band" states for Hg in coupling to the phonons and the peaklike structure of electron-phonon coupling constants in the q space are well explained.     

Low-temperature PECVD of silicon dioxide on polymeric hydrogels

In this work, a complex investigation of the film surface composition and nanoscale mechanical properties, i.e. hardness and elastic modulus, of plasma-modified and silica-coated hydrogel thin films was carried out. Plasma treatment was performed in a reactive ion etching chamber (SF₆, CHF₃) at radio frequency (rf, 13.56 MHz) and in a plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition chamber (SiH₄/N₂, NH₃, N₂O) at radio frequency and dual frequency (13.56 MHz/100 kHz), respectively. The use of the dual-frequency configuration comprising two power supplies and operated in a switched mode enabled the investigation of the ion-bombardment influence on the polymer properties. For the application in silicon micromachined sensors best results were obtained by using a NH₃ or SiH₄/N₂ low-pressure plasma modification and a silica coating of the sensitive hydrogel film. PACS 81.05.Lg; 81.15.Gh; 81.65.Cf; 81.70.Bt     

Optical polarizabilities of large molecules measured in near-field interferometry

We discuss a novel application of matter wave interferometry to characterize the scalar optical polarizability of molecules at 532 nm. The interferometer presented here consists of two material absorptive gratings and one central optical phase grating. The interaction of the molecules with the standing light wave is determined by the optical dipole force and is therefore directly dependent on the molecular polarizability at the wavelength of the diffracting laser light. By comparing the observed matter-wave interference contrast with a theoretical model for several intensities of the standing light wave and molecular velocities, we can infer the polarizability in this first proof-of-principle experiment for the fullerenes C₆₀ and C₇₀, and we find a good agreement with literature values. PACS 03.75.Dg; 03.65.-w; 33.15.Kr     

Metal Substitution in Layered Superconducting La2C2Br2

The effect of metal substitution in La₂C₂Br₂ by Lu (non-magnetic) and Ce (magnetic), respectively, on T_c was studied. The Lu substitution affects T_c, which decreases moderately with increasing amount of Lu. However Ce substitution affects T_c drastically, such that only 10% Ce substitution makes superconductivity disappear.     

Y16I19C8B4 – ein Yttriumboridcarbidhalogenid mit B2C4-Einheiten

Y₁₆I₁₉C₈B₄ – a Yttrium Boride Carbide Halide Containing B₂C₄ Units The new compound Y₁₆I₁₉C₈B₄ was prepared from Y, YI₃, C and B at 1050–1150 °C. The structure of a twinned crystal was determined by means of X-ray diffraction (space group P 1¯, a = 12.311(2) Å, b = 13.996(3) Å, c = 19.695(3) Å, α = 74.96(2)°, β = 89.51(2)°, γ = 67.03(2)°, Z = 2). Y₁₆I₁₉C₈B₄ is a semiconductor and contains nearly planar B₂C₄ units which are located in cages built up by 12 yttrium atoms. Assuming (B₂C₄)^12–, these units can be regarded as isoelectronic with B₂F₄. The yttrium cages are connected via faces to form rods, which are surrounded by iodine atoms. Bridging iodine atoms connect the rods so that layers are formed. The characteristic twinning observed can be understood from the geometry of the crystal structure.