Local electronic structure near Mn acceptors in InAs: surface-induced symmetry breaking and coupling to host states

We present low-temperature scanning tunneling spectroscopy measurements on Mn acceptors in InAs in comparison with tight-binding calculations. We find a strong (001)-mirror asymmetry of the bound hole wave function close to the (110) surface. In addition, multiple acceptor-related peaks are observed and are attributed to a spin-orbit splitting of the acceptor level. Because of the p-d exchange interaction the local density of states near the acceptors is enhanced in the valence band and suppressed in the conduction band. We also observe signs of anisotropic scattering of the conduction band states by neutral acceptors.     

Femtosecond optical vortices in air

We examine the robustness of ultrashort optical vortices propagating freely in the atmosphere. We first approximate the stability regions of femtosecond spinning pulses as a function of their topological charge. Next, we numerically demonstrate that atmospheric optical vortices are capable of conveying high power levels in air over hundreds of meters before they break up into filaments.     

Neutral-pion photoproduction off protons in the energy range 0.3 GeV<E(gamma)<3 GeV

Single pi(0) photoproduction has been studied with the CB-ELSA experiment at Bonn using tagged photon energies between 0.3 and 3.0 GeV. The experimental setup covers a very large solid angle of approximately 98% of 4pi. Differential cross sections dsigma/dOmega have been measured. Complicated structures in the angular distributions indicate a variety of different resonances being produced in the s channel intermediate state gammap-->N(*)(Delta(*))-->ppi(0). A combined analysis including the data presented in this letter along with other data sets reveals contributions from known resonances and evidence for a new resonance N(2070)D15.     

Nonlinear ultrasonic waves in bubbly liquids with nonhomogeneous bubble distribution: Numerical experiments

This paper deals with the nonlinear propagation of ultrasonic waves in mixtures of air bubbles in water, but for which the bubble distribution is nonhomogeneous. The problem is modelled by means of a set of differential equations which describes the coupling of the acoustic field and bubbles vibration, and solved in the time domain via the use and adaptation of the SNOW-BL code. The attenuation and nonlinear effects are assumed to be due to the bubbles exclusively. The nonhomogeneity of the bubble distribution is introduced by the presence of bubble layers (or clouds) which can act as acoustic screens, and alters the behaviour of the ultrasonic waves. The effect of the spatial distribution of bubbles on the nonlinearity of the acoustic field is analyzed. Depending on the bubble density, dimension, shape, and position of the layers, its effects on the acoustic field change. Effects such as shielding and resonance of the bubbly layers are especially studied. The numerical experiments are carried out in two configurations: linear and nonlinear, i.e. for low and high excitation pressure amplitude, respectively, and the features of the phenomenon are compared. The parameters of the medium are chosen such as to reproduce air bubbly water involved in the stable cavitation process.     

On enhanced tuning capabilities of external cavity lasers using acousto-optic modulators

For an enhanced tuning of an external-cavity Littrow diode laser at 670 nm a new approach based on the frequency controlling of intra-cavity acousto-optic modulators (AOM) has been developed and tested. Using a method called “mode shaking” a nearly continuously laser tuning over a frequency range of 186 GHz (0.279 nm) within a time interval of 20 ms has been achieved. A further method called “far laser frequency jump” allows frequency changes of up to 1080 GHz (1.6 nm) between two spectral regions of the diode laser emission range within about 50 μs.     

Aza‐Diels–Alder reaction between cyclopentadiene and protonated N‐phenylethyliminoacetates of 8‐phenylmenthol and 8‐phenylneomenthol: a density functional theory study

The cycloaddition between glyoxylate imines possessing two chiral auxiliaries, N‐(R)‐ or N‐(S)‐1‐phenylethyl and 8‐phenylmenthyl or 8‐phenylneomenthyl, and cyclopentadiene is described. Computational calculations using density functional theory with the Becke, three‐parameter, Lee–Yang–Parr functional and the 6‐31G(d) basis set were performed to better understand the highly diastereoselective mechanism and the exo‐selectivity observed experimentally for these ionic aza‐Diels–Alder reactions. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A theoretical study of hemiacetal formation from the reaction of methanol with derivatives of CX3CHO (X = H,F, Cl,Br and I)

A theoretical study of the hemiacetal formation reaction between methanol and CX₃CHO (X = H, F, Cl, Br, and I) has been carried out using density functional theory and Becke, three‐parameter, Lee–Yang–Parr/6‐311++G(d,p) computational methods. The stationary points of the reaction between the isolated molecules and the reaction catalyzed by an additional methanol molecule have been characterized. Because the final products present a stereogenic center, the potential autocatalysis of the reaction has been examined and also the possibility of spontaneous generation of chirality when the hemiacetal molecules are involved in the transition state structure. High barriers are found in the reaction between the isolated molecules that are reduced by the assistance of an additional molecule (methanol or hemiacetal product). The reactions catalyzed by the hemiacetal products show higher barriers than the one catalyzed by methanol. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

An indirect hybrid sound transmission loss controller

The control of sound transmission through panels is an important noise control problem in the aerospace, aeronautical, and automotive industries. The trend towards using lightweight composite materials that have lower sound insulation performance is a negative factor regarding low frequency transmission loss. Double-panel partitions with the gap filled with sound absorption materials are often employed to improve the sound insulation performance with reduced added weight penalty. However, in the low frequency range, the strong coupling between the panels through the air cavity and mechanical paths may greatly reduce the sound transmission performance, making it even lower than the performance of a single panel in some frequency ranges. In this work, an experimental investigation of a new kind of hybrid (active/passive) acoustic actuator is presented. The idea consists of replacing the acoustic absorption material by a hybrid actuator aiming at improving the transmission loss at low frequencies without altering the passive attenuation. A prototype of the system is tested in a plane wave acoustic tube setup. Different kinds of SISO feedforward control implementations were used to attenuate the sound power transmitted through the hybrid active–passive panel using an error microphone or a particle velocity sensor placed downstream with respect to the sample panel. Measurement results of the transmission loss with active and hybrid attenuation are presented and discussed.