Pions as spin waves: Chiral symmetry breaking in lattice gauge theory

In hamiltonian lattice gauge theory, the fermion vacuum at lowest order in 1/g² can be determined from degenerate perturbation theory plus mean field-spin wave techniques. Using compact QED as an example, we show that: (i) chiral symmetry is spontaneously broken; and (ii) $\text{m}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>pseudoGoldstone</mtext>}}{}^2\text{∝ m}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>fermion</mtext>}}\text{〈}\text{ψ}\text{ψ〉}$. The pseudoscalar pseudoGoldstone particles—the “pions” of this abelian theory—correspond to antiferromagnetic spin wave excitations of the fermion vacuum.     

Mimicking dihydroxy acetone phosphate-utilizing aldolases through organocatalysis: a facile route to carbohydrates and aminosugars

[reaction: see text] A practical and environmentally friendly organocatalytic strategy designed to mimic the DHAP aldolases has been developed and shown to be effective in the preparation of carbohydrates and aminosugars. (S)-Proline and (S)-2-pyrrolidine-tetrazole catalyzed the aldol reaction between dihydroxy acetone variants such as 1,3-dioxan-5-one and 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxan-5-one with aldehydes to give the corresponding polyols in good yields with very high ees.     

Trends in exchange coupling for trimethylenemethane-type Bis(semiquinone) biradicals and correlation of magnetic exchange with mixed valency for cross-conjugated systems

A magnetostructural correlation (conformational electron spin exchange modulation) within an isostructural series of biradical complexes is presented. X-ray crystal structures, variable-temperature electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, zero-field splitting parameters, and variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements were used to evaluate molecular conformation and electron spin exchange coupling in this series of molecules. Our combined results indicate that the ferromagnetic portion of the exchange couplings occurs via the cross-conjugated pi-systems, while the antiferromagnetic portion occurs through space and is equivalent to incipient bond formation. Thus, molecular conformation controls the relative amounts of ferro- and antiferromagnetic contributions to exchange coupling. In fact, the exchange parameter correlates with average semiquinone ring torsion angles via a Karplus-Conroy-type relation. Because of the natural connection between electron spin exchange coupling and electronic coupling related to electron transfer, we also correlate the exchange parameters in the biradical complexes to mixed valency in the corresponding quinone-semiquinone radical anions. Our results suggest that delocalization in the cross-conjugated, mixed-valent radical anions is proportional to the ferromagnetic contribution to the exchange coupling in the biradical oxidation states.     

Quantum communication exploiting above threshold OPO intensity correlations and polarization encoding

We present a continuous variable quantum communication protocol based on bright continuous-wave twin-beams generated by a type-II OPO. Intensity correlation between the beams is used in conjunction with a binary randomization of polarization to guarantee security and reveal eavesdropping actions. The scheme presented is asymmetric. Bob (the receiver) retains one of the beams and sends the other one to Alice after a random rotation of its polarization. The cryptographic key elements are encoded through amplitude modulation by Alice, who sends back her beam to Bob after a second rotation of the polarization. Eventually, the beams are detected by Bob after a further random polarization rotation. The security of the system and the possibility of revealing the eavesdropping action in the case of an individual attack are demonstrated by evaluating the bit error rates.     

Repeated sorption of water in SBA-15 investigated by means of in?situ small-angle x-ray scattering

The effect of repeated cycles of water adsorption/desorption on the structural stability of ordered mesoporous silica SBA-15 is studied by small-angle x-ray scattering (SAXS). In?situ sorption measurements are conducted using a custom-built sorption apparatus in connection with a laboratory SAXS setup. Two striking irreversible changes are observed in the sorption isotherms as derived from the integrated SAXS intensity. First, the capillary condensation pressure shifts progressively to lower relative pressure values with increasing number of sorption cycles. This effect is attributed to chemisorption of water at the silica walls, resulting in a change of the fluid-wall interaction. Second, the sorption cycles do not close completely at vanishing vapour pressure, suggesting that progressively more water remains trapped within the porous material after each cycle. This effect is interpreted to be the result of an irreversible collapse of parts of mesopores, originating from pore wall deformation due to the large Laplace pressure of water acting on the pore walls at capillary condensation and capillary evaporation.     

ChemInform Abstract: Crystal Chemistry and Electronic Structure of the Photovoltaic Buffer Layer, (In1-xAlx)2S3.

The effects of aluminium substitution in In₂S₃ are investigated by single crystal XRD, ²⁷Al NMR spectroscopy, and DFT calculations.