Identification of strong and weak interacting two-level systems in KBr:CN

Tunneling two-level systems (TLSs) are believed to be the source of phenomena such as the universal low temperature properties in disordered and amorphous solids, and 1/f noise. The existence of these phenomena in a large variety of dissimilar physical systems testifies for the universal nature of the TLSs, which however, is not yet known. Following a recent suggestion that attributes the low temperature TLSs to inversion pairs [M. Schechter and P.?C.?E. Stamp, arXiv:0910.1283.] we calculate explicitly the TLS-phonon coupling of inversion symmetric and asymmetric TLSs in a given disordered crystal. Our work (a)?estimates parameters that support the theory in M. Schechter and P.?C.?E. Stamp, arXiv:0910.1283, in its general form, and (b)?positively identifies, for the first time, the relevant TLSs in a given system.     

Exponent inequalities in dynamical systems

In this Letter, we derive exponent inequalities relating the dynamic exponent z to the steady state exponent Γ for a general class of stochastically driven dynamical systems. We begin by deriving a general exact inequality, relating the response function and the correlation function, from which the various exponent inequalities emanate. We then distinguish between two classes of dynamical systems and obtain different and complementary inequalities relating z and Γ. The consequences of those inequalities for a wide set of dynamical problems, including critical dynamics and Kardar-Parisi-Zhang-like problems, are discussed.     

Chiral Thin Films of Metal Oxide

In this paper, we describe for the first time the synthesis of new chiral nanosized metal oxide surfaces based on chiral self‐assembled monolayers (SAMs) coated with metal oxide (TiO₂) nanolayers. In this new type of nanosize chiral surface, the metal oxide nanolayers enable the protection of the chiral self‐assembled monolayers while preserving their enantioselective nature. The chiral nature of the SAM/TiO₂ films was characterized by variety of unique techniques, such as second‐harmonic generation circular dichroism (SHG‐CD), quartz crystal microbalance, and chiral adsorption measurements with circular dichroism spectroscopy. The chiral resolution abilities of the SAMs coated with metal oxide (TiO₂) nanolayers were investigated in the crystallization of a racemic mixture of threonine and glutamic acid. Our proposed methodology for the preparation of nanoscale chiral surfaces described in this article could open up opportunities in other fields of chemistry, such as chiral catalysis.     

Solution of the membership problem of the prefix monoid in certain one-relator groups

In this work we examine to what extent small cancellation conditions imply the solution of the membership problem of the prefix monoid in one-relator groups. The main results show that with additional combinatorial conditions on the defining relator (prefix pureness and strongly cyclically reduceness), which synchronize the prefixes and an analogue of the Greendlinger Lemma for the set of prefixes (Property P( \(n\) )), the membership problem for the prefix monoid can be solved in cases not covered by previous results.     

Theory of laser enhancement and suppression of cold reactions: the fermion-boson 6Li+7Li2<-->(variant Planck's over 2pi omega0) 6Li7Li+7Li radiative collision

We present a nonperturbative time-dependent quantum mechanical theory of the laser catalysis and control of a bifurcating A+BC<-->(variant Planck's over 2pi omega(0))ABC*(v)<-->(variant Planck's over 2pi omega(0) )AB+C reaction, with ABC*(v) denoting an intermediate, electronically excited, complex of ABC in the vth vibrational state. We apply this theory to the low collision energy fermion-boson light-induced exchange reaction, (6)Li((2)S)+(7)Li(2)((3)Sigma(u)(+))<-->(variant Planck's over 2pi omega(0))((6)Li(7)Li(7)Li)*<-->(variant Planck's over 2pi omega(0))(6)Li(7)Li((3)Sigma(+))+(7)Li((2)S). We show that at very low collision energies and energetically narrow (approximately 0.01 cm(-1)) initial reactant wave packets, it is possible to tune the yield of the exchange reaction from 0 to near-unity (yield >or=99%) values. Controllability is somewhat reduced at collisions involving energetically wider (approximately 1 cm(-1)) initial reactant wave packets. At these energetic bandwidths, the radiative reactive control, although still impressive, is limited to the 0%-76% reactive-probabilities range.     

On the Helical Crystals of Cholesterol Monohydrate

We review in this short perspective the history of cholesterol crystals and crystal structures. We address in particular the helical crystals that form in vitro and in pathology from environments rich in bile acids or from phospholipid membranes. We review the known mechanisms leading to crystals with chiral morphology, from screw-dislocation mediated growth to mechanisms involving asymmetric mechanical strain. We propose a mechanism for cholesterol helical crystal development based on the monoclinic cholesterol monohydrate crystal structure. We suggest that curvature arises in few layers thick crystals due to the tension induced between the hydrophobic layer and the ice-like H-bonded lattice of the water molecules with the cholesterol hydroxy groups. Helicity would ensue through a combination of the curvature and the fast growth of a thin ribbon in one crystal direction.     

Synthesis of styrene–acrylamide copolymer by surfactant‐free sonicated dynamic interfacial polymerization

This paper summarizes a study on emulsifier‐free ultrasonically assisted in situ dynamic interfacial emulsion copolymerization process of acrylamide and styrene. The resulting emulsions are stable and uniform for several months. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) curves and reaction conversion measurements have provided an important knowledge regarding the emulsifier‐free polymerization method. Solvent extractions (water, methanol, and xylene) have shown that the polymerization product is essentially a styrene–acrylamide copolymer. The copolymer produced is a block copolymer, PS‐b‐PAM, where each block contains small amounts of the other comonomer. The produced emulsions are film forming at room temperature in spite of the very high block T_gs, owing to a unique water plasticization effect of the polyacrylamide blocks. Some films prepared from the PS‐b‐PAM have resulted in clear and transparent films. The presented interfacial dynamic polymerization process is fast, reaching 81% conversion within 2 hr of sonication at 4°C (low temperature owing to molecular weight and kinetic considerations), and produces very stable PS‐b‐PAM emulsions. TGA was extensively used as an analytical tool for determination of the reaction parameters and composition of the acrylamide–styrene copolymers. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.