Density functional theory study on antiferromagnetic interactions in a silver (I) complex of nitronyl nitroxide

A one-dimensional (1D) silver (I) complex of nitronyl nitroxide with fairly strong antiferromagnetic interaction, in which the metal ions are diamagnetic, is investigated by means of the ab initio crystal orbital method based on the density functional theory. The calculated values of the magnetic coupling constant (J) are close to the experimental measured J value in the periodic system. The magneto-structural correlation reveals that the existence of an antiferromagnetic coupling pathway along nitronyl nitroxide units via silver (I) ion in this system. The spin population distribution also shows the existence of spin delocalization along the ONCNO–Ag–ONCNO, which affords a rational interpretation for the antiferromagnetic interaction mechanism.     

Raman spectroscopy of acoustic phonons in periodic and Fibonacci superlattices

Results of Raman scattering experiments on (a) periodic superlattices made up of GaAs/In_xGa_1−xAs layers with high indium concentrations, (b) GaAs/Ga_1−xAl_xAs Fibonacci superlattices, are presented. We discuss the observed peak positions and intensities using the continuum theory of acoustic wave propagation in layered media and the photo-elastic coupling model.     

Exact solutions to linear programming problems

The use of floating-point calculations limits the accuracy of solutions obtained by standard LP software. We present a simplex-based algorithm that returns exact rational solutions, taking advantage of the speed of floating-point calculations and attempting to minimize the operations performed in rational arithmetic. Extensive computational results are presented.     

Deposition conditions in tailoring the morphology of highly porous reticular films prepared by electrostatic spray deposition (ESD) technique

Spongy-like reticular structure is a unique morphology fabricated by electrostatic spray deposition (ESD) technique. The effects of solvent, substrate temperature, precursor feeding rate, static electric field strength, and deposition time on tailoring the reticular structure were investigated. Scanning electron microscopy was used to observe the film morphology. MnO_x or LiMn₂O₄ were selected as the model materials. It is found that in addition to the conventional solvent butyl carbitol, other kinds of solvents such as ethylene glycol and propylene glycol can also be used to obtain reticular films at a suitable substrate temperature. Porous films with a low cross-linking degree pore structure can be prepared by increasing precursor feeding rate or decreasing substrate temperature. Increasing the deposition time or the electric field strength helps to obtain reticular films with more homogeneous pore size distribution. In addition, the addition of a high boiling-point solvent in mixed alcohol solvent results in the increase of proper substrate temperature. It is concluded that the fluidity of the spray droplets on the surface of a hot substrate is an important factor to form a reticular film.     

The study of exchange coupling in NiFe/Cu/IrMn trilayer structures by MOKE and FMR measurements

The exchange coupling strength of NiFe/Cu/IrMn trilayer films was examined with both a new magneto optical Kerr effect (MOKE) method developed for the exchange coupling field determination and ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) measurements. We found that the value for exchange coupling field obtained by the MOKE technique coincided with FMR result with high accuracy. Other peculiarities of FMR measurements due to interlayer exchange coupling such as angular dependence of resonance field on Cu spacer thickness are also shown in the article.     

Scanning probe microscopy studies of PbS surfaces oxidized in air and etched in aqueous acid solutions

Natural n-type PbS single crystals have been studied using AFM, STM and STS after long-term oxidation in air at ambient temperatures and extensive etching in aqueous acid solutions, in contrast to previous work devoted to initial corrosion of fresh surfaces. The exposure of PbS to atmosphere at high relative humidity for several days yields widespread loose oxidation products; the process is much slower at low humidity. Surface morphologies diverge after the treatment in 1 M perchloric and hydrochloric acid solutions at room temperature and become widely different at elevated temperatures, displaying commonly etch pits up to several micrometers in size and depth along with rather uniformly distributed 20-100 nm protrusions of PbS phase. The changes both in topography and semiconducting properties of PbS found by tunneling spectroscopy have been explained in terms of the non-uniform distribution of donor- and acceptor-type defects D⁺/D⁻ in the metal depleted surface layer, which are generated by chemical reactions and, in turn, determine the rates of the PbS corrosion. In particular, the D⁻ centers exhibit a self-catalyzing effect on the non-oxidative local dissolution of PbS in HCl media, resulting in the deep etch pits.     

Properties of Josephson junctions in the inhomogeneous magnetic field of a system of ferromagnetic particles

The effect of an array of ferromagnetic nanoparticles on the field-dependent critical current of the short overlap Josephson junction is experimentally studied. Large reversible variations of the maximum critical current are observed depending on the magnetic state of the particles. The pronounced commensurability effects are detected which are proved by the additional peaks of magnetic field induced diffraction pattern.     

Hydrolytic degradation and thermal stability of poly(naphthylimides) based on naphthalene-1,4,5,8-tetracarboxylic dianhydride and bis(naphthalic anhydrides)

The molecular properties of a number of new poly(naphthylimides) derived from naphthalene-1,4,5,8-tetracarboxylic dianhydride and bis(naphthalic anhydrides) have been studied. On the basis of hydrodynamic studies of the polymers at various stages of their thermal degradation in 96% H₂SO₄ and thermogravimetric measurements, the hydrolytic stability and thermooxidative resistance of the polymers have been compared. A correlation between the experimental data and the chemical structure of molecular chains has been established.     

Magnetic field mapping in NMR imaging

The Hahn spin preparation sequence provides a practical means for rapid and sensitive mapping of magnetic field inhomogeneity in NMR imaging applications. Choice of the rf pulse delay times tau 1 and tau 2 as well as conditions and limitations on the proposed use of this sequence for chemical shift imaging are discussed.