New high-energy luminescence bands from Co2+ in ZnSe

Three sharp absorption features in the energy range 2.36–2.55 eV have been detected in the transmission spectrum of Co-diffused ZnSe, and a number of luminescence transitions originating from the lowest of these states at 2.361 eV have been observed. Photoluminescence excitation spectra prove that these are high energy excited states of the Co²⁺_Zn impurity, a conclusion confirmed by comparison of measured and predicted luminescence energies. This represents the first identification of luminescence branching from a higher excited state of a transition metal ion in any semiconductor. The sharp, weakly phonon-coupled transitions involve either intra-impurity excitation or transitions from the impurity to localised states split off from a minimum in the conduction band. The implications of these observations for the mechanism of host-impurity energy transfer and for the nature of the excited state wavefunctions are discussed.     

Direct sample fraction deposition using electrospray in narrow-bore size-exclusion chromatography/matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry for polymer characterization

A direct sample fraction deposition method was developed for off-line size-exclusion chromatography (SEC)/matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) time-of-flight mass spectrometry. By using electrospray, the SEC eluent, together with a suitable matrix solution added coaxially, was directly deposited on the MALDI plate. Owing to the formation of very small droplets in electrospray, solvent evaporation is much faster. The fractionation volume in narrow-bore SEC, which can directly be collected in one MALDI spot, can easily be optimized in the range of a few microlitres. In addition, fairly homogeneous sample spots were obtained. The possible influence of composition variation of the SEC effluent on the analytical results using direct fraction deposition was investigated; no substantial effects were observed. The applicability of the method was demonstrated by characterizing a broad poly(methyl methacrylate) sample. Copyright 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Experimental study of triplet exciton diffusivity in crystalline pyrene at 300 K

Preliminary measurements of the triplet diffusivity tensor in crystalline pyrene at 300 K are reported. Maximum diffusivity occurs along the b axis and D_ab = (1.25 ± 0.3) × 10^?4 cm² s^?1. Diffusion in the ac′ plane is nearly isotropic with D ≈ (0.3 ± 0.1) × 10^?4 cm² s^?1. These results are tentatively interpreted as diffusion dominated by nonlocal scattering.     

New confined p-phenylenevinylene (PPV)-type polymer analogue of poly(phenylene sulfide)

A new confined p-phenylenevinylene (PPV)-type polymer (PPVS) has been synthesized using Wittig condensation. The chemical structure of the polymer was well defined by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, and FTIR spectroscopic analysis. PPVS contains oligomeric PPV units separated by sulfide bridges in the main chain; it is fully soluble in common organic solvents and has a number-average molecular weight of 3500 g mol⁻¹. Thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry indicate that PPVS is amorphous, stable up to 360 °C in air and displays a glass transition temperature of 98 °C. The optical properties of the polymer were investigated by UV-visible absorption and photoluminescence spectroscopies. The polymer film absorbs at 375 nm and emits at 517 nm with a narrow emission spectrum. From the cyclic voltammetry analysis, the electrochemical bandgap was estimated to be 2.78 eV. A single-layer diode device of the configuration indium-tin oxide/PPVS/aluminium has been fabricated and has a relatively low turn-on voltage of 3.4 V. An electroluminescent emission similar to photoluminescence is demonstrated in a multilayer device.     

Triplet Excitions in Crystalline Trans-Stilbene I. Spectroscopy of the So → T1 Transition

Abstract

The first singlet → triplet absorption of trans-stilbene has been studied between 10 and 300 K. The triplet exciton energy (energy of the lowest 0–0 line) is 17380 cm^?1 at 10 K, and does not change significantly with temperature. Vibrational A_g modes of 206. 1250 and 1570 cm^?1 are active. The Franck-Condon factor of the origin region is small. The low temperature spectra of the 0–0 and 206 cm^?1 regions show a doublet structure with a splitting of 82 ± 1 cm^?1 which is attributed to the site splitting. Further structure shown by the lines is discussed. The lines are approximately lorentzian. From curve fitting, line-widths and exciton-phonon coupling constants, increasing linearly with T, are deduced. Exciton-phonon coupling appears to be different on the two sites. The product of absorption coefficient at 4880 Å, α, by the total triplettriplet interaction rate constant has been measured at 295 K: αγ=2.3 ± 0.3. 10^?15 cm² sec^?1, corresponding for γ_total to a value of a few 10^?12 cm³ sec^?1.     

Atomic contacts via electrochemistry in water/cyclodextrin media: a step toward protected atomic contacts

Atomic contacts are nanoscience devices proposed for applications such as single-atom switches in nanoelectronic circuits or one-molecule sensing devices. The conductance of such contacts varies in a stepwise fashion with a tendency to quantize near integer multiples of the conductance quantum (G0) but can also deviate significantly from integer values upon molecular adsorption. However, for sensing applications it is first necessary to coat the contact permanently to avoid nonspecific adsorption. Here, we show that marked differences are observed between atomic contacts generated in water, and in water/beta-CD. In this latter medium, atomic contacts with unusual properties can be generated. They have below 1 G0 conductance, low conductance fluctuation with time, and appear to be protected or partially protected from salicylate external molecular probes. Such contacts are not obtained in water, in water/glucose, or when beta-CD is added after 1 G0 contacts have been generated in water. These results indicate specific adsorption of beta-cyclodextrin on the atomic contacts and are compatible with the formation of encapsulated atomic contacts. However, direct independent structural evidence is still needed to confirm or infirm this interpretation.