Magnetic, electronic, and structural characterization of nonstoichiometric iron oxides at the nanoscale

We have investigated the structural, magnetic, and electronic properties of nonstoichiometric iron oxide nanocrystals prepared by decomposition of iron(II) and iron(0) precursors in the presence of organic solvents and capping groups. The highly uniform, crystalline, and monodisperse nanocrystals that were produced enabled a full structural and compositional survey by electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The complex and metastable behavior of nonstoichiometric iron oxide (wüstite) at the nanoscale was studied by a combination of Mossbauer spectroscopy and magnetic characterization. Deposition from hydrocarbon solvents with subsequent self-assembly of iron oxide nanocrystals into superlattices allowed the preparation of continuous thin films suitable for electronic transport measurements.     

Zur komplexchemie von 4-zentren-π-systemen : XII. Glyoxaldiiminkomplexe: 1H-nmr-spektren und long range-kopplungen

Glyoxaldiimines (I) RN=CHCH=NR show in the NMR a downfield shift of glyoxalic protons (H_gly) when complexed to

(II: M = Mo, W), but increasing high field shifts when going to

(III) and

complexes (IV). In the tungsten complexes II H_glyW coupling satellites are resolved (J(WH) ≈4–6 Hz); in the phosphine compounds III, IV long range PH_gly coupling is clearly visible. Mechanisms of spinspin interaction are briefly discussed in connection with the EPR results on monoanionic radicals of II–IV.     

A cyclographic approach to the vertices of plane curves

For a closed plane curve the centers of distance functions are considered satisfying the condition that the function attains at least two absolute minima along. From the topology of the closure of this set some information on specific vertices of the curve can be obtained. If a simply closed curve has a finite number of vertices only, then the structure of this set is given by a tree, composed from regular arcs, such that the end points of this tree belong to minimal osculating circles of, which entirely are located in the interior of. Furthermore, the curve can be reconstructed from this set as the envelope of a suitable family of circles. These relations are used to give alternative proofs and extensions of several known vertex theorems for closed curves.Dedicated to N. Stephanidis on occasion of his 65. birthday     

Development of a very low energy μ+ beam at PSI

At PSI we are investigating the technique of decelerating an existing very intense secondary beam of surface ⁺ (4 MeV) to an energy of 10 eV using appropriate moderators. These ⁺ can then be used as a source of a tertiary beam of low energy muons with tunable kinetic energy between 10 eV and 10 keV.With a 1000 A layer of solid Argon deposited on an Al substrate we obtain a moderation efficiency (with respect to the number of incoming surface ⁺) of the order of 10^–4.Results of our investigations and the present status of the project are presented together with future plans and possibilities.     

AES investigations of the iron surface composition after laser irradiation under atmospheric conditions

The laser induced modification of iron surfaces with atmospheric species was investigated by means of Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Different laser systems were used for irradiating iron samples in a wide range of the laser processing parameters up to small foci and ultra short pulses.A nitriding of iron connected with an oxidation of the near surface region was observed in the wavelength range between 193 nm and 10.6 m using large foci (0.1 cm²) and short pulses (10...1400ns). In case of small foci (7·10^–6cm²) with ns-pulses (50 ns) an enrichment of the iron melt with nitrogen and an advanced oxidation of the surrounding area of the laser spot were detected. When using shorter pulses (200 fs, 40 ps) no indications for a nitriding were found.