Dynamics of intermediate filament assembly followed in micro-flow by small angle X-ray scattering

The assembly of intermediate filaments (IFs) is a complex process that can be recapitulated through a series of distinct steps in vitro. The combination of microfluidics and small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) provides a powerful tool to investigate the kinetics of this process on the relevant timescales. Microfluidic mixers based on the principle of hydrodynamic focusing allow for precise control of the mixing of proteins and smaller reagents like ions. Here, we present a multi-layer device that prevents proteins from adsorbing to the channel walls by engulfing the protein jet with a fluid layer of buffer. To ensure compatibility with SAXS, the device is fabricated from UV-curable adhesive (NOA 81). To demonstrate the successful prevention of contact between the protein jet and the channel walls we measure the distribution of a fluorescent dye in the device by confocal microscopy at various flow speeds and compare the results to finite element method (FEM) simulations. The prevention of contact enables the investigation of the assembly of IFs in flow by gradually increasing the salt concentration in the protein jet. The diffusion of salt into the jet can be determined by FEM simulations. SAXS data are collected at different positions in the jet, corresponding to different salt concentrations, and they reveal distinct differences between the earliest assembly states. We find that the mean square radius of gyration perpendicular to the filament axis increases from 13 nm(2) to 58 nm(2) upon assembly. Thereby we provide dynamic structural data of a complex assembly process that was amenable up to now only by microscopic techniques.     

Spin-wave excitations: the main source of the temperature dependence of interlayer exchange coupling in nanostructures

Quantum mechanical calculations based on an extended Heisenberg model are compared with ferromagnetic resonance experiments on prototype trilayer systems Ni(7)/Cu(n)/Co(2)/Cu(001) in order to determine and separate for the first time quantitatively the sources of the temperature dependence of interlayer exchange coupling. Magnon excitations are responsible for about 75% of the reduction of the coupling strength from zero to room temperature. The remaining 25% are due to temperature effects in the effective quantum well and the spacer-magnet interfaces.     

SYNGRAT,an electrooptically controlled tunable filter with a synthesized grating structure

A new design for a single-stage filter, calledsyn thesizedgrat ing structure (SYNGRAT), is presented and investigated theoretically. It is shown that, even for weak electrooptical effects, the tuning range can be as high as 450 channels for a channel separation of 1 nm. The electrooptically synthesized grating structure gives full control of the filter characteristics in terms of channel separation, side-lobe suppression and coupling efficiency over a very large tuning range. Efficient side-lobe suppression can be used to reduce the crosstalk. This concept gives new freedom of functionality and flexibility.     

Spectral properties of asymmetrical optical directional couplers with periodic structures

A comparison is made of co- and contradirectional couplers with periodic structures, with a view to their suitability as WDM devices for integrated optical systems. Expressions are obtained for the spectral response within the framework of a coupled-mode theory. It is shown that the competition between direct Bragg, Bragg-exchange and codirectional coupling in the contradirectional coupler leads to shifting and constriction of the stop bands. Calculations are made for a codirectional coupler with a new type of meander structure and for the contradirectional coupler.     

Temperature and magnetic field dependence of the absorption edge and the conduction band width of ferromagnetic semiconductors

We investigate the shift of the absorption edge and the behaviour of the conduction band width of ferromagnetic semiconductors as functions of temperature T and an external field B, respectively. Numerical results are given for EuO and EuS. As a consequence of electron-magnon scattering processes the band width of EuO is enhanced by more than 14% in the temperature region: 40 K…T…80 K. The external field tries to surpress this effect.     

Strain-dependent magnetic configurations in manganite-titanate heterostructures probed with soft X-ray techniques

We present a detailed study on the strain-induced magnetic domain structure of a (La,Sr)MnO₃ thin film epitaxially grown on a BaTiO₃ substrate through the use of polarization-dependent X-ray photoemission electron microscopy and X-ray absorption spectroscopy. Angular-dependent measurements allow us to detect vector magnetization on a single-domain scale, and we relate the strain-induced changes in magnetic anisotropy of the ferromagnetic film to the ferroelectric domain structure of the underlying substrate using X-ray magnetic circular and linear dichroism spectro-microscopy. Comparisons to measurements on a nearly strain free film of (La,Sr)MnO₃ grown on a (La,Sr)(Al,Ta)O₃ substrate illustrate that the BaTiO₃ ferroelectric domain structure imprints specific domain sizes and wall orientations in the (La,Sr)MnO₃/BaTiO₃ artificial multiferroic heterostructure. Furthermore, a change of the BaTiO₃ ferroelectric domain structure either with temperature or with applied electric field results in a corresponding change in the (La,Sr)MnO₃ ferromagnetic domain structure, thus showing a possible route to obtain room-temperature electric field control of magnetic anisotropy at the nanoscale.     

Controlled and reproducible domain wall displacement by current pulses injected into ferromagnetic ring structures

In a combined numerical and experimental study, we demonstrate that current pulses of different polarity can reversibly and controllably displace a magnetic domain wall (DW) in submicrometer permalloy (NiFe) ring structures. The critical current densities for DW displacement are correlated with the specific spin structure of the DWs and are compared to results of micromagnetic simulations including a spin-torque term. Using a notch, an attractive local pinning potential is created for the DW resulting in a highly reproducible spin structure of the DW, critical for reliable current-induced switching.     

Electrical resistivity for thes-fmodel within the alloy analogy approximation (CPA)

The spin disorder resistivity for thes-f Hamiltonian with an additional Coulomb interaction between conduction electrons is calculated. The many body Hamiltonian is replaced by a four component alloy-Hamiltonian with temperatureT- and band-fillingn-dependent concentrations of the constituents. A self-consistent CPA-theory for conductivity and spin disorder resistivity is applied and numerically evaluated for different temperatures and parameters of the model Hamiltonian. Analytical formulae for the spin disorder resistivity are derived for two limiting cases. These results exhibit a strong dependence on the band-fillingn and the structure of the Bloch density of states near the chemical potential . A comparison with other theories and experimental data is presented.     

CW coherent VUV radiation generated by resonant sum-frequency mixing in metal vapors

Resonant third-order sum-frequency mixing of continuous-wave visible and ultraviolet laser light is investigated in the metal vapors of Sr, Ca, Mg, and Zn. The laser radiation (with the frequencies ₁, ₂, and ₃) is generated by single-mode dye- and argonion lasers. The third-order nonlinear susceptibility is enhanced by tuning the laser frequencies 2₁ or ₁+₂ to a two-photon resonance. The wavelength of the generated coherent VUV radiation (with the frequency _VUV=3₁, _VUV=2₁+₂ or _VUV=₁+₂+₃) is tunable in spectral regions between 133 and 217 nm. For most conversion processes an additional enhancement of the nonlinearity is provided by an autoionizing level or by a highly excited state close to E=_VUV. With laser powers of 0.2–3 W the power of the generated sum frequencies is in the range of 5×10⁵–6×10¹⁰ photons s^–1 (0.5 pW–60 nW).     

Structural and Functional Models for the Dinuclear Copper Active Site in Catechol Oxidases: Syntheses, X-ray Crystal Structures, Magnetic and Spectral Properties, and X-ray Absorption Spectroscopic Studies in Solid State and in Solution

Two novel tridentate dinucleating ligands containing benzimidazole were prepared, 1,3-bis(2-benzimidazolyl)-2-propanol (Hbbp, 1) and 1,5-bis(2-benzimidazolyl)-3-pentanol (Hbbpen, 2). Their complexing properties toward copper were studied in order to obtain structural and functional models for catechol oxidases. Syntheses and crystal structures of dinuclear Cu(II) complexes derived from these ligands are reported. [Cu(2)bbp(2)](ClO(4))(2).2MeOH, 3, crystallizes in the triclinic space group P&onemacr; with the following unit cell parameters: a = 7.702(3) ?, b = 10.973(6) ?, c = 12.396(6) ?, alpha = 100.59(4) degrees, beta = 99.02(4) degrees, gamma = 98.90(4) degrees, V = 998.7(8) ?(3), and Z = 1. [Cu(2)bbpen(2)](ClO(4))(2).3MeOH, 4, crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pccn, with the following unit cell parameters: a = 17.478(9) ?, b = 18.795(8) ?, c = 13.888(6) ?, V = 4562.2(4) ?(3), and Z = 4. Magnetic susceptibility measurements in the temperature ranges 4.6-459 K (3) and 4.6-425 K (4) indicate an antiferromagnetic coupling between the Cu(II) centers of both complexes. In order to determine the structures of the complexes in solution, XAS spectra (EXAFS and XANES) were recorded in the solid state and in solution. The interpretation of these data, including multiple scattering calculations, together with UV-vis titrations, shows that the complexes have the same structure in the crystalline state as well as in methanolic solution. Complex 4 is able to oxidize 3,5-di-tert-butylcatechol (3,5-DTBC) to the quinone (catecholase activity). This reaction was also studied by XAS and UV-vis spectroscopy. These measurements reveal the reduction of Cu(II) to Cu(I) accompanied by a decrease of the coordination number.