Normal coordinate analysis of tantalum(I) and niobium(I) hexahalide anions

Urey-Bradley force field (UBFF) and orbital valence force field (OVFF) techniques have been applied to the hexachloride and the hexabromide anions (O _h symmetry) of tantalum(I) and niobium(I). Trends in stretching force constants have been discussed on the basis of (i) the periodic position of the central metal atom and (ii) the nature of the halide ligands. Comments have been made also on the suitability of the force fields used.     

Effect of complexing agents on the disproportionation of uranium (V)

The effect of lactate, thiocyanate, sulphate, oxalic acid and fluoride on the disproportionation of uranium (V) formed at the dropping mercury electrode has been studied. The rate constants for the disproportionation reaction are calculated and the results are discussed on the basis of the stability of the complexes.     

Intensity fluctuations in thermal light with orthogonally polarised multiple-peak spectrum

The moment generating function of the integrated light intensity of thermal radiation having multiple peak spectrum is obtained. Cases of two-peak and three-peak spectra where different peaks are in orthogonal states of polarisation are considered. The moment generating function is shown to be the product of two simpler generating functions.     

Highly bacterial resistant silver nanoparticles: synthesis and antibacterial activities

In this article, we describe a simple one-pot rapid synthesis route to produce uniform silver nanoparticles by thermal reduction of AgNO₃ using oleylamine as reducing and capping agent. To enhance the dispersal ability of as-synthesized hydrophobic silver nanoparticles in water, while maintaining their unique properties, a facile phase transfer mechanism has been developed using biocompatible block co-polymer pluronic F-127. Formation of silver nanoparticles is confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and UV–vis spectroscopy. Hydrodynamic size and its distribution are obtained from dynamic light scattering (DLS). Hydrodynamic size and size distribution of as-synthesized and phase transferred silver nanoparticles are 8.2 ± 1.5 nm (σ = 18.3%) and 31.1 ± 4.5 nm (σ = 14.5%), respectively. Antimicrobial activities of hydrophilic silver nanoparticles is tested against two Gram positive (Bacillus megaterium and Staphylococcus aureus), and three Gram negative (Escherichia coli, Proteus vulgaris and Shigella sonnei) bacteria. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values obtained in the present study for the tested microorganisms are found much better than those reported for commercially available antibacterial agents.     

Observation of Meyer-Neldel rule in thermally activated Poole-Frenkel photoconduction in a-Se<Subscript>70</Subscript>Te<Subscript>30−<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Cd<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript> thin films

In the present paper, we report the compensation effect on photoconductivity of thin films of Se₇₀Te_30−x Cd _x (x = 2, 4, 6) alloys for high field conduction. Steady state photoconductivity measurements have been made in thin films for different electric fields. The photoconduction was found to be ohmic at low fields and Poole-Frenkel type at high fields. Meyer-Neldel rule (MN rule) for the pre-exponential factor (σ _ph)₀ and activation energy (ΔE _ph) of photoconduction in thin films of Se₇₀Te_30−x Cd _x is observed in the present study.     

Coherence characteristics of light-emitting diodes

We report the measurement of coherence characteristics of light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Experiments were performed using red and green color LEDs directly illuminating the Young's double slit kept in the far-zone. Fourier transform fringe analysis technique was used for the measurement of the visibility of interference fringes from which the modulus of degree of spectral coherence was determined. Low degree of spectral coherence, typically 0.4 for red and 0.2 for green LED with double-slit separation of 400 μm was observed. A variable slit was then kept in front of the LEDs and the double slit was illuminated with the light coming out of the slit. Experiments were performed with various slit sizes and the visibility of the interference fringes was observed. It was found that visibility of the interference fringes changes drastically in presence of variable slit kept in front of LEDs and a high degree of spectral coherence, typically 0.85 for red and 0.8 for green LED with double-slit separation of 400 μm and rectangular slit opening of 500 μm was observed. The experimental results are compared with the theoretical counterparts. Coherence lengths of both the LEDs were also determined and it was obtained 5.8±2 and 24±4 μm for green and red LEDs, respectively.     

Phase-incoherent superconducting pairs in the normal state of Ba(Fe(1-x)Co(x))₂As₂

The normal state properties of the recently discovered ferropnictide superconductors might hold the key to understanding their exotic superconductivity. Using point-contact spectroscopy we show that Andreev reflection between an epitaxial thin film of Ba(Fe(0.92)Co(0.08))?As? and a silver tip can be seen in the normal state of the film up to temperature T～1.3T(c), where T(c) is the critical temperature of the superconductor. Andreev reflection far above T(c) can be understood only when superconducting pairs arising from strong fluctuation of the phase of the complex superconducting order parameter exist in the normal state. Our results provide spectroscopic evidence of phase-incoherent superconducting pairs in the normal state of the ferropnictide superconductors.     

Nonequilibrium transport in quantum impurity models: the Bethe ansatz for open systems

We develop an exact nonperturbative framework to compute steady-state properties of quantum impurities subject to a finite bias. We show that the steady-state physics of these systems is captured by nonequilibrium scattering eigenstates which satisfy an appropriate Lippman-Schwinger equation. Introducing a generalization of the equilibrium Bethe ansatz--the nonequilibrium Bethe ansatz--we explicitly construct the scattering eigenstates for the interacting resonance level model and derive exact, nonperturbative results for the steady-state properties of the system.