Stretching and collapse of neutral polymer layers under association with ionic surfactants

We provide experimental evidence for stretching and collapse of neutral polymer layers, already adsorbed at an oil-in-water interface, due to its interaction with surfactants. Upon stretching, the first interaction length (2L(0)) follows a power law dependence on surfactant concentration ( proportional, variant C(x)(s), where x approximately 0.5 for cationic surfactants) and collapses in the presence of salt, as a relatively weak power law (C(-y)(s), where y=0.17), in good agreement with brush length decay for polyelectrolyte brushes.     

Simulation of electron solid interactions in NbC and NbN using Monte Carlo method

A computer program has been developed using Rutherford’s Screened Scattering Model and Energy loss model due to Bethe and applied to simulate the electron interaction pattern in the sample of NbC and NbN with a resist layer of PMMA (Polymethyl Methylacrylate). Using the program we have studied the extent of penetration, lateral spread for different electron energies and the degree of electron back scattering. It has been found that backscattering and lateral spread is more in case of NbC than in NbN signifying hard, refractory and ceramic properties of NbC.     

Emergent universe scenario in the Einstein–Gauss–Bonnet gravity with dilaton

We obtain cosmological solutions which admit emergent universe (EU) scenario in the framework of Einstein Gauss–Bonnet (GB) gravity coupled with a dilaton field in 4-dimensions. The coupling parameter of the GB terms and the dilaton in the theory are determined for obtaining an EU scenario. The corresponding dilaton potential which admits such scenario is determined. It is found that the GB terms coupled with a dilaton field plays an important role in describing the dynamics of the evolution of the early as well as the late universe. We note an interesting case where the GB term dominates initially in the asymptotic past regime, subsequently it decreases and thereafter its contribution in determining the dynamics of the evolution dominates once again. We note that the Einstein’s static universe solution permitted here is unstable which the asymptotic EU might follow. We also compare our EU model with supernova data.     

Experimental determination of two-point Stokes parameters for a partially coherent broadband light beam

The generalized Stokes parameters, which are two-point extensions of conventional Stokes parameters, are determined for a pair of points in the cross-section of a partially coherent broadband light beam. For this purpose, using a two-mirror and two-beam-splitter assembly, unpolarized, linearly polarized and partially polarized electromagnetic beams are generated. This simple experimental method for determining generalized Stokes parameters establishes an analogy with the experimental scheme of determining conventional Stokes parameters, which in succession contributes to appreciable reduction in uncertainty in the measurements.     

Implementing minimal clock skew Directed Logic

Although the physics of computing allows the possibility of logic operations with no energy dissipation, over 40 years of work by brilliant scientists in many fields has not achieved it. The solution described here required breaking from the tacit assumptions that logic gates had to be electronic. The system is implemented entirely with passive optical components. Also needed was a logic that could utilize those passive components. Hardy and Shamir showed how to map a Boolean logic problem into a form suitable to be implemented by light flowing through various paths and cascaded as needed. This paper examines a modular approach to implementing their approach (called Directed Logic) in an integrated optical system. We start from unit cells, implementing a dynamic flip-flop principle and combine the cells in a network or “logic fabric.” Contrary to proofs by the founders of this field, speed is limited only by the message bandwidth of the optical signal, and, of course, no energy is dissipated. There are still aspects that need additional work on issues like accuracy using analog components and size relative to electronics. But the basic problem is solved at last and paths toward solving the remaining problems have been identified.     

New massively parallel linear-response coupled-cluster module in ACES III: application to static polarisabilities of closed-shell molecules and oligomers and of open-shell radicals

ABSTRACT

Stemming from our implementation of parallel coupled-cluster (CC) capabilities for electron spin resonance properties [J. Chem. Phys. 139, 174103 (2013)], we present a new massively parallel linear response CC module within ACES III. Unlike alternative parallel CC modules, this general purpose module evaluates any type of first- and second-order CC properties of both closed- and open-shell molecules employing restricted, unrestricted and restricted-open-shell Hartree–Fock (HF) references. We demonstrate the accuracy and usefulness of this module through the calculation of static polarisabilities of large molecules. Closed-shell calculations are performed at the following levels: second-order many-body perturbation theory [MBPT(2)], CC with single- and double-excitations (CCSD), coupled-perturbed HF and density functional theory (DFT), and open-shell calculations at the unrestricted CCSD (UCSSD) one. Applications involve eight closed-shell organic-chemistry molecules (Set I), the first four members of the closed-shell thiophene oligomer series (Set II), and five open-shell radicals (Set III). In Set I, all calculated average polarisabilities agree reasonably well with experimental data. In Set II, all calculated average polarisabilities vs. the number of monomers show comparable values and saturation patterns and demonstrate that experimental polarisabilities may be inaccurate. In Set III, UCCSD perpendicular polarisabilities show a reasonable agreement with previous UCCSD(T) and restricted-open-shell-MBPT(2) values.     

A three-component model on the structure of colloidal solution with size-asymmetric electrolytes

ABSTRACT

A three-component model on the structure of colloidal solution with size asymmetric electrolytes is attempted here using density functional theory and Monte Carlo simulation. The solvent is represented as an individual component along with that as a dielectric continuum. The theory uses a weighted density approximation for the hard-sphere contribution to the free energy, whereas the ionic contribution is evaluated through a perturbation expansion around the bulk density. The theory is found to reproduce the simulation data quite well for a wide range of parametric conditions. The present study reflects the importance of the presence of the solvent in determining the structural behaviour of spherical double layers.     

Dye-sensitized solar cells concocted with dyes extracted from fresh and dried leaves of Henna using different solvents

Optical and Quantum Electronics - Nowadays, world is moving from conventional energy sources to non-conventional energy sources like solar energy, wind power, hydropower and those energy sources...     

A Mössbauer study of hyperfine interaction in the systems Co x Mn3−x−y Fe y O4 and Ni x Mn3−x−y Fe y O4

A Mössbauer study of systems Co _x Mn_3?x?y Fe _y O₄ and Ni _x Mn_3?x?y Fe _y O₄ for values ofx=0·1, 0·5, 1·0 andy ranging from 0·1 to 2·0 in steps of 0·2 have been made. At room temperature samples fory values ranging in between 0·1 to 0·5 exhibit paramagnetic behaviour while all spectra for values ofy between 0·6 to 0·8 show relaxation effects. Well-defined hyperfine Zeeman spectra are observed for all the samples withy>0·8 and resolved in two sextets corresponding to octahedral and tetrahedral site symmetries and a central doublet probably due to the presence of super-paramagnetic particles in the system. The hyperfine field at⁵⁷Fe nucleus reduces with decreasing iron cobalt and nickel concentration. These observations have been explained in terms of site preference of cations and exchange interactions.     

Mössbauer studies of Ni70Fe10Si8B12 metglass: Reentrant properties

Amorphous metal Fe₁₀Ni₇₀Si₈B₁₂ has been studied by Mössbauer spectroscopy without and with an weak applied field in the plane of ribbons. Reentrant properties have been confirmed with the existence of a canted state at low temperature. Studies with different values of the applied field have shown that a field near 50 0e is sufficient to saturate the average direction of the ferromagnetism.