Experimental upper limits for hadronic and axion decays of the γ(1S)

A search for the decays γ→ρπ, γ→J/ψX and γ→γa (whereX is undetermined and a is an axion) has been completed using the LENA detector at the DORIS storage ring. No evidence for any of these processes was found. For these decay modes we set branching fraction upper limits (90% C.L.) of 2.1×10^?3, 2.0×10^?2 and 9.1×10^?4, respectively.     

Photomechanically induced ferroelectricity in smectic liquid crystals

We report new photomechanical effects in the ferroelectric liquid crystal SCE13 doped with a photoisomerizing guest azo dye. Low concentrations of dye (∼5 per cent wt:wt) are shown to cause an isothermal, reversible disruption of smectic phases when the system is illuminated with low power density (∼ 1 mW cm^-2) UV light. In the case of a sample initially in the S*_c phase, this results in a fall in the magnitude of spontaneous electrical polarization (P_s) and changes in electro-optic switching characteristics. If the sample is illuminated in the S_A phase, the electroclinic switching decreases. In contrast to this, when systems containing higher concentrations of dye (≥ 10 per cent wt: wt) are UV illuminated in the S_A phase, a reversible, isothermal transition to a biphasic S*_c/isotropic state occurs. In this case, the P_s is seen to rise from zero in the S_A phase to a finite value(∼2 nC cm^-2) in the biphasic mixture and hysteresis occurs in the electro-optic switching. When these higher dye concentration mixtures are held initially in the S*_c phase and UV illuminated, a more complicated variation of P_s occurs with the sample again undergoing a transition to a biphasic S*_c/isotropic state. Possible mechanisms for the transition are discussed.     

Optical pumping of nuclear spin magnetization in GaAs/AlAs quantum wells of variable electron density

We report the use of time-resolved Faraday rotation to induce and probe the polarization of nuclear spins within a set of quantum wells with varying background electron density. The electron density was controlled over a broad range by making use of structures of mixed type-I/type-II GaAs/AlAs quantum wells that spatially separate photoexcited electron–hole pairs. We find that the optically detected nuclear magnetic field decreases quasi-monotonically with increasing electron density. The likely factors responsible for this behavior are increased electron spin-lattice relaxation, increased electron spin delocalization, and dilution of the electron spin polarization.     

The Order-Disorder Phase Transition in Liquid Crystals as a Function of Molecular Structure. I. The Alkyl Cyanobiphenyls

The pretransitional behaviour of a homologous series of mesomorphic compounds, the alkyl cyanobiphenyls (CNρρC _n H _{2n + 1}) for n = 5–12, has been studied as a function of temperature by light scattering in the isotropic phase. The higher homologues, n = 8–12, exhibit a smectic A phase that becomes increasingly important at the expense of the nematic phase for increasing n and for n = 10 and 12 no nematic phase is observed. We have shown from light scattering and differential scanning calorimetry measurements that the presence of the smectic A phase changes markedly the pretransitional behaviour, and gives rise to two distinct pretransitional regions. The first region is for temperatures greater than ～3°C above the clearing temperature T_c where the systems exhibit a typical pretransitional behaviour adequately described by the phenomenological Landau-de Gennes model of a second order phase transition with an intervering first order transition at T_c . The constants of this model for this region are given and show a distinct odd-even effect. The second region is close to T_c where a strong divergence from the already critical behaviour is observed. This secondary divergence is observed to be a function of the alkyl chain length and its conformation, and is attributed to coupling between smectic A like layers and the orientational order parameter in the isotropic phase.     

Novel Room Temperature Fluorinated Ferroelectric Organosiloxane Liquid Crystal Mixtures

Abstract

In this paper we present the results of mixing fluorinated and non-fluorinated organosiloxane materials based on ferroelectric and antiferroelectric low molar mass organosiloxane (LMMO) liquid crystals. None of the fluorinated materials exhibit a mesophase, however when mixed with the non-fluorinated analogues a ferroelectric phase is observed. We present the resultant phase diagrams together with the spontaneous polarisation curves of the mixtures.     

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF SOME NOVEL NEMATIC BIMESOGENS FOR THE FLEXOELECTRIC EFFECT

Abstract

In a chiral nematic liquid crystal, the flexoelectric effect consists of a fast and linear coupling with an applied electric field. One difficulty to overcome is the unwinding of the helix that occurs at higher fields due to dielectric coupling. The use of bimesogens, which possess very low molecular dielectric anisotropy can improve flexoelectric characteristics. New bimesogen compounds have recently been synthesised that exhibit switching angles of 45° for applied fields of about 9 V.μm^?1. In this paper, results from dielectric, electro-optic and dynamic light scattering measurements are reported for the new bimesogenic mixture. The dielectric anisotropy Δε changes sign with temperature and its values range between -0.2 and 0.3 for the temperature range studied. For Δε weakly positive, no electric field Freedericksz transition could be induced but Williams domains are observed instead. The large decrease in the bend elastic constant to viscosity coefficient ratio is attributed to a large increase in the bend viscosity coefficient.     

Reduction vs. Addition: The Reaction of an Aluminyl Anion with 1,3,5,7‐Cyclooctatetraene

The potassium aluminyl complex K[Al(NON^Ar)] (NON=NON^Ar=[O(SiMe₂NAr)₂]^2?, Ar=2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃) reacts with 1,3,5,7‐cyclooctatetraene (COT) to give K[Al(NON^Ar)(COT)]. The COT‐ligand is present in the asymmetric unit as a planar μ₂‐η²:η⁸‐bridge between Al and K, with additional K???π‐aryl interactions to neighboring molecules that generate a helical chain. DFT calculations indicate significant aromatic character, consistent with reduction to [COT]^2?. Addition of 18‐crown‐6 causes a rearrangement of the C₈‐carbocycle to form the isomeric 9‐aluminabicyclo[4.2.1]nona‐2,4,7‐triene anion.     

Indyllithium and the Indyl Anion [InL]−: Heavy Analogues of N‐Heterocyclic Carbenes

Reduction of the indate complex In(NON^Ar)(μ‐Cl)₂Li(OEt₂)₂ (NON^Ar=[O(SiMe₂NAr)₂]^2?; Ar=2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃) with sodium generates the In^II diindane species [In(NON^Ar)]₂. Further reduction with a mixture of potassium and [2.2.2]crypt affords the In^I N‐heterocyclic indyl anion [In(NON^Ar)]^?, which crystallizes with a non‐contacted [K([2.2.2]crypt)]⁺ cation. The indyl anion can also be isolated as the indyllithium compound In(NON^Ar)(Li{THF}₃), which contains an In?Li bond. Density functional theory calculations show that the HOMO of the indyl anion is a metal‐centred lone pair, and preliminary reactivity studies confirm its nucleophilic behaviour.     

The synthesis of a [2.2]paracyclophane-derived secondary phosphine oxide and a study of its reactivity

A planar chiral secondary phosphine oxide based on [2.2]paracyclophane was synthesized and its chemistry investigated; it was shown to be a competent pre-ligand in palladium(0)-mediated reactions, and displayed promising activity in gold(I)-catalysed cyclisations. The secondary phosphine oxide could be transformed into a collection of P-stereogenic tertiary phosphine oxides. These are rare examples of the planar chirality of [2.2]paracyclophane being combined with a P-stereogenic centre. Unfortunately, epimerisation of the phosphorus stereocentre during reduction limits the use of this chemistry.