Nonperturbative visualization of nanoscale plasmonic field distributions via photon localization microscopy

We demonstrate the nonperturbative use of diffraction-limited optics and photon localization microscopy to visualize the controlled nanoscale shifts of zeptoliter mode volumes within plasmonic nanostructures. Unlike tip- or coating-based methods for mapping near fields, these measurements do not affect the electromagnetic properties of the structure being investigated. We quantify the local field manipulation capabilities of asymmetric bowtie antennas, in agreement with theoretical calculations. The photon-limited localization accuracy of nanoscale mode positions is determined for many of the measured devices to be within a 95% confidence interval of +/-2.5 nm. This accuracy also enables us to characterize the effects of nm-scale fabrication irregularities on local plasmonic mode distributions.     

Ein elektrisch geheiztes und reguliertes Luftbad

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Ultrafast x-ray diffraction using a streak-camera detector in averaging mode

We demonstrate an apparatus for measuring time-dependent x-ray diffraction. X-ray pulses from a synchrotron are diffracted by a pair of Si(111) crystals and detected with an x-ray streak camera that has single-shot resolution of better than 1 ps. The streak camera is driven by a photoconductive switch, which is triggered by 100-fs laser pulses at a repetition rate of 1 kHz. The laser and the streak camera are synchronized with the synchrotron pulses. In the averaging mode, trigger jitter results in 2-ps temporal resolution. We measured the duration of 5-keV pulses from the Advanced Light Source synchrotron to be 70ps.     

π-π scattering in a hot pion gas at URHIC-conditions

Pion-pion scattering in a hot pion environment is considered. In medium effects considerably diminish the pion — pion scattering rates in the σ — and ρ — meson channels at temperatures and chemical potential of the pion gas close tom _π     

RPA equations for 2-particle-1-hole states

Within the Dyson equation approach to higher correlation functions we derive RPA-like equations for the 2-particle-1-hole problem. The equations can be entirely expressed by the RPA sub-solutions of the particle-hole and particle-particle problem. In this way our equations are very well suited for weak or intermediate coupling situations.     

Random phase approximation and extensions applied to a bosonic field theory

An application of a self-consistent version of RPA to quantum field theory with broken symmetry is presented. Although our approach can be applied to any bosonic field theory, we specifically study the ϕ⁴ theory in 1 + 1 dimensions. We show that the standard RPA approach leads to an instability which can be removed when going to a superior version, i.e. the renormalized RPA. We present a method based on the so-called charging formula of the many-electron problem to calculate the correlation energy and the RPA effective potential. Received: 18 February 2002 / Accepted: 8 May 2002     

Coexistence of BCS- and BEC-like pair structures in halo nuclei

We investigate the spatial structure of the two-neutron wave function in the Borromean nucleus (11)Li, using a three-body model of (9)Li + n + n, which includes many-body correlations stemming from the Pauli principle. The behavior of the neutron pair at different densities is simulated by calculating the two-neutron wave function at several distances between the core nucleus (9)Li and the center of mass of the two neutrons. With this representation, a strong concentration of the neutron pair on the nuclear surface is for the first time quantitatively established for neutron-rich nuclei. That is, the neutron pair wave function in (11)Li has an oscillatory behavior at normal density, while it becomes a well-localized single peak in the dilute density region around the nuclear surface. We point out that these features qualitatively correspond to the BCS- and BEC-like structures of the pair wave function found in infinite nuclear matter.     

MnFeNi-Based Composite as a Case Study of a Bifunctional Oxygen Electrocatalyst under Dynamically Changing Electrode Potentials

High-performance bifunctional electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) are essential components in energy conversion and storage technologies. Yet, their poor reversibility hinders their applicability. A highly active ORR/OER catalyst, consisting of multiwalled carbon nanotubes-supported MnFeNiOx nanoparticles, was subjected to sequences of chronoamperometric steps alternating between the ORR, the OER and highly cathodic potentials (E_c). Rotating ring disk electrode methods revealed that applying E_c leads to a small increase in the current and peroxide species yield during the ORR while enhancing substantially the OER. X-ray absorption spectroscopy showed irreversible changes in the chemical state of MnFeNiOx correlating with its catalytic properties. The complexity of changes that a composite catalyst may undergo under varying potentials, the importance of monitoring product formation, and the convenience of using dynamic electrochemical sequences for the assessment of catalyst reversibility, as well as for the activation and/or restoration of their catalytic properties, are highlighted.     

Electrode calibration with a microfluidic flow cell for fast-scan cyclic voltammetry

Fast-scan cyclic voltammetry (FSCV) is a common analytical electrochemistry tool used to measure chemical species. It has recently been adapted for measurement of neurotransmitters such as dopamine in awake and behaving animals (in vivo). Electrode calibration is an essential step in FSCV to relate observed current to concentration of a chemical species. However, existing methods require multiple components, which reduce the ease of calibrations. To this end, a microfluidic flow cell (μFC) was developed as a simple device to switch between buffer and buffer with a known concentration of the analyte of interest--in this case dopamine--in a microfluidic Y-channel. The ability to quickly switch solutions yielded electrode calibrations with faster rise times and that were more stable at peak current values. The μFC reduced the number of external electrical components and produced linear calibrations over a range of concentrations. To demonstrate this, an electrode calibrated with the μFC was used in FSCV recordings from a rat during the delivery of food reward--a stimulus that reliably evokes a brief increase in current due to the oxidation of dopamine. Using the linear calibration, dopamine concentrations were determined from the current responses evoked during the behavioral task. The μFC is able to easily and quickly calibrate FSCV electrode responses to chemical species for both in vitro and in vivo experiments.