Effects of Si-doped GaAs layer on optical properties of InAs quantum dots

We have investigated the optical properties of InAs self-assembled quantum dots (SAQDs) with the Si-doped GaAs barrier layer. Two types of samples are fabricated according to the position of the Si-doped GaAs layer. For type A samples the Si-doped GaAs layer is grown below the QDs, whereas for type B samples the Si-doped GaAs layer is grown above the QDs. For both types of samples the excited-state emissions caused by state filling are observed in photoluminescence (PL) spectra at high excitation power densities. The bandgap renormalization of QDs can be found from the shift of the PL peak energy. Particularly, for type A samples the Si atoms act as nucleation centers during the growth of InAs QDs on the Si-doped GaAs layer and affect the density and the size of the QDs. The Si-doped GaAs layer in type A samples has more effects on the properties of QDs, such as state filling and bandgap renormalization than those of type B samples.     

Non-linear transport by solitons in nanofibers of polymers in high magnetic field

Nonlinear local excitations like solitons, polarons, and bipolarons are known to be responsible for physical properties of conducting polymers. Recent experiments on nano-fibers in high electric and magnetic fields provide a further insight by demonstrating an effect of vanishing magnetoconductance (MC) in the polyacetylene (PA)—in contrast to other polymers. Here we present new experimental data and describe the theoretical model based on notion of solitons—dimerization kinks which can carry either the spin or the charge; they are allowed only in the PA with its degenerate ground state. The solitons experience a confinement force due to the interchange coupling which is erased by the electric field and disappears above critical field strength. The unbinding by tunneling allows for the transport of individual solitons, which sweeps off the spins residing at electronic intragap states associated with polarons, hence the vanishing MC.     

Wave-front phase measurements of high-order harmonic beams by use of point-diffraction interferometry

We report the wave-front phase measurement of high-order harmonics employing point-diffraction interferometry. The high-order harmonics generated in a gas-filled hollow tube showed excellent spatial coherence over nearly the whole cross section of the harmonic beams. Using this coherent harmonic source in the extreme-ultraviolet-soft-x-ray region, we have demonstrated the operation of a point-diffraction interferometer and measured the wave-front phase of high-order harmonics.     

Highly efficient solvent-free catalytic hydrogenation of solid alkenes and nitro-aromatics using Pd nanoparticles entrapped in aluminum oxy-hydroxide

Solid alkenes and aromatic nitro compounds are readily hydrogenated to the corresponding alkanes without further reduction of other functional group and amino compounds in nearly quantitative yields in the presence of Pd nanoparticles entrapped in aluminum oxy-hydroxide under the solvent-free condition.     

Moisture effects on the glass transition and the low temperature relaxations in semiaromatic polyamides

The influence of moisture absorption on the primary (glass) transition (T_a or T_g) and the low temperature relaxations of semiaromatic amorphous polyamides synthesized by isomeric aliphatic diamine and metha or para oriented phthalicdiacids has been investigated by means of differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and dynamic mechanical thermal analyser (DMTA). The glass transition of semiaromatic polyamides was lowered due to the water absorption, and the β and the γ relaxations were as well. From the observed T_g and the difference in the heat capacity, the calculated T_g depression per 1 wt % water content was 12.3 K and the result was in good agreement with the experimental data. The depression of the glass transition may be expressed by the same manner as the plasticization of nylon 6 by water. The depressed β relaxation observed in the specimen containing a few percent of moisture was splitted into two transitions due to the reduction of water content, of which one was the elevation of the T_β and another was the simultaneous appearance of the T_γ, and then the single T_γ solely was observed for the completely dried specimen. The T_γ seemed to be merged into or not to be observed by the large and broad T_β transition when the sample was governed by a few percent of water, then it was emerged from the T_β due to water desorption. Thus, the T_β is believed to arise from the intermolecular hydrogen bonding between water molecules or between water and amide groups in wet polyamides. In addition, the γ relaxation originated from the peptide groups is attributable to the inter- and intramolecular hydrogen bonding between amide groups. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polyn Sci B: Polym Phys 35: 807–815, 1997     

Pompeiu sets in compact Heisenberg manifolds

A necessary and sufficient condition is presented for a set to be a Pompeiu subset of any compact homogeneous space with a finite invariant measure. The condition, which is expressed in terms of the intertwining operators of each primary summand of the quasi-regular representation, is then interpreted in the case of the compact Heisenberg manifolds. Examples are presented demonstrating that the condition to be Pompeiu in these manifolds is quite different from the corresponding condition for a torus of the same dimension. This provides a contrast with the existing comparison between the Heisenberg group itself and Euclidean space in terms of Pompeiu sets. In addition, the closed linear span of all translates of any square integrable function on any compact homogeneous space is determined.     

Microstructure and ferroelectric properties of r.f. magnetron sputtering derived PZT thin films deposited on interlayer (PbO/TiO2)

Lead zirconate titanate (PZT) thin films were deposited on Pt/Ti/SiO₂/Si and interlayer/Pt/Ti/SiO₂/Si substrate by radio frequency (r.f.) magnetron sputtering with a Pb_1.1Zr_0.53Ti_0.47O₃ target. The crystallization of the PZT thin films was formed only by substrate temperature. When interlayer (PbO/TiO₂) was inserted between the PZT thin film and the Pt electrode, the grain growth and processing temperature of the PZT thin films were considerably improved. Compared to PZT/Pt structure, the dielectric constant and polarization properties of the PZT/interlayer/Pt structure were fairly improved. In particular, PZT/interlayer/Pt at the substrate temperature of 400 °C showed prevalent ferroelectric properties (_r=475.97, tanδ=0.0591, P_r=23 μC/cm²). As a result of an X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) depth-profile analysis, it was found that PZT/interlayer/Pt deposited only by substrate temperature without the post-annealing process via r.f. magnetron sputtering method remained independent of each other regardless of substrate temperatures.     

A generalization of a 4-dimensional Einstein manifold

A weakly Einstein manifold is a natural generalization of a 4-dimensional Einstein manifold. In this paper, we shall give a characterization of a weakly Einstein manifold in terms of so-called generalized Singer-Thorpe bases. As an application, we prove a generalization of the Hitchin inequality for compact weakly Einstein 4-manifolds. Examples are provided to illustrate the theorems.