Simulation of Dynamic Light Scattering Signals of Ultrafine Particles

In order to conveniently obtain dynamic light scattering (DLS) signal, a simulation method of DLS signal is proposed in this paper. This method regards the light intensity fluctuation of DLS as a stationary random process. According to autocorrelation function (ACF) of DLS signal, the stationary random process of DLS can be generated by auto‐regressive (AR) model. Signal simulations of several kinds of distribution particles and comparison of simulations and experiment prove that AR model can be used for DLS signal simulation. Moreover, by analyzing effect of simulation parameters on simulation precision, we obtained the relationship between simulation parameters and simulation precision. Finally, application of simulation signal verifies the effectiveness and convenience of this simulation method.     

Study on the Range of Particles Size Measured by Backscattering Method in Visual‐infrared Incident Spectrum

For the measurement of particles size with backscattering method, the suitable range of particles size measurement have been presented by independent algorithm in Visual‐infrared incident spectrum. We defined the range according to the retrieved results based on the analysis and comparison to many kinds of R‐R distribution function. The simulation computation results showed that the particles size measurement range is from 0.05 μm to 18 μm with incident spectrum from 0.4 μm to 2 μm and different refractive index. The results retrieved were satisfied even if 1 % noise was added into the backscattering intensity.     

Improved performance of silicon‐nanoparticle film‐coated dye‐sensitized solar cells

Silicon (Si) nanoparticles with average size of 13 nm and orange–red luminescence under UV absorption were synthesized using electrochemical etching of silicon wafers. A film of Si nanoparticles with thickness of 0.75 µm to 2.6 µm was coated on the glass (TiO₂ side) of a dye‐sensitized solar cell (DSSC). The cell exhibited nearly 9% enhancement in power conversion efficiency (η) at film thickness of ～2.4 µm under solar irradiation of 100 mW/cm² (AM 1.5) with improved fill factor and short‐circuit current density. This study revealed for the first time that the Si‐nanoparticle film converting UV into visible light and helping in homogeneous irradiation, can be utilized for improving the efficiency of the DSSCs. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Elastic moduli of η‐Ta2N3, a tough self‐healing material,via laser ultrasonics

The elastic moduli of the dense polycrystalline oxygen‐bearing η‐Ta₂N₃, a novel hard and tough high‐pressure (HP) material, were measured using the laser ultrasonic technique. The bulk modulus was determined to be B₀ = 281(15) GPa which is only ～11% below that from HP compression measurements. Our value of the shear modulus G₀ = 123(2) GPa is below those ones predicted theoretically for model structures. The discrepancies in G₀ could be due to a substitution of an‐ ions and the formation of cation vacancies in η‐Ta₂N₃. Self‐healing behaviour of η‐Ta₂N₃ by mechanical polishing was observed and confirmed by two independent experimental methods. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

A thioester substrate binds to the enzyme Arthrobacter thioesterase in two ionization states: evidence from Raman difference spectroscopy

4‐Hydroxybenzoyl‐CoA (4‐HB‐CoA) thioesterase from Arthrobacter is the final enzyme catalyzing the hydrolysis of 4‐HB‐CoA to produce coenzyme A and 4‐hydroxybenzoic acid in the bacterial 4‐chlorobenzoate dehalogenation pathway. Using a mutation E73A that blocks catalysis, stable complexes of the enzyme and its substrate can be analyzed by Raman difference spectroscopy. Here we have used Raman difference spectroscopy, in the non‐resonance regime, to characterize 4‐HB‐CoA bound in the active site of the E73A thioesterase. In addition, we have characterized complexes of the wild‐type enzyme complexed with the unreactive substrate analog 4‐hydroxyphenacyl‐CoA (4‐HP‐CoA). Both sets of complexes show evidence for two forms of the ligand in the active site: one population has the 4‐hydroxy group protonated, 4‐OH; while the second has the group as the hydroxide, 4‐O⁻. For bound 4‐HP‐CoA, X‐ray data show that glutamate 78 is close to the 4‐OH in the complex and it is likely that this is the proton acceptor for the 4‐OH proton. Although the pK_a of the 4‐OH group on the free substrate in aqueous solution is 8.6, the relative populations of ionized and neutral 4‐HB‐CoA bound to E73A remain invariant between pH 7.3 and 9.8. The invariance with pH suggests that the 4‐OH and the ‐COO⁻ of E78 constitute a tightly coupled pair where their separate pK_a ‘s lose their individual qualities. Narrow band profiles are seen in the CO double bond and C‐S regions, suggesting that the hydrolyzable thioester group is rigidly bound in the active site in a syn gauche conformation. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Exploring the origin of tip‐enhanced Raman scattering; preparation of efficient TERS probes with high yield

Tip‐enhanced Raman scattering (TERS) spectroscopy is a promising technique for nanoscale chemical analysis. However, there are several challenges preventing widespread application of this technology, including reproducible fabrication of efficient TERS probes. These problems reflect a lack of clear understanding of the origins of, and the parameters influencing TERS. It is believed that the coating characteristics at the apex of the tip have a major effect on the near‐field optical enhancement and thus the TERS activity of a metalized probe. Here we show that the aspect ratio of the tip can play a significant role in the efficiency of TERS probes. We argue that the electrostatic field arising from the lightning‐rod effect has a substantial role in the observed TERS effect. This argument is supported by ‘edge‐enhanced Raman scattering’ which is shown for a noble metal film. Furthermore, it is reported that an associated tip‐surface‐enhanced Raman scattering effect can be achieved by using a TERS‐inactive metalized probe on a surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy‐inactive roughened surface. This observation can be explained by an interparticle enhancement of the electromagnetic field. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Bessel and annular beams for materials processing

Non‐Gaussian beam profiles such as Bessel or annular beams enable novel approaches to modifying materials through laser‐based processing. In this review paper, properties, generation methods and emerging applications for non‐conventional beam shapes are discussed, including Bessel, annular, and vortex beams. These intensity profiles have important implications in a number of technologically relevant areas including deep‐hole drilling, photopolymerization and nanopatterning, and introduce a new dimension for materials optimization and fundamental studies of laser‐matter interactions.     

On analyticity of the ‐Stokes semigroup for some non‐Helmholtz domains

Consider the Stokes equations in a sector‐like C ³ domain . It is shown that the Stokes operator generates an analytic semigroup in for . This includes domains where the ‐Helmholtz decomposition fails to hold. To show our result we interpolate results of the Stokes semigroup in and L ² by constructing a suitable non‐Helmholtz projection to solenoidal spaces.     

Asymptotic approximation for the solution to a semilinear parabolic problem in a thin star‐shaped junction

A semilinear parabolic problem is considered in a thin 3‐D star‐shaped junction that consists of several thin curvilinear cylinders that are joined through a domain (node) of diameter The purpose is to study the asymptotic behavior of the solution u_ε as ε→0, ie, when the star‐shaped junction is transformed in a graph. In addition, the passage to the limit is accompanied by special intensity factors and in nonlinear perturbed Robin boundary conditions. We establish qualitatively different cases in the asymptotic behavior of the solution depending on the value of the parameters {α_i}and {β_i}. Using the multiscale analysis, the asymptotic approximation for the solution is constructed and justified as the parameter ε→0. Namely, in each case, we derive the limit problem (ε=0)on the graph with the corresponding Kirchhoff transmission conditions (untypical in some cases) at the vertex, define other terms of the asymptotic approximation and prove appropriate asymptotic estimates that justify these coupling conditions at the vertex, and show the impact of the local geometric heterogeneity of the node and physical processes in the node on some properties of the solution.     

Time‐harmonic and asymptotically linear Maxwell equations in anisotropic media

This paper is focused on following time‐harmonic Maxwell equation: where is a bounded Lipschitz domain, is the exterior normal, and ω is the frequency. The boundary condition holds when Ω is surrounded by a perfect conductor. Assuming that f is asymptotically linear as , we study the above equation by improving the generalized Nehari manifold method. For an anisotropic material with magnetic permeability tensor and permittivity tensor , ground state solutions are established in this paper. Applying the principle of symmetric criticality, we find 2 types of solutions with cylindrical symmetries in particular for the uniaxial material.