Lyapunov modes and time-correlation functions for two-dimensional systems

The relation between the Lyapunov modes (delocalized Lyapunov vectors) and the momentum autocorrelation function is discussed in two-dimensional hard-disk systems. We show numerical evidence that the smallest time-oscillating period of the Lyapunov modes is twice as long as the time-oscillating period of momentum autocorrelation function for both square and rectangular two-dimensional systems with hard-wall boundary conditions.     

Viscosity of (GeSe2)x(Sb2Se3)1−x undercooled melts

Viscosity of (GeSe₂)_x(Sb₂Se₃)_1−x undercooled melts (x = 0.4-0.8) was measured using parallel-plate method and penetration method. By using these two techniques viscosity of the whole measurable region of undercooled melt and of the part of glass region can be measured. In this relatively broad viscosity interval (seven orders of magnitude) all measured samples show Newtonian behavior and the dependence of their viscosity on temperature can be described by a simple Arrhenius equation. The kinetic fragilities calculated from these dependencies show similar compositional dependence as heat capacity changes at glass transition measured by DSC.     

Adsorption and deposition of anthraquinone-2-carboxylic acid on alumina studied by inelastic electron tunneling spectroscopy, infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and atomic force microscopy

The adsorption state of anthraquinone-2-carboxylic acid (AQ-2-COOH) deposited from acetone solutions (0.01-1.00 mg/ml) on native oxide surfaces of Al films was characterized by inelastic electron tunneling spectroscopy, infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The oxide was prepared on evaporated Al films at room temperature in an oxygen-dc glow discharge. The morphology of the deposited AQ-2-COOH on the oxide surfaces was observed and analyzed by atomic force microscopy. These surface analyses showed that AQ-2-COOH is adsorbed predominantly as a uniform nanometer-scale film of carboxylate anions on the oxide surfaces deposited from solutions with concentrations lower than or equal to 0.02 mg/ml. It was found that AQ-2-COOH is adsorbed as both a uniform film of anions and as micron-sized particles of neutral molecules with heights of a few tens of nanometers when AQ-2-COOH is deposited from solutions with concentrations higher than 0.02 mg/ml. A comparison of the results obtained by these surface analytical techniques clearly shows the features and advantages of these analytical techniques.     

Single-pulse time- and fluence-resolved optical measurements at femtosecond excited surfaces

We describe a new technique for optical pump–probe measurements at femtosecond excited surfaces. By combining time-resolved microscopy with cylindrical focusing of the pump, complete mapping of the time and fluence dependence of laser-induced optical changes becomes possible in a single-pulse experiment. Received: 16 August 1999 / Accepted: 17 August 1999 / Published online: 30 September 1999     

Excess current in point contacts on two-band superconductor MgB2 in magnetic field

A series of I(V) characteristics and bias-dependent differential resistance dV/dI(V) curves of point contacts made between a single crystal of two-band superconductor MgB₂ and Cu were measured in magnetic fields up to 9 T. The magnetic field dependences of the excess current in the I(V) curves were obtained and analyzed using Koshelev and Golubov's [Phys. Rev. Lett. 90, 177002 (2003)] theoretical results for the mixed state of a dirty two-band superconductor. Introducing a simple model for the excess current in the point contact in the mixed state, our data can be qualitatively described using the theoretical magnetic field dependence of the superconducting order parameter of the σ and π-bands and the averaged electronic density of states in MgB₂.     

Photodissociation dynamics of Cl in a xenon cluster

The photodissociation of a chlorine molecule in the environment of a xenon cluster has been studied experimentally using the real time pump and probe technique through the formation of an XeCl reaction product. The photodissociating system is probed in such a way that the movement of a single chlorine atom in the xenon environment is detected. Various Xe_nCl₂ cluster sizes have been investigated leading to the distinction between uncapped, half-capped and doubly capped structures for these clusters. These structures have a profound influence on the photodissociation dynamics. Retrapping of one chlorine atomic fragment and stabilization of the XeCl reaction product is only observed for the half and doubly capped clusters. The experimental work is complemented by classical molecular dynamics calculations to get a full picture of the photodissociation. Received: 17 February 1998 / Received in final form and Accepted: 28 July 1998     

Structure and properties of electrodeposited Fe-Ni-W alloys with different levels of tungsten content: A comparative study

Fe-Ni-W alloys with 18 wt%, 35 wt% and 55 wt% tungsten have been obtained by electrodeposition from an ammoniacal citrate bath. The deposits are smooth, of nice appearance, and adhere well to iron and steel. The morphology and structure of Fe-Ni-W alloys were studied by SEM and XRD, respectively. The structure of the as-plated deposits changed from crystalline to amorphous with increasing tungsten content. The amorphous structure crystallized under heat treatment condition. The wear and corrosion resistance of the deposits were tested by MPX-2000 wear-tear equipment and neutral salt spray test (NSS), respectively. The alloys with 55 wt% tungsten, after heat treatment at proper temperatures, appear to have good wear resistance and hardness. The alloys with 18 wt% tungsten are very corrosion-resistant.     

Tuning of electron transport through a moebius strip: Shot noise

We study electron transport through a moebius strip attached to two metallic electrodes by the use of a Green’s function technique. A parametric approach is used based on the tight-binding model to characterize the electron transport through such a bridge system and it is observed that the transport properties are significantly affected by (a) the transverse hopping strength between the two channels and (b) the strip-to-electrodes coupling strength. In this context we also describe the noise power of the current fluctuations, which provide key information about the electron correlation which is obtained by calculating the Fano factor (F). The knowledge of these current fluctuations gives important ideas for the fabrication of efficient molecular devices.     

Combinatorial screening of fuel cell cathode catalyst compositions

An improved fuel cell cathode catalyst composition was pursued by fabricating and screening thin film combinatorial libraries. Results from the Pt-Ru, Pt-Co-Ti, Pt-Co-Cu and Pt-Co-Cr systems are reported. The discrete composition combinatorial libraries were fabricated by plasma sputtering through shadow masks. Each combinatorial library was tested by cyclic voltammetry in a multichannel electrochemical cell. Compositions were ranked based on the onset potential of the oxygen reduction reaction. Several compositions exhibited better onset potentials than pure Pt. The optimum composition from the Pt-Co-Ti system was Pt₄₄Ti₁₂Co₄₄ but showed signs of corrosion after prolonged testing. A wide range of Pt-Co-Cu compositions also outperformed Pt initially, but ultimately failed due to poor corrosion resistance. Among all of the compositions that were screened, the best performance was demonstrated by Pt₂₈Co₃₆Cr₃₆, with an onset potential 107 mV higher than pure Pt and no sign of corrosion.     

Effect of epitaxial strain on the atomic structure of Pd clusters on MgO(100) substrate

Morphology and atomic structure of supported Pd clusters on MgO(100) substrate are investigated theoretically using a mixed approach: a semi-empirical potential for the metal bonding within the cluster and a potential fitted to ab initio calculations for the metal-oxide interaction. We find that the clusters adopt a truncated pyramidal morphology in agreement with experimental results. The detailed study of the epitaxial relation as a function of cluster size shows the existence of a critical size around 3 nm where elastic strain due to the misfit between the substrate and the deposit is released by the introduction of interfacial dislocations.