Highly selective and efficient multiphoton dissociation of polyatomic molecules in multiple-frequency IR-laser fields

An ir multiphoton dissociation (MPD) process in multiple-frequency ir-laser fields has been experimentally realized. A selectivity ofS=10⁴ was obtained in separating¹³C/¹²C isotopes upon multiple-frequency ir multiphoton dissociation (MFMPD) of the CF₂HCl molecule, the dissociation yield¹³ for the¹³CF₂HCl molecule amounting to around 1%. A yield of¹³ was reached at a selectivity ofS=10², and the total laser fluence required for the process was reduced. A new mechanism—sticking of molecules on the lower discrete vibrational levels—responsible for the low MPD yields observed for some molecules is discussed and a technique to eliminate it and thus maximize the dissociation yields is proposed. Ways to improve the selectivity by MFMPD are analyzed and a simple method for obtaining from a single TEA CO₂ laser a multiple-frequency radiation suitable for experimental realization of MFMPD is suggested.     

Characteristics of multiple-photon dissociation of OsO4 molecule by two frequency tunable CO2-laser pulses

Using two-frequency technique for the multiple photon dissociation of OsO₄ molecule by IR laser radiation, the following new results have been obtained: 1. the narrow resonances of multiple photon absorption on few low lying vibrational transitions have been found in the dissociation yield as a function of exciting frequency ν₁; 2. the structure of the dissociation yield as a function of dissociating frequency ν₂ connected with high lying vibrational transition has been studied; 3. the kinetic of the vibration relaxation of high vibrationally excited molecules was investigated; 4. the unimolecular character of the multiple photon dissociation of OsO₄ has been proved.     

Nucleation of single-walled carbon nanotubes

The nucleation pathway for single-wall carbon nanotubes on a metal surface is demonstrated by a series of total energy calculations using density functional theory. Incorporation of pentagons at an early stage of nucleation is energetically favorable as they reduce the number of dangling bonds and facilitate curvature of the structure and bonding to the metal. In the presence of the metal surface, nucleation of a closed cap or a capped single-wall carbon nanotube is overwhelmingly favored compared to any structure with dangling bonds or to a fullerene.     

Aspect-ratio dependent oscillatory thermocapillary convection in the floating half zone

The dependency of the critical Marangoni number on the geometrical aspect ratio of the floating half zone is essential to predict the onset of oscillatory thermocapillary convection.The experimental studies in the microgravity conditions on floating half zones of several centimeters in diameter have predicted that the critical Marangoni number increases with the increasing aspect ratio,and the terrestrial experimental studies have predicted the contradictory conclusion for floating half zones of several mil...     

Non-Gravitational Effects with Density-Matching in Evaluating the Influence of Sedimentation on Colloidal Coagulation

The method of density matching between the solid and liquid phases is often adopted to effectively eliminate the effect of sedimentation of suspensions in studies on dynamic behaviour of a colloidal system. However, the associated changes in the solvent composition may bring side effects to the properties investigated and therefore might lead to a faulty conclusion if the relevant correction is not made. To illustrate the importance of this side effect, we present an example of the sedimentation influence on the coagulation rate of suspensions of 2μm （diameter） polystyrene. The liquid mixtures, in the proper proportions of water （H2O）, deuterium oxide （D2O） and methanol （MeOH） as the liquid phase, density-matched and unmatched experiments are performed. Besides the influence of viscosity, the presence of methanol in solvent media, used to enhance the sedimentation effect, causes significant changes （reduction） in rapid coagulation rates compared to that in pure water. Without the relevant corrections for those non-gravitational factors it seems that gravitational sedimentation would retard the coagulation. The magnitude of the contribution from the non-gravitational factor is quantitatively determined, making the relevant correction possible. After necessary the influence of the sedimentation on coagulation rates at corrections for all factors, our experiments show that the initial stage of the coagulation is not observable.     

Revealing the Preferred Interlayer Orientations and Stackings of Two‐Dimensional Bilayer Gallium Selenide Crystals

Characterizing and controlling the interlayer orientations and stacking orders of two‐dimensional (2D) bilayer crystals and van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures is crucial to optimize their electrical and optoelectronic properties. The four polymorphs of layered gallium selenide (GaSe) crystals that result from different layer stackings provide an ideal platform to study the stacking configurations in 2D bilayer crystals. Through a controllable vapor‐phase deposition method, bilayer GaSe crystals were selectively grown and their two preferred 0° or 60° interlayer rotations were investigated. The commensurate stacking configurations (AA′ and AB stacking) in as‐grown bilayer GaSe crystals are clearly observed at the atomic scale, and the Ga‐terminated edge structure was identified using scanning transmission electron microscopy. Theoretical analysis reveals that the energies of the interlayer coupling are responsible for the preferred orientations among the bilayer GaSe crystals.