Synthesis of diisocyanides with phenolic groups and their polymerization to helically chiral poly(quinoxaline‐2,3‐diyl)s

The development of synthetic routes which lead to five new diisocyanide monomers with one or two phenolic groups is described. Their polymerization behavior is studied with Pd‐ and Ni‐based initiators, as well as under microwave irradiation. The polymerizability is mainly dominated by steric effects as is concluded from experiments using different protecting groups. Chiroptical properties of these new polymers are studied by CD‐spectroscopy. After deprotection, helically chiral poly(quinoxalin‐2,3‐diyl)s are obtained which display a Brønsted function attached to a stereolabile biaryl axis whose configuration should be influenced by the chiral polymer backbone. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015 , 53, 1320–1329     

Finite Element Solution of Conical Diffraction Problems

This paper is devoted to the numerical study of diffraction by periodic structures of plane waves under oblique incidence. For this situation Maxwell's equations can be reduced to a system of two Helmholtz equations in R ² coupled via quasiperiodic transmission conditions on the piecewise smooth interfaces between different materials. The numerical analysis is based on a strongly elliptic variational formulation of the differential problem in a bounded periodic cell involving nonlocal boundary operators. We obtain existence and uniqueness results for discrete solutions and provide the corresponding error analysis.     

A Bicriterial Optimization Problem of Antenna Design

In this paper we consider a special optimization problem withtwo objectives which arises in antenna theory. It is shown that thisabstract bicriterial optimization problem has at least one solution.Discretized versions of this problem are also discussed, and therelationships between these finite dimensional problems and the infinitedimensional problem are investigated. Moreover, we presentnumerical results for special parameters using a multiobjectiveoptimization method.     

Detailed nuclear structure studies far from stability

State-of-the-art spectroscopy of nuclei far from stability has achieved an extraordinary level of sophistication and detail in the last ten years. In principle, if a state can be populated, it can be characterized by its energy, spin, parity, and major decay paths. Sometimes its lifetime can be measured. In practice, one is confronted with enormous complexity. To convert raw spectroscopic data into nuclear structure data involves a complex process of disentangling gamma rays and conversion electrons into decay schemes. Specifically, coincidence techniques, especially coincidence intensities, play a crucial role in this process. Recent examples and methods from work done at UNISOR are presented.     

Soft X-ray resonant magnetic scattering studies on Fe/CoO exchange bias system

We have used soft X-ray resonant magnetic scattering (XRMS) to search for the presence of an effective ferromagnetic moment belonging to the antiferromagnetic (AF) layer which is in close contact with a ferromagnetic (F) layer. Taking advantage of the element specificity of the XRMS technique, we have measured hysteresis loops of both Fe and CoO layers of a CoO(40 Å)/Fe (150 Å) exchange bias bilayer. From these measurements we have concluded that the proximity of the F layer induces a magnetic moment in the AF layer. The F moment of the AF layer has two components: one is frozen and does not follow the applied magnetic field and the other one follows in phase the ferromagnetic magnetization of the F layer. The temperature dependence of the F components belonging to the AF layer is shown and discussed.     

Texture and electronic activity of grain boundaries in Cu(In,Ga)Se2 thin films

The influence of different film textures on the electronic properties of polycrystalline Cu(In,Ga)Se₂ absorbers is studied by measuring the laterally resolved optoelectronic properties of differently textured Cu(In,Ga)Se₂ films with Kelvin probe force microscopy and cathodoluminescence. The grain boundaries in (112)- and (220/204)-textured films behave differently. The work-function profile measured with the Kelvin probe across a grain boundary in (112)-textured films shows a dip indicating positive charges at the grain boundaries. In panchromatic cathodoluminescence mappings in a transmission electron microscope, such grain boundaries appear dark, i.e. the strongly reduced luminescence indicates that the grain boundaries represent strong non-radiative recombination centers. In contrast, grain boundaries in (220/204)-textured films give rise to a dip or a step in the work function indicating slightly negative charge or neutrality. Cathodoluminescence is reduced at such grain boundaries, but less dramatically than in the (112)-textured case. However, when Na is present in the (220/204)-textured films, the grain boundaries are almost invisible in cathodoluminescence mappings. This strong passivating action of Na occurs only in the (220/204)-textured films, due to a particular grain-boundary population. In (112)-textured films and films without pronounced texture, this passivation effect is much less noticeable. PACS 73.50.Gr; 73.61.Ga; 78.60.Hk; 87.64.Dt