Time operators for quantum walks

Letters in Mathematical Physics - We study time operators for discrete-time quantum systems. Quantum walks are typical examples. We construct time operators for one-dimensional homogeneous quantum...     

In situ X-ray absorption fine structure studies of amorphous and crystalline polyoxovanadate cluster cathodes for lithium batteries

Amorphous and crystalline MetfV10 electrodes for lithium ion batteries were prepared by mixing MetfV10 with different binders: polyvinylidenefluoride (PVDF) or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). The amorphous MetfV10 cathode demonstrates a higher specific capacity than the crystalline cathode. The reaction mechanism was studied using in situ X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) and impedance measurements. The X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) results exhibited a 10-electron reduction per the formula of MetfV10 during discharge, resulting in a large capacity. Extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) analyses suggested a slight expansion in the molecular size of MetfV10. The impedance measurements reveal that an increase of discharge capacities for the amorphous cathode is due to lower resistance than in the crystalline cathode. This study presents a rational selection of amorphous or crystalline cathode materials for high power and high energy density lithium batteries.     

Optical rectification effect due to surface plasmon polaritons at normal incidence in a nondiffraction regime

We carried out an experimental and numerical investigation of photoinduced voltage at normal incidence in the nondiffraction regime, which was not predicted to occur by the simple momentum conservation model. We prepared two samples: one having space inversion symmetry and the other without this feature. At normal incidence in the nondiffraction regime, we observed a finite signal only for the asymmetric structure. We found that surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) are excited by the signal and are attributed to the origin of the voltage. We also evaluated the radiation force of light by using the Maxwell stress tensor and found that pressure of light and not shear force is mainly induced in the structure due to the asymmetric excitation of SPPs.     

Sorption behavior of selenide on montmorillonite

Batch sorption experiments were performed to investigate the sorption mechanism of Se on montmorillonite under reducing conditions in deep geological environments. Based on E_h–pH diagrams and ultraviolet–visible spectra, Se was dissolved as selenide (Se(–II)) anions under the experimental conditions. The distribution coefficients (K_d; m³ kg^?1) of Se(–II) indicated ionic strength independence and slight pH dependence. The K_d values of Se(–II) were higher than those of Se(IV), which also exists as an anionic species. X-ray absorption near edge spectroscopy showed that the oxidation state of Se-sorbed on montmorillonite was zero even though selenide remained in the solution. These results suggest that Se(–II) was oxidized and precipitated on the montmorillonite surface. Therefore, it is implied that a redox reaction on the montmorillonite surface contributed to high K_d values for Se(–II).

     

Selective Encapsulation of Chloride Ions within Novel Cage Host Complexes in the Presence of Equimolar Amounts of Chloride and Bromide Ions

Four macrotricyclic cage hosts which feature four positive binding sites oriented toward the center of the intramolecular cavity are presented as promising candidates for anion receptors and they have been expected to play a important role in the selective encapsulation of the halide ion Cl⁻ or Br⁻. The complementarity between a macrotricyclic quaternary ammonium ion and Cl⁻ was achieved by fine-tuning of the four ammonium nitrogen atoms and the endocyclic methylene groups. The cage hosts [R₄N₄(C₅H₁₀)₄(C₆H₁₂)₂]⁴⁺ (abbreviated as [556]) showed perfect encapsulation of all chloride ions in acetonitrile at 0<r=([Cl⁻]_o/[[556]]_o)≤1 within the sensitivity of the ¹H NMR spectra in combination with a rather slow chemical exchange of the Cl⁻ ion in an encapsulation/decapsulation equilibrium with [556]. Further, the selective encapsulation of all the chloride ions into [556] cage occurs unambiguously at r=1 in the presence of equimolar amounts of Br⁻. The structural complementarity of the newly designed [556] host prevails over the Hofmeister-series restraints determined by differences in Gibbs free energy of halide anion solvation.     

General Synthesis of Single-Atom Catalysts for Hydrogen Evolution Reactions and Room-Temperature Na-S Batteries

Herein, we report a comprehensive strategy to synthesize a full range of single-atom metals on carbon matrix, including V, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Ge, Mo, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ag, In, Sn, W, Ir, Pt, Pb, and Bi. The extensive applications of various SACs are manifested via their ability to electro-catalyze typical hydrogen evolution reactions (HER) and conversion reactions in novel room-temperature sodium sulfur batteries (RT-Na-S). The enhanced performances for these electrochemical reactions arisen from the ability of different single active atoms on local structures to tune their electronic configuration. Significantly, the electrocatalytic behaviors of diverse SACs, assisted by density functional theory calculations, are systematically revealed by in situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction and in situ transmission electronic microscopy, providing a strategic library for the general synthesis and extensive applications of SACs in energy conversion and storage.     

Probing the Ba 5d states in BaTiO3 and BaSO4: A resonant x-ray emission study at the Ba-L3 edge

We have directly probed the Ba 5d states in the ferroelectric barium titanate BaTiO₃ using two bulk-sensitive spectroscopic probes, resonant x-ray emission spectroscopy (RXES) and x-ray absorption spectroscopy in the partial fluorescence mode (PFY-XAS) at the Ba-L₃ edge. The results are compared with those of the non-ferroelectric barium sulfate BaSO₄. While the RXES spectra point to a localized character for the Ba 5d states in both compounds, the main peak of the PFY-XAS spectrum, corresponding to the dipolar transitions from 2p to 5d, is found to be significantly broader for BaTiO₃ than for BaSO₄. On the basis of band structure calculations, this broadening is ascribed to strong hybridization between the unoccupied Ba 5d and O 2p states in the ferroelectric. This suggests that the hybridization between the conduction states of the Ba²⁺ and O^2? ions, and not only Ti⁴⁺ and O^2?, plays a central role in determining the electronic structure of BaTiO₃, and is therefore likely to be indirectly correlated with the occurrence of ferroelectricity in this material.