Study of the peak effect phenomenon in single crystals of 2H-NbSe2

The weakly pinned single crystals of the hexagonal 2H-NbSe₂ compound have emerged as prototypes for determining and characterizing the phase boundaries of the possible order-disorder transformations in the vortex matter. We present here a status report based on the ac and dc magnetization measurements of the peak effect phenomenon in three crystals of 2H-NbSe₂, in which the critical current densities vary over two orders of magnitude. We sketch the generic vortex phase diagram of a weakly pinned superconductor, which also utilizes theoretical proposals. We also establish the connection between the metastability effects and pinning.     

Approaches to sharing knowledge in group problem structuring

Problem-structuring techniques are an integral aspect of ‘Soft-OR’. SSM, SAST, Strategic Choice, and JOURNEY Making, all depend for their success on a group developing a shared view of a problem through some form of explicit modelling. The negotiated problem structure becomes the basis for problem resolution. Implicit to this process is an assumption that members of the group share and build their knowledge about the problem domain. This paper explores the extent to which this assumption is reasonable. The research is based on detailed records from the use of JOURNEY Making, where it has used special purpose Group Support software to aid the group problem structuring. This software continuously tracks the contributions of each member of the group and thus the extent to which they appear to be ‘connecting’ and augmenting their own knowledge with that of other members of the group. Software records of problem resolution in real organisational settings are used to explore the sharing of knowledge among senior managers. These explorations suggest a typology of knowledge sharing. The implications of this typology for problem structuring and an agenda for future research are considered.     

Shaping Solid-State Supramolecular Cavities: Chemically Induced Accordionlike Movement of gamma-Zirconium Phosphate Containing Polyethylenoxide Pillars

The hydrophilic oxygen atoms of polyethylenoxide chains inserted as pillars in gamma-zirconium phosphate form hydrogen bonds with the acid groups of the host. As a result the pillars are almost perpendicular to the gamma layers. Upon changing the pH level of the supernatant solution the hydrogen bonds are broken and the pillars become almost perpendicular to the layers (shown schematically). Thus there is a reversible enlargement-shortening of the interlayer space.     

Enhancement of Raman scattering for an atom or molecule near a metal nanocylinder: quantum theory of spontaneous emission and coupling to surface plasmon modes

An analytic expression for the electromagnetic enhancement of the spontaneous emission rate and Raman scattering cross-section for an excited atom or molecule in close proximity to a metal nanocylinder has been derived by quantum theory. Coupling of the atomic or molecular optical radiation into the TM0 surface plasmon mode of the nanocylinder results in reradiation by the cylinder, a process that is most efficient when the incident radiation is linearly polarized, with the electric field oriented parallel to the axis of the nanocylinder. For a silver cylinder having a radius and length of 5 and 20 nm, respectively, the enhancement in the spontaneous emission rate is >10(7) for variant Planck's over 2pi omega0 approximately 2.4 eV (lambda=514 nm), which corresponds to an increase of approximately 10(14) in the Raman scattering cross section. This result, as well as the prediction that the atomic dipole generates broadband, femtosecond pulses, are in qualitative agreement with previously reported experiments involving metal nanoparticle aggregates. The theoretical results described here are expected to be of value in guiding future nonlinear optical experiments in which carbon nanotubes or metal nanowires with controllable physical and electrical characteristics are patterned onto a substrate and coupled with emitting atoms or molecules.     

Building addressable libraries: the use of electrochemistry for spatially isolating a heck reaction on a chip

Pd(0) was generated at preselected sites on an electrochemically addressable chip and then utilized to effect a Heck reaction. The Pd(0) was confined to the preselected electrodes with the use of allylmethyl carbonate. Unlike most mediated electrochemical reactions, the electrolysis in this case was not used to convert a stoichiometric process into a catalytic one by recycling the metal. Instead, the unique environment of the chip was used to interfere with a catalytic process to make it stoichiometric. This was done to gain spatial control over the reaction. The development of a strategy for conducting Pd(0)-catalyzed reactions on the chips should greatly expand the synthetic chemistry available for building chip-based libraries.     

Nanoparticle Capping Agent Controlled Electron‐Transfer Dynamics in Ionic Liquids

Herein, we report a change in the mechanism of the oxidation of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) with the molecular weight of a poly(ethylene) glycol (PEG) capping agent. Characterisation of the modified nanoparticles is undertaken using dynamic light scattering and UV/Vis spectroscopy. Electrochemical analyses reveal that the oxidation of 6000 molecular weight (MW) PEG is consistent with a polymer‐gated mechanism, whilst for 2000 MW PEG the polymer does not hinder the oxidation. The 10,000 MW PEG Ag NPs are rendered almost electrochemically inactive. This study demonstrates the ability to alter and better understand the electron‐transfer mechanism in a room temperature ionic liquid (RTIL) by systematically altering the capping agent.