In situ spectroscopic study of the oxidation and reduction of Pd(111)

Using a photoemission spectroscometer that operates close to ambient conditions of pressure and temperature we have determined the Pd-O phase diagram and the kinetic parameters of phase transformations. We found that on the (111) surface oxidation proceeds by formation of stable and metastable structures. As the chemical potential of O2 increases chemisorbed oxygen forms followed by a thin surface oxide. Bulk oxidation is a two-step process that starts with the metastable growth of the surface oxide into the bulk, followed by a first-order transformation to PdO.     

Structure and dynamics of dense monolayers of no adsorbed on Rh(111) in equilibrium with the gas phase in the Torr pressure range

Using scanning tunneling microscopy, we show the phase transition between new structures of NO on Rh(111) in equilibrium with the gas phase near 300 K, in the Torr pressure range. Two phases with (2 x 2) and (3 x 3) periodicity transform into each other as the pressure and temperature change around the equilibrium P-T line. By measuring P and T at coexistence, we determined the heat of adsorption in the (3 x 3) structure. From the phase boundary dynamics, the activation energy barrier between phases were estimated. The results demonstrate that unique information can be obtained from high-pressure and high-temperature studies.     

Dynamics of layering transitions in confined liquids

Multiple beam interferometry and video microscopy were used to investigate the layering transition of thin liquid films of 1-undecanol confined between atomically smooth mica surfaces. The expulsion of a molecularly thin lubricant layer was followed directly in two dimensions. Overall, the dynamics of the transition follows theoretical predictions based on two-dimensional hydrodynamics. Frequently, pockets of liquid remain trapped inside the contact area at the end of the transition. The trapped pockets undergo shape transformations to minimize elastic and interfacial energy.     

Critical behaviour in deterministic motion in a random environment

A numerical study of deterministic motion in a random environment in two dimensions is performed. All trajectories are localised except at two isolated points in the parameter space. The distribution of trajectory lengths shows “critical” behaviour as those points are approached. Contact with an analytic estimate, based on analogy with gelation theory, is made in one region of the parameter space. The spatial extent of the trajectories scales with arc length as if they were ideal random walks, surprisingly.     

A study of π andK production in proton-uranium and oxygen-uranium interactions at 22 GeV/A using decay muons

The like-sign dimuons copiously recorded in the NA 38 experiment both inp-U and O?U reactions at 200 GeV/nucleon are interpreted as resulting from decays of π andK mesons in comparable proportions. The ++/?? ratio is large (?1.7) and ascribed to theK ⁺ being more copiously produced than theK ^?. Both the average transverse momentum and the ++/?? ratio are comparable forp-U and O?U reactions, and both increase only slightly with the transverse energyE _T .     

Atomic force microscopy study of beta-substituted-T7 oligothiophene films on mica: mechanical properties and humidity-dependent phases

The structural and mechanical properties of Langmuir-Blodgett monolayer and multilayer films of 3",4"-didecyl-5,2'; 5',2"; 5",2'; 5',2"; 5",2''; 5'',2"-heptathiophene-4'-acetic acid on mica have been studied by atomic force microscopy (AFM) as a function of humidity, temperature, and applied force. The molecules orient with the carboxylic acid group pointing toward the mica surface and expose the alkyl side chains to the air interface. As the load applied by the AFM tip increases, the film is compressed easily from an initial height of 2 to 1.2 nm. After compression the films can support much higher loads without loss of height. The state of aggregation of the molecules was found to be sensitive to the environmental humidity, which induced reversible changes. Annealing the samples with monolayer or multilayer films resulted in irreversible changes when the temperature exceeded approximately 100 degrees C.