Visualizing intramolecular distortions as the origin of transverse magnetic anisotropy

The magnetic properties of metal–organic complexes are strongly influenced by conformational changes in the ligand. The flexibility of Fe-tetra-pyridyl-porphyrin molecules leads to different adsorption configurations on a Au(111) surface. By combining low-temperature scanning tunneling spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy, we resolve a correlation of the molecular configuration with different spin states and magnitudes of magnetic anisotropy. When the macrocycle exhibits a laterally undistorted saddle shape, the molecules lie in a S = 1 state with axial anisotropy arising from a square-planar ligand field. If the symmetry in the molecular ligand field is reduced by a lateral distortion of the molecule, we find a finite contribution of transverse anisotropy. Some of the distorted molecules lie in a S = 2 state, again exhibiting substantial transverse anisotropy

Electronic structure of an iron porphyrin derivative on Au(1 1 1)

Surface-bound porphyrins are promising candidates for molecular switches, electronics and spintronics. Here, we studied the structural and the electronic properties of Fe-tetra-pyridil-porphyrin adsorbed on Au(1 1 1) in the monolayer regime. We combined scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy, ultraviolet photoemission, and two-photon photoemission to determine the energy levels of the frontier molecular orbitals. We also resolved an excitonic state with a binding energy of 420 meV, which allowed us to compare the electronic transport gap with the optical gap

Synthese, Charakterisierung und elektrochemische Eigenschaften nanostrukturierter, perowskitischer Elektrodenmaterialien

La0.6Ca0.4Mn0.8Ni0.2O3-, La0.6Ca0.4Mn0.8Fe0.2O3- und La0.75Ca0.25Mn0.5Fe0.5O3-Volumenmaterialien wurden im potentiometrischen Messaufbau bereits erfolgreich auf ihre NO-Sensitivität getestet. Keramischen Nanomaterialien werden generell eine Reihe neuer oder verbesserter Eigenschaften (verbessertes Sinterverhalten, erhöhte NOx-Sensitivität, höhere Leitfähigkeit) zugesprochen. La0.6Ca0.4Mn0.8Ni0.2O3, La0.6Ca0.4Mn0.8Fe0.2O3 und La0.75Ca0.25Mn0.5Fe0.5O3 wurden mittels PVA/Sucrose-Methode, Aktivkohlemethode und Fällungssynthese als Nanomaterialien sowie mit Festkörperreaktion als Volumenmaterialien dargestellt und mit typischen Charakterisierungsmethoden untersucht. Die Materialien wurden in verschiedenen Schichtdicken auf YSZ-Substrate aufgetragen und potentiometrisch sowie impedanzspektroskopisch auf ihre NO-Sensitivität und die Querempfindlichkeit gegenüber NO2 und Propylen geprüft. Potentiometrische Messungen im NO-Gasstrom ergeben eine Abhängigkeit der NO-Sensitivität von der Partikelgröße, der Schichtdicke und der Beschichtungsmethode. Impedanzspektroskopische Messungen an beidseitig beschichteten YSZ-Substraten zeigen ebenfalls eine Abhängigkeit des Zellwiderstands von der NO-Konzentration und der Partikelgröße. Die Nanomaterialien zeigen bei unterschiedlichen Sauerstoffpartialdrücken im untersuchten Temperaturbereich (300°C bis 850°C) höhere Leitfähigkeiten als die Volumenmaterialien gleicher Zusammensetzung. Dieses Verhalten wird mit dem höheren Sauerstoffaustausch der Nanomaterialien in Verbindung gebracht, der zur Erzeugung zusätzlicher Defekte in der Kristallstruktur führt. Die Nanostruktur und somit eine entsprechend hohe Leitfähigkeit bleiben bei hohen Sintertemperaturen (T > 1000°C), die der Herstellung gasdichter Presslinge dienen, erhalten. XANES- und Photoelektronenspektroskopie wurden verwendet, um die Punktdefekte zu definieren

Correlation of vibrational excitations and electronic structure with submolecular resolution

The detection of vibrational excitations of individual molecules on surfaces by scanning tunneling spectroscopy does not obey strict selection rules but rather propensity rules. The experimental verification of these excitations is challenging because it requires the independent variation of specific parameters, such as the electronic structure, while keeping the vibrational modes the same. Here, we make use of the versatile self-assembled structures of Fe-tetra-pyridyl-porphyrin molecules on a Au(111) surface. These molecules exhibit different energy-level alignments of the frontier molecular orbitals, thus allowing the correlation of the electronic structure and detection of vibrations. We identify up to seven vibrational modes in the tunneling spectra of the molecules in some of the arrangements, whereas we observe none in other structures. We find that the presence of vibrational excitations and their distribution along the molecule correlate with the observation of energetically low-lying molecular states. This correlation allows the explanation of the different numbers of vibrational signatures for molecules embedded within different structures as well as the bias asymmetry of the vibrational intensities within an individual molecule. Our observations are in agreement with the resonant enhancement of vibrations by the virtual excitation of electronic states

Understanding an ice stream in Greenland at the EastGRIP camp: An international-multidisciplinary effort and knowledge transfer among scientists

The East Greenland Ice-core Project (EastGRIP) aims to retrieve a 2650m long ice core by drilling through the Northeast Greenland Ice Stream (NEGIS). Scientists from a variety of physical sciences and engineers hope to gain new knowledge on ice stream dynamics and about the past climate. The project has many partners from all around the world, who contribute to the science, logistics and economics of the project. Most of the data is processed and analysed in the field. As there is limited capacity in the field camp, scientists and technical staff are encouraged to learn different working techniques to support their project partners. The community also invites scientists, who work on theoretical aspects on the ice stream to communicate the perspective on the procedures and challenges of data collection in the field. And so it happens that earth system modellers learn how to drill an ice core or non-scientific staff helps with the preparation of the ice core samples. Also, the project partners are motivated to bring together scientists at early stages in their careers to gain fieldwork experience. Once each season the field camp also welcomes high school students and teachers as a part of a joint science and education programme

Crystal fabric orientation of the NEGIS ice stream

IASC Workshop on the dynamics and mass budget of Arctic glacier

Larval migration in PERL chambers as an in vitro model for percutaneous infection stimulates feeding in the canine hookworm Ancylostoma caninum

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Ancylostoma caninum </it>third-stage larvae are the non-feeding infective stage of this parasite and are able to infect potential hosts via different infection routes. Since percutaneous infection is one of the most important routes and skin penetration is the first step into parasitic life, an existing <it>in vitro </it>model for percutaneous migration was modified and evaluated. The main parameter used to evaluate migration was the migration ratio (migrated larvae as a percentage of total number of larvae recovered). Additionally, the skin lag was calculated, expressing the percentage of larvae remaining in the skin and therefore not being recovered. Since initiation of feeding is proposed to be an important step in the transition from free-living to parasitic <it>A. caninum </it>larvae, feeding assays were performed with <it>in vitro </it>percutaneously migrated larvae. Additionally, infective larvae of <it>A. caninum </it>were activated via serum-stimulation and feeding behaviour was analysed and compared between percutaneously migrated and serum-stimulated larvae.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Maximum skin migration levels of infective larvae were observed at temperatures above 32°C when larvae were placed on the epidermal side of skin for more than 12 hours. The medium beneath the skin had no effect on migration ratio, and no significant difference between the migration ratios through fresh and frozen/thawed skin was observed.</p> <p>Maximum feeding levels of 93.2% were observed for percutaneously migrated larvae after 48 h incubation, whereas serum-stimulated larvae reached the maximum of 91.0% feeding larvae after 24 h.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The PERL chamber system was optimised and standardised as an <it>in vitro </it>model for percutaneous migration. The larvae recovered after percutaneous migration showed characteristic signs of activation similar to that of serum-stimulated larvae. The observed difference in time course of resumption of feeding indicates that percutaneously migrated larvae are not identical to serum-stimulated larvae, which are currently representing the model for early parasitic stages.</p

Complex basal conditions influence flow at the onset of the Northeast Greenland Ice Stream

The onset and high upstream ice surface velocities of the North East Greenland Ice Stream (NEGIS) are not yet well reproducible in ice sheet models. A major uncertainty remains the understanding of basal sliding and a parameterization of basal conditions. In this study, we assess the slow-flowing part of the NEGIS in a systematic analysis of the basal conditions and investigate the increased ice flow. We analyze the spectral basal roughness in correlation with basal return power from an airborne radar survey with AWIs ultra-wideband radar system in 2018 and compare our results with current ice flow geometry and ice surface flow. We observe a roughness anisotropy where the ice stream widens, indicating a change from a smooth and soft bed to a harder bedrock as well as the evolution of elongated subglacial landforms. In addition, at the upstream part of the NEGIS we find a clear zoning of the bedrock return power, indicating an increased water content at the base of the ice stream. At the downstream part, we observe an increased bedrock return power throughout the entire width of the ice stream and outside its margins, indicating enhanced melting and the distribution of basal water beyond the shear zones

Shot-noise measurements of single-atom junctions using a scanning tunneling microscope

Current fluctuations related to the discreteness of charge passing through small constrictions are termed shot noise. This unavoidable noise provides both advantages—being a direct measurement of the transmitted particles’ charge—and disadvantages—a main noise source in nanoscale devices operating at low temperature. While better understanding of shot noise is desired, the technical difficulties in measuring it result in relatively few experimental works, especially in single-atom structures. Here, we describe a local shot-noise measurement apparatus and demonstrate successful noise measurements through single-atom junctions. Our apparatus, based on a scanning tunneling microscope, operates at liquid helium temperatures. It includes a broadband commercial amplifier mounted in close proximity to the tunnel junction, thus reducing both the thermal noise and input capacitance that limit traditional noise measurements. The full capabilities of the microscope are maintained in the modified system, and a quick transition between different measurement modes is possible