On the relative intensity of Poisson’s spot

The Fresnel diffraction phenomenon referred to as Poisson’s spot or spot of Arago has, beside its historical significance, become relevant in a number of fields. Among them are for example fundamental tests of the super-position principle in the transition from quantum to classical physics and the search for extra-solar planets using star shades. Poisson’s spot refers to the positive on-axis wave interference in the shadow of any spherical or circular obstacle. While the spot’s intensity is equal to the undisturbed field in the plane wave picture, its intensity in general depends on a number of factors, namely the size and wavelength of the source, the size and surface corrugation of the diffraction obstacle, and the distances between source, obstacle and detector. The intensity can be calculated by solving the Fresnel–Kirchhoff diffraction integral numerically, which however tends to be computationally expensive. We have therefore devised an analytical model for the on-axis intensity of Poisson’s spot relative to the intensity of the undisturbed wave field and successfully validated it both using a simple light diffraction setup and numerical methods. The model will be useful for optimizing future Poisson-spot matter-wave diffraction experiments and determining under what experimental conditions the spot can be observed

Photosystem II: Thermodynamics and Kinetics of Electron Transport from QA- to QB(QB- ) and Deleterious Effects of Copper(II)

Studies on thermodynamics and kinetics of electron transfer from QA- to QB(QB-) were performed by monitoring laser flash induced changes of the relative fluorescence emission as a function of temperature (220 K < T < 310 K) in isolated thylakoids and PS II membrane fragments. In addition, effects of bivalent metal ions on PS II were investigated by measuring conventional fluorescence induction curves, oxygen evolution, manganese content and atrazine binding mostly in PS II membrane fragments. It was found: a) the normalized level of the fluorescence remaining 10 s after the actinic flash (Ft/F0) steeply increases at temperatures below -10 to - 20 °C, b) the fast phase of the transient fluorescence change becomes markedly retarded with decreasing temperatures, c) among different cations (Cu2+, Zn2+, Cd2+, Ni2+, Co2+) only Cu2+ exhibits marked effects in the concentration range below 100 μᴍ and d) Cu2+ decreases the normalized variable fluorescence, inhibits oxygen evolution and diminishes the affinity to atrazine binding without affecting the number of binding sites. The content of about four manganeses per functionally competent oxygen evolving complex is not changed by [Cu2+] < 70 μᴍ. Based on these findings it is concluded: i) a temperature dependent equilibrium between an inactive (I) and active (A) state of QA- reoxidation by QB(QB- ) is characterized by standard enthalpies ΔH° of 95 kJ mol-1 and 60 kJ mol-1 and standard entropies ΔS° of 370 kJ K-1 mol-1 and 240 kJ K-1 mol-1 in isolated thylakoids and PS II membrane fragments, respectively, ii) the activation energies of QA- reoxidation by plastoquinone bound to the QB site are about 30 kJ mol-1 (thylakoids) and 40 kJ mol-1 (PS II membrane fragments) in 220 K < T < 300 K, and iii) Cu2+ causes at least a two-fold effect on PS II by modifying the atrazine binding affinity at lower concentrations ( ~ 5 μᴍ) and interference with the redox active tyrosine Yz at slightly higher concentration ( ~ 10 μᴍ) leading to blockage of oxygen evolution

Coincidence isometries of a shifted square lattice

We consider the coincidence problem for the square lattice that is translated by an arbitrary vector. General results are obtained about the set of coincidence isometries and the coincidence site lattices of a shifted square lattice by identifying the square lattice with the ring of Gaussian integers. To illustrate them, we calculate the set of coincidence isometries, as well as generating functions for the number of coincidence site lattices and coincidence isometries, for specific examples.Comment: 10 pages, 1 figure; paper presented at Aperiodic 2009 (Liverpool

Low temperature shape relaxation of 2-d islands by edge diffusion

We present a precise microscopic description of the limiting step for low temperature shape relaxation of two dimensional islands in which activated diffusion of particles along the boundary is the only mechanism of transport allowed. In particular, we are able to explain why the system is driven irreversibly towards equilibrium. Based on this description, we present a scheme for calculating the duration of the limiting step at each stage of the relaxation process. Finally, we calculate numerically the total relaxation time as predicted by our results and compare it with simulations of the relaxation process.Comment: 11 pages, 5 figures, to appear in Phys. Rev.

Nanoglass–Nanocrystal Composite - a Novel Material Class for Enhanced Strength–Plasticity Synergy

The properties of a material can be engineered by manipulating its atomic and chemical architecture. Nanoglasses which have been recently invented and comprise nanosized glassy particles separated by amorphous interfaces, have shown promising properties. A potential way to exploit the structural benefits of nanoglasses and of nanocrystalline materials is to optimize the composition to obtain crystals forming within the glassy particles. Here, a metastable Fe‐10 at% Sc nanoglass is synthesized. A complex hierarchical microstructure is evidenced experimentally at the atomic scale. This bulk material comprises grains of a Fe$_{90}$Sc$_{10}$ amorphous matrix separated by an amorphous interfacial network enriched and likely stabilized by hydrogen, and property‐enhancing pure‐Fe nanocrystals self‐assembled within the matrix. This composite structure leads a yield strength above 2.5 GPa with an exceptional quasi‐homogeneous plastic flow of more than 60% in compression. This work opens new pathways to design materials with even superior properties

A Versatile Route for the Synthesis of Nickel Oxide Nanostructures Without Organics at Low Temperature

Nickel oxide nanoparticles and nanoflowers have been synthesized by a soft reaction of nickel powder and water without organics at 100 °C. The mechanism for the formation of nanostructures is briefly described in accordance with decomposition of metal with water giving out hydrogen. The structure, morphology, and the crystalline phase of resulting nanostructures have been characterized by various techniques. Compared with other methods, the present method is simple, fast, economical, template-free, and without organics. In addition, the approach is nontoxic without producing hazardous waste and could be expanded to provide a general and convenient strategy for the synthesis of nanostructures to other functional nanomaterials

Magnetic Behavior of Surface Nanostructured 50-nm Nickel Thin Films

Thermally evaporated 50-nm nickel thin films coated on borosilicate glass substrates were nanostructured by excimer laser (0.5 J/cm2, single shot), DC electric field (up to 2 kV/cm) and trench-template assisted technique. Nanoparticle arrays (anisotropic growth features) have been observed to form in the direction of electric field for DC electric field treatment case and ruptured thin film (isotropic growth features) growth for excimer laser treatment case. For trench-template assisted technique; nanowires (70–150 nm diameters) have grown along the length of trench template. Coercive field and saturation magnetization are observed to be strongly dependent on nanostructuring techniques

Tunable Nanostructures and Crystal Structures in Titanium Oxide Films

Controllable nanostructures in spin coated titanium oxide (TiO2) films have been achieved by a very simple means, through change of post deposition annealing temperature. Electron beam imaging and reciprocal space analysis revealed as-deposited TiO2films to be characterized by a dominant anatase phase which converts to the rutile form at 600 °C and reverts to the anatase modification at 1,200 °C. The phase changes are also accompanied by changes in the film microstructure: from regular nanoparticles (as-deposited) to nanowires (600 °C) and finally to dendrite like shapes at 1,200 °C. Photoluminescence studies, Raman spectral results, and X-ray diffraction data also furnish evidence in support of the observed solid state phase transformations in TiO2