Coverage-dependent adsorption sites for K/Cu(001) and Cs/Cu(001) determined by surface X-ray diffraction

Surface X-ray diffraction has been used to analyze in situ the room-temperature adsorption behaviour and the structure of K and Cs on Cu(100) at submonolayer coverages. Adsorption of K takes place in fourfold hollow sites up to coverages of about 0.25 monolayers (ML), where 1 ML corresponds to 1.53 × 1015 atoms/cm2. At higher coverages the formation of a quasi-hexagonal incommensurate adlayer is observed. In contrast, for Cs adsorption we observe from the very beginning the formation of the quasi-hexagonal structure up to the completion of the adlayer at about 0.30 ML. For K adsorption in the hollow sites we determine an adsorption height, d = 2.25(15) Å, corresponding to an effective K radius of reff = 1.6(1) Å close to the ionic radius of 1.33 Å. We do not observe a change in the effective radius as a function of coverage. For the quasi-hexagonal Cs structure we find an (average) adsorption height d = 2.94 Å corresponding to an effective radius of reff = 2.18 and 1.93 Å, for the limiting ca hollow- and bridge-site adsorption, respectively. The analysis of the superlattice reflections corresponding to the quasi-hexagonal incommensurate structures indicated that the K adlayer is strongly modulated. The first Fourier component of the substrate-induced modulation was determined to u01 = 1.29(3) Å. In contrast, for Cs/Cu(001) static modulation is much less important (u01 0.2 Å). Variation of the Cs adlayer density by changing the substrate temperature allows continuous expansion and contraction of the adsorbate unit cell. No commensurate-incommensurate transition has been observed

Spin-dependent Quantum Interference in Single-Wall Carbon Nanotubes with Ferromagnetic Contacts

We report the experimental observation of spin-induced magnetoresistance in single-wall carbon nanotubes contacted with high-transparency ferromagnetic electrodes. In the linear regime the spin-induced magnetoresistance oscillates with gate voltage in quantitative agreement with calculations based on a Landauer-Buttiker model for independent electrons. Consistent with this interpretation, we find evidence for bias-induced oscillation in the spin-induced magnetoresistance signal on the scale of the level spacing in the nanotube. At higher bias, the spin-induced magnetoresistance disappears because of a sharp decrease in the effective spin-polarization injected from the ferromagnetic electrodes.Comment: Replaced with published versio

The structure of K- and Cs-monolayers on Cu(0 0 1): diffraction experiments far from the Bragg point

The intensity analysis along the crystal truncation rods has been used to analyse in situ the adsorption behaviour and the structure of K and Cs on Cu(0 0 1) at submonolayer coverages and room temperature. Up to about 0.25 ML K atoms adsorb in hollow sites followed by formation of a quasihexagonal superstructure. In contrast, for Cs adsorption the data can be interpreted by the formation of quasihexagonal Cs islands that grow with increasing coverage. For K an effective radius of 1.6(1) Å independent of coverage is determined. For Cs we fnd d = 2.1 (1) Å after formation of the quasihexagonal superstructure

X-ray structure analysis of the InSb ( )-(3 × 3) reconstruction

The (3 × 3) reconstruction of the InSb( ) surface has been analysed using grazing incidence X-ray diffraction. The reconstruction is characterized by hexamers above a complete InSb double-layer centred around an Sb atom. No vacancies are found in the structure as predicted theoretically. The results agree with scanning tunnelling microscopy measurements

Fracture et déclenchement des avalanches de plaque : conditions critiques pour la propagation de la fracture

International audienceThe failure of a weak snow layer buried below cohesive slab layers is a necessary, but insufficient, condition for the release of a dry-snow slab avalanche. The size of the crack in the weak layer must also exceed a critical length to propagate across a slope. In contrast to pioneering shear-based approaches, recent developments account for weak layer collapse and allow for better explaining typical observations of remote triggering from low-angle terrain. However, these new models predict a critical length for crack propagation that is almost independent of slope angle, a rather surprising and counterintuitive result. Based on discrete element simulations we propose a new analytical expression for the critical crack length. This new model reconciles past approaches by considering for the first time the complex interplay between slab elasticity and the mechanical behavior of the weak layer including its structural collapse. The crack begins to propagate when the stress induced by slab loading and deformation at the crack tip exceeds the limit given by the failure envelope of the weak layer. The model can reproduce crack propagation on low-angle terrain and the decrease in critical length with increasing slope angle as modeled in numerical experiments. The good agreement of our new model with extensive field data and the ease of implementation in the snow cover model SNOWPACK opens a promising prospect for improving avalanche forecasting

Flexibility within the middle ears of vertebrates

Introduction and aims: Tympanic middle ears have evolved multiple times independently among vertebrates, and share common features. We review flexibility within tympanic middle ears and consider its physiological and clinical implications. Comparative anatomy: The chain of conducting elements is flexible: even the ‘single ossicle’ ears of most non-mammalian tetrapods are functionally ‘double ossicle’ ears due to mobile articulations between the stapes and extrastapes; there may also be bending within individual elements. Simple models: Simple models suggest that flexibility will generally reduce the transmission of sound energy through the middle ear, although in certain theoretical situations flexibility within or between conducting elements might improve transmission. The most obvious role of middle-ear flexibility is to protect the inner ear from high-amplitude displacements. Clinical implications: Inter-ossicular joint dysfunction is associated with a number of pathologies in humans. We examine attempts to improve prosthesis design by incorporating flexible components

A new type of reconstruction on the InSb() surface determined by grazing incidence X-ray diffraction

The (3×3) reconstruction of the InSb( ) surface has been investigated by grazing incidence X-ray diffraction and scanning tunneling microscopy. The structure is characterized by 6-atom rings on top of a slightly buckled InSb top double layer. Two types of rings have been found, an elliptic ring consisting of 4 In and 2 Sb atoms and a trigonal ring with 3 In and 3 Sb atoms. The bond angles and lengths are consistent with the concept of rehybridization and depolarization which explains the reconstructions of the (111) and (110) surfaces