Distance dependence of fluorescence resonance energy transfer

Deviations from the usual R (-6) dependence of the rate of fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) on the distance between the donor and the acceptor have been a common scenario in the recent times. In this paper, we present a critical analysis of the distance dependence of FRET, and try to illustrate the non R (-6) type behaviour of the rate for the case of transfer from a localized electronic excitation on the donor, a dye molecule to three different energy acceptors with delocalized electronic excitations namely, graphene,two-dimensional semiconducting sheet and the case of such a semiconducting sheet rolled to obtain a nanotube. We use simple analytic models to understand the distance dependence in each case.

13C nuclear magnetic resonance studies of the binding of alkali and alkaline earth metal salts to amides

3C resonances of carbonyl and methyl groups in amides are shifted down-field on interaction with alkali and alkaline earth metal salts. The magnitude of the shift depends on the ionic potential of the cation. Ions like Li+ bind to the amide carbonyl group both in neat amide solutions as well as in concentrated salt solutions in water.

Electron paramagnetic resonance studies on multiferroic DyMnO3 and Dy0.5Sr0.5MnO3

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) studies and magnetic measurements were carried out on single crystals of multiferroic DyMnO3 in hexagonal as well as orthorhombic structures. The interesting effect of strontium dilution on the frustrated antiferromagnetism of DyMnO3 is also probed using EPR. The line shapes are fitted to broad Lorentzian in the case of pure DyMnO3 and to modified Dysonian in the case of Dy0.5Sr0.5MnO3. The linewidth, integrated intensity, and geff derived from the signals are analyzed as a function of temperature. The results of magnetization measurements corroborate with EPR results. Our study clearly reveals the signature of frustrated magnetism in pure DyMnO3 systems. It is found that antiferromagnetic correlations in these systems persist even above the transition. Moreover, a spin-glass-like behavior in Dy0.5Sr0.5MnO3 is indicated by a steplike feature in the EPR signals at low fields.

Experimental implementation of a three qubit quantum game with corrupt source using nuclear magnetic resonance quantum information processor

In a three player quantum `Dilemma' game each player takes independent decisions to maximize his/her individual gain. The optimal strategy in the quantum version of this game has a higher payoff compared to its classical counterpart. However, this advantage is lost if the initial qubits provided to the players are from a noisy source. We have experimentally implemented the three player quantum version of the `Dilemma' game as described by Johnson, [N.F. Johnson, Phys. Rev. A 63 (2001) 020302(R)] using nuclear magnetic resonance quantum information processor and have experimentally verified that the payoff of the quantum game for various levels of corruption matches the theoretical payoff. (c) 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Parametric finite element analyses of geocellsupported embankments

This paper presents the results from parametric finite element analyses of geocell-supported embankments constructed on weak foundation soils. A composite model is used to numerically simulate the improvement in the strength and stiffness of the soil as a result of geocell confinement. The shear strength of the geocell-encased soil is obtained as a function of the additional confining pressure due to the geocell encasement considering it as a thin cylinder subjected to internal pressure. The stiffness of the geocell-encased soil is obtained from the stiffness of the unreinforced soil and the tensile modulus of the geocell material using an empirical equation. The validity of the model is verified by simulating the laboratory experiments on model geocell-supported embankments. Parametric finite element analyses of the geocell-supported embankments are carried out by varying the dimensions of the geocell layer, the tensile strength of the material used for fabricating the geocell layer, the properties of the infill soil, and the depth of the foundation layer. Some important guidelines for selecting the geocell reinforcement to support embankments on weak foundation soils are established through these numerical studies.

Parametric analysis of acoustic emission signals for evaluating damage in composites using a PVDF film sensor

With the increased utilization of advanced composites in strategic industries, the concept of Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) with its inherent advantages is gaining ground over the conventional methods of NDE and NDI. The most attractive feature of this concept is on-line evaluation using embedded sensors. Consequently, development of methodologies with identification of appropriate sensors such as PVDF films becomes the key for exploiting the new concept. And, of the methods used for on-line evaluation acoustic emission has been most effective. Thus, Acoustic Emission (AE) generated during static tensile loading of glass fiber reinforced plastic composites was monitored using a Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) film sensor. The frequency response of the film sensor was obtained with pencil lead breakage tests to choose the appropriate band of operation. The specimen considered for the experiments were chosen to characterize the differences in the operation of the failure mechanisms through AE parametric analysis. The results of the investigations can be characterized using AE parameter indicating that a PVDF film sensor was effective as an AE sensor used in structural health monitoring on-line.

Manifestation of conical intersections in resonance Raman intensities

This paper deals with the manifestations of conical intersections (CIs), unequivocal spectroscopic signatures of which are still elusive, in the resonance Raman intensities. In particular, the results of our calculations on the `two state-two vibrational mode' and the `two state-three vibrational mode' models are presented. The models comprise two excited states of different spatial symmetry, one bright and one dark, which are coupled by a nontotally symmetric mode while the energy gap between them is tuned by one/two totally symmetric modes. Time dependent theory for vibronically coupled states is employed for the calculation and analysis of Raman excitation profiles (REPs). The manifestation of intersections in REPs is studied by extensive modelm calculations and the results of two specific models are presented. Themfeasibility of using REPs to probe the role of CIs in polyatomic systems is ascertained by multimode calculations on two polyatomic systems viz., pyrazine and trans-azobenzene. The study also notes the importance of the pump excitation wavelength dependence in a femtosecond time-resolved experiment probing the intersection-induced nonadiabatic dynamics. Copyright (C) 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

2(n)-SEMA-a robust solid state nuclear magnetic resonance experiment for measuring heteronuclear dipolar couplings in static oriented systems using effective transverse spin-lock

Separated local field (SLF) spectroscopy is a powerful technique to measure heteronuclear dipolar couplings. The method provides site-specific dipolar couplings for oriented samples such as membrane proteins oriented in lipid bilayers and liquid crystals. A majority of the SLF techniques utilize the well-known Polarization Inversion Spin Exchange at Magic Angle (PISEMA) pulse scheme which employs spin exchange at the magic angle under Hartmann-Hahn match. Though PISEMA provides a relatively large scaling factor for the heteronuclear dipolar coupling and a better resolution along the dipolar dimension, it has a few shortcomings. One of the major problems with PISEMA is that the sequence is very much sensitive to proton carrier offset and the measured dipolar coupling changes dramatically with the change in the carrier frequency. The study presented here focuses on modified PISEMA sequences which are relatively insensitive to proton offsets over a large range. In the proposed sequences, the proton magnetization is cycled through two quadrants while the effective field is cycled through either two or four quadrants. The modified sequences have been named as 2(n)-SEMA where n represents the number of quadrants the effective field is cycled through. Experiments carried out on a liquid crystal and a single crystal of a model peptide demonstrate the usefulness of the modified sequences. A systematic study under various offsets and Hartmann-Hahn mismatch conditions has been carried out and the performance is compared with PISEMA under similar conditions.

Electron paramagnetic-resonance and electron-nuclear double-resonance observations of domains in the irradiated ferroelectrics KH2AsO4 and KD2AsO4

A direct observation of ferroelectric domains in x-irradiated KH2AsO4 and KD2AsO4 using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and in the case of KH2AsO4 also using electron-nuclear double-resonance (ENDOR), is reported. The nature of the observed domain splittings and consequently the effects of an externally applied electric field on the EPR and ENDOR spectra are explained. Moreover, the higher resolution possible with the ENDOR technique, has, for the first time, made it possible to use protons as microscopic probes and to identify in general lines from individual domains in all directions.

The proton magnetic resonance study of the structure of Na2Zn(SO4)2·4H2O

The proton magnetic resonance spectra of single crystals of Na2Zn(SO4)2·4H2O have been investigated and the orientations of the water molecules have been determined. Using the heavy atom structure determined by X-rays a system of hydrogen bonds between water and sulphate oxygens has been proposed.

Proton magnetic resonance study of the structure of two tutton's salts

Proton magnetic resonance spectra of single crystals of two Tutton's salts, K2Zn (SO4)2.6H22O and K2Mg (SO4)2.6H2O, have been studied and the orientations of the water molecules in the structure have been determined. Using the heavy-atom structure of (NH4) 2Mgt(SO4)2.6H2O as determined by x-ray diffraction, a system of hydrogen bonds between the water and sulfate oxygens in Tutton's salts has been proposed. It appears that the x-ray structure needs considerable refinement.