Quantum size effect on charges and phonons ultrafast dynamics in atomically controlled nanolayers of topological insulators Bi2Te3.

Heralded as one of the key elements for next generation spintronics devices, topological insulators (TIs) are now step by step envisioned as nanodevices like charge-to-spin current conversion or as Dirac fermions based nanometer Schottky diode for example. However, reduced to few nanometers, TIs layers exhibit a profound modification of the electronic structure and the consequence of this quantum size effect on the fundamental carriers and phonons ultrafast dynamics has been poorly investigated so far. Here, thanks to a complete study of a set of high quality molecular beam epitaxy grown nanolayers, we report the existence of a critical thickness of around ~6 nm, below which a spectacular reduction of the carrier relaxation time by a factor of ten is found in comparison to bulk Bi2 Te3 In addition, we also evidence an A1g optical phonon mode softening together with the appearance of a thickness dependence of the photoinduced coherent acoustic phonons signals. This drastic evolution of the carriers and phonons dynamics might be due an important electron-phonon coupling evolution due to the quantum confinement. These properties have to be taken into account for future TIs-based spintronic devices.

Monitoring dehydration of the organic-inorganic [(C3H7)4N][SnCl5(H2O)]·2H2O compound using simultaneous thermal and Raman studies.

In this work we report the experimental studies of the structural phase transition in the [(C3H7)4N]SnCl5(H2O)]·2H2O compound by differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) and Raman spectroscopic. The X-ray powder diffraction study of the [(C3H7)4N][SnCl5(H2O)]·2H2O sample at room temperature showed that this compound is monoclinic and has P121/c1 space group. Differential scanning calorimetric disclosed two types of phase transitions in the temperature range 356-376 (T1) K and at 393K (T2) characterized, by a loss of water molecules and probably a reconstruction of new anionic parts after T2 transition. The Raman scattering spectra recorded at various temperatures in the wavenumber range from 100 to 3800cm(-1) covering the domains of existence of changes in the vicinity of the two phase transitions detected by DSC measurement. A detailed study of the spectral parameters (wave number, reduced intensity and the full width at half maximum) as a function of temperature of a chosen band, associated with (νs(SnO)+νs(SnCl)), based on an order-disorder model allowed us to obtain information relative to the activation energy and correlation length.

Combined theoretical and time-resolved photoluminescence investigations of [Mo6Brⁱ8Br(a)6]²â» metal cluster units: evidence of dual emission.

The combined time-resolved photoluminescence (PL) and theoretical study performed on luminescent [Mo6Br(i)8Br(a)6](2-)-based systems unambiguously shows that their NIR-luminescence is due to at least two emissive states. By quantum chemical studies, we show for the first time that important geometrical relaxations occur at the triplet states either by the outstretching of an apex away from the square plane of the Mo6 octahedron or by the elongation of one Mo-Mo bond. Experimental PL measurements demonstrate that the external environment (counter-ions, crystal packing) of the cluster has a noticeable impact on its relaxation processes. Temperature and excitation wavelength dependence of the two components of the luminescence spectra is representative of multiple competitive de-excitation processes in contradiction with Kasha's rule. Our results also demonstrate that the relaxation processes before and after emission can be tracked via fast time-resolved spectroscopy. They also show that the surroundings of the luminescent cluster unit and the excitation wavelength could be modulated for target applications.

Using Raman spectroscopy to understand the origin of the phase transitions observed in [(C3H7)4N]2Zn2Cl6 compound.

Phase transitions of the centrosymmetric compound, [(C3H7)4N]2Zn2Cl6, were studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy and dielectric measurements. Two reversible order-disorder and displacive phase transitions are observed at T1=327K and T2=347K with 3K and 4K hysteresis respectively, indicating a first order character. The evolution of Raman line shifts, "ν", and the half-width, "Δν", versus temperature show some singularities associated with the transitions, suggesting that they are governed by the reorientational and the displacement of the organic part. Besides the results of the dielectric permittivity study confirms the conclusion drawn from the calorimetric and Raman measurements that the phase transition located in the vicinity of the temperature of the dielectric proprieties is characterized by change of dynamical state of cation.

Structural characterization of rondorfite, calcium silica chlorine mineral containing magnesium in tetrahedral position [MgO4]6-, with the aid of the vibrational spectroscopies and fluorescence.

Raman and infrared spectra of rondorfite Ca8Mg(SiO4)4Cl2, a calcium chlorosilica mineral containing magnesium in tetrahedral position, has been studied in terms of spectra-structure relations. Raman spectra have been measured at different excited laser lines: 780 nm, 532 nm, 488 nm and 457 nm. This mineral is characterized by a single sharp intense Raman band at 863 cm(-1) assigned to the ν1 [SiO4]4- (Ag) symmetric stretching mode in the magnesiosilicate pentamer. Due to symmetry restriction the other Raman bands have a small intensity. Two Raman bands observed at 564 cm(-1) and 526 cm(-1) are associated simultaneously with ν4 [MgO4]6- and ν4 [SiO4]4- symmetric and antisymmetric modes where magnesium occurs in the tetrahedral configuration. The weak bands at 422 cm(-1) and 386 cm(-1) are associated with the ν2 bending mode of CaO6 in octahedral configuration, respectively. Moreover the infrared spectrum shows very weak bands associated with the hydroxyl group and/or water molecule. Additionally, the strong fluorescence phenomenon was observed and related to the presence of chlorine atoms, magnesium Mg2+ ions in atypical configuration or point defects.

Graphene-like structure of activated anthracites.

The structure of a series of activated carbons prepared from anthracite by chemical activation has been studied using wide-angle x-ray scattering, molecular dynamics and Raman spectroscopy. The BET surface areas of the investigated samples are in the range 1500-3430 m(2) g(-1) and the average pore sizes vary from 0.75 to 1.35 nm. The diffraction measurements were carried out to a maximum value of the scattering vector K(max) = 22 Å(-1). The obtained diffraction data have been converted to a real space representation in the form of the pair correlation function. The structure of the studied samples consists of one or two graphite-like layers, stacked without spatial correlations. The size of the ordered layer region is approximately 24 Å. The atomic arrangement within an individual layer has been described in terms of paracrystalline ordering, in which lattice distortions are propagated proportionally to the square root of inter-atomic distances. The paracrystalline structure has been simulated by introducing the Stone-Thrower-Wales, mono-vacancy and di-vacancy defects, randomly distributed in the network. These defects lead to the formation of a defected network with the presence of non-hexagonal rings in which distortion of the structure extends outside of a defect region. Computer generated structural models have been relaxed at room temperature using the reactive empirical bond order potential for intra-layer interactions and the Lennard-Jones potential for inter-layer interactions. For such generated models the structure factors and the pair correlation functions were computed. A good agreement between the simulation results and the experimental data in both reciprocal and real space provides evidence for the correctness of the proposed models. The Raman data support the validity of these models. Porosity of the activated anthracites is discussed in relation to their defective structure.

Polarized Raman study of [N(C3H7)4]2Cd2Cl6 single crystal.

Chemical preparation, mid-infrared and Raman spectra of [N(C(3)H(7))(4)](2)Cd(2)Cl(6) are presented. Polarized Raman spectra of oriented single crystals have been recorded in the range 7-3900 cm(-1) under various polarization configurations with regard to the symmetry and the numbers of several band modes observed in the Raman and infrared spectra. The obtained results are consistent with the theoretical predictions based on the infrared and Raman selection rules.

Azobenzene-containing monolayer with photoswitchable wettability.

A compact monolayer containing azobenzene has been prepared on silicon substrates. The elaboration route consisted of covalent grafting of freshly synthesized azobenzene moieties onto an isocyanate-functionalized self-assembled monolayer (SAM). The highly packed and ordered isocyanate-functionalized SAM and the azobenzene-functionalized SAM were monitored and characterized by contact angle measurements and X-ray reflectivity (XR). Photoswitching of the wettability of the film induced by the reversible cis-trans isomerization of the azobenzene chromophores is experimentally shown from water and olive oil contact angle measurements.

Infrared and polarized Raman spectra of a noncentrosymmetric compound "sodium samarium fluorosilicate" NaSmSiO4.0.25NaF.

Chemical preparation, infrared and Raman spectra of sodium samarium fluorosilicate, NaSmSiO(4).0.25NaF are presented. The spectra are analyzed with regard to the symmetry, and the numbers of the SiO(4)(4-) internal vibrational modes observed in the Raman and infrared spectra are consistent with the predictions.

Substrate-induced modulation of the Raman scattering signals from self-assembled organic nanometric films.

Raman scattering signals recorded by microscopy from organic self-assembled monolayers (thin nanometric films of calibrated thickness) on silica substrates were found to be much stronger than those obtained from identical films assembled on bulk silicon substrates. This effect, observed in the backscattering geometry, is shown to result from interferences between the direct and reflected beams (including both the excitation and scattered radiation) in front of a smooth reflecting surface. Strong dependence of the effect on the distance between the sampled monolayer and the bulk silicon substrate allows enhancement of the Raman signals of organic monolayer films on silicon by factors up to approximately 70 by using appropriate silica spacers. The dependence of the Raman signal intensity on film thickness was also studied for thicker nanometric films comprising a series of self-assembled organosilane multilayers on bulk silicon and fused silica substrates, and the predicted deviation from linearity in the case of the silicon substrate is experimentally confirmed.

Vibrational study of Li6P6O18.3H2O and ab initio calculations in P6O18 and P6O18.3H2O.

The infrared and polarized Raman spectra of the trigonal Li(6)P(6)O(18).3H(2)O crystal are reported. The results are analysed using several group theory approaches, in terms of internal and external modes of the highly symmetric P(6)O(18) cyclophosphoric ring and water molecules. Equilibrium geometries and vibrational spectra of P(6)O(18) units, free and in interaction with water molecules (P(6)O(18).3H(2)O) have been determined by ab initio calculations using the basis set 6-31+G(d) of Hartree Fock method. Experimental frequencies and polarisation conditions are remarkably consistent with ab initio calculations. A detailed description of the normal modes of vibration of these systems is presented.

Neodymium concentration measurements in Nd:YLF laser rods: a nondestructive method.

A nondestructive method for measurements of Nd(3+) concentration in Nd:YLF laser rodes is presented. The method, based on the comparison of the intensities of Nd(3+) luminescence lines to the intensities of the host matrix (LiYF(4)) Raman lines, requires the use of a micro-Raman spectrometer. The experimental conditions have been optimized and are described in detail. The investigations were performed in the concentration range 0at.%-2at.% of Nd and the calibration curve is presented. In standard use, the relative error on the results never exceeds 10%. Using this method to study the concentration gradient in a crystal is shown and the distribution coefficient of Nd(3+) in LiYF(4) is deduced.