We cool and study trans-Stilbene, Nile Red and Benzonitrile in a cryogenic (7K) cell filled with low density helium buffer gas. No molecule-helium cluster formation is observed, indicating limited atom-molecule sticking in this system. We place an upper limit of 5% on the population of clustered He-trans-Stilbene, consistent with a measured He-molecule collisional residence time of less than \(1 \mu s\). With several low energy torsional modes, trans-Stilbene is less rigid than any molecule previously buffer gas cooled into the Kelvin regime. We report cooling and gas phase visible spectroscopy of Nile Red, a much larger molecule. Our data suggest that buffer gas cooling will be feasible for a variety of small biological molecules. The same cell is also ideal for studying collisional relaxation cross sections. Measurements of Benzonitrile vibrational state decay results in determination of the vibrational relaxation cross sections of \(\sigma_{22} = 8x10^{-15} cm^2\) and \(\sigma_{21} = 6x10^{-15} cm^2\) for the 22 (v=1) and 21 (v=1) states. For the first time, we directly observe formation of cold molecular dimers in a cryogenic buffer gas cell and determine the dimer formation cross section to be \(\sim10^{-13} cm^2\). / Physics

London or dispersion interactions are weak van der Waals (vdW) interactions. They are important in determining the structure and properties of many chemical and biochemical systems. In this thesis, an optimizer using the nonempirical generalized gradient approximation (GGA) functional PW86+PBE+XDM, to capture van der Waals interactions, is presented. The work in this thesis covers the assessment of a variety of basis sets for their ability to reproduce accurate GGA repulsive and binding energies. Selected basis sets were then used to compute binding energies of 65 vdW complexes at equilibrium. This functional was also tested for binding energies of two sets of vdW complexes at distorted geometries. The last part deals with forces to investigate their accuracy using PW86+PBE+XDM in order to build an optimizer for vdW complexes using a nonempirical DFT method. Eventually, after confirming a high reproducibility of the optimizer on the geometries and binding energies, it was used in two biologically relevant applications. This optimizer is a unique tool to compute deformation energies with a nonempirical DFT method. The second part of this thesis covers a biologically relevant application where a conventional DFT is used. This application is related to the carrier of the genetic codes in living cells, DNA. DNA undergoes harmful mutations under external perturbations such as applied external electric fields. In this study, DNA base pairs were first mimicked by a simpler model, namely, the formic acid dimer. The effect of applied external electric fields on the geometries of the formic acid dimer is studied. The effect of these applied fields on the potential energy surface, the barrier height and the frequency of the double proton transfer in the formic acid dimer are also investigated. The study was then repeated on DNA base pairs to study the effect of an external applied electric field on the tunneling corrected rate constants of the double proton transfer reactions in AT and GC.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Wollongong, 2005. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references: p. 198-203.

Techn. Univ., Diss., 2004--Darmstadt

La coalescence intervient dans de nombreuses situations physiques, naturelles ou industrielles, de la microphysique des nuages à la stabilité des émulsions ou l’assèchement des pétroles. Dans toutes ces situations, il est crucial de comprendre les mécanismes physiques en jeu, de manière pouvoir influencer la coalescence, la favoriser ou au contraire l’inhiber, selon les besoins. Dans cette thèse, nous étudions la coalescence dans l’air entre deux gouttes attachées et décomposons le processus global en quatre étapes : l’approche avec drainage du film d’air entre les gouttes, le perçage des interfaces, l’ouverture du pont résultant de ce perçage, les oscillations amorties conduisant à l’équilibre de la goutte résultante. Les théories décrivant les étapes 1, 2 et 4 font intervenir des modèles hydrodynamiques continus, se plaçant à une échelle macroscopique. Cependant, à l’articulation entre les deux premières étapes, intervient le perçage des interfaces, processus gouverné par des forces dont la portée correspond à une échelle de quelques dizaines de nanomètres. Une des difficultés les plus importantes dans l’étude de la coalescence est celle de l’intégration des processus ayant lieu à un niveau moléculaire, dans une théorie du continuum dont l’échelle caractéristique est bien supérieure. L’objectif est de faire le lien entre les différentes échelles : y a-t-il des interactions entre les processus se produisant à ces différentes échelles ? Pour répondre à cette question, nous développons trois axes de travail, engageant chacun une échelle caractéristique. L’un est l’étude, au niveau macroscopique du micromètre, de l’ouverture du pont liquide. Grâce à une caméra rapide, plusieurs régimes d’écoulement sont mis en évidence. Les modèles théoriques existants concernent essentiellement le régime visqueux, et aucun modèle complet ne décrit le régime purement inertiel. Nous explorons expérimentalement ce régime et décrivons la forme et la longueur du pont, à l’aide d’ondes capillaires. Nous mettons en évidence l’existence de deux lignes de très forte courbure, que nous appelons singularités, qui naissent sur le lieu de perçage des interfaces et se propagent presque sans déformation de part et d’autre. Ces singularités, conditionnées par la tension superficielle, moteur de la coalescence, façonnent la forme du pont liquide et donc l’écoulement dans ce dernier. Nous proposons un modèle simple d’écoulement inertiel, basé sur la forme du pont liée à ces singularités. Ce modèle permet de mieux comprendre les rôles des forces hydrodynamiques et de la courbure dans l’évolution temporelle de la largeur du pont. Un autre axe est une étude expérimentale par Microscope à Force Atomique, qui permet de décrire les forces responsables de la coalescence à l’échelle nanométrique, les déformations des gouttes intervenant à cette échelle et leur rôle dans la rupture des interfaces. Les mesures de forces entre goutte et flaque, puis entre deux gouttes sont effectuées avec un AFM principalement en mode dynamique de Modulation de Fréquence. Elles permettent de mettre en évidence une distance seuil de déclenchement de l’instabilité hydrodynamique responsable de la coalescence et de mesurer cette distance en fonction des propriétés physiques du liquide et du rayon des gouttes. Un diagramme de coalescence est proposé, qui permet de prévoir la valeur de la distance de déclenchement de la coalescence et le rôle des déformations d’interfaces à l’échelle nanométrique. Enfin, les oscillations du pont liquide, générées par la coalescence, sont étudiées, les modes et fréquences propres sont calculés numériquement par la méthode des éléments finis, puis comparés aux valeurs expérimentales mesurées à partir des films acquis par caméra rapide.

Dans cette thèse, des calculs ab initio et analytiques ont été effectués pour déterminer les surfaces d'énergie potentielle, de moment dipolaire et de polarisabilité des complexes de van der Waals faiblement liés CH4-N2 et C2H4-C2H4, pour une large gamme de distances intermoléculaires et de configurations, dans l’approximation des molécules en interaction rigides. Pour les calculs ab initio, la méthode CCSD(T), CCSD(T)-F12, ainsi que les méthodes moins couteuses MP2, MP2-F12, SAPT et DFT-SAPT ont été employées (pour toutes les méthodes,la base aug-cc-pVTZ a été utilisée). La correction BSSE a été prise en compte dans les calculs. Les calculs analytiques ont été réalisés dans le cadre de l'approximation classique aux grandes distances. Un modèle prenant en compte les effets d'échange dans la région des petits recouvrements des nuages électroniques des molécules en interaction a été suggéré pour décrire le moment dipolaire du complexe de van der Waals CH4-N2 sous une forme analytique, pour les grandes distances intermoléculaires incluant la région des puits de potentiel. Dans ce modèle, le moment dipolaire total est considéré comme résultant de la somme des contributions d'échange, d'induction et de dispersion. / In the present thesis both ab initio and analytical calculations were carried out for thepotential energy, dipole moment and polarizability surfaces of the weakly bound van der Waals complexes CH4-N2 and C2H4-C2H4 for a broad range of intermolecular separations and configurations in the approximation of the rigid interacting molecules. For ab initio calculations the CCSD(T), CCSD(T)-F12 and less computationally expensive methods such as MP2, MP2-F12, SAPT, DFT-SAPT were employed (for all methods the aug-cc-pVTZ basis set was used). The BSSE correction was taken into account during the calculations. The analytical calculations were performed in the framework of the classical long-range approximation. A model accounting the exchange effects in the range of small overlap of the electron shells of interacting molecules has been suggested to describe the dipole moment of the CH4-N2 van der Waals complexes in analytical form for large intermolecular separations including the range of potential wells. In this model the total dipole moment is considered to be the sum of exchange, induction and dispersion contributions.

No description available.

<p>Since the successful exfoliation of graphene, two-dimensional (2D) materials have attracted a lot of scientific interest due to their electronic, chemical, and mechanical properties. Due their reduced dimensionality, these 2D materials exhibit superior mechanical and optoelectronic properties when compared to their bulk counterparts. Within the family of 2D materials, the ultrathin transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) such as Tungsten diselenide and Molybdenum disulphide have gained significant attention due to their chemical versatility and tunability. Furthermore, it is possible to leverage the distinct characteristic properties of these 2D materials, which are held together by van der Waals forces, by stacking different 2D layers on top of each other resulting in van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures. Due to the absence of feasible methods to effectively deform the crystal structures of these 2D materials and vdW heterostructures, their mechanical properties have not been thoroughly understood. The atomistic simulations can effectively capture the material behavior at the nanoscale level and help us not only not only understand the mechanical properties of these materials but also aid in the development of tailored processes to tune the material properties for the design of novel metamaterials. Using atomistic simulations, we develop the process - property relationships which can guide the direction of experimentation efforts, thereby making the process of discovering and designing new metamaterials efficient. </p><p>In this work, we have used laser shock nanostraining technique which is a scalable approach to modulate the optomechanical properties of 2D materials and vdW materials for practical semiconductor industry applications. The deformation mechanisms of 2D materials such as graphene, boron nitride (BN) and TMDs such as WSe₂ and MoS₂ are examined by employing a laser shocking process. We report studies on crystal structure deformation of multilayered WSe₂ and monolayer graphene at ultra-high strain rate using laser shock . The laser shocking process generates high pressure at GPa level, causing asymmetric 3D straining in graphene and a novel kinked-like locking structure in multilayered WSe₂. The deformation processes and related mechanical behaviors in laser shocked 2D materials are examined using atomistic simulations. Moiré heterostructures can be obtained by introducing a twist angle between these 2D layers, which can result into vdW materials with different properties, thereby adding an additional degree of freedom in the process-property design approach. We were able to successfully create a tunable stain profile in 2D materials and vdW heterostructures to modulate the local properties such as friction, and bandgap by controlling the level of laser shock, twist angle between the 2D layers and by applying appropriate laser shock pressure . We thus extend this knowledge to further explore the pathways of strain modulation using a combination of laser shocking process, moiré engineering, and strain engineering in 2D materials consisting of graphene, BN, and MoS₂ and to develop the process - property relationships in vdW materials. </p><p>In summary, this research presents a systematic understanding of the effect of laser shocking process on the van der Waals materials and demonstrates the modulation of mechanical and opto-electronic property using laser nanostraining approach. This understanding provides us with opportunities for deterministic design of 2D materials with controllable properties for semiconductor and nanoelectronics applications.</p>

As the family of two−dimensional(2D) materials has grown, two−dimensional heterostructure devices have emerged as great alternatives to replace conventional electronic materials and enable new functionality such as flexible and bendable electronics. The fabrication and performance of these devices depend critically on the understanding and ability to manipulate the mechanical interplay between the stacked materials. In this dissertation, we investigate adhesive interactions and determine the shear modulus of heterostructure devices made from Molybdenum Disulfide (MoS2). MoS2 has been attracting attention recently due to its semiconductor nature (having a direct band gap of 1.9 eV) along with its exceptional mechanical strength and flexibility. As the first step of our research, we suspended MoS2 flakes grown through chemical vapor deposition (CVD) over substrates made of metal (gold, titanium, chromium), semiconductor (germanium, silicon), insulator (silicon oxide), and semi-metal (graphite). Then, by creating pressure differences across the membrane, we forced MoS2 to bulge upward until we observe separation from the surface of the substrates. We demonstrated that MoS2 on graphite has the highest work of separation within the tested surface materials. Furthermore, we measured considerable adhesion hysteresis between the work of separation and the work of adhesion. We proposed that surface roughness and chemical interactions play a role in surface adhesion and separation of 2D materials. These experiments are critical to guiding the future design of electrical and mechanical devices based on 2D materials. Next, we measured the effective shear modulus of MoS2/few−layer graphene (FLG) heterostructures by employing a blister test. Again, by introducing a pressure differential across the suspended MoS2 membrane over the FLG substrate, the MoS2/FLG heterostructure peeled off from the silicon oxide surface once the critical pressure is exceeded. Incorporating a modified free energy model and Hencky’s axisymmetric membrane solution, we determine the average effective shear modulus of the heterostructure. This is the first experimental measurement of the shear modulus of heterostructure devices using a blister test and this platform can be extended to determine the shear modulus of other 2D heterostructures as well. / 2024-05-24T00:00:00Z

In narrow electron bands in which the Coulomb interaction energy becomes comparable to the bandwidth, interactions can drive new quantum phases. In this dissertation, we achieve narrow bands by twisting two atomically thin layers of the semiconducting van der Waals material WSe₂. The resulting moiré potential from the twist angle modulates the electronic bands, yielding minibands of tens of meV on the valence band. We perform transport measurements at cryogenic temperatures and observe signatures of collective phases over twist angles that range from 4 to 5.1°. At half-band filling, a correlated insulator appeared that is tunable with both twist angle and displacement field. Near the boundary between ordered and disordered quantum phases, several experiments have demonstrated metallic behaviour that defies the Landau Fermi paradigm. We find that the metal-insulator transition as a function of both density and displacement field is continuous. At the metal–insulator boundary, the resistivity displays strange metal behaviour at low temperatures, with dissipation comparable to that at the Planckian limit. Further into the metallic phase, Fermi liquid behaviour is recovered at low temperature, and this evolves into a quantum critical fan at intermediate temperatures, before eventually reaching an anomalous saturated regime near room temperature. An analysis of the residual resistivity indicates the presence of strong quantum fluctuations in the insulating phase. We further show via magnetotransport measurements that new correlated electronic phases can exist independent of moiré commensurability, and are instead driven by weak interactions in twisted WSe₂. The first of these phases is an antiferromagnetic metal that is driven by proximity to the van Hove singularity (vHS), which trails a range of incommensurate dopings. The temperature, magnetic field and density dependence of the Hall effect carry signatures of the reconstructed Fermi surface due to itinerant magnetic ordering. The second is an excitonic metal-insulator phase that exists at high external magnetic field in the vicinity of half-filling of the moiré superlattice. For a 4.2° sample, magnetic field dependence of the longitudinal resistance shows metallic behavior at fields above 5 T, but transitions to an insulating state above ∼ 24 T. A detailed analysis of of the Landau fans and the high field 𝝆_𝜘𝛾 near the gap rules out the possibility of a trivial insulator. We propose an Ising excitonic insulator as the most likely scenario. Moreover, in the electron-imbalanced excitonic metal, a set of correlated Landau levels emerge. The observation of tunable collective phases in a simple band, which hosts only two holes per unit cell at full filling, establishes twisted bilayer transition metal dichalcogenides as an ideal platform to study correlated physics in two dimensions on a triangular lattice.