Gas-phase electron diffraction (GED) is the method of choice for determining the structures of molecules containing between two and 100 atoms, free from intermolecular interaction. However, for many molecules it becomes necessary to augment the experimental GED data with information from other sources. The SARACEN method, used routinely at Edinburgh when determining structures, allows computed parameters from ab initio and density functional theory (DFT) calculations to be used as extra data in the GED refinement process. This thesis describes the determinations of the gas-phase structures of molecules that contain heavy p-block elements, including examples from Groups 13, 14, 15 and 16. Each of the compounds studied was solid at room temperature, requiring heating to produce a suitable vapour pressure and vaporisation rate and testing the existing electron diffraction apparatus to its limits. Use was made of a new heated reservoir, recently developed in Edinburgh by a previous PhD student, which has allowed compounds to be studied that were previously inaccessible. The molecules that were studied during the course of this degree are: In(P3C2But2), In(P2C3But3), Sn(P2C2But2), Sb2(C6F6)3, Bi2(C6F6)3, Se(SCH3)2 and Te(SCH3)2. While determining the structures of these molecules, accurate theoretical geometries have been obtained using both ab initio and DFT methods. As a result a better understanding has been achieved of which methods are suitable for use in calculating the structures of molecules with heavy p-block elements. The use of pseudopotentials as opposed to all-electron basis sets proved necessary when performing calculations on such large molecules with heavy atoms. The extent to which these pseudopotentials, especially ones that consider very few electrons to be in the valence shell of an atom, can affect the calculated geometries has been shown to be considerable. In addition, methods being developed to compute vibrational corrections for gas-phase structure determination have been extended to the crystalline phase. Molecular dynamics simulations have been used to derive the effects of vibrations on average nuclear positions, relative to equilibrium positions. The differences, when applied to coordinates obtained experimentally by neutron diffraction yield experimental equilibrium structures.

by Chu Hon Yue. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1990. / Bibliography: leaves 91-93. / ACKNOWLEDGEMENT --- p.i / ABSTRACT --- p.ii / Chapter I. --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Chapter II. --- LOW ENERGY ELECTRON DIFFRACTION --- p.4 / Chapter 2.1. --- LEED EXPERIMENT --- p.4 / Chapter 2.2. --- LEED CRYSTALLOGRAPHY：I(E) CURVE --- p.7 / Chapter 2.3. --- AN OUTLINE OF THE PHYSICS OF LEED --- p.8 / Chapter 2.3.1. --- LEED Process In One-Dimensional Surface --- p.8 / Chapter 2.3.2. --- LEED Process In Three-Dimensional Surface --- p.11 / Chapter 2.3.3. --- Surface With An Overlayer --- p.12 / Chapter 2.3.4. --- The Muffin-Tin Model And The Inner Potential --- p.13 / Chapter 2.3.5. --- The Phase Shift --- p.17 / Chapter 2.3.6. --- Thermal Effects --- p.19 / Chapter III. --- DYNAMICAL LEED CALCULATION： THE RENORMALIZED FORWARD SCATTERING PERTURBATION METHOD --- p.22 / Chapter IV. --- THE ZANAZZI-JONA RELIABILITY FACTOR --- p.30 / Chapter V. --- CALCULATIONS AND RESULTS --- p.33 / Chapter 5.1. --- EXPERIMENTAL I(E) CURVES --- p.33 / Chapter 5.2. --- CALCULATED I(E) CURVES --- p.36 / Chapter 5.2.1. --- Top Site --- p.4o / Chapter 5.2.2. --- Bridge Site --- p.41 / Chapter 5.2.3. --- Hollow Site --- p.42 / Chapter VI. --- DISCUSSIONS AND CONCLUSIONS --- p.44 / APPENDIX I --- p.51 / TABLES --- p.52 / I(E) CURVES AND CONTOUR MAPS --- p.61 / APPENDIX II --- p.79 / MAIN PROGRAMME FOR Rh(100)-c(2x2) -S --- p.80 / INPUT PARAMETERS FOR TOP SITE --- p.85 / INPUT PARAMETERS FOR BRIDGE SITE --- p.87 / INPUT PARAMETERS FOR HOLLOW SITE --- p.89 / REFERENCES --- p.91

Ultrafast electron diffraction (UED) is a method of directly imaging system dynamics at the atomic scale with picosecond time resolution. In this thesis I present theoretical analyses of the experimental processes, and construct models in order to better understand UED experiments and to guide future refinements. In particular, I derive a model of electron bunch propagation and a model of electron bunch diffraction, where both models take into account all bunch parameters. To analyse the propagation of electron bunches, I present a mean-field analytic Gaussian (AG) model. I derive a system of ordinary differential equations that are solved quickly and easily to give the bunch dynamics. The AG model is compared to N -body numerical simulations of initially Gaussian bunches, and I demonstrate excellent agreement between the two result sets. I also present a comparison of the AG model with numerical simulations of quasi-Gaussian and non-Gaussian distributions, extending the applicability of the AG model to the propagation of ``real-world'' bunches. During propagation, electron bunches can be shaped by electron-optic devices, which are necessary to attain high brightness, sub-100 fs bunches. I investigate two types of electron-optic devices: one is a magnetic lens used for collimating or focusing bunches, the other is a bunch compressor. I derive bunch parameter transformations for each of the electron-optic devices, and present numerical calculations using these transformations along with the AG model showing the effects of the devices on the evolution of the bunch parameters. To analyse electron bunch diffraction in UED experiments, I present a general scattering formalism. Using single-scattering and far-field approximations, I derive an expression for the diffracted signal that depends on the electron bunch properties just before scattering. Using this expression I identify the transverse and longitudinal coherence lengths and discuss the importance of these length scales in diffraction pattern formation. I also discuss the effects of different bunch parameters on the measured diffracted flux, and present sample numerical calculations for scattering by nanosize particles based on this model. This simulation demonstrates the cumulative effects of the bunch parameters, and shows the complex interplay of the bunch and target properties on the diffracted signal.

Ultrafast electron diffraction (UED) is a method of directly imaging system dynamics at the atomic scale with picosecond time resolution. In this thesis I present theoretical analyses of the experimental processes, and construct models in order to better understand UED experiments and to guide future refinements. In particular, I derive a model of electron bunch propagation and a model of electron bunch diffraction, where both models take into account all bunch parameters. To analyse the propagation of electron bunches, I present a mean-field analytic Gaussian (AG) model. I derive a system of ordinary differential equations that are solved quickly and easily to give the bunch dynamics. The AG model is compared to N -body numerical simulations of initially Gaussian bunches, and I demonstrate excellent agreement between the two result sets. I also present a comparison of the AG model with numerical simulations of quasi-Gaussian and non-Gaussian distributions, extending the applicability of the AG model to the propagation of ``real-world'' bunches. During propagation, electron bunches can be shaped by electron-optic devices, which are necessary to attain high brightness, sub-100 fs bunches. I investigate two types of electron-optic devices: one is a magnetic lens used for collimating or focusing bunches, the other is a bunch compressor. I derive bunch parameter transformations for each of the electron-optic devices, and present numerical calculations using these transformations along with the AG model showing the effects of the devices on the evolution of the bunch parameters. To analyse electron bunch diffraction in UED experiments, I present a general scattering formalism. Using single-scattering and far-field approximations, I derive an expression for the diffracted signal that depends on the electron bunch properties just before scattering. Using this expression I identify the transverse and longitudinal coherence lengths and discuss the importance of these length scales in diffraction pattern formation. I also discuss the effects of different bunch parameters on the measured diffracted flux, and present sample numerical calculations for scattering by nanosize particles based on this model. This simulation demonstrates the cumulative effects of the bunch parameters, and shows the complex interplay of the bunch and target properties on the diffracted signal.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 118-122).

Zinc oxide surfaces have been of considerable interest because of their favorable properties, such as high electron mobility, good transparency, large electronic breakdown field and wide bandgap. Knowing the surface structure of ZnO is the key to better understand the above phenomena and to further develop its applications. In this thesis, the Patterson Function was evaluated by inversion of LEED I-V spectra at multiple incident angles to determine the surface structure of the ZnO(0001) polar surface. The sample was prepared by degassing and then 15 cycles of argon sputtering and annealing. The experimental LEED I-V spectra from multiple incident angles were taken from the sample. After processing the data by a macro program in OPTIMAS and a Matlab program, a clean Patterson Function map showing the inter-atomic pair distances was obtained. It was then compared with the simulated Patterson Function map of the proposed 1×1 bare surface model. As a result, the spots positions in the simulated Patterson Function map matched well with that of the experimental Patterson Function map. On the other hand, the LEED I-V curve fitting work was done by the surface science group of City University of Hong Kong. Six models were proposed by them and normal incidence theoretical LEED I-V spectra were calculated to fit with the experimental LEED I-V curves provided by us. Among the six models 2×2 Zn point defect model was fitted to be the best model with the R-factor 0.244. We also compared the multiple scattering simulated Patterson Function map of 2×2 Zn point defect model with the experimental one to verify the validity of the model. As a result, the model fit the experimental data. So we conclude that in general 1×1 model support the order part, and 2×2 top layer Zn defect model best fits the random missing part. / published_or_final_version / Physics / Master / Master of Philosophy

published_or_final_version / Physics / Master / Master of Philosophy

published_or_final_version / Physics / Master / Master of Philosophy

This thesis contains two main parts: the first part focusses on an electron diffraction study on unsupported antimony (Sb) clusters, while in the second part the design and development of a time-of-flight mass spectrometer (TOFMS) is discussed. Electron diffraction is an ideal tool to study the structure of clusters entrained in a beam. The main advantage of this technique is the ability to study the clusters in situ and in an interaction-free environment. It is therefore not necessary to remove the particles from the vacuum system which would lead to oxidation. Since the particles do not have to be deposited on a sample for further investigation, there is also no substrate which could influence the cluster structure. An additional advantage is the short exposure to the electron beam, thereby minimising the likelihood of damaging the particles. Sb clusters were produced using an inert-gas aggregation source. To control the cluster properties the source temperature, pressure and type of cooling gas can be adjusted. In the range of source parameters tested, Sb clusters with three different structures were observed: a crystalline structure corresponding to the rhombohedral structure of bulk Sb, an amorphous structure equivalent to the structure of amorphous Sb thin films, and a structure with the same diffraction signature as Sb4 (Sb evaporates mainly as Sb4). This last structure was found to belong to large particles consisting of randomly oriented Sb4 units. In order to study the size distributions and morphologies of the Sb clusters, the clusters were deposited onto substrates and studied under an electron microscope. The crystalline particles showed a wide variety of strongly faceted shapes. Depending on source conditions, the average cluster diameters ranged from 15 to 130 nm. There was a considerable disagreement between these values and the size estimates from the diffraction results with the latter being smaller by an order of magnitude. This might be due to the existence of domains inside the clusters. The amorphous particles were all found to be spherical with mean sizes between 27 and 45 nm. The Sb4 particles showed a liquid-like morphology and tended to coalesce easily. Their sizes ranged from 18 to 35 nm. To obtain an independent method for determining the cluster size, a TOFMS was designed and developed in collaboration with Dr Bernhard Kaiser. However, the TOFMS failed to detect a cluster signal in the original set-up which is most likely due to a defective ioniser and underestimated cluster energies. Further tests were performed in a new vacuum system and mass spectra for palladium clusters were successfully recorded.

Thesis (M. Phil.)--University of Hong Kong, 1997. / Includes bibliographical references.