Phase Diagrams of Bi1-xSbx Thin Films with Different Growth Orientations

A closed-form model is developed to evaluate the band-edge shift caused by quantum confinement for a two-dimensional non-parabolic carrier-pocket. Based on this model, the symmetries and the band-shifts of different carrier-pockets are evaluated for BiSb thin films that are grown along different crystalline axes. The phase diagrams for the BiSb thin film systems with different growth orientations are calculated and analyzed

Size effects in lead telluride thin films and thermoelectric properties

The influence of thickness d on thermoelectric properties (the Seebeck coefficient S, electric conductivity σ, the Hall coefficient RH, charge carrier mobility μН) of films d = 8 – 170 nm in thickness, prepared by vacuum evaporation of PbTe crystals with lead excess onto (001) KCl substrates coated with Al2O3 layer has been studied. It has been established that films with d 75 nm carrier transport is determined by n-type charge carriers. The inversion of conductivity sign close to d ≈ 75 nm is attributed to a change in thermodynamic equilibrium conditions in the films as compared to crystal, as well as to material evaporation and condensation features. Oscillations on the d-dependences of the kinetic coefficients of films with p-type conductivity are attributable to quantization of the hole gas of carriers. Calculation of oscillation period Δd using a model of infinitely deep rectangular potential well is in good agreement with the experimentally determined Δd value. For n-type conductivity films the values of kinetic coefficients increase with increase in d, which points to manifestation of a classical size effect

Quantum Size Effects and Transport Phenomena in PbSe Quantum Wells and PbSe/EuS Superlattices

It is established that the room-temperature dependences of transport properties on the total thickness of PbSe layers d in PbSe/EuS superlattices exhibit an oscillatory behavior. It is shown that the oscillation period Δd practically coincides with the period of the thickness oscillations observed earlier in single PbSe/EuS quantum well. The non-monotonic character of these dependences is attributed to quantum size effects. The theoretically estimated and experimentally determined Δd values are in good agreement

Constructing a Large Variety of Dirac-Cone Materials in the Bi1−x{}_{1-x}Sbx{}_{x} Thin Film System

We theoretically predict that a large variety of Dirac-cone materials can be constructed in Bi${}_{1-x}$Sb${}_{x}$ thin films, and we here show how to construct single-, bi- and tri- Dirac-cone materials with various amounts of wave vector anisotropy. These different types of Dirac cones can be of special interest to electronic devices design, quantum electrodynamics and other fields

Size Effects in Transport Properties of PbSe Thin Films

This paper presents an overview and analysis of our earlier obtained experimental results on the dependences of kinetic properties of single PbSe quantum wells and PbSe-based superlattices on the PbSe layer thickness d. The observed oscillatory character of these dependences is attributed to quantum size effects due to electron or hole confinement in quantum wells. Some general regularities and factors that determine the character of these quantum size effects are established. The influence of the oxidation processes and doping on the d-dependences of the transport properties is revealed. A periodic change in the conductivity type related to quantum size oscillations is detected. It is shown that the experimentally determined values of the oscillation period Dd are in good agreement with the results of theoretical calculations based on the model of a rectangular quantum well with infinitely high walls, taking into account the dependence of the Fermi energy eF on d and the availability of subbands below eF. It is established that the Dd value for the superlattices is practically equal to the Dd value observed for the single PbSe thin film

Size effects in chlorine doped PbSe thin films

The possibility of obtaining strongly degenerate (≈ 3·10²⁰ сm⁻³) PbSe thin films (d = 5 – 220 nm) with n-type conductivity by thermal evaporation in vacuum of PbSe crystals doped with PbCl₂, with subsequent condensation onto (001) KCl substrates was established. It was shown that the films had high homogeneity degree, no grain structure was observed. The thickness dependences of thermoelectric properties (the Seebeck coefficient S, the Hall coefficient RH and the electric conductivity σ) of thin films were obtained. In the thickness range d ≈ 5 ÷ 30 nm, oscillation properties were observed with growth of d that are attributable to electron gas quantization. The calculation of S(d) dependence on the assumption of size quantization with regard to contribution of several subbands and the thickness dependence of the Fermi energy was shown to be in agreement with the experimental data. In the region of d > 30 nm there was growth of S and σ with thickness, which is attributable to manifestation of classical size effect and interpreted in the framework of Fuchs-Sondheimer and Mayer theories

Dependences of thermoelectric properties on the thickness of thin films of indium doped lead telluride

Dependences of thermoelectric properties (the Seebeck coefficient S, the electric conductivity σ, the Hall coefficient RH, the carrier mobilityμ and the thermoelectric power P = S²·σ) on the thickness d (d = 10 – 255 nm) of thin films prepared by vacuum evaporation of indiumdoped PbTe crystals and subsequent condensation on (111) BaF₂ substrates were obtained. With decreasing thickness of films to d ≈ 40 nm, there is n- to p-type inversion of conduction which is related to a change in thermodynamic equilibrium conditions and partial reevaporation of lead and/or indium atoms. Extremes were found on the thickness dependences of properties at d₁ ≈ 20 nm which is indicative of hole gas quantization. In the range of thicknesses with n-type conduction there is a smooth change in thermoelectric properties with thickness which testifies to manifestation of classical size effect and is sufficiently well described in the framework of the Fuchs-Sondheimer theory

Symmetries of Electrostatic Interaction between DNA Molecules

We study a model for pair interaction $U$ of DNA molecules generated by the discrete dipole moments of base-pairs and the charges of phosphate groups, and find noncommutative group of eighth order ${\cal S}$ of symmetries that leave $U$ invariant. We classify the minima using group ${\cal S}$ and employ numerical methods for finding them. The minima may correspond to several cholesteric phases, as well as phases formed by cross-like conformations of molecules at an angle close to $\rm{90}^{o}$, "snowflake phase". The results depend on the effective charge $Q$ of the phosphate group which can be modified by the polycations or the ions of metals. The snowflake phase could exist for $Q$ above the threshold $Q_C$. Below $Q_C$ there could be several cholesteric phases. Close to $Q_C$ the snowflake phase could change into the cholesteric one at constant distance between adjacent molecules.Comment: 13 pages, 4 figure

Does presence of a mid-ocean ridge enhance biomass and biodiversity?

In contrast to generally sparse biological communities in open-ocean settings, seamounts and ridges are perceived as areas of elevated productivity and biodiversity capable of supporting commercial fisheries. We investigated the origin of this apparent biological enhancement over a segment of the North Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR) using sonar, corers, trawls, traps, and a remotely operated vehicle to survey habitat, biomass, and biodiversity. Satellite remote sensing provided information on flow patterns, thermal fronts, and primary production, while sediment traps measured export flux during 2007-2010. The MAR, 3,704,404 km 2 in area, accounts for 44.7% lower bathyal habitat (800-3500 m depth) in the North Atlantic and is dominated by fine soft sediment substrate (95% of area) on a series of flat terraces with intervening slopes either side of the ridge axis contributing to habitat heterogeneity. The MAR fauna comprises mainly species known from continental margins with no evidence of greater biodiversity. Primary production and export flux over the MAR were not enhanced compared with a nearby reference station over the Porcupine Abyssal Plain. Biomasses of benthic macrofauna and megafauna were similar to global averages at the same depths totalling an estimated 258.9 kt C over the entire lower bathyal north MAR. A hypothetical flat plain at 3500 m depth in place of the MAR would contain 85.6 kt C, implying an increase of 173.3 kt C attributable to the presence of the Ridge. This is approximately equal to 167 kt C of estimated pelagic biomass displaced by the volume of the MAR. There is no enhancement of biological productivity over the MAR; oceanic bathypelagic species are replaced by benthic fauna otherwise unable to survive in the mid ocean. We propose that globally sea floor elevation has no effect on deep sea biomass; pelagic plus benthic biomass is constant within a given surface productivity regime.Peer reviewe