Abstract: Experimental results show that the room-temperature carrier mobility in bulk layers of undoped or Si-doped GaN grown by LP-MOVPE on sapphire substrate shows a sudden increase as soon as the carrier density exceeds a critical value of about 10(18) cm(-3). We show that such a behavior can be theoretically reproduced by assuming that the columnar structure i.e. the dislocation microstructure is responsible for internal electronic barriers. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Abstract: Site selective doping of aligned carbon nanostructures represents a promising approach for their implementation in actual devices. In the present work we report on alkali metals decoration on low density vertically aligned carbon nanotubes, disclosing the possibility of engineering site selective depositions of potassium atoms on the carbon systems. Photoemission measurements were combined with microscopy demonstrating the effective spatial control of alkali deposition. The changes of electronic structures of locally doped carbon regions were studied by exploiting the ability of the scanning photoemission microscopy technique. From the analysis of experimental data supported by theoretical calculations, we show the tuning of the charge transfer from potassium to carbon atoms belonging to neighboring nanotubes or along the same tube structure.

Abstract: Graphene sheets have been functionalized with a PAMAM dendron, finding that graphene can be efficiently functionalized all over the surface, or only at the edges, depending on the reactions used in the functionalization process.

Abstract: Spin systems on an f.c.c.-lattice which exhibit phase segregation are studied by means of Monte Carlo simulations. Short-range order, both above and below the segregation temperature, is observed. Experimental evidence for short range order in Ti-V is provided by electron diffraction.

Abstract: In this paper a particularly simple but efficient method is presented by which samples of alkali-doped C-60 materials or other air-sensitive materials can be prepared and transferred into a transmission electron microscope for direct observations and investigations. Flexible, transparent glove bags are used which are filled to a slight overpressure with dry nitrogen. Under this protective atmosphere, the air-sensitive sample is mounted in the specimen holder and inserted in the vacuum of the electron microscope. Rb6C60 which is prepared and transferred into the microscope in this way has been investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results confirm the bcc structure and especially the location of the rubidium atoms.

Abstract: Thr structural, electronic, and magnetic properties of the highly mismatched perovskite oxides, Th(0.35)A(0.65)MnO(3), where Ais for the alkaline earth divalent cations (Ca, Ba, Sr), which are all characterized by the same large tolerance factor (t=0.934), have been investigated by using electron microscopy, electrical resistivity, magnetic susceptibility, and magnetization. It is clearly established that a transition from ferromagnetic metallic towards spin-glass insulator samples is induced as the A-site cationic size mismatch is increased. Moreover, the magnetoresistance (MR) properties of these manganites are strongly reduced for the spin-glass insulators, demonstrating that the A-sire cationic disorder is detrimental for the colossal MR properties. Based on these results, a new electronic and magnetic diagram is established that shows that the A-site disorder, rather than the A-site average cationic size (or t) is the relevant factor for generating spin-glass insulating manganites. [S0163-1829(99)01746-4].

Abstract: The crystal structures of Mg11Rh18B8 and Mg3Rh5B3 have been investigated by using single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Mg11Rh18B8: space group P4/mbm; a=17.9949(7), c=2.9271(1)angstrom; Z=2. Mg3Rh5B3: space group Pmma; a=8.450(2), b=2.8644(6), c=11.602(2)angstrom; Z=2. Both crystal structures are characterized by trigonal prismatic coordination of the boron atoms by rhodium atoms. The [BRh6] trigonal prisms form arrangements with different connectivity patterns. Analysis of the chemical bonding by means of the electron-localizability/electron-density approach reveals covalent BRh interactions in these arrangements and the formation of BRh polyanions. The magnesium atoms that are located inside the polyanions interact ionically with their environment, whereas, in the structure parts, which are mainly formed by Mg and Rh atoms, multicenter (metallic) interactions are observed. Diamagnetic behavior and metallic electron transport of the Mg11Rh18B8 and Mg3Rh5B3 phases are in agreement with the bonding picture and the band structure.

Abstract: The layered structure of Sr21Bi8Cu2(CO3)(2)O-41 (Z = 2) was determined by transmission electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, and powder X-ray diffraction refinement in space group P6(3)/mcm (No. 194), with a = 10.0966(3)angstrom and c = 26.3762(5)angstrom. This original 10L-type structure is built from two structural blocks, namely, [Sr15Bi6Cu2(CO3)O-29] and [Sr6Bi2(CO3)O-12]. The Bi5+ cations form [Bi2O10] dimers, whereas the Cu2+ and C atoms occupy infinite tunnels running along (c) over right arrow. The nature of the different blocks and layers is discussed with regard to the existing hexagonal layered compounds. Sr21Bi8Cu2(CO3)(2)O-41 is insulating and paramagnetic.

Abstract: The recently discovered superconducting mercury-based cuprates HgBa2Can-1CunO2n+2+delta have proved difficult to synthesize as single phases and are sensitive to environment (CO2, moisture). The present paper gives an overview of new series mercury based superconductors, whose stabilisation is based on the fact that a foreign cation with a higher valency than Hg(II) must be introduced in the mercury layers, in order to fill up partially the oxygen vacancies of these layers. By this method, several new series of superconductors involving strontium instead of barium with critical temperatures ranging from 27 K to 95 K have been isolated : Hg0.5Bi0.5Sr2-xLaxCuO4+delta, Hg(0.5)Bi(0.5)Sr(2)Ca(1-x)R(x)Cu(2)O(6+delta) (R Y, Nd, Pr), Pb0.7Hg0.3Sr2-xLaxCuO4+delta, Pb(0.7)Hg(0.3)Sr(2)Ca(1-x)R(x)Cu(2)O(6+delta) (R = Y, Nd) Hg(1-x)Pr(x)Sr(2)A(1-x')Pr(x') Cu2O6+delta (A = Sr, Ca), Pb0.7Hg0.3Sr2Cu2CO3O7 and Hg1-xCrxSr2CuO4+delta. The behaviour of the praseodymium cuprates that exhibit a rather sharp transition and reach a Tc of 85 K is especially discussed. A method to synthesize new ''Ba-Hg'' superconducting cuprates with the 1212 structure at normal pressure with a Tc up to 110 K is also presented.

Abstract: A structural research of semiconductor compounds for photovoltaic applications CuInSe(2), CuInTe(2) and CuInSeTe, has been done by x-ray diffraction using the Rietveld analysis of experimental diagrams. Besides, in the CuInSeTe compound the electron diffraction and high resolution microscopy techniques have been used. All the studied compounds were polycrystals with chalcopyrite tetragonal structure, I. 42d. A model for the atomic occupancy in each compound has been proposed, and the results have been compared analyzing the Se-Te substitution effect.