Basil I. Swanson

Bio: Basil I. Swanson is an academic researcher from Los Alamos National Laboratory. The author has contributed to research in topics: Raman spectroscopy & Infrared spectroscopy. The author has an hindex of 41, co-authored 267 publications receiving 6195 citations. Previous affiliations of Basil I. Swanson include University of Arizona & University of New Mexico.

Characterization of the first examples of isolable molecular hydrogen complexes, M(CO)3(PR3)2(H2) (M = molybdenum or tungsten; R = Cy or isopropyl). Evidence for a side-on bonded dihydrogen ligand

Abstract: Reported were the first examples of isolable transition-metal complexes containing a coordinated dihydrogen molecule, characterized by a variety of spectroscopic and structural methods to possess n/sup 2/-bonded hydrogen. The dihydrogen ligand is symmetrically coordinated in an n/sup 2/ mode with average tungsten-hydrogen distances of 1.95 (23) angstroms (x-ray) and 1.75 angstroms (neutron, ..delta..F). The H-H separation is 0.75 (16) angstrom (x-ray) and 0.84 angstroms (neutron, ..delta..F), slightly larger than that obtained from free H/sub 2/ (0.74 angstroms). The H/sub 2/ ligand axis is approximately parallel to the trans phosphorous-phosphorus direction. Vibrational spectra of solid samples of the H/sub 2/, D/sub 2/, and HD forms (M = W) are consistent with coordination of molecular H/sub 2/. The H/sub 2/ complexes are significant in that they may represent an arrested form of oxidative addition of H/sub 2/ to metals. 1 table (DP)

Observation of Intrinsically Localized Modes in a Discrete Low-Dimensional Material

Abstract: We report the experimental observation of intrinsic dynamically localized vibrational states in crystals of the highly nonlinear halide-bridged mixed-valence transition metal complex ${[\mathrm{Pt}(\mathrm{en}{)}_{2}][\mathrm{Pt}(\mathrm{en}{)}_{2}{\mathrm{Cl}}_{2}]({\mathrm{ClO}}_{4}{)}_{4}}$, where $\mathrm{en}\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}=\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}\mathrm{ethylenediamine}$. These states are identified by the distinctive structure and strong redshifts they impose upon the overtone resonance Raman spectra. Quantitative modeling of the observed redshifts is presented based on a nonadiabatic coupled electron-lattice model that self-consistently predicts strong nonlinearity and highly localized multiquanta bound states.

Waveguide-Based Biosensors for Pathogen Detection

Abstract: Optical phenomena such as fluorescence, phosphorescence, polarization, interference and non-linearity have been extensively used for biosensing applications. Optical waveguides (both planar and fiber-optic) are comprised of a material with high permittivity/high refractive index surrounded on all sides by materials with lower refractive indices, such as a substrate and the media to be sensed. This arrangement allows coupled light to propagate through the high refractive index waveguide by total internal reflection and generates an electromagnetic wave—the evanescent field—whose amplitude decreases exponentially as the distance from the surface increases. Excitation of fluorophores within the evanescent wave allows for sensitive detection while minimizing background fluorescence from complex, “dirty” biological samples. In this review, we will describe the basic principles, advantages and disadvantages of planar optical waveguide-based biodetection technologies. This discussion will include already commercialized technologies (e.g., Corning’s EPIC® O, SRU Biosystems’ BIND™, Zeptosense®, etc.) and new technologies that are under research and development. We will also review differing assay approaches for the detection of various biomolecules, as well as the thin-film coatings that are often required for waveguide functionalization and effective detection. Finally, we will discuss reverse-symmetry waveguides, resonant waveguide grating sensors and metal-clad leaky waveguides as alternative signal transducers in optical biosensing.

Porphyrin based self-assembled monolayer thin films. Synthesis and characterization

Abstract: The synthesis and characterization of covalently bound self-assembled monolayer thin films of 5,10,15,20-tetra(4-pyridyl)-21H,23H-porphine (TPyP) and its derivatives on fused quartz and silicon [100] substrates having a native oxide layer are described. The monolayer film consists of porphyrin macrocycle disk-like structures that were analyzed by UV-visible spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and polarized FTIR-ATR measurements. One of the attractive features of these complexes is their large second-order nonlinear optical response, as expected for a strongly delocalized [pi]-electron system without inversion symmetry. Second-harmonic generation (SHG) measurements have been used to determine the absolute value of the dominant element of the nonlinear susceptibility, [chi]-zzz approximately 2 [times] 10[sup [minus]8] esu, the uniformity of these films, and the dispersion of the refractive indices. The average molecular orientation angle of the surface-bound chromophores was measured by both FTIR-ATR and SHG and found to be in good agreement. 31 refs., 3 figs.

Formation and Structure of Self-Assembled Monolayers.

Abstract: The field of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) has witnessed tremendous growth in synthetic sophistication and depth of characterization over the past 15 years.1 However, it is interesting to comment on the modest beginning and on important milestones. The field really began much earlier than is now recognized. In 1946 Zisman published the preparation of a monomolecular layer by adsorption (self-assembly) of a surfactant onto a clean metal surface.2 At that time, the potential of self-assembly was not recognized, and this publication initiated only a limited level of interest. Early work initiated in Kuhn’s laboratory at Gottingen, applying many years of experience in using chlorosilane derivative to hydrophobize glass, was followed by the more recent discovery, when Nuzzo and Allara showed that SAMs of alkanethiolates on gold can be prepared by adsorption of di-n-alkyl disulfides from dilute solutions.3 Getting away from the moisture-sensitive alkyl trichlorosilanes, as well as working with crystalline gold surfaces, were two important reasons for the success of these SAMs. Many self-assembly systems have since been investigated, but monolayers of alkanethiolates on gold are probably the most studied SAMs to date. The formation of monolayers by self-assembly of surfactant molecules at surfaces is one example of the general phenomena of self-assembly. In nature, self-assembly results in supermolecular hierarchical organizations of interlocking components that provides very complex systems.4 SAMs offer unique opportunities to increase fundamental understanding of self-organization, structure-property relationships, and interfacial phenomena. The ability to tailor both head and tail groups of the constituent molecules makes SAMs excellent systems for a more fundamental understanding of phenomena affected by competing intermolecular, molecular-substrates and molecule-solvent interactions like ordering and growth, wetting, adhesion, lubrication, and corrosion. That SAMs are well-defined and accessible makes them good model systems for studies of physical chemistry and statistical physics in two dimensions, and the crossover to three dimensions. SAMs provide the needed design flexibility, both at the individual molecular and at the material levels, and offer a vehicle for investigation of specific interactions at interfaces, and of the effect of increasing molecular complexity on the structure and stability of two-dimensional assemblies. These studies may eventually produce the design capabilities needed for assemblies of three-dimensional structures.5 However, this will require studies of more complex systems and the combination of what has been learned from SAMs with macromolecular science. The exponential growth in SAM research is a demonstration of the changes chemistry as a disciAbraham Ulman was born in Haifa, Israel, in 1946. He studied chemistry in the Bar-Ilan University in Ramat-Gan, Israel, and received his B.Sc. in 1969. He received his M.Sc. in phosphorus chemistry from Bar-Ilan University in 1971. After a brief period in industry, he moved to the Weizmann Institute in Rehovot, Israel, and received his Ph.D. in 1978 for work on heterosubstituted porphyrins. He then spent two years at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL, where his main interest was onedimensional organic conductors. In 1985 he joined the Corporate Research Laboratories of Eastman Kodak Company, in Rochester, NY, where his research interests were molecular design of materials for nonlinear optics and self-assembled monolayers. In 1994 he moved to Polytechnic University where he is the Alstadt-Lord-Mark Professor of Chemistry. His interests encompass self-assembled monolayers, surface engineering, polymers at interface, and surfaces phenomena. 1533 Chem. Rev. 1996, 96, 1533−1554

Room-temperature fabrication of transparent flexible thin-film transistors using amorphous oxide semiconductors

Abstract: Transparent electronic devices formed on flexible substrates are expected to meet emerging technological demands where silicon-based electronics cannot provide a solution. Examples of active flexible applications include paper displays and wearable computers1. So far, mainly flexible devices based on hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H)2,3,4,5 and organic semiconductors2,6,7,8,9,10 have been investigated. However, the performance of these devices has been insufficient for use as transistors in practical computers and current-driven organic light-emitting diode displays. Fabricating high-performance devices is challenging, owing to a trade-off between processing temperature and device performance. Here, we propose to solve this problem by using a novel semiconducting material—namely, a transparent amorphous oxide semiconductor from the In-Ga-Zn-O system (a-IGZO)—for the active channel in transparent thin-film transistors (TTFTs). The a-IGZO is deposited on polyethylene terephthalate at room temperature and exhibits Hall effect mobilities exceeding 10 cm2 V-1 s-1, which is an order of magnitude larger than for hydrogenated amorphous silicon. TTFTs fabricated on polyethylene terephthalate sheets exhibit saturation mobilities of 6–9 cm2 V-1 s-1, and device characteristics are stable during repetitive bending of the TTFT sheet.

Chemical sensors based on amplifying fluorescent conjugated polymers.

Abstract: The field of chemical sensing is becoming ever more dependent upon novel materials. Polymers, crystals, glasses, particles, and nanostructures have made a profound impact and have endowed modern sensory systems with superior performance. Electronic polymers have emerged as one of the most important classes of transduction materials; they readily transform a chemical signal into an easily measured electrical or optical event. Although our group reviewed this field in 2000,1 the high levels of activity and the impact of these methods now justify a subsequent review as part of this special issue. In this review we restrict our discussions to purely fluorescence-based methods using conjugated polymers (CPs). We further confine our detailed coverage to articles published since our previous review and will only detail earlier research in this Introduction to illustrate fundamental concepts and terminology that underpin the recent literature.

Ammonia as a case study for the spontaneous ionization of a simple hydrogen-bonded compound

Abstract: Ionization of highly compressed ammonia has previously been predicted by computation. Here, the authors provide experimental evidence for this autoionization process at high pressures, showing the transformation of molecular ammonia into ammonium amide.