John Bechhoefer

Bio: John Bechhoefer is an academic researcher from Simon Fraser University. The author has contributed to research in topics: DNA replication & Liquid crystal. The author has an hindex of 36, co-authored 133 publications receiving 7487 citations. Previous affiliations of John Bechhoefer include University of Chicago & University of British Columbia.

Temperature-induced orientational transitions in freely suspended nematic films

Abstract: We report observations of a temperature-induced orientational transition in a freely suspended nematic film of the liquid crystal 4-ethyl-2-fluoro-4′-[2-(trans-4-n-pentylcyclohexyl)-ethyl]-biphenyl (I52). The transition is from a high-symmetry state, where the molecules are perpendicular to the film boundaries (homeotropic alignment), to a lower-symmetry state, where the molecules are inclined (tilted alignment), and occurs as the temperature of the sample is raised. A previous study by Faetti and Fronzoni (1978) discovered a similar transition in freely suspended nematic films of N-(p-methoxybenzylidene)-p-n-butylaniline, except that it occurred as the temperature was lowered, a result that we confirm here. In order to explain both orientational transitions and the temperature-independent alignment of other nematics, we have generalized a model by Parsons (1978) that is based on competition between polar and quadrupolar contributions to the surface free energy. By considering the effects of smectic ordering and ionic impurities, we can account for all of the various observations.

Three Classes of Morphology Transitions in the Solidification of a Liquid Crystal

Abstract: We have studied growth morphologies during solidification of a liquid crystal (10 OCB). As the undercooling is varied, sharp transitions analogous to equilibrium phase transitions are seen between the growth modes. We identify three types of morphology transitions: strongly first order, where the growth velocity is discontinuous at the transition; weakly first order, where the velocity curve, but not its derivative, is continuous and the morphology changes discontinuously; and second order, with continuous changes in the growth properties and pretransitional effects.

Experiments on tracer diffusion in thin free-standing liquid-crystal films

Abstract: Using laser-induced photobleaching of a fluorescent tracer molecule, we study diffusion in free-standing smectic films as thin as two layers. For films four or more layers thick, the in-plane diffusion constant increases in agreement with a hydrodynamic theory outlined here. Two- and three-layer films show different behavior.

The Metastable Mpemba Effect Corresponds to a Non-monotonic Temperature Dependence of Extractable Work

Abstract: The Mpemba effect refers to systems whose thermal relaxation time is a non-monotonic function of the initial temperature. Thus, a system that is initially hot cools to a bath temperature more quickly than the same system, initially warm. In the special case where the system dynamics can be described by a double-well potential with metastable and stable states, dynamics occurs in two stages: a fast relaxation to local equilibrium followed by a slow equilibration of populations in each coarse-grained state. We have recently observed the Mpemba effect experimentally in such a setting, for a colloidal particle immersed in water. Here, we show that this metastable Mpemba effect arises from a non-monotonic temperature dependence of the maximum amount of work that can be extracted from the local-equilibrium state at the end of Stage 1.

Investigating the nematic-smectic-A transition by capillary-length measurements near an apparent tricritical point.

Abstract: What is the order of the nematic--smectic-[ital A] ([ital NA]) transition The answer to this question has flip-flopped over the years as ever more sophisticated theories and ever more careful experiments have addressed the issue. The Landau theory predicts that the transition can be either first or second order, depending on material parameters. de Gennes and McMillan [Solid State Commun. 10, 753 (1972); Phys. Rev. A 14, 1238 (1971)] showed that nematic fluctuations would drive the transition to first order as the temperature of the [ital NA] transition approached that of the nematic-isotropic transition. Halperin, Lubensky, and Ma [Phys. Rev. Lett. 32, 292 (1974)] (HLM) then argued that the effect of nematic fluctuations is more subtle and concluded that the transition is always at least weakly first order. Monte Carlo simulations indicate, however, that for a large enough nematic range, the transition becomes second order. We investigate the order of the [ital NA] transition experimentally by measuring the capillary length (ratio of the surface tension to the latent heat) near an apparent tricritical point in a binary liquid-crystal mixture. Our measurements confirm the existence of the extra free-energy term predicted by the HLM theory and yield, as a by-product, surface-tensionmore » measurements of the [ital NA] interface. Although we cannot currently detect the tricritical point suggested by numerical work, we have not approached any fundamental sensitivity limits either.« less

疟原虫var基因转换速率变化导致抗原变异[英]／Paul H, Robert P, Christodoulou Z, et al//Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A

Abstract: 抗原变异可使得多种致病微生物易于逃避宿主免疫应答。表达在感染红细胞表面的恶性疟原虫红细胞表面蛋白1（PfPMP1）与感染红细胞、内皮细胞、树突状细胞以及胎盘的单个或多个受体作用，在黏附及免疫逃避中起关键的作用。每个单倍体基因组var基因家族编码约60种成员，通过启动转录不同的var基因变异体为抗原变异提供了分子基础。

Pattern formation outside of equilibrium

Abstract: A comprehensive review of spatiotemporal pattern formation in systems driven away from equilibrium is presented, with emphasis on comparisons between theory and quantitative experiments. Examples include patterns in hydrodynamic systems such as thermal convection in pure fluids and binary mixtures, Taylor-Couette flow, parametric-wave instabilities, as well as patterns in solidification fronts, nonlinear optics, oscillatory chemical reactions and excitable biological media. The theoretical starting point is usually a set of deterministic equations of motion, typically in the form of nonlinear partial differential equations. These are sometimes supplemented by stochastic terms representing thermal or instrumental noise, but for macroscopic systems and carefully designed experiments the stochastic forces are often negligible. An aim of theory is to describe solutions of the deterministic equations that are likely to be reached starting from typical initial conditions and to persist at long times. A unified description is developed, based on the linear instabilities of a homogeneous state, which leads naturally to a classification of patterns in terms of the characteristic wave vector q0 and frequency ω0 of the instability. Type Is systems (ω0=0, q0≠0) are stationary in time and periodic in space; type IIIo systems (ω0≠0, q0=0) are periodic in time and uniform in space; and type Io systems (ω0≠0, q0≠0) are periodic in both space and time. Near a continuous (or supercritical) instability, the dynamics may be accurately described via "amplitude equations," whose form is universal for each type of instability. The specifics of each system enter only through the nonuniversal coefficients. Far from the instability threshold a different universal description known as the "phase equation" may be derived, but it is restricted to slow distortions of an ideal pattern. For many systems appropriate starting equations are either not known or too complicated to analyze conveniently. It is thus useful to introduce phenomenological order-parameter models, which lead to the correct amplitude equations near threshold, and which may be solved analytically or numerically in the nonlinear regime away from the instability. The above theoretical methods are useful in analyzing "real pattern effects" such as the influence of external boundaries, or the formation and dynamics of defects in ideal structures. An important element in nonequilibrium systems is the appearance of deterministic chaos. A greal deal is known about systems with a small number of degrees of freedom displaying "temporal chaos," where the structure of the phase space can be analyzed in detail. For spatially extended systems with many degrees of freedom, on the other hand, one is dealing with spatiotemporal chaos and appropriate methods of analysis need to be developed. In addition to the general features of nonequilibrium pattern formation discussed above, detailed reviews of theoretical and experimental work on many specific systems are presented. These include Rayleigh-Benard convection in a pure fluid, convection in binary-fluid mixtures, electrohydrodynamic convection in nematic liquid crystals, Taylor-Couette flow between rotating cylinders, parametric surface waves, patterns in certain open flow systems, oscillatory chemical reactions, static and dynamic patterns in biological media, crystallization fronts, and patterns in nonlinear optics. A concluding section summarizes what has and has not been accomplished, and attempts to assess the prospects for the future.

Calibration of atomic‐force microscope tips

Abstract: Images and force measurements taken by an atomic‐force microscope (AFM) depend greatly on the properties of the spring and tip used to probe the sample’s surface. In this article, we describe a simple, nondestructive procedure for measuring the force constant, resonant frequency, and quality factor of an AFM cantilever spring and the effective radius of curvature of an AFM tip. Our procedure uses the AFM itself and does not require additional equipment.

Stochastic Processes in Physics and Chemistry

Abstract: N G van Kampen 1981 Amsterdam: North-Holland xiv + 419 pp price Dfl 180 This is a book which, at a lower price, could be expected to become an essential part of the library of every physical scientist concerned with problems involving fluctuations and stochastic processes, as well as those who just enjoy a beautifully written book. It provides an extensive graduate-level introduction which is clear, cautious, interesting and readable.