High resolution scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and Fourier-transform infrared spectrometry were used to investigate these so-called nano-camomiles, mainly consisting of a central InAsSb QD surrounded by six InAsP-QDs, that shall be referred to as leaves in the following. The observed QDs average density ranges from 0.8 to 2 x 10(9) cm(-2), with heights and widths dimensions from 2 to 20 nm and 5 to 45 nm, respectively. The average density of the leaves is equal to (6-10) x 10(9) cm(-2) with dimensions of approx. 5 to 40

nm in width and depth. To achieve a first basic understanding of the electronic properties, we have modeled these novel nanostructures using second-order continuum elasticity theory and an eight-band k . p model to calculate the electronic structure. Our calculations found a clear localization of hole find more states in the central InAsSb dot. The localization of electron states, however, was found to be weak and might thus be easily influenced by external electric fields or strain. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3624621]“
“The compound SbxCoSb3-x was produced at 7.7 GPa and 550 degrees C in a self-insertion reaction from the binary

skutterudite CoSb3. GS-1101 concentration This self-insertion reaction is characterized by the collapse of some framework Sb atoms into the cages formed by the Co and Sb atoms in the skutterudite see more structure, as was further confirmed by Bader’s analysis of maximum-entropy charge density maps obtained from synchrotron radiation x-ray powder diffraction data. The opposite reaction (i.e., Sb desinsertion, SbxCoSb3-x ->

CoSb3) occurs when SbxCoSb3-x is heated above 180 degrees C at ambient pressure. This desinsertion reaction was followed by means of differential scanning calorimetry, x-ray diffraction, and electrical resistivity measurements. Differential scanning calorimetry measurements revealed the presence of two thermal events in samples rich in the SbxCoSb3-x phase. An endothermic peak around 150 degrees C was assigned to a small change in the position of the guest Sb atoms inside the cages of SbxCoSb3-x. This assignment was based on the analysis of charge density maps obtained from synchrotron x-ray diffraction measurements carried out both at room temperature and at 155 degrees C. Accordingly, the guest Sb atoms in SbxCoSb3-x shift from the 12d (x, 0,0) site of Im (3) over bar space group (in a position distant about 0.35 angstrom from the center of the cages), at room temperature, to the 2a (0,0,0) site (i.e., to the center of the cages) above 150 degrees C. An exothermic event starting at 180 degrees C is the thermal signature of the desinsertion of guest Sb atoms from the SbxCoSb3-x skutterudite cages, as confirmed by x-ray diffraction analysis and further verified by electrical measurements.