Deepening of domains at e-beam writing on the -Z surface of lithium niobate

The focus of the study was to investigate the peculiarities of the domains created by electron beam (e-beam) in a surface layer of congruent lithium niobate, which comparable to a depth of electron beam charge penetration. Direct e-beam writing (DEBW) of different domain structures with a scanning electron microscope was performed on the polar -Z cut. Accelerating voltage 15 kV and e-beam current 100 pA were applied. Different patterns of local irradiated squares were used to create domain structures and single domains. No domain contrast was observed by the PFM technique. Based on chemical etching, it was found that the vertices of the domains created do not reach the surface level. The average deepening of the domain vertices was several hundred nanometers and varied depending on the irradiation dose and the location of the irradiated areas (squares) relative to each other. Computer simulation was applied to analyze the spatial distribution of the electric field in the various irradiated patterns. The deepening was explained by the fact that in the near-surface layer there is a sign inversion of the normal component of the electric field strength vector, which controls the domain formation during DEBW. Thus, with the help of e-beam, domains were created completely located in the bulk, in contrast to the domains that are nucleated on the surface of the -Z cut during the polarization inversion with AFM tip. The detected deepening of e-beam domains suggests the possibility of creating the “head-to-head” domain walls in the near-surface layer lithium niobate by DEBW.

More on the Reference-Grounding-Based Search in Noise-Based Logic

We point out that the exponentially fast, grounding-based search scheme in noise-based logic works mostly on core superpositions. When the superposition contains elements that are outputs of logic gate operations, the search result can be erroneous, because grounding of a reference bit can change a logic function too. Adding superpositions with a search bit of inverted signal amplitude sign (sign inversion instead of grounding) can fix the problem in special cases, but a general solution is yet to be found. Note that because phonebooks are core superpositions, the original search algorithm remains valid for phonebook lookups, for both name and number search, including fractions of names or numbers.

Sign inversion in selection on ploidy

Ploidy - the number of homologous chromosome sets in a cell - is remarkably variable across the natural world, yet the evolutionary processes that have resulted in such diversity remain poorly understood. Here we use stochastic agent-based simulations to model ploidy evolution under the influence of indirect selection, i.e., selection mediated solely by statistical associations with fitness-affecting mutations. We find that in non-equilibrium asexual populations, the sign of selection on ploidy can change with population size - a phenomenon we have previously termed sign inversion. In large populations, ploidy dynamics are dominated by indirect effects of selection on beneficial mutations, which favors haploids over diploids. However, as population size declines, selection for beneficial mutations is neutralized by random genetic drift before drift can overwhelm selection against the cost of the deleterious mutational load. As a result, in small populations indirect selection is dominated by the cost of the deleterious load, which favors diploids over haploids. Our work adds to the growing body of evidence challenging established evolutionary theory that population size can affect only the efficiency, but not the sign, of natural selection.

When good mutations go bad: how population size can change the direction of natural selection

Classical evolutionary theory holds that the efficiency, but not the direction, of natural selection depends on population size. In small populations, drift overwhelms selection, rendering all fitness-affecting mutations selectively neutral. Yet, beneficial mutations never become deleterious and deleterious mutations never become beneficial. Remarkably, several mutations, including in modifiers of recombination and mutation rate, have now been shown to be favored at some population sizes but disfavored at others, challenging established theory. Previously, we have designated this phenomenon sign inversion. Here we show that, unlike selected mutations in the classical framework, mutations susceptible to sign inversion confer both fitness costs and fitness benefits, that vary among their carriers. Furthermore, all such mutations can be classified based on whether their effects differ between or within mutant lineages. Using computer simulations, we demonstrate that both between-lineage and within-lineage variability can cause sign inversion and elucidate the common underlying mechanism. Our results confirm that variability in the sign of selective effects is necessary for sign inversion, which occurs because drift overwhelms selection on carriers bearing the cost and carriers enjoying the benefit at different population sizes.

Hetero-helicenes Synthesis Through 1,3-Dipolar-Cycloaddition of Sydnones with Arynes: Synthesis, Origins of Selectivity and Application to pH Triggered Chiroptical Switch with CPL-sign Reversal

The regioselective access to hetero-helicenes through 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of sydnones with arynes is described. Novel access to sydnones and poly-(hetero)aromatic aryne precursors allowed the introduction of chemical diversity over multiple positions of the helical scaffolds. The origins of the unconventional regioselectivity during the cycloaddition steps was systematically investigated using density functional theory (DFT) calculations, unveiling the key features which control this reactivity, namely face-to-face (π…π) or edge-to-face (C-H…π) interactions, primary orbital interactions and distortion from coplanarity in the transition structures (TSs) of the transformation. From the library of 24 derivatives synthesized, a pyridyl containing derivative displayed reversible, red-shifted, pH triggered chiroptical switching properties, with CPL-sign reversal. It is found that protonation of the helicene causes a change of the angle between the electric and magnetic dipole moments related to the S₁ → S₀ transition, resulting in this rare case of reversible CPL sign inversion upon application of an external stimulus.

Hetero-helicenes Synthesis Through 1,3-Dipolar-Cycloaddition of Sydnones with Arynes: Synthesis, Origins of Selectivity and Application to pH Triggered Chiroptical Switch with CPL-sign Reversal

The regioselective access to hetero-helicenes through 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of sydnones with arynes is described. Novel access to sydnones and poly-(hetero)aromatic aryne precursors allowed the introduction of chemical diversity over multiple positions of the helical scaffolds. The origins of the unconventional regioselectivity during the cycloaddition steps was systematically investigated using density functional theory (DFT) calculations, unveiling the key features which control this reactivity, namely face-to-face (π…π) or edge-to-face (C-H…π) interactions, primary orbital interactions and distortion from coplanarity in the transition structures (TSs) of the transformation. From the library of 24 derivatives synthesized, a pyridyl containing derivative displayed reversible, red-shifted, pH triggered chiroptical switching properties, with CPL-sign reversal. It is found that protonation of the helicene causes a change of the angle between the electric and magnetic dipole moments related to the S₁ → S₀ transition, resulting in this rare case of reversible CPL sign inversion upon application of an external stimulus.