Effect of spin-orbit coupling on the actinide dioxides AnO2 (An=Th, Pa, U, Np, Pu, and Am): a screened hybrid density functional study.

We present a systematic comparison of the lattice structures, electronic density of states, and band gaps of actinide dioxides, AnO(2) (An=Th, Pa, U, Np, Pu, and Am) predicted by the Heyd-Scuseria-Ernzerhof screened hybrid density functional (HSE) with the self-consistent inclusion of spin-orbit coupling (SOC). The computed HSE lattice constants and band gaps of AnO(2) are in consistently good agreement with the available experimental data across the series, and differ little from earlier HSE results without SOC. ThO(2) is a simple band insulator (f(0)), while PaO(2), UO(2), and NpO(2) are predicted to be Mott insulators.

Aligned carbon nanotubes sandwiched in epitaxial NbC film for enhanced superconductivity.

Highly aligned carbon nanotube (CNT) ribbons were sandwiched in epitaxial superconducting NbC films by a chemical solution deposition method. The incorporation of aligned long CNTs into NbC film enhances the normal-state conductivity and improves the superconducting properties of the assembly.

Epitaxial superconducting δ-MoN films grown by a chemical solution method.

The synthesis of pure δ-MoN with desired superconducting properties usually requires extreme conditions, such as high temperature and high pressure, which hinders its fundamental studies and applications. Herein, by using a chemical solution method, epitaxial δ-MoN thin films have been grown on c-cut Al(2)O(3) substrates at a temperature lower than 900 °C and an ambient pressure. The films are phase pure and show a T(c) of 13.

A chemical solution approach for superconducting and hard epitaxial NbC film.

Epitaxial NbC thin films were grown by a chemical solution technique, polymer assisted deposition. High quality epitaxial NbC film showed a transition temperature of 10 K and a hardness of 19.54 GPa.