Paul Francis Johnson

 

THEORETICAL DETERMINATION OF SCATTERING INTENSITIES AND LIQUID BRIDGES

 

For the degree of M.Phil. Chemistry

 

Aims of the project

The main aims of this project are

  • To investigate, by computer simulation, a method of determining how a synthetic opal will infill when exposed to a liquid vapour.
  • The effect of vapour pressure on the deposition of liquid vapour on the opal sphere surface by measurement of hysterisis loops.
  • To mathematically determine a system by which the disproportionation of the FCC lattice can seen and from this, be able to see how much the lattice may be distorted before the structure can be said to be no longer a representation of the lattice. This, in turn, will have a direct bearing on the photonic wave gap of the opal.
  • By use of neutron spectroscopy, gain an insight into the method of infill of the FCC lattice.

These aims are in no way exaughstive and may be added to or changed during the project to test other hypotheses.

This work is dedicated to the memory of Dr Derek Bloor, a good friend and colleague who passed away at the start of 2004