Optical properties of KGd(WO4)2 single crystals studied by Brillouin spectroscopy

The results of a study of KGd(WO₄)₂ single crystals by Brillouin scattering method are presented. The Brillouin spectra for the acoustic phonons propagating in the [100], [010], [001], [110] and [101] directions, taken in 90° and 180° scattering geometry at room temperature have been recorded. Using the Brillouin spectroscopy the refractive indices for some directions of KGd(WO₄)₂ crystals were determined. The refractive indices were also calculated for the same directions by the rotation transformation of the principal optical axes of the optical indicatrix to the crystallographic directions of KGd(WO₄)₂ crystals. Moreover, some anomalies of the acoustic phonons propagating connected with birefringence of KGd(WO₄)₂ crystals were discussed. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Glass microstructure evaluations using high temperature mechanical spectroscopy measurements

This paper compares the microstructures of several glasses by measuring the Young’s modulus and internal friction as a function of temperature, using the impulse excitation technique (IET). IET is based on the analysis of the resonant vibration of a solid material sample, induced by an impulse excitation. IET determines the mechanical resonant frequencies (f_r) from which the elastic moduli can be calculated, and for each f_r the corresponding internal friction (Q⁻¹). It was found that the stiffness of quartz and borosilicate glasses increases with temperature. The stiffness of soda-lime and alumino-silicate glasses decreases with the increase of temperature. The change of stiffness of quartz and alumino-silicate glasses during heat-treatment is reversible, but that of borosilicate and soda-lime glasses is not. Explanations for the irreversibility are suggested based on the Q⁻¹-features of the glasses. Diffusion of network modifier ions in the glass network holes is proposed to cause a non-reversible stiffness change, whereas localised anelastic relaxation of network modifier ions leads to a reversible stiffness change.     

Low‐temperature elastic and dielectric properties of K3Na(SO4)2 crystals

Elastic and dielectric properties of glaserite K₃Na(SO₄)₂ single crystal were examined using the method of composite oscillators, Brillouin light scattering methods and dielectric spectroscopy. Measurements were performed in the temperature range from 18 K to 300 K. Anomalies in the temperature dependencies of Brillouin shift and dielectric permittivity at about 70 K confirmed the earlier predicted phase transition at 75 ± 25 K. Temperature dependences of the resonance frequency of the vibrating composite oscillator, Brillouin shift measured in the [110] direction, components of dielectric permittivity tensor reveal an anomaly at about 50 K. Moreover, thermal hysteresis of the dielectric permittivity suggested the presence of an incommensurate state between T ₁ = 50 K and T ₂ = 70 K. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Frequency-modulated stimulated Brillouin spectroscopy in high-refractive-index glasses

Frequency-modulated stimulated Brillouin spectroscopy has been performed for high-refractive-index glasses including heavy-metal oxide glasses, chalcogenide glasses and TeO₂-based and Bi₂O₃-based glasses. Although the Brillouin linewidth in glassy materials is broader in general than that in crystalline materials, we have found that the Brillouin linewidth of Ge₃₃As₁₂Se₅₅ chalcogenide glass is considerably narrow and is comparable to that in crystals.     

Brillouin spectra of mixed alkali glasses: xCs2O(1−x)Na2O5SiO2

The Brillouin spectra of a series of mixed alkali glasses, of the composition _xCs₂O(1?x)Na₂O5SiO₂, have been measured and analyzed. Significant nonlinearities are found for the variation of the isothermal compressibility [K_T,0(T_f)] and Landau-Placzeck ratio, with a minimum observed in each as a function of x, while the longitudinal and transverse sound velocities and related elastic constants, C₁₁, C₄₄ and Young's modulus, E, vary monotonically (nearly linearly) with x. The results are interpreted in connection with related ultrasonic data and the effect of varying composition on the mechanical properties of mixed alkali glasses.     

Non-linear properties of chalcogenide glasses and fibers

High purity chalcogenide glasses were prepared in the series As₂S_(3?x)Se_x where x = 0 to 3. The measured third order non-linearities increase with the value of x, and are up to about 1000 times larger than silica for As₂Se₃ glass. We show that the anharmonic oscillator model, using the normalized photon energy, gives an excellent fit to the data over three orders of magnitude. Single mode optical fibers based on As₂S₃ and As₂Se₃ glasses have been fabricated using the double crucible technique and the Stimulated Brillouin Scattering (SBS) investigated. The threshold intensity for the SBS process was measured and used to estimate the Brillouin gain coefficient. Preliminary results indicate record high values for the figure of merit and theoretical gain, compared to silica, which bodes well for slow-light based applications in chalcogenide fibers.     

Thermodynamic mixing properties of liquids in the system Na2O-SiO2

Enthalpies of fusion have been measured by differential scanning calorimetry for a Na₂O-SiO₂ system at 50, 66.6, and 74.4 mol% SiO₂. Enthalpies of mixing of liquids obtained from different calorimetry techniques are critically evaluated. The data on calorimetric enthalpy, activity of Na₂O, cristobalite liquidus, and immiscibility gap are used to determine the enthalpy and entropy of mixing of sodium-silicate liquids are determined as a function of composition by the least squares method. The derived mixing properties are based only on the experimental data and are independent of any assumption about the structure and chemical species in liquids. The enthalpy of mixing has a minimum value of −120 kJ/mol at 35-40 mol% SiO₂ and is convex upward around 80-90 mol% SiO₂. The entropy of mixing have a maximum value of + 6 J/K-mol at 75 mol% SiO₂, and it decreases with the SiO₂ content to −5 J/K-mol at 40 mol% SiO₂. This decrease in entropy can be accounted for by ideal mixing of Q⁴, Q³, and Q^{0 + 1 + 2} (= Q⁰ + Q¹ + Q²) species in the liquids and is responsible for the negative temperature dependence of the partial molar Gibbs energy of mixing of Na₂O, observed in activity measurements. Comparison of the present results with previous values suggests that a quasi-chemical model and the Adam-Gibbs model overestimate the configurational entropy of mixing of liquids.     

Raman study of the structure of glasses along the join SiO2GeO2

In order to better understand the distribution of tetrahedra in multicomponent tetrahedral network structures of melts and glasses, we have investigated the Raman spectra of binary SiO₂GeO₂ glasses. We compare the Raman spectral features of the end-member glasses and discuss their vibrational origins. The mixing of GeO₂ and SiO₂ melts results in a continuous random network structure of TO₄ tetrahedra (T  Si, Ge) in the glass. Raman bands corresponding to the asymmetric stretch (v_as) of oxygen in GeOGe, SiOSi and SiOGe bonds are observed in the glasses having intermediate compositions along the SiO₂GeO₂ join. The presence of three distinct v_as (TOT) bands in the spectrum of a glass having Si/Ge one reveals that a considerable degree of SiGe disorder exists in the glass. The presence of a single symmetric oxygen stretching band in the spectra of binary SiO₂GeO₂ glasses indicates that the symmetric stretch modes (v_s) of oxygen in SiOSi, SiOGe and GeOGe bonds are strongly coupled. An observed decrease in the halfwidth of the v_s (TOT) band in the spectra of SiO₂GeO₂ glasses with increasing concentration of GeO₂ may be attributed to a decrease in the average TOT bond angle and a predominance of six-membered ring structures. Results of the present study support the assignment of the bands in the 900–1200 cm^?1 region of the alumino-silicate glasses, spectra to the v_as(AlOSi) and v_as(SiOSi) modes. In contrast to the alumino-silicate glasses, however, the SiO₂GeO₂ glasses have a much higher degree of disorder of the network-forming cations.     

Brillouin scattering measurements of attenuation and velocity of hypersounds in SiO2B2O3 glasses

Measurements of hypersound wave velocity and attenuation (20–30 GHz) were made at room temperature by Brillouin scattering in SiO₂O₂O₃ glasses. The attenuation shows a maximum with composition. An explanation of this maximum is given in relation to the glass structure. It is thought that this maximum may be due to a coupling effect of hypersounds with structural relaxational process involving SiSi and SiOB bonds.     

Contribution to the study of elastic properties of KGd(WO4)2:Er3+ single crystals by Brillouin spectroscopy

In this paper we present the study of the acoustic phonons propagating in Er³⁺‐doped KGd(WO₄)₂ single crystals by Brillouin spectroscopy. For the investigated crystals the velocities of the longitudinal and transverse acoustic phonons [100], [010], [001], [101] and [110] have been determined. Moreover, the values of the elastic constants: C₂₂, C₄₄ and C₆₆ of Er³⁺‐doped KGd(WO₄)₂ single crystals have been estimated. It was revealed that the presence of the Er³⁺‐ions in KGd(WO₄)₂ crystals, for the used doping concentration 1 at% does not influence their elastic properties. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Elastic properties of KGd(WO4)2:Ho3+ single crystals studied by Brillouin spectroscopy

The analysis some of the acoustic phonons propagating in pure and Ho³⁺‐doped KGd(WO₄)₂ single crystals in the GHz frequency range by Brillouin scattering method has been presented. For investigated crystals the velocities of the longitudinal and transverse acoustic phonons [100], [010], [001], [101], [101] and [110] have been determined. Moreover, the value of elastic constants C₂₂, C₄₄ and C₆₆ of pure and Ho³⁺‐doped KGd(WO₄)₂ single crystals have been estimated. It was revealed that the presence of the Ho³⁺‐ions in KGd(WO₄)₂ crystals, for the used doping concentration 1 at% and 8 at%, does not influence their elastic properties. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Study of the Phase Transition in Hg<Subscript>2</Subscript>Cl<Subscript>2</Subscript> Crystals Using Anomalous X-Ray Transmission

The small-angle X-ray scattering in calomel (univalent mercury chloride Hg₂Cl₂) single crystals at low temperatures has been investigated. Data on the size of superstructural ferroelectric domains have been obtained for the first time. Lang measurements with anomalous X-ray transmission have made it possible to trace the temperature dynamics of crystal lattice of the high-temperature D_4h phase of Hg₂Cl₂ from 300 K to the Curie temperature (186 K) and the formation of ferroelastic domains in the temperature range of 186–100 K. The lowering of paraphase symmetry in the closest vicinity of the phase transition temperature is indicative of tricritical point transition.     

Kinetic and equilibrium factors affecting saturation of chromium oxide in soda-silicate melts

Factors controlling the rate at which chromium oxide reaches saturation in Na₂O-xSiO₂ liquids have been studied as a function of melt composition and oxygen fugacity. Under an oxidizing atmosphere, liquid Na₂CrO₄ or Cr₂O₃ crystals can be in equilibrium with soda-silicate melts, depending on the concentration of sodium in the studied system. Under reducing conditions, NaCrSi₂O₆ is stabilized in silica-rich melts when T is lower than 1160 °C, while Cr₂O₃ is in equilibrium with the sodium-rich melts when T is above 1160 °C. The chromium oxide (Cr₂O₃) to pyroxene (NaCrSi₂O₆) transformation is described in terms of the time required to reach chemical and textural equilibrium. Na₂CrO₄, NaCrSi₂O₆, and Cr₂O₃ phase stability domains are reported as well as the Na₂O-SiO₂-Cr₂O₃ phase diagram in the studied temperature and fO₂ range.     

Dilatometric and ultrasound study of [NH<Subscript>2</Subscript>(CH<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>]MnCl<Subscript>3</Subscript> · 2H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O crystals

The unit-cell parameters of [NH₂(CH₃)₂]MnCl₃ · 2H₂O crystals are determined by X-ray diffraction analysis and the velocities of longitudinal ultrasonic waves in these crystals are measured by the echo-pulse method in the temperature range 100–315 K. The coefficients of thermal expansion along the principal crystallographic axes are derived from the temperature dependences of the unit-cell parameters. The temperature dependences of the characteristics studied reveal kink anomalies at temperatures of ～125, 179, 203, 260, and 303 K. These anomalies are indicative of structural transformations in the [NH₂(CH₃)₂]MnCl₃ · 2H₂O crystals, which may be related to the dynamics of dimethylammonium cations.     

Elastic properties of GeSbSe glasses

The results of the measurement of transverse and longitudinal sound velocities on eigth glass compositions of the GeSbSe system are reported and their elastic moduli evaluated. While the velocities, elastic moduli and Debye temperature show variation with composition for Ge_xSb₁₀Se_90?x glasses, they are essentially constant for the glasses with stoichiometric compositions. The dependence of bulk modulus on mean atomic volume has been analysed. Both the mean atomic volume and the type of bonding are found to be effective in determining the composition dependence of bulk modulus.     

Elastic and elasto‐optical properties of Rb1–x(NH4)xH2AsO4 mixed crystals studied by Brillouin spectroscopy

The elastic and elasto‐optical properties of Rb_1–x (NH₄)_x H₂AsO₄ mixed crystals were studied by Brillouin spectroscopy at room temperature. The measurements were made on single crystals obtained from the aqueous solution by slow evaporation. The behaviour of bulk phonons propagating in investigated crystals was studied for different polarisations of incident and scattered beam. The components of the tensors of elasto‐optical and elastic properties of the crystals studied were determined. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Uncommon features in the dynamic structure factor of a molten transition metal

The collective S_C(Q, ω), single-particle S_S(Q, ω) dynamic structure factors as well as the spectra for transverse-current correlations C_T(Q, ω) for molten nickel close to melting have been calculated from a massive molecular dynamics simulation using an Embedded Atom Model potential. A number of features are found in the structure factors that are absent in the spectra of simpler liquids such as molten alkali metals. Estimates for the shear component of the generalized, wavevector-dependent viscosity are obtained from analysis of C_T(Q, ω). Such data together with those concerning the strength of the thermal conduction channels for the excitation decay enable us to subtract such contributions to form the linewidths of Brillouin peaks and thus to evaluate the Q-dependent bulk viscosity coefficient. The result shows that contrary to inferences based upon geophysical data, both bulk and shear-viscosity coefficients are of the same order of magnitude.     

Pressure dependence of elastic properties of low-silica calcium alumino-silicate glasses

The hydrostatic and uni-axial pressure dependence of elastic properties of a low-silica calcium alumino-silicate glass (LSCAS) is determined by ultrasonic pulse-echo techniques at room temperature. The experimental results are used to obtain the third-order elastic constants (TOECs) of these glasses. The pressure dependence of fractal bond connectivity of these glasses is discussed. The normal behavior of positive pressure dependence of ultrasonic velocities was observed for the glass. The pressure dependence of both shear modulus and bulk modulus are positive for these glasses.