Analysis and applications of phase shifts for multichannel fiber Bragg grating

The current work presented the photoluminescence (PL) properties of a new glass system, which are reported for the first time. Based on the attractive properties of borate glass, a mixture of boric acid (70-x mol %) modified with lithium (20 mol %) and sodium carbonate (10 mol %) was prepared. The current study illustrated the effect of dopant and co-dopant techniques on the lithium sodium borate (LNB). Firstly, 0.1 mol % of copper ions doped with LNB was excited at 610 nm. The emission spectrum showed two prominent peaks in the violet region (403 and 440 nm). Then, we remarked the effect of adding different concentration of MgO on the optical properties of LNB. The results showed the great effect of magnesium oxide on the PL intensities (enhanced more than two times). Moreover, an obvious shifting has been defined toward the blue region (440 → 475 nm). The up-conversion optical properties were observed in all emission spectra. This enhancement is contributed to the energy transfer from MgO ions to monovalent Cu⁺ ion. It is well known that magnesium oxide alone generates weak emission intensity, but during this increment the MgO act as an activator (co-doped) for Cu⁺ ions. Finally, energy band gap, density, ion concentration, molar volume, Polaron radius and inter-nuclear distance all were measured for the current samples. The current samples were subjected to XRD for amorphous confirmation and IR for glass characterization before and after dopants addition. Finally, some of significant physical and optical parameters were also calculated.     

Evolution of the magnesium surface during oxidation studied by Metastable Impact Electron Spectroscopy

The evolution of a polycrystalline magnesium surface during oxidation at room temperature has been studied by Metastable Impact Electron Spectroscopy (MIES). This technique allowed us to follow the metal-to-insulator transformation of the top layer of the surface. An electronic signal corresponding to a metallic behavior of the surface evidences the presence of under-stoichiometric MgO species on the surface. The total covering by oxygen of the Mg surface uppermost layer, obtained at around 10 L of oxygen deposition, does not correspond to a fully insulating surface. An insulating surface is obtained after 30 L of oxygen deposition. Depositions of CO₂ on a clean and a preoxidized polycrystalline Mg surface have been analyzed to give information about the composition of the surface and its evolution. CO₂ adsorption in the form of CO₃²⁻ compounds on preoxidized Mg is more efficient than on clean Mg. Oxygen species, corresponding to chemisorbed oxygen less bounded than oxygen in the MgO lattice, allows the formation of CO₃²⁻. Therefore, it is concluded that during oxygen deposition at room temperature, MgO islands and chemisorbed oxygen species coexist on the surface. Moreover, the larger the oxygen predeposition is, the less CO₃²⁻ compounds are formed, meaning a decrease of available chemisorbed oxygen sites. From oxidation measurements at high temperature (420 K), we show that MgO islands and uncovered Mg domain coexist. Further, no under-stoichiometric compound features have been observed. The high temperature allows the direct formation of oxide MgO species in islands.     

Structure of Na2O·MO·SiO2·CaF2 (M=Mg,Ca) oxyfluoride glasses

(9−x)CaO·xMgO·15Na₂O·60SiO₂·16CaF₂(x=0, 2, 4, 6, and 9) oxyfluoride glasses were prepared. Utilizing the Raman scattering technique together with ²⁹Si and ¹⁹F MAS NMR, the effect of alkaline metal oxides on the Q species of glass was characterized. Raman results show that as magnesia is added at the expense of calcium oxide, the disproportional reaction Q³→Q⁴+Q² (Qⁿ is a SiO₄ tetrahedron with n bridging oxygens) prompted due to the high ionic field strength of magnesia, magnesium oxide entered into the silicate network as tetrahedral MgO₄, and removed other modifying ions for charge compensation. This reaction was confirmed by ²⁹Si MAS NMR. ¹⁹F MAS NMR results show that fluorine exists in the form of mixed calcium sodium fluoride species in all glasses and no Si–F bonds were formed. As CaO is gradually replaced by MgO (x=6, 9), a proportion of the magnesium ions combines with fluorine to form the MgF⁺ species. Meanwhile, some part of Na⁺ ions complex F⁻ in the form of F–Na(6).     

Effect of CuO addition on the optical and electrical properties of sodium zinc borophosphate glasses

Sodium borophosphate glasses doped with copper ions having general composition 20Na₂O-20ZnO-25B₂O₃-(35-x) P₂O₅-x CuO (x=1-8 mol %) were prepared using conventional melt-quench method and characterized by density, UV-visible optical absorption, photoluminescence and conductivity measurements. E_optical values for different glass samples are found to decrease systematically from 3.5 to 2.5 eV with increase in CuO content in the glass. Network modifying action of CuO with the glass network has been confirmed from the UV-visible optical absorption studies. Presence of Copper in the form of Cu⁺ species has been confirmed from photoluminescence measurements. The electrical conductivity (σ) increases with increase in copper oxide content in the glass and temperature dependence of electrical conductivity confirmed the semiconducting nature of the samples.     

Sensitized red luminescence from Bi co-doped Eu: ZnO-B2O3 glasses

Photoluminescence properties of Bi³⁺ co-doped Eu³⁺ containing zinc borate glasses have been investigated and the results are reported here. Bright red emission due to a dominant electric dipole transition ⁵D₀→⁷F₂ of the Eu³⁺ ions has been observed from these glasses. The nature of Stark components from the measured fluorescence transitions of Eu³⁺ ions reveal that the rare earth ions could take the lattice sites of C_s or lower point symmetry in the zinc borate glass hosts. The significant enhancement of Eu³⁺ emission intensity by 346 nm excitation (¹S₀→³P₁ of Bi³⁺ ions) elucidates the sensitization effect of co-dopant. The energy transfer mechanism between sensitizer (Bi³⁺) and activator (Eu³⁺) ions has been explained.     

Novel porous CuO microrods: synthesis,characterization, and their photocatalysis property

Porous copper oxide microrods have been synthesized via calcining copper glycinate monohydrate microrod precursor which was prepared in mild conditions without any template or additive. Several techniques, such as X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) N₂ adsorption–desorption analyses, were used to characterize the structure and morphology of the products. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses show that the precursor consists of a large quantity of uniform rod-like micro/nanostructures with typical lengths in the range of 25–40 µm and diameters in the range of 0.1–0.35 µm. The microrod-like precursors transformed into porous microrod products after calcination at 450 °C in flow air for 2 h. The BET surface area of the porous CuO microrods was calculated to be 8.5 m² g⁻¹. In addition, the obtained porous CuO microrods were used as catalysts to photodegrade rhodamine B (RhB), methyl orange, methylene blue, eosin B, and p-nitrophenol. Compared with commercial CuO powders, the as-prepared porous CuO microrods exhibit superior properties on photocatalytic decomposition of RhB due to their porous hierarchical structures.     

Structural and magnetic studies of CuO-TeO2 and CuO-TeO2-B2O3 glasses

The glass systems xCuO ^. (1- x)TeO₂ and xCuO ^. (1- x)[75TeO₂ ^. 25B₂O₃] with 0 < x ? 50 mol% were investigated by means of X-ray diffraction, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and a.c. magnetic susceptibility ( ) measurements, the principal aim of the investigation being the study of the structural modifications in the tellurite glasses introduced by the addition of boron oxide. In the case of first glass system, i.e. without B₂O₃, EPR spectra of Cu²⁺ ions undergo changes with the increasing concentration of CuO. At very low concentrations, spectra are due to isolated Cu²⁺ ions in axially distorted octahedral sites. The EPR signal for samples with 3 ? x ? 20 mol% can be explained as being the superposition of two EPR absorptions, one showing the hyperfine structure typical for isolated Cu²⁺ ions and the other consisting of a symmetric line typical for clustered ions. The broadening of the absorption band is due to dipolar as well exchange interaction. The susceptibility data show that for x > 20 mol%, the Cu²⁺ ions are predominantly clustered and are coupled through antiferromagnetic exchange interaction. A comparative study of amorphous X-ray diffraction pattern of the glasses indicates a structural modification in the TeO₂ network with increasing CuO concentration; the effect is quite visible in the samples with CuO concentrations higher than 20 mole percent. Measurements of density corroborate the conclusions drawn from the X-ray diffraction. Additionally, we show that our data validates a model in which CuO rich regions are surrounded by a buffer boundary which separates them from the tellurite glassy network; effect of introducing B₂O₃ can be best described as breaking these regions into smaller size regions. Received 23 October 2000 and Received in final form 1st February 2001     

Phase transformations in CuO caused by bombardment by He<Superscript>+</Superscript> ions and by the action of spherical shock waves

The valence state of copper ions and the phase composition of copper monoxide CuO subjected to bombardment by He⁺ ions and explosive shock waves are studied by the methods of x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and x-ray emission spectroscopy (XES). Measurements of photoelectron Cu 2p and emission O K_α spectra revealed a decrease in the concentration of Cu²⁺ ions and partial reduction of CuO to Cu₂O as a result of both ion bombardment and shock-wave loading. The concentration of the Cu₂O phase attained values of 10–15%. The Cu₂O phase is revealed by the XPS and XES methods even at concentrations lower than its threshold concentration for detection by x-ray diffraction measurements. This points to the effectiveness of XPS and XES techniques in studying nanocrystalline materials and defect structures containing finely dispersed inclusions. A model for the emergence of Cu₂O due to the formation of charged clusters under the action of stress waves is proposed.     

Optical properties of LiNbO3:Cr crystals co-doped with germanium oxide

Lithium niobate (LiNbO₃) crystals doped with chromium ions show a clear green colouring reflecting the absorption profile of the dominating [Cr]_Li defect centres. A significant change in its colouration takes place when it is co-doped with other valency impurities such as Mg²⁺, Sc³⁺ and W⁶⁺, above a certain threshold concentration. This concentration singularity has been attributed to the formation of [Cr]_Nb centres coexisting with the [Cr]_Li centres.In this work, we extended the investigation on the effect of co-dopant ions in Cr:LiNbO₃ to tetravalent cation such as GeO₂. A singularity in the relative intensity of the ⁴A₂→⁴T₁ and ⁴A₂→⁴T₂ absorption band was observed for a concentration of ～1.5 mol%, compared with 4.5 mol% for Mg²⁺. The photoluminescence emission spectra also reveal a new emission band, at a lower energy than the [Cr]_Li centre, corresponding to this threshold concentration. A charge compensation model is proposed to explain the role of cation impurities and results are compared with those of other valence impurities.     

The effect of the next nearest neighbor ion on the X-ray photoelectron spectra of 2p levels for Co2+, Ni2+ and Cu2+ in MgO

The X-ray photoelectron spectra of Co, Ni and Cu 2p levels for samples of M_xMg_1-xO (M = Co, Ni, Cu), CoO, NiO and CuO were compared. The binding energies of metal 2p_{$\text{3}\text{2}$} levels did not change with their concentration. The shake-up satellite main peak intensity ratios and FWHM of metal 2p levels for Co²⁺ and Cu²⁺ in MgO were smaller than those for CoO and CuO. The Ni 2p_{$\text{3}\text{2}$} spectrum for Ni²⁺ in MgO had no shoulder, unlike NiO. Results indicate that next nearest neighbor ions (metal ions) may influence the final states after photoelectron ejection.     

Potential dependence of cuprous/cupric duplex film growth on copper electrode in alkaline media

The duplex oxide film potentiostatically formed on copper in concentrated alkaline media has been investigated by XRD, XPS, negative-going voltammetry and cathodic chronopotentiometry. The interfacial capacity was also measured using fast triangular voltage method under quasi-stationary condition. The obvious differences in the thickness, composition, passivation degree and capacitance behavior were observed between the duplex film formed in lower potential region (−0.13 to 0.18 V versus Hg|HgO electrode with the same solution as the electrolyte) and that formed in higher potential region (0.18-0.60 V). Cuprous oxides could be formed and exist stably in the inner layer in the both potential regions, and three cupric species, soluble ions and Cu(OH)₂ and CuO, could be independently produced from the direct oxidation of metal copper, as indicated by three pairs of redox voltammetric peaks. One of the oxidation peaks appeared only after the scan was reversed from high potential and could be attributed to CuO formation upon the pre-accumulation of O²⁻ ions within the film under high anodic potentials. A new mechanism for the film growth on the investigated time scale from 1 to 30 min is proposed, that is, the growth of the duplex film in the lower potential region takes place at the film|solution interface to form a thick Cu(OH)₂ outer layer by field-assisted transfer of Cu²⁺ ions through the film to solution, whereas the film in the higher potential region grows depressingly and slowly at the metal|film interface to form Cu₂O and less CuO by the transfer of O²⁻ ions through the film to electrode.     

Optical and other spectroscopic studies of lead, zinc bismuth borate glasses doped with CuO

10MO·20Bi₂O₃·(70−x)B₂O₃·xCuO [M=Pb, Zn] with x=0, 0.4 and 0.8 (wt%) glasses were synthesized by the melt-quenching technique and were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. Physical parameters, like density, and spectroscopic studies (optical absorption, EPR, FTIR and photoluminescence) were used to understand the role of modifier oxide and CuO in the glass matrix. A red shift of the absorption band corresponds to ²B_1g→²B_2g transition of Cu²⁺ ions from P2 to Z4 samples and the increase of hyperfine splitting factor (A_‖) from P2 to Z2 shows that with the integration of PbO by ZnO the electron density around copper ion is increased. It is also supported by the gradual increase in theoretical optical basicity values of ZnO mixed glasses, as compared to that of PbO mixed glass matrix. Reduced bismuth radicals are found in undoped and 0.4% CuO doped glasses of both the series. Analysis of the absorption and emission studies indicates that the concentration of luminescence centers of bismuth ions (Bi³⁺ ions in UV region) is decreased by the integration of ZnO as well as by increasing the dopant concentration. In lead series PbO₄ and BiO₃ units are increased from P2 to P4 and in zinc series BiO₃ units are decreased from Z0 to Z4. The conductivity of the glass matrices is increased in both the series with the dopant of CuO.     

Structural,magnetic and optical properties of diluted magnetic semiconductor (DMS) phase of Ni modified CuO nanoparticles

Control on the size of copper oxide (CuO) in the nano range is a highly motivating approach to study its multifunctional nature. The present investigation reports a sol-gel derived Ni doped CuO nanoparticles (Cu_1-xNi_xO). Rietveld refinement of the XRD spectra confirms the formation of single monoclinic phase of Cu_1-xNi_xO nanoparticles having crystallite size within the range of 19–21 nm. Raman spectra show the presence of characteristics Raman active modes and vibrational bands in the Cu_1-xNi_xO samples that corroborate the monoclinic phase of the samples as revealed by refinement of XRD data. The estimated band gap of pure CuO is found to be ∼1.43 eV, which decreases with the increase of dopant concentration into CuO matrix. This result is in line with estimated crystallite size. Magnetization curves confirm the weak ferromagnetic nature of Cu_1-xNi_xO nanoparticles which reveal the DMS phase. This weak magnetic nature may be induced in the samples due to the exchange interaction between the localized magnetic d-spins of Ni ions and carriers (holes or electrons) from the valence band of pristine CuO lattice. Replacement of Cu⁺² by Ni⁺² ions into the host CuO lattice induces the magnetization. The quantified value of squareness ratio (S < 0.5) confirms the inter-grain magnetic interactions in the Cu_1-xNi_xO nanoparticles which is also the reason of weak induced magnetization.     

The Effect of TiO2 and MgO on the Thermoluminescence Properties of a Lithium Potassium Borate Glass System

The influence of dopant TiO₂ and co-dopant MgO on the thermoluminescence (TL) properties of lithium potassium borate glass (LKB) is reported in this paper. The glow curve exhibits a prominent peak (T_m) at 230 °C. The TL intensity was enhanced by a factor of ~3 due to the incorporation of MgO, and this was attributed to the creation of extra electron traps mediated by radiative recombination energy transfer. We achieved good linearity of the TL yield with dose, low fading, excellent reproducibility and a promising effective atomic number (Z_eff=8.89), all of which are highly suitable for dosimetry. The effect of heating rate, sunlight and dose rate on the TL are also examined. These attractive features demonstrate that our dosimeter is useful in medical radiation therapy.     

Synthesis, characterization and applications of nanostructural/nanodimensional metal oxides

Molybdenum oxide nanorods (MOx-NR) and vanadium oxide nanotubes (VOx-NT) have been prepared using MoO₃ and V₂O₅ powders as precursors and hexadecylamine as surfactant via hydrothermal route. Porous nanocrystalline MgO powder has been prepared by a simple and instantaneous solution combustion process using corresponding magnesium nitrate as oxidizer and glycine as fuel. The compounds are characterized by XRD, TG-DTA, SEM, TEM, surface area and porosity measurements. Because of the porous nature having large surface area (107 m²/g) with nanodimension (12-23 nm), MgO powder has been successfully employed as defluoridizing agent for the removal of fluoride (75%) in ground water     

Enhanced photoluminescence properties of Sm ions in Cu and Sn co-doped P2O5:BaO glass

Luminescent glasses activated with Sm³⁺ ions are of current interest given their potential for a wide range of photonic applications. In this work, Sm³⁺-containing P₂O₅:BaO glasses are prepared by a simple melt-quench method, and the influence of CuO and SnO co-doping on Sm³⁺ photoluminescence (PL) is investigated. Optical absorption, solid-state ³¹P nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and PL spectroscopy are employed in the assessment of material optical and structural properties. The data indicates that monovalent copper ions and twofold-coordinated Sn centers are successfully stabilized in the matrix and both species can enhance the orange–red emission of Sm³⁺ ions. The optical properties of the material after heat treatment have been also assessed. Results indicate the chemical reduction of ionic copper via Sn²⁺ ultimately producing Cu nanoparticles as evidenced by the surface plasmon resonance. As a result, Sm³⁺ PL diminishes consistent with an excitation energy transfer to plasmonic Cu particles, i.e. the “plasmonic diluent” effect prevails.     

Combinatorial fabrication and magnetic properties of homoepitaxial Co and Li co-doped NiO thin-film nanostructures

Magnetic properties of nanostructured epitaxial thin layers of a series of Co and Li co-doped NiO on MgO(1 0 0) substrate with NiO buffer layer have been investigated. Thin films were synthesized by combinatorial laser molecular beam epitaxy (CLMBE) in the continuous binary composition spread approach. Large and linear variation of x was achieved in the growth of Co_xLi_0.2Ni_0.8−xO_, onto 9 mm of single substrate. Homoepitaxial growth with smooth surface morphology was confirmed by grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXRD) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Linear decrease in the band gap and optical transparency was observed with increasing cobalt concentration. The magneto-optical Kerr effect revealed a strong photon energy dependency with negative Kerr rotation for all the Co-concentrations in the film, suggesting intra-valence charge transfer (IVCT) between low spin state Co²⁺ with host Ni²⁺. Ferromagnetic (FM)-like ordering was observed at low temperatures, while antiferromagnetism predominates at room temperature in the Co and Li co-doped nickel oxide epitaxial films.     

Judd–Ofelt analysis and improvement of thermal and optical properties of tellurite glasses by adding P2O5

Er³⁺ and Er³⁺/Yb³⁺ co-doped tellurite glasses, suitable for developing optical fiber laser and amplifier, have been elaborated from the conventional melt-quenching method. Results of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements indicate a good thermal stability of tellurite glasses. The DSC measurements show an improvement of thermal stability of glass hosts after adding P₂O₅. Absorption spectrum from near infrared to visible was obtained and the Judd–Ofelt (J–O) intensity parameters (Ω₂, Ω₄, and Ω₆) were determined. Spontaneous emission probabilities of some relevant transitions, branching ratio, and radiative lifetimes of several excited states of Er³⁺ have been predicted using intensity J–O parameters. Absorption cross-section and calculated emission cross-section, using the McCumber method, for the ⁴I_13/2→⁴I_15/2 transition, were determined and compared for the doped and co-doped glasses. Energy transfer (ET) and effect of changing concentration of P₂O₅ and Yb³⁺ ions on spectroscopic properties were investigated. It was found that the addition of P₂O₅ can increase the symmetry of the Er³⁺ ion. As a consequence, PL lifetime becomes more longer.The spectroscopic properties and the efficient infrared luminescence indicate that Er³⁺ doped TeO₂–ZnO–Na₂O–Er₂O₃(TZNE) is a promising laser and amplifier materials and may be a potentially useful material for developing upconversion fiber optical devices.     

Broadband near-IR emission and temperature dependence in Er/Tm co-doped Bi2O3–SiO2–Ga2O3 glasses

The broadband near-IR emission has been investigated in a series of Er/Tm co-doped Bi₂O₃–SiO₂–Ga₂O₃ (BSG) glasses with 800 nm laser diode as an excitation source. A broadband emission extending from 1350 to 1650 nm with a full width at half maximum (FWHM) around 165 nm is obtained in 0.2 wt% Er₂O₃ and 1.0 wt% Tm₂O₃ co-doped BSG glass. The fluorescence decay curves of glasses are measured and maximum energy transfer efficiency from Er³⁺ to Tm³⁺ reaches 71% when Tm³⁺ concentration is 1.0 wt%. The temperature dependence of the broadband emission spectra in Er³⁺–Tm³⁺ co-doped BSG glass is also recorded to further understand the energy-transfer processes between Er³⁺ and Tm³⁺. The present work suggests that Er/Tm co-doped BSG glasses can be a potential candidate for broadband integrated amplifier.     

Copper and copper oxide nanoparticles in a cellulose support studied using anomalous small-angle X-ray scattering

Microcrystalline cellulose is a porous natural material which can be used both as a support for nanoparticles and as a reducer of metal ions. Cellulose supported nanoparticles can act as catalysts in many reactions. Cu, CuO, and Cu₂O particles were prepared in microcrystalline cellulose by adding a solution of copper salt to the insoluble cellulose matrix and by reducing the copper ions with several reducers. The porous nanocomposites were studied using anomalous small angle X-ray scattering (ASAXS), X-ray absorption spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. Reduction of Cu²⁺ with cellulose in ammonium hydrate medium yielded crystalline CuO nanoparticles and the crystallite size was about 6–20 nm irrespective of the copper concentration. The size distribution of the CuO particles was determined with ASAXS measurements and coincided with the crystallite sizes. Using sodium borohydrate or hydrazine sulfate as a reducer both metallic Cu and Cu₂O nanoparticles were obtained and the crystallite size and the oxidation state depended on the amount of reducer.