Dielectric relaxation and ionic conductivity studies of Ag<Subscript>2</Subscript>ZnP<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>7</Subscript>

The complex impedance of the Ag₂ZnP₂O₇ compound has been investigated in the temperature range 419–557 K and in the frequency range 200 Hz–5 MHz. The Z′ and Z′ versus frequency plots are well fitted to an equivalent circuit model. Dielectric data were analyzed using complex electrical modulus M* for the sample at various temperatures. The modulus plot can be characterized by full width at half-height or in terms of a non-exponential decay function f( \textt ) = exp( - \textt/t )^b \phi \left( {\text{t}} \right) = \exp {\left( { - {\text{t}}/\tau } \right)^\beta } . The frequency dependence of the conductivity is interpreted in terms of Jonscher’s law: s( w) = s_\textdc + \textAwⁿ \sigma \left( \omega \right) = {\sigma_{\text{dc}}} + {\text{A}}{\omega^n} . The conductivity σ _dc follows the Arrhenius relation. The near value of activation energies obtained from the analysis of M″, conductivity data, and equivalent circuit confirms that the transport is through ion hopping mechanism dominated by the motion of the Ag⁺ ions in the structure of the investigated material.     

Electrical properties,equivalent circuit,and dielectric relaxation studies on [(C<Subscript>3</Subscript>H<Subscript>7</Subscript>)<Subscript>4</Subscript>N]<Subscript>2</Subscript>Cd<Subscript>2</Subscript>Cl<Subscript>6</Subscript> polycrystalline

The Ac electrical conductivity and the dielectric relaxation properties of the [(C₃H₇)₄N]₂Cd₂Cl₆ polycrystalline sample have been investigated by means of impedance spectroscopy measurements over a wide range of frequencies and temperatures, 209 Hz–5 MHz and 361–418 K, respectively. The purpose is to make a difference between the electrical and dielectric properties of the polycrystalline sample and single crystal. Besides, a detailed analysis of the impedance spectrum suggests that the electrical properties of the material are strongly temperature-dependent. Plots of (Z" versus Z') are well fitted to an equivalent circuit model consisting of a series combination of grains and grains boundary elements. Moreover, the temperature dependence of the electrical conductivity in the different phases follows the Arrhenius law and the frequency dependence of σ (ω) follows the Jonscher’s universal dynamic law. Furthermore, the modulus plots can be characterized by full width at half height or in terms of a nonexperiential decay function φ(t) = exp(t/t)^β. Finally, the imaginary part of the permittivity constant is analyzed with the Cole–Cole formalism.     

Electrical characterization of the [N(CH<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>4</Subscript>][N(C<Subscript>2</Subscript>H<Subscript>5</Subscript>)<Subscript>4</Subscript>]ZnCl<Subscript>4</Subscript> compound

The [N(CH₃)₄][N(C₂H₅)₄]ZnCl₄ compound has been synthesized by a solution-based chemical method. The X-ray diffraction study at room temperature revealed an orthorhombic system with P2₁2₁2 space group. The complex impedance has been investigated in the temperature and frequency ranges 420–520 K and 200 Hz–5 MHz, respectively. The grain interior and grain boundary contribution to the electrical response in the material have been identified. Dielectric data were analyzed using the complex electrical modulus M ^* for the sample at various temperature. The modulus plots can be characterized by full width at half height or in terms of a non-exponential decay function ϕ(t) = exp[(−t/τ) ^β ]. The detailed conductivity study indicated that the electrical conduction in the material is a thermally activated process. The variation of the AC conductivity with frequency at different temperatures obeys the Almond and West universal law.     

Asymptotics for the Covariance of the Airy<Subscript>2</Subscript> Process

In this paper we compute some of the higher order terms in the asymptotic behavior of the two point function \mathbbP(A₂(0) ￡ s₁,A₂(t) ￡ s₂)\mathbb{P}(\mathcal {A}_{2}(0)\leq s_{1},\mathcal{A}_{2}(t)\leq s_{2}), extending the previous work of Adler and van Moerbeke (; Ann. Probab. 33, 1326–1361, 2005) and Widom (J. Stat. Phys. 115, 1129–1134, 2004). We prove that it is possible to represent any order asymptotic approximation as a polynomial and integrals of the Painlevé II function q and its derivative q′. Further, for up to tenth order we give this asymptotic approximation as a linear combination of the Tracy-Widom GUE density function f ₂ and its derivatives. As a corollary to this, the asymptotic covariance is expressed up to tenth order in terms of the moments of the Tracy-Widom GUE distribution.     

Analysis of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Y</Emphasis>(4140) and related molecular states with QCD sum rules

In this article, we assume that there exist scalar D^*[`(D)]<sup>*</sup>{D}^{\ast}{\bar {D}}^{\ast}, D<sub>s</sub><sup>*</sup>[`(D)]_s^*{D}_{s}^{\ast}{\bar{D}}_{s}^{\ast}, B^*[`(B)]<sup>*</sup>{B}^{\ast}{\bar {B}}^{\ast} and B<sub>s</sub><sup>*</sup>[`(B)]_s^*{B}_{s}^{\ast}{\bar{B}}_{s}^{\ast} molecular states, and study their masses using the QCD sum rules. The numerical results indicate that the masses are about (250–500) MeV above the corresponding D ^*–[`(D)]<sup>*</sup>{\bar{D}}^{\ast}, D <sub>s</sub> <sup>*</sup>–[`(D)]_s^*{\bar {D}}_{s}^{\ast}, B ^*–[`(B)]<sup>*</sup>{\bar{B}}^{\ast} and B <sub>s</sub> <sup>*</sup>–[`(B)]_s^*{\bar {B}}_{s}^{\ast} thresholds, the Y(4140) is unlikely a scalar D_s^*[`(D)]<sub>s</sub><sup>*</sup>{D}_{s}^{\ast}{\bar{D}}_{s}^{\ast} molecular state. The scalar D<sup>*</sup>[`(D)]^*D^{\ast}{\bar{D}}^{\ast}, D_s^*[`(D)]<sub>s</sub><sup>*</sup>D_{s}^{\ast}{\bar{D}}_{s}^{\ast}, B<sup>*</sup>[`(B)]^*B^{\ast}{\bar{B}}^{\ast} and B_s^*[`(B)]<sub>s</sub><sup>*</sup>B_{s}^{\ast}{\bar{B}}_{s}^{\ast} molecular states maybe not exist, while the scalar D￠<sup>*</sup>[`(D)]^￠*{D'}^{\ast}{\bar{D}}^{\prime\ast}, D_s^￠*[`(D)]<sub>s</sub><sup>￠*</sup>{D}_{s}^{\prime\ast}{\bar{D}}_{s}^{\prime\ast}, B<sup>￠*</sup>[`(B)]^￠*{B}^{\prime\ast}{\bar{B}}^{\prime\ast} and B_s^￠*[`(B)]_s^￠*{B}_{s}^{\prime\ast}{\bar{B}}_{s}^{\prime\ast} molecular states maybe exist.     

Dielectric relaxation and ionic conductivity studies of LiCaPO<Subscript>4</Subscript>

The AC conductivity of the LiCaPO₄ compound has been measured in the temperature range 634–755 K and the frequency range 300 Hz–5 MHz. The impedance data were fitted to an equivalent circuit consisting of series combination of grains, grains boundary, and electrode elements. Dielectric data were analyzed using complex electrical modulus M* at various temperatures. The modulus plots are characterized by the presence of two relaxation peaks thermally activated. The activation energies obtained from the analysis of M″ (0.90 eV) and conductivity data (0.94 eV) are very close, revealing an ionic hopping mechanism.     

Temperature stable low loss PTFE/rutile composites using secondary polymer

Rutile filled PTFE composites have been fabricated through Sigma Mixing, Extrusion, Calendering and Hot pressing (SMECH) process. Dielectric constant (e_r￠\varepsilon_{r}') and loss tangent (tan δ) of filled composites at microwave frequency region were measured by waveguide cavity perturbation technique using a Vector Network Analyzer. The temperature coefficient of dielectric constant (t_er￠\tau_{\varepsilon_{r}'}) was measured in the 0–100°C temperature range. In order to tailor the temperature coefficient of dielectric constant of the composite, thermoplastic Poly (ether ether ketone) (PEEK) has been used as a secondary polymer. Flexible laminate having a dielectric constant, e_r￠ ~ 10.4\varepsilon_{r}'\sim10.4, loss tangent tan δ∼0.0045 and t_er￠ ~ -40 ppm/K\tau_{\varepsilon_{r}'}\sim-40\mbox{ ppm}/\mbox{K} was realized in Polytetrafluroethylene (PTFE)/rutile composites with the addition of 8 wt% PEEK. The reduction in t_er￠\tau_{\varepsilon_{r}'} is mainly attributed to the positive t_er￠\tau_{\varepsilon_{r}'} of PEEK and increased interface region in the composites as a result of the PEEK addition.     

An ab initio molecular dynamics study of ionic conductivity in hexagonal lithium lanthanum titanate oxide La0.5Li0.5TiO3

To date, the fastest lithium ion-conducting solid electrolytes known are the perovskite-type ABO₃ oxide, with A = Li, La and B = Ti, lithium lanthanum titanate (LLTO) Li_3x La_{( 2 \mathord}

Stochastic Porous Media Equations and Self-Organized Criticality: Convergence to the Critical State in all Dimensions

If X = X(t, ξ) is the solution to the stochastic porous media equation in O ì R^d, 1 ￡ d ￡ 3,{\mathcal{O}\subset \mathbf{R}^d, 1\le d\le 3,} modelling the self-organized criticality (Barbu et al. in Commun Math Phys 285:901–923, 2009) and X _c is the critical state, then it is proved that ò^￥₀m(O\O^t₀)dt < ￥,\mathbbP-a.s.{\int^{\infty}_0m(\mathcal{O}{\setminus}\mathcal{O}^t_0)dt<{\infty},\mathbb{P}\hbox{-a.s.}} and lim_t?￥ ò_O|X(t)-X_c|dx = l < ￥, \mathbbP-a.s.{\lim_{t\to{\infty}} \int_\mathcal{O}|X(t)-X_c|d\xi=\ell<{\infty},\ \mathbb{P}\hbox{-a.s.}} Here, m is the Lebesgue measure and O^t_c{\mathcal{O}^t_c} is the critical region {x ? O; X(t,x)=X_c(x)}{\{\xi\in\mathcal{O}; X(t,\xi)=X_c(\xi)\}} and X _c (ξ) ≤ X(0, ξ) a.e. x ? O{\xi\in\mathcal{O}}. If the stochastic Gaussian perturbation has only finitely many modes (but is still function-valued), lim_{t ? ￥} ò_K|X(t)-X_c|dx = 0{\lim_{t \to {\infty}} \int_K|X(t)-X_c|d\xi=0} exponentially fast for all compact K ì O{K\subset\mathcal{O}} with probability one, if the noise is sufficiently strong. We also recover that in the deterministic case ℓ = 0.     

On the Massive Wave Equation on Slowly Rotating Kerr-AdS Spacetimes

The massive wave equation ${\square_{g}\psi - \alpha \frac{\Lambda}{3}\psi = 0}The massive wave equation \square_gy- a\fracL3y = 0{\square_{g}\psi - \alpha \frac{\Lambda}{3}\psi = 0} is studied on a fixed Kerr-anti de Sitter background (M,g_M,a,L){\left(\mathcal{M},g_{M,a,\Lambda}\right)}. We first prove that in the Schwarzschild case (a = 0), ψ remains uniformly bounded on the black hole exterior provided that a < \frac94{\alpha < \frac{9}{4}}, i.e. the Breitenlohner-Freedman bound holds. Our proof is based on vectorfield multipliers and commutators: The total flux of the usual energy current arising from the timelike Killing vector field T (which fails to be non-negative pointwise) is shown to be non-negative with the help of a Hardy inequality after integration over a spacelike slice. In addition to T, we construct a vectorfield whose energy identity captures the redshift producing good estimates close to the horizon. The argument is finally generalized to slowly rotating Kerr-AdS backgrounds. This is achieved by replacing the Killing vectorfield T = ∂ _t with K=?_t + l?_f{K=\partial_t + \lambda \partial_\phi} for an appropriate λ ~ a, which is also Killing and–in contrast to the asymptotically flat case–everywhere causal on the black hole exterior. The separability properties of the wave equation on Kerr-AdS are not used. As a consequence, the theorem also applies to spacetimes sufficiently close to the Kerr-AdS spacetime, as long as they admit a causal Killing field K which is null on the horizon.     

Measurements of the electronic conductivities of In-doped CaZrO<Subscript>3</Subscript> by a DC polarization technique

The following hydrogen and oxygen concentration cells using the oxide protonic conductors, \textCaZ\textr_0.98\textI\textn_0.02\textO_{3 - d} {\text{CaZ}}{{\text{r}}_{0.98}}{\text{I}}{{\text{n}}_{0.02}}{{\text{O}}_{3 - \delta }} and \textCaZ\textr_0.9\textI\textn_0.1\textO_{3 - d} {\text{CaZ}}{{\text{r}}_{0.{9}}}{\text{I}}{{\text{n}}_{0.{1}}}{{\text{O}}_{{3} - \delta }} , as the solid electrolyte were constructed, and their polarization behavior was studied,

Crystallographic shear of polymorphic TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanocondensates with enhanced Cr<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> dissolution via pulsed laser ablation

TiO₂ nanoparticles with enhanced solid solution of Cr up to 16 wt% in polymorphs of rutile, anatase, brookite, α-PbO₂-type, and occasionally baddeleyite-type were synthesized via pulse laser ablation on ceramic TiO₂ target dissolved with Cr₂O₃ or clamped Cr/Ti plates in air. Analytical electron microscopic observations indicated these nanocondensates have prevalent crystallographic shear (CS) along specific planes to form superstructures. The rutile type typically shows (100) and (010) CS besides the conventional ones rotating about the [111] zone axis as reported for ambient samples. The CS planes are parallel to (001) for anatase, (001) and ([`1] \overline{1} 10) for brookite, whereas (001) and {1[`3] \overline{3} 1} for the α-PbO₂-type TiO₂ with varied extent of Cr dissolution. Surface modification, as a result of Cr dissolution and/or internal stress, was observed for all the polymorphs.     

Redox mechanism in the NiP<Subscript>2</Subscript> electrode for Li-ion batteries: A DFT study coupled with local chemical bond analyses

Li reactivity of the monoclinic NiP₂ electrode is investigated through first-principles density functional theory calculations and local chemical bond analysis. The stability of various Li _x NiP₂ is studied with respect to the conversion reaction . The T = 0K Li _x NiP₂ phase stability diagram, as obtained, reveals that several ternary phases of lithium composition Li₂NiP₂ can be electrochemically achieved upon reduction. They correspond to monoclinic or tetragonal structures in which Ni adopts a square-planar (D_4h-Li₂NiP₂) or a pseudo-tetrahedral (Td-Li₂NiP₂) environment. A local chemical bond analysis suggests that D_4h–Li₂NiP₂ would result from an interlayer P–P bond breaking induced by a two-phase (P redox) process, while Td-Li₂NiP₂ would result from a Jahn–Teller distortion associated with a single-phase (Ni–P redox) process. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users. This paper was presented at the 11th EuroConference on the Science and Technology of Ionics, Batz-sur-Mer, Sept. 9–15, 2007.     

Structural and electrical properties of pure and H<Subscript>2</Subscript>SO<Subscript>4</Subscript> doped (PVA)<Subscript>0.7</Subscript>(NaI)<Subscript>0.3</Subscript> solid polymer electrolyte

Solid polymer electrolytes (SPE) based on poly-(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)_0.7 and sodium iodide (NaI)_0.3 complexed with sulfuric acid (SA) at different concentrations were prepared using solution casting technique. The structural properties of these electrolyte films were examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies. The XRD data revealed that sulfuric acid disrupt the semi-crystalline nature of (PVA)_0.7(NaI)_0.3 and convert it into an amorphous phase. The proton conductivity and impedance of the electrolyte were studied with changing sulfuric acid concentration from 0 to 5.1 mol/liter (M). The highest conductivity of (PVA)_0.7(NaI)_0.3 matrix at room temperature was 10⁻⁵ S cm⁻¹ and this increased to 10⁻³ S cm⁻¹ with doping by 5.1 M sulfuric acid. The electrical conductivity (σ) and dielectric permittivity (ε′) of the solid polymer electrolyte in frequency range (500 Hz–1 MHz) and temperature range (300–400) K were carried out. The electrolyte with the highest electrical conductivity was used in the fabrication of a sodium battery with the configuration Na/SPE/MnO₂. The fabricated cells give open circuit voltage of 3.34 V and have an internal resistance of 4.5 kΩ.     

Impedance spectroscopy study of Pb<Subscript>2</Subscript>P<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>7</Subscript> compound

The lead pyrophosphate, Pb₂P₂O₇, compound was prepared by conventional solid-state reaction and identified by X-ray powder diffractometer. Pb₂P₂O₇ has a triclinic structure whose electrical properties were studied using impedance spectroscopy technique. Both impedance and modulus analysis exhibit the grain and grain boundary contribution to the electrical response of the sample. The temperature dependence of the bulk and grain boundary conductivity were found to obey the Arrhenius law with activation energies E _g = 0.66 eV and E _gb = 0.67 eV, respectively. The scaling behavior of the imaginary part of the complex impedance suggests that the relaxation describes the same mechanism at various temperatures.     

Charge density wave and superconductivity in 2H- and 4H-NbSe<Subscript>2</Subscript>: A revisit

Good-quality hexagonal NbSe₂ single crystals were prepared. In 2H-NbSe₂, superconducting and charge density wave (CDW) transitions were found at T _s = 7.4 K and T _c = 35 K respectively as reported previously. We have noticed that these two transitions are changed to T _c = 42 K and T _s = 6.5 K, in 4H-NbSe₂. Thermopower has shown clear anomaly at CDW transitions. The anisotropic upper critical field was calculated as ~3 and 6.3 for 2H- and 4H-single crystals around t = 0.81, where t = T/T _s, from resistivity and explained in terms of coherence length. From the relation, H_c2 (T)=H_c2 (0)[1-t²]H_{\rm c2} (T)=H_{\rm c2} (0)[1-t^2], H_c2^l (0)H_{\rm c2}^l (0) was calculated as ~8.15 T and 16.98 T at t = 0.84 in 2H-NbSe₂ and 4H-NbSe₂ respectively. However, H_c2^t (0) = 2.68H_{\rm c2}^t (0) = 2.68T for both single crystals.     

A method to study polydispersity of humic acid from fluorescence quenching by Cu<Superscript>2+</Superscript> ions

The spectral dependence of Stern–Volmer constants (K_SV^lK_{SV}^{\lambda} ) for fluorescence quenching by Cu²⁺ ions in a standard sample of humic acid (HA) (IHSS) with monochromatic excitation (λ_ex = 337.1 nm) conditions has been studied in the spectral range 400–600 nm. This is interpreted within a concept implying that HA macromolecules possess the property of polydispersity, which means that fluorophore-containing sites are different in terms of chemical nature and spatial accessibility. Modeling data show that the minimum number of spectral components required for the simulated spectral dependence of K_SV^lK_{SV}^{\lambda} to agree as closely as possible with that observed experimentally is three.     

Critical Hardy–Lieb–Thirring Inequalities for Fourth-Order Operators in Low Dimensions

This paper considers Hardy–Lieb–Thirring inequalities for higher order differential operators. A result for general fourth-order operators on the half-line is developed, and the trace inequality

Analysis of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Y</Emphasis>(4140) with QCD sum rules

In this article, we assume that there exists a scalar D_s^*[`(D)]<sub>s</sub><sup>*</sup>D_{s}^{\ast}{\bar{D}}_{s}^{\ast} molecular state in the J/ψ φ invariant mass distribution, and we study its mass using the QCD sum rules. The predictions depend heavily on the two criteria (pole dominance and convergence of the operator product expansion) of the QCD sum rules. The value of the mass is about M<sub>Ds<sup>*</sup>[`(D)]s^*</sub>=(4.43±0.16)M_{D_{s}^{\ast}{\bar{D}}_{s}^{\ast}}=(4.43\pm0.16)  GeV, which is inconsistent with the experimental data. The D_s^*[`(D)]_s^*D_{s}^{\ast}{\bar{D}}_{s}^{\ast} is probably a virtual state and is not related to the meson Y(4140). Another possibility, such as a hybrid charmonium, is not excluded.     

Quenching of the E1 strength in <Superscript>149</Superscript>Nd

Lifetime measurements of excited states in ¹⁴⁹Nd have been performed using the advanced time-delayed b \beta g \gamma g \gamma(t) method. Half-lives of 14 excited states in ¹⁴⁹Nd have been determined for the first time or measured with higher precision. Twelve new g \gamma -lines and 5 new levels have been introduced into the decay scheme of ¹⁴⁹Pr based on results of the g \gamma g \gamma coincidence measurements. Reduced transition probabilities have been determined for 40 g \gamma -transitions in ¹⁴⁹Nd . Configuration assignments for 6 rotational bands in ¹⁴⁹Nd are proposed. Enhanced E1 transitions indicate that the ground-state band and the band built on the 332.9keV level constitute a pair of the K^p = 5/2^±\ensuremath K^{\pi} = 5/2^{\pm} parity doublet bands. Potential energy surfaces on the (b₂,b₃)\ensuremath (\beta_{2},\beta_{3}) -plane have been calculated for the lowest single quasi-particle configurations in ¹⁴⁹Nd using the Strutinski method and the axially deformed Woods-Saxon potential. The predicted occurrence of the octupole-deformed K = 5/2 configuration is in agreement with experiment. Unexpectedly low |D₀|\ensuremath \vert D_0\vert values obtained for the K^p = 5/2^±\ensuremath K^{\pi} = 5/2^{\pm} parity doublet bands may result from cancellation between the proton and neutron shell correction contributions to |D₀|\ensuremath \vert D_0\vert .