Low-temperature dielectric behavior of disordered and ordered langasite family single crystals LGS,LGT, SNGS and STGS

Dielectric measurements of disordered La₃Ga₅SiO₁₄ (LGS), La₃Ga_5,5Ta_0,5O₁₄ (LGT) and ordered Sr₃NbGa₃Si₂O₁₄ (SNGS), Sr₃TaGa₃Si₂O₁₄ (STGS) single crystals of the langasite family performed at frequencies from 10 Hz to 1 MHz at temperatures between 4.2 and 300 K are reported. Temperature dependences of dielectric permittivity ε₃₃ and ε₁₁ are obtained. It is shown that ε₃₃ in LGS and LGT exhibits incipient ferroelectric-like behavior. SNGS and STGS demonstrate ordinary dielectric temperature dependences as dielectric permittivity decreases down to helium temperatures.     

Structural changes of piezoelectric La3Ga5SiO14 induced by paramagnetic ions revealed by Ga multiple quantum magic angle spinning

Experimental evidence that nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) can detect structural changes of piezoelectric La₃Ga₅SiO₁₄ induced by dilute paramagnetic ions is presented. Gd³⁺ and Eu³⁺ cations have been incorporated into La₃Ga₅SiO₁₄ monocrystals. As expected, the line-width of the tetrahedral ²⁹Si magic angle spinning (MAS) NMR spectra as well as the inverse of the T₂ relaxation time of ⁷¹Ga increases with the concentration of the paramagnetic ions. A surprising result is shown by ⁷¹Ga multiple quantum (MQ) MAS NMR spectrum, which changes with the concentration of paramagnetic ions. The changes in the ⁷¹Ga MQMAS spectra can be explained by a more ordonated distribution of Ga ions inside the oxygen tetrahedra. The ⁷¹Ga MQMAS NMR spectra allow identification of the one octahedral and two tetrahedral Ga sites.     

Mutual Action of Optical Activity and Electro-Optic Effect and Its Influence on the Electro-Optic Q-switch

In this paper, we have studied the mutual action of the optical activity and the electro-optic effect, and its influence on the electro-optic Q-switch. The birefringence (g₃₃/n₀)(/n₀)² resulting from the mutual action is calculated. In the polarization light interferometric experiment setup, the outgoing light intensity expression is given by I = A²₀ cos² (/)(g₃₃/n₀)l – ] + (/)[(–2) + (g₃₃/n₀)(/n₀)²]l, for the optically active crystal on which the voltage is applied.We discuss the influence on the turn-off and turn-on states of the Q-switch caused by the mutual action term (g₃₃/n₀) /n₀)², and the advantage and disadvantage of the two work-manners of the Q-switch (i.e., step-up manner and step-down manner). The synthetic properties of La₃Ga₅SiQ₁₄ electro-optic Q-switch are described in comparison to KD₂PO₄ and LiNbO₃ Q-switches.     

Spectral properties of Nd-doped Sr3Ga2Ge4O14 crystal

Neodymium doped strontium gallogermanate crystals were grown successfully by the Bridgman technique. The linear thermal expansion coefficients for the c- and a-axes were measured as 5.8 × 10⁻⁶ °C⁻¹ and 6.5 × 10⁻⁶ °C⁻¹. Absorption spectra, and fluorescence spectra, as well as fluorescence decay curves of Nd³⁺-doped Sr₃Ga₂Ge₄O₁₄ crystal, have been recorded at room temperature and used to calculate the absorption and stimulated emission cross-sections. Based on the Judd-Ofelt theory, three intensity parameters were obtained. The luminescent quantum efficiency of the ⁴F_3/2 level was determined to be approximately 73.8% for this material. Compared with other Nd³⁺-doped laser crystals, Nd³⁺-doped Sr₃Ga₂Ge₄O₁₄ crystal displays special laser properties due to its disorder structure.     

Microwave dielectric properties of (1 − x)(Mg0.95Co0.05)TiO3–x(Na0.5La0.5)TiO3 ceramic system

The microstructures and the microwave dielectric properties of the (1 − x)(Mg_0.95Co_0.05)TiO₃–x(Na_0.5La_0.5)TiO₃ ceramic system were investigated. Two-phase system was confirmed by the XRD patterns and the EDX analysis. A co-existed second phase (Mg_0.95Co_0.05)Ti₂O₅ was also detected. The microwave dielectric properties are strongly related to the density and the matrix of the specimen. A new microwave dielectric material 0.88(Mg_0.95Co_0.05)TiO₃–0.12(Na_0.5La_0.5)TiO₃, possessing an excellent combination of dielectric properties: ε_r  22.36, Q × f  110,000 GHz (at 9 GHz), τ_f  2.9 ppm/°C), is proposed as a candidate dielectric for GPS patch antennas.     

Improving microwave dielectric properties of La2.98/3Sr0.01(Mg0.5Sn0.5)O3 ceramics with CuO additive

The microwave dielectric properties of CuO-doped La_2.98/3Sr_0.01(Mg_0.5Sn_0.5)O₃ ceramics were investigated with a view to their application in microwave devices. CuO-doped La_2.98/3Sr_0.01(Mg_0.5Sn_0.5)O₃ ceramics were prepared by the conventional solid-state method. The X-ray diffraction patterns of CuO-doped La_2.98/3Sr_0.01(Mg_0.5Sn_0.5)O₃ ceramics exhibited no significant variation of phase with sintering temperature. By adding 0.75 wt.% CuO, a dielectric constant of 20.07, a quality factor (Q × f) of 63,000 GHz, and a temperature coefficient of resonant frequency τ_f (−77.0 ppm/°C) were obtained when La_2.98/3Sr_0.01(Mg_0.5Sn_0.5)O₃ ceramics were sintered at 1500 °C for 4 h.     

硅酸镓镧单晶的生长、性质及电光应用的研究

硅酸镓镧(La3Ga5SiO14,langasite,简称LGS)是一种多功能晶体。LGS和石英同属32点群,具有良好的压电和电光性质,本文在综述LGS晶体基本性质的基础上,总结了我们对这种晶体生长和性质的研究工作,测量了LGS晶体电光性质,采取措施消除旋光性影响,首次用其设计制作了电光Q开关,结果表明其效果与DKDP晶体电光Q开关相当;进而开发了高功率高重复频率Q开关,双端面泵浦模式,激光重复频率为50 KHz时,最高输出可以达到12.5瓦,脉宽为46 ns。通过改进晶体生长条件,可获得直径约50 mm,长度为100 mm,重约1000 g的光学级LGS晶体,基本满足晶体电光Q开关应用的要求。     

Facile fabrication of pomponlike microarchitectures of lanthanum molybdate via an ultrasound route

Pomponlike La₂(MoO₄)₃ microstructures assembled with single-crystalline nanoflakes have been facilely fabricated via a surfactant-assisted ultrasound route for the first time. Various synthesis conditions were examined, such as the surfactant concentration, the molecular structure of surfactants, and the pH value. The obtained pomponlike microstructures were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), (field-emission) scanning electron microscopy [(FE)SEM], transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherms. It has been revealed that a minimum concentration of sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS) was required for the formation of pomponlike La₂(MoO₄)₃ microstructures. When the SDS concentration is above 0.02 mol L⁻¹, the pomponlike microstructures become more perfect, and the size is also increased with the increasing SDS concentration. Under the same sonication, similar pomponlike microstructures were obtained when a cationic surfactant, cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB), was used instead of the anionic surfactant SDS, indicating that the hydrophobic alkyl chains are an important factor for the formation of the pomponlike La₂(MoO₄)₃ microstructures. It is also found that the pomponlike La₂(MoO₄)₃ microstructures can only be obtained within an optimal pH range of 8.0–9.0 under sonication. Based on TEM, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and solubilization experiment, a formation mechanism of pomponlike La₂(MoO₄)₃ microstructures was proposed, in which the collaborative action of surfactants and sonication plays a key role. Furthermore, the porosity of the pomponlike La₂(MoO₄)₃ microstructures were discussed.     

Spectroscopy of Sm3+ activator centers in Ca3Ga2Ge4O14 single crystals

Results of investigations of spectroscopic properties of Ca₃Ga₂Ge₄O₁₄ single crystals activated with Sm³⁺ ions are reported. It is shown that Sm³⁺ ions in Ca₃Ga₂Ge₄O₁₄ form a type of activator quasicenter whose nature is associated with disordering of the matrix. I. Franko Lvov State University, 50, Dragomanov St., Lvov, Ukraine. Translated from Zhurnal Prikladnoi Spektroskopii, Vol. 65, No. 2, pp. 296–298, March–April, 1998.     

Performance of Nd:YLF laser by using crystal electrooptic Q-switch

The polarization rotating coefficient and the laser-damage threshold of La₃Ga₅SiO₁₄ crystal at 1064 nm are measured, which are 1.1 deg/mm and , respectively. The working principle and the design method of electrooptic Q-switch based on La₃Ga₅SiO₁₄ crystal, which has the optical activity, are reported. The performance of Nd:YLF laser with the electrooptic Q-switch of La₃Ga₅SiO₁₄ crystal was studied. The output pulses with an energy of 379 mJ, a duration of 8.7 ns and repetition of 10 Hz are achieved.     

Microstructures and microwave dielectric properties of La1-xBx(Mg0.5Sn0.5)O3 ceramics

The microwave dielectric properties of La_1-xB_x(Mg_0.5Sn_0.5)O₃ ceramics were examined with a view to their exploitation for mobile communication. The La_1-xB_x(Mg_0.5Sn_0.5)O₃ ceramics were prepared by the conventional solid-state method with various sintering temperatures. The X-ray diffraction patterns of the La_0.995B_0.005(Mg_0.5Sn_0.5)O₃ ceramics revealed no significant variation of phase with sintering temperatures. A maximum apparent density of 6.58 g/cm³, a dielectric constant (ε_r) of 19.8, a quality factor (Q × f) of 41,800 GHz, and a temperature coefficient of resonant frequency (τ_f) of −86 ppm/°C were obtained for La_0.995B_0.005(Mg_0.5Sn_0.5)O₃ ceramics that were sintered at 1500 °C for 4 h.     

Optical and EPR spectroscopy of manganese ions in Sr3Ga2Ge4O14 crystals

Results of investigations of the spectroscopic properties of manganese-activated single crystals of Sr₃Ga₂Ge₄O₁₄ by the methods of optical and EPR spectroscopy are reported. It is shown that magnagese activator ions form substitutional centers Mn³⁺ and Mn²⁺ in 1a-octahedral positions of the Sr₃Ga₂Ge₄O₁₄ lattice. Changes in the opticla properties of Sr₃Ga₂Ge₄O₁₄: Mn after vacuum thermal annealing are attributed to charge transfer of some of the manganese ions (Mn³⁺→Mn²⁺). The relationship between the spectroscopical properties of Mn²⁺ ions and the crystallochemical structure of the system are discussed. I. Franko L’vov State University, 50, Dragomanov St., L’vov, 290005, Ukraine. Translated from Zhurnal Prikladnoi Spektroskopii, Vol. 64, No. 6, pp. 779–783, November–December, 1997.     

Physical properties of the doped manganites Ln0.5M0.5Mno3 (Ln = Pr,La; M = Sr,Ca, Ba)

We present the structural, magnetic and electrical properties of some manganese oxides such as Ln_0.5M_0.5MnO₃ (Ln = La, Pr and M = Ca, Sr, Ba) in which the average ionic radius <r_A> of the A site cation is varied while keeping the Mn³⁺/Mn⁴⁺ ratio fixed to 1. All the studied samples have a perovskite structure with rhombohedral or orthorhombic distortion. This distortion was related to the A cation size. The lattice volume increases lineraly with ( r _A) in all the range 1.179–1.3264 Å. The magnetic investigation shows that the magnetic transition temperature T _t, and magnetisation saturation M _s have similar behaviour by increasing and decreasing with (r _A). The electrical measurements show conduction by small polarons attributed to a large canting angle 9 in all the range 4–300 K in the two ferromagnetic compounds La_0.5Sr_0.5MnO₃ and La_0.5Sr_0.5MnO₃.     

Infrared-excited bright green and red luminescence in La3Ga5.5Ta0.5O14 doped with erbium and ytterbium

Bright green (at 525 and 550 nm) and red (at 660 nm) luminescence in Er:Yb:La₃Ga_5.5Ta_0.5O₁₄ (LGT) powder synthesized by solid state reaction was obtained by pumping at 936 nm. Yb³⁺-Er³⁺ energy transfer processes accounting for population of the ²H2_11/2, ⁴S_3/2 and ⁴F_9/2 Er³⁺ levels are discussed. The dependence of ratio between the intensities of the green and red luminescence on pump intensity is analyzed. The rather high quantum efficiency (58%) of the (⁴S_3/2, ²H2_11/2) Er³⁺ emitting level recommends LGT doped with erbium and ytterbium for upconversion applications.     

Linear and Nonlinear Optical Properties Of Racemic (±)2-(α-Methylbenzylamino)-5-Nitropyridine Single Crystals

Linear and nonlinear optical properties of racemic (±)2-(α-methylbenzylamino)-5-nitropyridine ((±)MBANP) single crystals have been comprehensively investigated and compared with those of the enantiomorph (–)2-(α-methylbenzylamino)-5-nitropyridine ((–)MBANP) crystals. (±)MBANP crystal exhibits very high chemical and physical stability, but relatively small nonlinear optical coefficients (d₃₁ = 6.8 pm/V, d₃₂ = 4.7 pm/V, d₃₃ = 0.84 pm/V). A comparison between the nonlinear optical coefficients of (±)MBANP and (–)MBANP demonstrates the validity of the oriented-gas model in molecular crystals that neglects all the contributions from intermolecular interaction.     

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy study of the electronic structure of La<Subscript>1–<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Ca<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>MnO<Subscript>3+δ</Subscript> solid solutions

The electronic structure of La_1–x Ga _x MnO_3+δ. solid solutions is studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The valence state of the manganese is estimated by various methods: by analyzing the difference in the binding energies of the Mn2p_3/2 and O1s electronic levels, analyzing exchange splitting in the spectrum of Mn3s, and from the dependence of the binding energy of the XPS spectrum of Mn2p_3/2 on the calcium concentration. The state of oxidation of the manganese in the compositions containing calcium lies between Mn³⁺ and Mn⁴⁺. The efficacies of these methods are compared. A correlation is found between the type of crystalline structure of La_1–x Ga _x MnO_3+δ. (0 ≤ x < 1) and the binding energy of the Mn2p_3/2 peak. Translated from Zhurnal Prikladnoi Spektroskopii, Vol. 76, No. 3, pp. 419–427, May–June, 2009.     

Synthesis and luminescence properties of Eu, Ce and Tb-activated Sr3La2(BO3)4 under UV excitation

The spectroscopic properties in UV-excitable range for the phosphors of Sr₃La₂(BO₃)₄:RE³⁺ (RE³⁺=Eu³⁺, Ce³⁺, Tb³⁺) were investigated. The phosphors were synthesized by conventional solid-state reactions. The photoluminescence (PL) spectra and commission international de I'Eclairage (CIE) coordinates of Sr₃La₂(BO₃)₄:RE³⁺ were investigated. The f-d transitions of Eu³⁺, Ce³⁺ and Tb³⁺ in the host lattices are assumed and corroborated. The PL and PL excitation (PLE) spectra indicate that the main emission wavelength of Sr₃La₂(BO₃)₄:Eu³⁺ is 611 nm, and Sr₃La₂(BO₃)₄:Ce³⁺ shows dominating emission peak at 425 nm, while Sr₃La₂(BO₃)₄:Tb³⁺ displays green emission at 487, 542, 582 and 620 nm. These phosphors were prepared by simple solid-state reaction at 1000 °C. There are lower reactive temperature and more convenient than commercial phosphors. The Sr₃La₂(BO₃)₄:Tb³⁺ applied to cold cathode fluorescent lamp was found to emit green light and have a major peak wavelength at around 542 nm. These phosphors may provide a new kind of luminescent materials under ultraviolet excitation.     

The effect of Si surface nitridation on the interfacial structure and electrical properties of (La2O3)0.5(SiO2)0.5 high-k gate dielectric films

Thermal stability, interfacial structures and electrical properties of amorphous (La₂O₃)_0.5(SiO₂)_0.5 (LSO) films deposited by using pulsed laser deposition (PLD) on Si (1 0 0) and NH₃ nitrided Si (1 0 0) substrates were comparatively investigated. The LSO films keep the amorphous state up to a high annealing temperature of 900 °C. HRTEM observations and XPS analyses showed that the surface nitridation of silicon wafer using NH₃ can result in the formation of the passivation layer, which effectively suppresses the excessive growth of the interfacial layer between LSO film and silicon wafer after high-temperature annealing process. The Pt/LSO/nitrided Si capacitors annealed at high temperature exhibit smaller CET and EOT, a less flatband voltage shift, a negligible hysteresis loop, a smaller equivalent dielectric charge density, and a much lower gate leakage current density as compared with that of the Pt/LSO/Si capacitors without Si surface nitridation.     

X-ray diffraction analysis of the surface acoustic wave propagation in langatate crystal

X-ray diffraction on a langatate crystal (La₃Ga_5.5Ta_0.5O₁₄, LGT) modulated by a Λ=12 μm Rayleigh surface acoustic wave (SAW) was studied in a double axis X-ray diffractometer scheme at the BESSY synchrotron radiation source. SAW propagation in the crystal causes sinusoidal modulation of the crystal lattice and the appearance of diffraction satellites on the rocking curves, with their number, angular positions, and intensities depending on the wavelength and amplitude of acoustic vibrations of the crystal lattice. Strong absorption of X-ray radiation in LGT enables the observation of the diffraction spectra extinction at certain SAW amplitudes. X-ray diffraction spectra analysis makes it possible to determine SAW amplitudes and wavelengths, to measure the power flow angles, and investigate the diffraction divergence in acoustic beam in LGT.     

The Ground State Spectroscopic Parameters and Equilibrium Structure of PD3

Infrared spectra of PD₃ have been measured in the 20-320 cm⁻¹ range and in the region of the ν₂/ν₄ and ν₁/ν₃ fundamental bands near 750 and 1690 cm⁻¹, respectively, with a resolution of ca. 0.0025 cm⁻¹. Furthermore, submillimeter-wave spectra covering the J=4-3, 13-12, and 14-13 clusters in the vibrational ground state were recorded. The observed ΔJ=+1 rotational lines were augmented by about 5500 ground state combination differences formed from transitions belonging to the fundamental bands. Of these, 1300 involved perturbation-allowed lines with ΔK≠0. These data and observations taken from the literature were appropriately weighted and fitted to 14 ground state molecular constants. The A and B reductions of the rotational Hamiltonian were found to be equivalent. Improved effective ground state and equilibrium structures were determined for both PH₃ and PD₃; the equilibrium structures, r_e (PH)=141.1607(83) pm and α_e (HPH)=93.4184(95)° and r_e (PD)=141.1785(57) pm and α_e (DPD)=93.4252(68)°, are in good agreement.