Microwave dielectric properties of Ba(Zn<Subscript>1/3</Subscript>Ta<Subscript>2 / 3</Subscript>)O<Subscript>3</Subscript> for application in high power waveguide window

Higher dielectric constant, low dielectric loss and good transmission characteristicshave been the goal for developing the ceramic waveguide window for high power windowapplications. The choice of materials having high k with low dielectric lossand reduced window size is key parameters to achieve maximum microwave transmissionwithout unleashing microwave dissipation. The microwave dielectric properties ofsynthesized Ba(Zn_1/3Ta_{2 /3})O₃ (BZT) ceramics have been studied for high power windowapplications. The structural studies are correlated with microwave dielectric propertiesof BZT. The maximum values of dielectric constant ?_r =30, Q ×f₀ = 102 THz and near zero temperaturecoefficient of resonance frequency were obtained for BZT ceramics sintered at thetemperature of 1550 °Cfor 4 h. The measured results are used to design a tapered transition from air filledwaveguide to narrow (reduced width and height) dielectric filled waveguide using Heckenslinear taper at a specific frequency. The simulation result shows that the lowerreflection loss is obtained for the tapered transition of the narrow BZT window ascompared to the standard waveguide BZT window. The return loss of –34 dB is obtained forS-bandwaveguide window with a bandwidth of 675 MHz. The return loss observed in the narrow BZTwindow is –46 dB with a bandwidth of 570 MHz at a center frequency of 3.63 GHz. Most ofthe disadvantages in conventional windows will be rectified using the design of the tapertransion employing narrow waveguide window in high power applications.     

Thermal annealing effect on structural and optical properties of 2,9-Bis [2-(4-chlorophenyl)ethyl] anthrax [2,1,9-def:6,5,10-d′e′f′] diisoquinoline-1,3,8,10 (2H,9H) tetrone (Ch-diisoQ) thin films

Thin films of 2,9-Bis [2-(4-chlorophenyl)ethyl] anthrax [2,1,9-def:6,5,10-d′e′f′] diisoquinoline-1,3,8,10 (2H,9H) tetrone (Ch-diisoQ) were prepared by thermal evaporation technique. Structural properties of these (as-prepared and annealed at 373, 423, 473 and 523 K) films were determined by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy, which showed that the grain sizes increasing by the annealing effect. The transmittance and reflectance of all Ch-diisoQ thin films were measured in the range 200–2500 nm. Some optical constants such as optical band gap (E _g ), dispersion energy (E _d ), single oscillator energy (E _o ) and optical dielectric constant at a higher frequency (ε _∞ ) were calculated at different annealing temperatures. The optical band gap of the samples is decreased with the increase of annealing temperatures due to the increasing of the π-dislocation. Finally, the values of the optical susceptibility, χ⁽³⁾, were found to be annealing dependence.     

Study of optical parameters of two fluorinated isothiocyanato nematic liquid crystals exhibiting high birefringence

Optical studies have been carried out on two fluorinated isothiocyanato nematic liquid crystal (LC) compounds 4′-butylcyclohexyl-3, 5-difluoro-4-isothiocyanatobiphenyl and 4′-pentylcyclohexyl-3, 5-difluoro-4-isothiocynatobiphenyl. Transition temperatures of the two samples were confirmed using a polarizing microscope. The two LC compounds were found to exhibit fairly high clearing temperatures. Measurements of refractive indices of the two compounds were done by using thin prism method with He-Ne laser beam of wavelength 630 nm. Birefringence of the two LC compounds was calculated from the measured refractive indices. Both the compounds are found to display fairly high values of birefringence. Validation of a modified four-parameter model, based on Vuks equation describing the temperature dependence of refractive indices of the two liquid crystals, is also presented in this paper. The model is validated by fitting the experimentally measured values of refractive indices, birefringence and average refractive indices of the two nematic LCs with the theoretical values. In this paper, the calculation of order parameters of the LCs is presented by using two methods: direct extrapolation method based solely on the birefringence data and by using modified Vuks method based on Haller’s extrapolation. As observed from the obtained results, this procedure of calculating order parameter gives very reasonable results.     

The Dielectric properties of polypropylene/Na<Superscript>+</Superscript> montmorillonite nanoclays upon heating and cooling

The dielectric properties of polypropylene/Na⁺ montmorillonite nanoclay composites have been studied under conditions of heating and cooling. The ε(T) and tanδ(T) parameters have been measured as functions of temperature at frequencies of 10³–10⁶ Hz in the heating–cooling mode. A comparative analysis of the measured and calculated ε parameters reveals that the best agreement between the theory and experiment has been provided by the Lichteneker model. As has been established, the values of ε parameter decrease with an increase in the frequency to 6 × 10⁴ Hz, then increase, while the dielectric losses tanδ(ν) are characterized by curves with a diffused maximum at 10⁴ Hz, which increases with a rise in the nanomontmorillonite filler content. As has been shown, high montmorillonite concentrations in polypropylene favor the acceleration of dipole–relaxation processes and associated dielectric losses, as well as the whole conductivity of nanocomposites.     

Multivariate pressure effects on an electron hopping process in ferroelectric KTa<Subscript>1−x</Subscript>Nb<Subscript>x</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>

The effect induced by the presence of a polaron related relaxation process on the dielectric properties of a ferroelectric KTa_1?x Nb _x O₃ (KTN) crystal was investigated (10^-2?10⁶ Hz, at 300?375 K) using broadband dielectric spectroscopy. Characterization of the process using just the standard frequency domain dielectric parameters can nonetheless provide penetrating insight into its nature and origins. The three parameters, namely: relaxation time (τ), Cole-Cole loss broadening (α), and dielectric strength (Δ?) provide each one in its own way, much useful and often overlooked information. The Activation Energy along with the Meyer-Neldel dependance, both extracted from τ serve to illuminate the dynamic properties. At the same time, α and especially the combined α(lnτ) relationship, expose the fractal structure of the underlying landscape. Finally, the static parameter Δ?, enables quantification of the dipolar correlations. Hydrostatic pressure (up to 7.5 kbar) was applied to gently perturb the system and observe the outcome on all of the various parameters. This additional degree of freedom allows for a much more comprehensive exploration of the phase space behavior of the system.     

Substitution effects on the bulk and surface properties of (Li,Ni)Mn<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>

Manganese oxides of spinel structure, LiMn₂O₄, Li_1-x Ni _x Mn₂O₄ (0.25 ≤ x≤ 0.75), and NiMn₂O₄, were studied by EDS, XRD, SEM, magnetic (M-H, M-T), and XPS measurements. The samples were synthesized by an ultrasound-assisted sol-gel method. EDS analysis showed good agreement with the formulations of the oxides. XRD and Rietveld refinement of X-ray data indicate that all samples crystallize in the Fd3m space group characteristic of the cubic spinel structure. The a-cell parameter ranges from a = 8.2276 Å (x = 0) to a = 8.3980 Å (x = 1). SEM results showed particle agglomerates ranging in size from 2.3 μm (x = 0) down to 0.8 μm (x = 1). Hysteresis magnetization vs. applied field curves in the 5–300K range was recorded. ZFC-FC measurements indicate the presence of two magnetic paramagnetic-ferrimagnetic transitions. The experimental Curie constant was found to vary from 5 to 7.1 cm³ K mol^?1 for the range of compositions studied (0 ≤ x ≤ 1). XPS studies of these oxides revealed the presence of Ni²⁺, Mn³⁺, and Mn⁴⁺. The experimental Ni/Mn atomic ratios obtained by XPS were in good agreement with the nominal values. A linear relationship of the average oxidation state of Mn with Ni content was observed. The oxide’s cation distributions as a function of Ni content from x = 0 ?Li⁺[Mn³⁺Mn⁴⁺]O₄ to x = 1 \( {\mathrm{Ni}}_{0.35}^{2+}{\mathrm{Mn}}_{0.65}^{3+}\left[{\mathrm{Ni}}_{0.65}^{2+}\right.\left.{\mathrm{Mn}}_{1.35}^{3+}\right]{\mathrm{O}}_4 \) were proposed.     

Phase change on transmission of microwaves through metal disc delay dielectrics

Expressions for the phase changeΦ suffered by microwaves when transmitted through an artificial dielectric composed of metallic discs arranged in a three-dimensional array have been derived with different approaches as follows (i) molecular theory, (ii) electromagnetic theory and (iii) transmission line theory. The phase change depends on the distancet that the wave traverses inside the dielectric and also the spacingd between centre to centre of any two adjacent discs in the three principal directions. Molecular theory indicatesΦ as an increasing function oft, whereas, the other two theories indicateΦ as an oscillatory function oft. The transmission line theory also exhibitsΦ to be real or imaginary depending ont. Experimental values ofΦ as a function oft have been obtained with the help of a microwave (3·2 cms wavelength) interferometer for two dielectrics havingd as 1·91 cms and 2·22 cms respectively.     

Second and third-order nonlinear optical behavior of natural pigment: chlorophyll and crocin

To provide an insight into the microscopic second and third-order nonlinear optical (NLO) behavior of chlorophyll a and crocin, we have computed the electric dipole moments (μ), dispersion-free first hyperpolarizabilities (β), frequency-dependent first and second (γ) hyperpolarizabilities at 1064 nm wavelength area using time-dependent Hartree-Fock (TDHF) method. According to ab-initio calculation results, the examined compounds exhibit first and second hyperpolarizabilities with non-zero values, implying second and third-order NLO phenomena.     

Synthesis,growth and characterization of L-proline dimercuricchloride single crystals for frequency conversion applications

A semi-organic nonlinear optical L-proline dimercuricchloride (LPDMC) material has been synthesized. LPDMC single crystals were grown from aqueous solution by a slow cooling method. Good quality single crystals of size 19×6×3 mm³ have been grown over a period of 3 weeks. The grown crystals have been subjected to single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis to determine the cell parameters. The title compound crystallizes in the triclinic system with a noncentrosymmetric space group P1 and with unit-cell parameters a=7.2742(4) Å, b=9.4472(5) Å, c=10.4767(6) Å, α=108.621(3)^°, β=107.260(2)^°, γ=97.353(2)^° and volume=631.51(6) Å³. Optical and dielectric properties of the crystals have been studied. The thermal stability of the crystals was determined by thermogravimetric analysis/differential thermal analysis. The second harmonic generation efficiency of the crystals was obtained by the classical powder technique using a Nd:YAG laser and it is found to be 2.5 times that of potassium dihydrogen phosphate.     

The simplest non-minimal matter–geometry coupling in the <Emphasis Type="Italic">f</Emphasis>(<Emphasis Type="Italic">R</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">T</Emphasis>) cosmology

f(R, T) gravity is an extended theory of gravity in which the gravitational action contains general terms of both the Ricci scalar R and the trace of the energy-momentum tensor T. In this way, f(R, T) models are capable of describing a non-minimal coupling between geometry (through terms in R) and matter (through terms in T). In this article we construct a cosmological model from the simplest non-minimal matter–geometry coupling within the f(R, T) gravity formalism, by means of an effective energy-momentum tensor, given by the sum of the usual matter energy-momentum tensor with a dark energy contribution, with the latter coming from the matter–geometry coupling terms. We apply the energy conditions to our solutions in order to obtain a range of values for the free parameters of the model which yield a healthy and well-behaved scenario. For some values of the free parameters which are submissive to the energy conditions application, it is possible to predict a transition from a decelerated period of the expansion of the universe to a period of acceleration (dark energy era). We also propose further applications of this particular case of the f(R, T) formalism in order to check its reliability in other fields, rather than cosmology.     

A study of optical absorption and dielectric properties in lithium chromium diphosphate compound

The optical properties of diphosphate LiCrP₂O₇ compound prepared by the classic ceramic method were recorded at room temperature. Absorption spectrum shows the presence of five characteristics bands related to the octahedral transitions of Cr³⁺ from ground term ⁴A_2g to excited terms. Crystal field strength and inter electronic repulsion Racah parameters were deduced. The calculated value of direct \( {E}_g^{\mathrm{direct}} \)=1.62 eV energy gap has been found using Tauc’s procedure. Besides, the dielectric properties were carried out by impedance spectroscopy at different temperatures (460–700 K). The frequency and temperature dependent of the real ε ^′ and imaginary ε ^″ parts of the dielectric constant were discussed. The variation of the frequency power law of the imaginary part of dielectric constant was analyzed in terms of two different conduction mechanisms. Furthermore, the modulus plots can be characterized by the empirical Kohlrausch–Williams–Watts (K.W.W.) function and the obtained values of activation energies deduced from relaxation frequency are in order of E _a (I) = 0.49 eV and E _a (II) = 0.87 eV.

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Graphical abstract Optical and dielectric proprieties of lithium chromium diphosphate

     

Periodic Striped Ground States in Ising Models with Competing Interactions

We consider Ising models in two and three dimensions, with short range ferromagnetic and long range, power-law decaying, antiferromagnetic interactions. We let J be the ratio between the strength of the ferromagnetic to antiferromagnetic interactions. The competition between these two kinds of interactions induces the system to form domains of minus spins in a background of plus spins, or vice versa. If the decay exponent p of the long range interaction is larger than d + 1, with d the space dimension, this happens for all values of J smaller than a critical value J_c(p), beyond which the ground state is homogeneous. In this paper, we give a characterization of the infinite volume ground states of the system, for p > 2d and J in a left neighborhood of J_c(p). In particular, we prove that the quasi-one-dimensional states consisting of infinite stripes (d = 2) or slabs (d = 3), all of the same optimal width and orientation, and alternating magnetization, are infinite volume ground states. Our proof is based on localization bounds combined with reflection positivity.     

The Vogel-Fulcher law as a criterion for identifying a mixed ferroelectric-glass phase in potassium tantalate doped with lithium

The dynamic dielectric response and the nonlinear dielectric susceptibility of K_1?xLi_xTaO₃ (x=0.010, 0.016, 0.030) compounds are measured in a dc electric field in the temperature range 4≤T≤150 K. It is found that the permittivity ?′ of K_1?xLi_xTaO₃ samples with two lower concentrations of lithium impurities decreases in an electric field E. For samples with a lithium concentration x=0.030, the permittivity ?′ decreases in electric fields E>1 kV/cm and increases in fields E<0.5 kV/cm. The observed dependences of the maximum of the permittivity on the temperature and the frequency of the measuring field obey the Arrhenius law for samples with lower concentrations of lithium impurities (x=0.010, 0.016) and the Vogel-Fulcher law for samples with a higher lithium concentration (x=0.030). The results of the theoretical treatment performed in the framework of the random-field theory are consistent with the experimental data. It is established that the Arrhenius law is valid for dipole glass phases, whereas the Vogel-Fulcher law holds true for a mixed ferroelectric-glass phase in which the short-range and long-range polar orders coexist. The inference is made that the results of measurements of the dielectric response can be used to identify a mixed ferroelectric-glass phase in any disordered ferroelectric material.     

The dielectric and piezoelectric behaviour of pyrolusite (polycrystalline ore of MnO2)

The variation of dielectric constant? of pyrolusite (sintered polycrystalline ore of MnO₂) with temperature, frequency and voltage has been studied within the frequency range 200 c/s to 10 kc/s. The samples studied show a very high value of dielectric constant ≈ 10⁵. The?-temperature curve indicates that? attains a maximum value at a certain temperature. The temperature at which? attains a maximum value appears to vary from sample to sample. At higher temperatures (i.e. higher than that at which? attains a maximum value),? decreases with temperature as?=c/(T?Θ). The dielectric constant is dependent on the frequency; it has a higher value at lower frequencies. The applied voltage across the specimen has a marked influence on the dielectric constant, which increases rapidly with voltage. A capacity with pyrolusite as dielectric shows a hysteresis loop (electrical). The dielectric loss factor tanδ is found to depend on temperature, frequency and voltage. Tanδ attains a maximum value at lower range of frequencies between 300 c/s to 700 c/s, for a given voltage, and temperature. This indicates the existence of dielectric relaxation for these specimens. Tanδ also varies exponentially with temperature. Samples of pyrolusite studied show a piezo electric effect as well. The electromechanical coupling coefficient is found to vary from 2·4×10^?5 to 8·8×10^?5 e.s.u/ dyne. Slabs cut from the samples of pyrolusite mineral were found to control the frequency of a Hartley oscillatory circuit. The resonant frequency range was found to increase as the thickness of the slab is reduced.     

Competing contact processes in the Watts-Strogatz network

We investigate two competing contact processes on a set of Watts–Strogatz networks withthe clustering coefficient tuned by rewiring. The base for network construction isone-dimensional chain of N sites, where each site i is directly linked tonodes labelled as i ±1 and i ±2. So initially, each node has the same degree k_i =4. The periodic boundary conditions are assumed as well. For each nodei the linksto sites i +1 and i +2 are rewired to two randomly selected nodes so far not-connected tonode i. Anincrease of the rewiring probability q influences the nodes degree distribution and thenetwork clusterization coefficient ??. For given values of rewiring probabilityq the set ??(q)={??₁,??₂,...,??_M} of M networks is generated. The network’s nodes aredecorated with spin-like variables s_i ∈ { S,D}. During simulation each S node having a D-site in its neighbourhoodconverts this neighbour from D to S state. Conversely, a node in D state having at least oneneighbour also in state D-state converts all nearest-neighbours of this pairinto D-state. The latter is realized with probabilityp. We plotthe dependence of the nodes S final density n_S^T on initial nodes S fraction n_S⁰. Then, we construct the surface of the unstable fixedpoints in (??, p, n_S⁰) space. The system evolves more often toward n_S^T for (??, p, n_S⁰) points situated above this surface while startingsimulation with (??, p, n_S⁰) parameters situated below this surface leads system to n_S^T=0. The points on this surface correspond to such value ofinitial fraction n_S^* of S nodes (for fixed values ?? and p) for which their final density is n_S^T=1/2.     

Computation of the electronic structure and direct-gap absorption spectra in Ge-rich Si<Subscript>1−x</Subscript> Ge<Subscript>x</Subscript>/Ge/Si<Subscript>1−x</Subscript>Ge<Subscript>x</Subscript> type-I quantum wells

This paper presents the results of conduction band discontinuities calculation for strained/relaxed Si_1?x Ge _x /Si_1?y Ge _y heterointerfaces in Γ _15C , Γ _2′C and L upper bands minima, as well as the room-temperature strained (vs. relaxed) band gaps deduced from the classical model-solid theory. Based upon the obtained data, we propose a type-I W-like Si_1?y Ge _y /Si_1?x Ge _x /Ge/Si_1?x Ge _x /Si_1?y Ge _y quantum wells heterostructure optimized in terms of compositions and thicknesses. Electronic states and wave functions are found by solving Schrödinger equation without and under applied bias voltage. An accurate investigation of the optical properties of this heterostructure is done by calculating the energies of the interband transitions and their oscillator strengths. Moreover, a detailed computation of the bias-voltage evolution of the absorption spectra is presented. These calculations prove the existence of type-I band alignment at Γ _2′C point in compressively strained Ge quantum wells grown on relaxed Ge-rich Si_1?y Ge _y buffers. The strong absorption coefficient (> 8 × 10³ cm^-1) and the large Stark effect (0.1 eV @ 2 V) of the Γ _2′C transitions thresholds open up perspectives for application of these heterostructures for near-infrared optical modulators.     

A Minkowski Type Trace Inequality and Strong Subadditivity of Quantum Entropy II: Convexity and Concavity

We revisit and prove some convexity inequalities for trace functions conjectured in this paper’s antecedent. The main functional considered is

$ \Phi_{p,q} (A_1,\, A_2, \ldots, A_m) = \left({\rm Tr}\left[\left( \, {\sum\limits_{j=1}^m A_j^p } \, \right) ^{q/p} \right] \right)^{1/q} $

for m positive definite operators A _j . In our earlier paper, we only considered the case q = 1 and proved the concavity of Φ _p,1 for 0 < p ≤ 1 and the convexity for p = 2. We conjectured the convexity of Φ _p,1 for 1 < p < 2. Here we not only settle the unresolved case of joint convexity for 1 ≤ p ≤ 2, we are also able to include the parameter q ≥ 1 and still retain the convexity. Among other things this leads to a definition of an L ^q (L ^p ) norm for operators when 1 ≤ p ≤ 2 and a Minkowski inequality for operators on a tensor product of three Hilbert spaces – which leads to another proof of strong subadditivity of entropy. We also prove convexity/concavity properties of some other, related functionals.

     

Effect of gamma radiation on the surface and bulk properties of poly(tetrafluoroethylene)

The effect of gamma radiation on the contact angle θ, the work of adhesion γ _SL for polar and nonpolar liquids, disperse and polar components of the surface energy γ _S , the magnitude of bulk dielectric polarization P ₀, and the dielectric increment Δε for sintered and non-sintered poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE) of suspension polymerization are studied. Sintered PTFE exhibits anomalously high growth of the studied parameters with an absorbed dose up to 500 kGy: Δε by more than four orders of magnitude, the work of adhesion of the polar liquid \(\gamma _{SL}^{{H_2}O}\) by a factor of 1.5, the polar component of the surface energy γ^pol _S by 20 times. The observed changes are found to be considerably larger than those expected from the viewpoint of the amplification of dipole–dipole and donor–acceptor molecular interactions with the participation of polar groups formed in poly(tetrafluoroethylene) upon irradiation. The similar behavior of Δε, \(\gamma _{SL}^{{H_2}O}\), and γ^pol _S parameters depending on the exposed dose and subsequent annealing of the samples at 150°C is revealed. A unified mechanism for changes in the bulk polarization and surface properties caused by the formation in poly(tetrafluoroethylene) of long-lived electron–hole pairs is suggested.     

Geometries with Killing Spinors and Supersymmetric <Emphasis Type="Italic">AdS</Emphasis> Solutions

The seven and nine dimensional geometries associated with certain classes of supersymmetric AdS ₃ and AdS ₂ solutions of type IIB and D = 11 supergravity, respectively, have many similarities with Sasaki-Einstein geometry. We further elucidate their properties and also generalise them to higher odd dimensions by introducing a new class of complex geometries in 2n + 2 dimensions, specified by a Riemannian metric, a scalar field and a closed three-form, which admit a particular kind of Killing spinor. In particular, for n ≥ 3, we show that when the geometry in 2n + 2 dimensions is a cone we obtain a class of geometries in 2n + 1 dimensions, specified by a Riemannian metric, a scalar field and a closed two-form, which includes the seven and nine-dimensional geometries mentioned above when n = 3, 4, respectively. We also consider various ansätze for the geometries and construct infinite classes of explicit examples for all n.     

A study of the effect of gradual substitution NH<Subscript>4</Subscript> → Cs on phase transitions in NH<Subscript>4</Subscript>LiSO<Subscript>4</Subscript> crystals

Solid solutions in the Cs_x(NH₄)_1?xLiSO₄ (0≤x≤0.35) system are grown and investigated. The birefringence (n_a?n_b) and the heat capacity are measured in the temperature range 100–530 K. The (x-T) phase diagram is constructed. It is demonstrated that the substitution of cesium for ammonium in the NH₄LiSO₄ crystal affects the transition temperatures in such a way that the region of the ferroelectric phase increases and the ferroelastic phase disappears at x>0.22. The character of the high-temperature transition remains unchanged (2β=0.24±0.01 for all compositions), but the birefringence anomaly and enthalpy decrease. As the concentration x increases, the low-temperature transition becomes more similar to a first-order transition: the birefringence jump δn and the temperature hysteresis ΔT increase.