Enhanced magnetocaloric effect in a Co-doped Heusler Mn50Ni37Co3In10 unidirectional crystal

A high-pressure optical zone-melting technique was employed to grow a Mn-rich Heusler Mn₅₀Ni₃₇Co₃In₁₀ unidirectional crystal in the present study. It was found that the Co-doped Mn₅₀Ni₃₇Co₃In₁₀ unidirectional crystal showed a low magnetic hysteretic loss and a widened working temperature interval in the vicinity of the martensitic transformation. The inverse magnetic entropy change (∆S_M) reached 7.84 Jkg⁻¹K⁻¹ around 237.5 K under a magnetic field change of 30 kOe, and the corresponding effective refrigeration capacity (RC_eff) was about 127.2 Jkg⁻¹. The experimental results demonstrated a high potential to develop high-performance Mn-rich Heusler Mn–Ni–In magnetocaloric materials by means of Co doping in combination with the high-pressure optical zone-melting fabrication technique.     

Optical channel waveguides with trapezoidal-shaped cross sections in KTiOPO4 crystal fabricated by ion implantation

Optical channel waveguides were fabricated in KTiOPO₄ crystal by He⁺-ion implantation using photoresist masks with wedged-shaped cross sections. Semi-closed barrier walls with reduced refractive indices inside the crystal constructed the enclosed regions to be channel waveguides with trapezoidal-shaped cross sections. The m-line as well as end-fire coupling arrangements were performed to characterize the waveguides with light at wavelength of 632.8 nm. The propagation loss of the channel waveguides was determined to be as low as ∼2 dB/cm after simple post-irradiation thermal annealing treatment in air.     

Domain structure of the antiferromagnetic insulating state in Nd0.5Sr0.5MnO3

Optical reflectivity studies of the ferromagnetic metal (FMM) to antiferromagnetic insulator (AFI) phase transition were performed on Nd_0.5Sr_0.5MnO₃ single crystals in a wide temperature and magnetic field range. The formation of a domain structure in the AFI state was observed. On the basis of the experimental results and symmetry analysis we conclude that these domains are crystal twins, confirming the symmetry lowering of the crystal at this phase transition. The twin domain structure of the AFI state in the Nd_0.5Sr_0.5MnO₃ is visible in reflected unpolarized light due to a different tilting of the surface of the domains. We find no evidence for intermediate FMM+AFI stripe phase.     

Linear and nonlinear optical properties of 3-nitroaniline (m-NA) and 4-nitroaniline (p-NA) crystals: A DFT/TDDFT study

We have studied the electronic structure and optical responses of 3-nitroaniline and 4-nitroaniline crystals within the framework of density functional theory (DFT). In addition, the excitonic effects are investigated by using the recently published bootstrap exchange-correlation kernel within the time dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) framework. Our calculations based on mBJ approximation yield the indirect band gap for both crystals, but the larger one for m-NA. Due to the excitonic effects, the TDDFT calculations gives rise to the enhanced and red-shifted spectra (compared to RPA). Due to the weak intermolecular interactions, band-structure calculations yield bands with low dispersion for both crystals. This study shows that the substituent groups play an important role in the top of valence band and the bottom of conduction band. Due to the linear structure of p-NA molecule, the highest peaks are located in the optical spectra of p-NA crystal, while m-NA has more sharp peaks, especially at lower energies. Both DFT and TDDFT calculations for the energy loss spectra show plasmon peaks around 27 and 28 eV for p-NA and m-NA, respectively. Due to the non-centrosymmetric structure of m-NA crystal, we also have reported its nonlinear spectra and the 2ω/ω intra-band and inter-band contributions to the dominant susceptibilities. Findings indicate the opposite signs for these contributions, especially at higher energies. The comparison between nonlinear spectra and the linear spectra (as a function of both ω and 2ω) reveals the significant resemblance between linear and nonlinear patterns. In addition to the reasonable agreement between our results with experimental data, this study reveals the spectral similarities between crystalline susceptibility and molecular polarizability.     

Broadband photoluminescence from pulsed laser deposited Er2O3 films

Photoluminescence (PL) with the bandwidth of 45 nm (1523-1568 nm at the level of 3 dB) was observed in amorphous Er₂O₃ films grown on to the quartz substrate by pulsed laser ablation of erbium oxide stoichiometric target. Optical transmission spectrum has been fitted to Swanepoel formula to determine the dispersion of refractive index and to extract resonance absorption peaks at 980 and 1535 nm. The maximum gain coefficient of 800 dB/cm at 1535 nm was estimated using McCumber theory and experimental spectrum of the resonance absorption. In 5.7 mm-long waveguide amplifier a theory predicts the spectral gain of 20 dB with 1.4 dB peak-to-peak flatness in the bandwidth of 31 nm (1532-1563 nm) when 73% of Er³⁺ ions are excited from the ground state to the ⁴I_13/2 laser level. Strong broadband PL at room temperature and inherently flat spectral gain promise Er₂O₃ films for ultra-short high-gain optical waveguide amplifiers and integrated light circuits.     

制备工艺对p型碲化铋基合金热电性能的影响

利用区熔法、机械合金化、放电等离子烧结(SPS)技术、热压法等多种工艺制备了p型碲化铋基热电材料.在300—500K的温度范围内测量了各热电性能参数，包括电导率(σ)、塞贝克系数(α)和热导率(κ)，研究了制备工艺对热电性能的影响.结果表明，所制备的块体材料与同组成区熔晶体相比，性能优值ZT均有不同程度的提高.其中，利用区熔法结合SPS技术可获得热电性能最佳的块体材料，其ZT值达1.15. 关键词： 碲化铋 放电等离子烧结 区熔法 热电性能     

Unidirectional growth,optical, mechanical and dielectric studies on a novel NLO crystal: l-Arginine 4-nitrophenolate 4-nitrophenol dihydrate

The bulk single crystal of l-arginine 4-nitrophenolate 4-nitrophenol dihydrate (LAPP), an efficient organic NLO material of size 74 mm in length, 18 mm in diameter, was grown successfully by Sankaranarayanan–Ramasamy (SR) method. Single crystal X-ray diffraction study reveals that LAPP crystallizes into monoclinic system with the space group P2₁. The unidirectional growth along the plane (1 1 0) was confirmed from the powder XRD pattern with the sharp peak having maximum intensity. Optical absorption spectrum shows that LAPP has highly transparent in the entire visible and IR region with a wide band gap of 3.9 eV for large photon absorption. Vickers micro hardness measurement was performed to know the mechanical strength of the crystal. Dielectric profile of LAPP at room temperature brings forth low value of dielectric loss and dielectric constant at higher frequencies. Photoluminescence study reveals that LAPP exhibit green emission in the wavelength region 538 nm. The SHG efficiency of the crystal is measured by Kurtz's powder test using Nd:YAG Laser.     

Studies on the structural,optical, dielectric and mechanical properties of non-linear optical manganese mercury Tetrathiocyanate glycol mono methyl ether (MMTG) single crystal

Non-linear optical manganese mercury teterathiocyanate glycol monomethyl ether [MnHg(SCN)₄(C₃H₈O₂)] compound was synthesized and single crystals were grown from water-glycol monomethyl ether (1:1) mixed solvent by slow cooling method. Structure and crystallinity of the grown crystal were confirmed by both single crystal and powder X-ray diffraction analysis. Presence of functional groups and coordination of glycol monomethyl ether and thiocyanate in MMTG were confirmed by FT-IR analysis. Optical transmittance and second harmonic generation of the grown crystal were studied by UV–Vis spectrum and Kurtz powder technique. A dielectric study was performed on the MMTG single crystal to study the power dissipation of the material in the presence of alternating electric field. Mechanical behaviour was analysed using Vicker’s microhardness test. Optical surface damage measurement was carried out to confirm the suitability of MMTG crystal for NLO applications.     

三共振准相位匹配光学参量振荡器反射抽运场的正交位相压缩

利用全固化单频Nd∶YVO₄激光器抽运由periodically poled lithium niobate(PPLN)准相位匹配晶体组成的光学参量振荡器,通过调节晶体的温度,在信号模与闲置模近简并的情况下,完成了抽运场与两个亚谐波模在腔内同时共振,实现了光学参量振荡器的极低阈值运转(阈值为1.2mW);当抽运功率为阈值抽运功率的2.8倍时,观察到反射抽运光的正交位相压缩,压缩度达1.1dB.数值计算与实验结果一致     

Anisotropic electrodynamics of low dimensional metals: Optical studies of (TMTSF)2ClO4

Optical experiments are reported for the metallic state of the linear chain compound (TMTSF)₂ClO₄. For the electric field polarized both along the highly (a) and intermediately (b ) conducting directions, a zero energy (ZE) mode and a finite energy mode (FE) are observed. The large anisotropy in the spectral weight of the FE mode is consistent with the band structure, however the spectral weight of the ZE mode is surprisingly isotropic. In the least conducting (c ^*) direction, the low frequency optical conductivity along with the dc conductivity indicate the presence of a (small) Drude component only at temperatures below 10 K. These observations provide evidence for a correlation induced semimetallic state, with a 3D to 2D crossover with increasing temperature. Received 20 May 1999     

Optical fiber coupling to single-mode silica-based planar lightwave circuits with fiber-guiding grooves

To enable alignmentfree optical fiber coupling to single-mode silica-based waveguides, fiber-guiding grooves are fabricated in the same substrate as waveguide circuits.These grooves are used successfully to couple optical fiber to Waveguides. An average, fiber-to-waveguide coupling loss of 0.6 dB per interface is obtained with eight arrayedguiding grooves, and it is expected that this will further be reduced to 0.2 dB per interface. The coupling loss varies by ±0.3 dB during thermal cycling between -10°C and +60°C.     

Comparison of laser performance of Yb:YCa4O(BO3)3 crystals cut along the principal optical axes

Efficient high-power continuous-wave laser operation is demonstrated with Yb:YCa₄O(BO₃)₃ crystals cut along the X, Y, and Z principal axes, end pumped by a high-power diode. Highest output powers of 6.3–7.3 W are generated, with slope efficiencies in the range of 73–83%. The standard behavior characterized by fixed linear polarization of the output and decreasing oscillation wavelength when increasing the output coupling was observed only for the X-cut crystal; the Y-cut crystal led to the polarization state changing and coexistence, while the Z-cut crystal resulted in dual-band laser operation with a fixed polarization state. PACS 42.55.Rz; 42.55.Xi     

MOVPE Growth and Fabrication of 1.3μm High Power InGaAsP-InP Polarization-Insensitive Superluminescent Diodes with Complex Strained Quantum Wells

High power polarization-insensitive InGaAsP-InP multiple quantum well (MQW) superluminescent diodes (SLD's) emitting at 1.3μm were investigated. A combination of tensile strained and compressively strained quantum wells called complex strained MQW were used in a single active layer in order to obtain polarization insensitivity. Low-pressure metalorganic chemical vapor phase epitaxy was used for crystal growth. High resolution X-ray diffraction and photoluminescence spectra showed excellent crystal quality. The SLD's were fabricated to ridge waveguide structure with 7° tilted cavity, the two facets were coated with two layers anti-reflection TiO₂/SiO₂ films, residual facet reflectivity was found to be less than 0.04%. The SLD's exhibited a up to 18.8 mW optical output power and less than 1 dB polarization dependence of output power with a less than 0.5 dB optical spectra modulation at 250 mA.     

Bulk crystal growth and characterization of non-linear optical bisthiourea zinc chloride single crystal by unidirectional growth method

The unidirectional crystal growth method has been employed for the bulk growth of semi-organic non-linear optical bisthiourea zinc chloride single crystal along a-axis with high solute-crystal conversion efficiency. Single crystal X-ray diffraction studies confirm the orthorhombic structure. Optical studies reveal very high transmission of the crystal along the growth axis. Dielectric study shows that the dielectric constant decreases with increase in frequency. Microhardness measurements along the growth axis enunciate the favorable hardness behavior.     

Studies on the optical and dielectric properties of a zinc thiourea chloride NLO single crystal

Single crystals of a nonlinear optical material, zinc thiourea chloride were grown by the slow evaporation technique. The crystal structure and lattice parameters of the grown crystal were determined by the single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The single crystal XRD revealed that the material crystallized in a orthorhombic crystal system. Optical studies were carried out and it was found that the tendency of transmission observed from the specimen, with respect to the wavelength of light, is practically more suitable for opto-electronic applications. The optical band gap is found to be 4.30 eV. Optical constants such as the band gap, refractive index, reflectance, extinction coefficient and real (?_r) and imaginary (?_i) components of the dielectric constant and electric susceptibility were determined from the UV–vis–NIR spectrum. The dielectric constant and dielectric loss of zinc thiourea chloride were measured in the different frequency range from 50 Hz to 5 MHz at different temperatures. Further, electronic properties, such as valence electron plasma energy, Penn gap, Fermi energy and electronic polarizability of the grown crystal have been estimated.     

Electronic structure calculations and optical properties of a new organic-inorganic luminescent perovskite: (C9H19NH3)2PbI2Br2

(C₉H₁₉NH₃)₂PbI₂Br₂ compound is a new crystal belonging to the large hybrid organic-inorganic perovskites compounds family. Optical properties are investigated by optical absorption UV-visible and photoluminescence (PL) techniques. Bands to band absorption peak at 2.44 eV as well as an extremely strong yellow-green photoluminescence emission at 2.17 eV is observed at room temperature. First principle calculations based on the DFT and FLAPW methods combined with LDA approximation are performed as well. Density of state close to the gap is presented and discussed in terms of optical absorption and photoluminescence experimental results. The perfect agreement between experimental data and electronic structure calculations is highlighted.     

Interrelation between the soliton lattice and electric polarization in RMn<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript> oxides

Magnetic transitions from the paramagnetic state to an incommensurate magnetic structure and then to an ordered phase with long-range antiferromagnetic order in RMn₂O₅ (R is a rare-earth ion) oxides are analyzed. It is shown that a transition from the paramagnetic to the incommensurate phase is associated with exchange as well as relativistic interactions and can be described, apart from the basic magnetic order parameter, by an associated order parameter (viz., electric polarization along the y axis of the crystal). As a result of such a transition, the emergence of electric polarization in the crystal is not accompanied by a change in crystal symmetry.     

High-frequency PIN–PMN–PT single crystal ultrasonic transducer for imaging applications

A high-frequency (～60 MHz) ultrasonic transducer with a [001]-oriented 0.27Pb(In_1/2Nb_1/2)O₃–0.45Pb(Mg_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃–0.28PbTiO₃ (PIN–PMN–PT) piezoelectric single crystal as an active element has been fabricated and characterized. The poled PIN–PMN–PT single crystal has thickness mode electromechanical coefficient k _t of 0.56 and piezoelectric constant d ₃₃ of 1550 pC/N. The ?6 dB bandwidth of the transducer is 73 % and the insertion loss at its centre frequency is ?20 dB. With the study as a function of temperature, the PIN–PMN–PT transducer shows better thermal stability than the binary single crystal transducer. Furthermore, the transducer was evaluated using a 30-μm aluminum wire phantom image, in which the ?6 dB axial and lateral resolutions are found to be 26 μm and 127 μm, respectively. Ultrasonic images of fish eyes were obtained with the 60-MHz transducer. It is shown that the high-sensitivity transducer can produce the images with high signal-to-noise ratio and good contrast.     

A new metal-organic nonlinear optical material: L-Asparagine Indium chloride (LAIn) for photonics application

Single crystal of l-Asparagine Indium chloride (LAIn), a new semi-organic crystal was grown by slow evaporation method with deionized water as solvent at ambient condition. The crystal structure of LAIn has been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction and the result shows that the crystal belongs to the orthorhombic system with P2₁2₁2₁ space group. The crystalline nature of grown crystal was analyzed by powder X-ray diffraction analysis. Optical parameters, such as absorbance, transmittance and optical band gap energy were analyzed using UV–Vis NIR transmittance data at the range of 190–800?nm. The ultraviolet (UV) emission nature of the sample was established from the sharp emission peaks in photoluminescence (PL) spectrum. The photo conductivity test exhibits that the grown crystal has positive photo conductive nature. The induced surface laser damage threshold (LDT) for the grown crystal was measured using Nd:YAG laser. The nonlinear optical efficiency of the LAIn crystal was studied using modified Kurtz-Perry powder technique. The hardness, Meyer index, yield strength and elastic stiffness constant were calculated for the grown crystal using Vickers microhardness tester. The variation of dielectric constant and dielectric loss of the grown crystals as a function of frequency has been investigated at different temperatures. The melting point and thermal stability of the LAIn single crystal have been studied by thermo gravimetric analysis and differential thermal analysis (TG/DTA).     

Low loss optical channel waveguides for the infrared range using niobium based hybrid sol-gel material

In this work, we report the fabrication of single-mode Nb₂O₅ based hybrid sol-gel channel waveguides. Nb₂O₅ based hybrid sol-gel material has been deposited by spin-coating on silicon substrate and channel waveguides have been fabricated by a UV direct laser writing process. Optical guided modes have been observed to confirm single-mode conditions and optical propagation loss measurements have been performed using the cut-back technique. Optical propagation losses were measured to be 0.8 dB/cm and 2.4 dB/cm at 1.31 μm and 1.55 μm respectively. These experimental results demonstrate low loss optical waveguiding within the infrared range and are very promising in view of material choice for the development of integrated optical devices for telecommunication.