Optical properties of orientated (SN)x-films in the visible and near infrared region

Optical reflectance and transmittance measurements between 0.3 and 5.5 eV were performed on (SN)_x-films which showed a parallel orientation of the crystallites with respect to their polymer chain axis.The optical behaviour below 3 eV for light polarized parallel to the chain axis and in particular a strong absorption peak between 1 and 2 eV is explained to be a Maxwell-Garnett resonance of the free carriers. The influence of the free carriers is also observed for light polarized perpendicular to the chains and is analysed by the same model. From the anisotropy of the transport properties the interchain coupling is inferred.     

Fundamental optical properties of Cd1-xMnxSe single crystals

The absorption near the fundamental edge of Cd_1-xMn_xSe was measured in the composition range 0<x<0.3 at room and liquid nitrogen temperature with the electric field of the radiation parallel and perpendicular to the hexagonal axis. An exponential dependence of the absorption coefficient versus photon energy was found, and a linear dependence of energy gap E₀ on composition was obtained. The room temperature reflectivity measurements in the energy range 2.5–5.2eV, for two polarization of light were performed, and a linear dependence of the interband transitions energies vs. alloy composition was found.     

Green up-conversion of Er3+ in KGd(WO4)2 crystals. Effects of sample orientation and erbium concentration

Pumping with infrared light resonant to the energy position of ⁴ I _11/2 and ⁴ I _9/2 multiplets respectively has excited green up-conversion of Er³⁺ in KGd(WO₄)₂ single crystal. At room temperature the maximum green-emission intensity is achieved by pumping with light polarized parallel to the C₂ symmetry axis of the crystal (//p) at 981 and 801.5 nm, while pumping with light parallel to the principal m axis (//m) has maximum up-conversion at 978.2, 806 and 800 nm. The emission is weakly polarized. The maximum of the emission peaks at 547.8 nm if the light is analyzed parallel to the C₂ axis or at 552.4 nm for light perpendicular to it. The largest emission intensity was achieved with an erbium concentration about 3×10²⁰ cm^-3. A schematic model of the up-conversion process is suggested. Received: 4 July 2000 / Published online: 22 November 2000     

Bulk photovoltaic effect in BaTiO3

In melt-grown BaTiO₃ single crystals steady-state photocurrents proportional to the light intensity have been observed parallel to the crystallographic c-axis. The open-circuit photovoltage exceeds the value of the band gap. Light polarized parallel and perpendicular to the c-axis respectively produces photovoltages with opposite sign. This photovoltaic effect is restricted to the ferroelectric phase.     

Energy bands in stannic oxide (SnO2)

The energy band structure of stannic oxide has been calculated by a self-consistent augmented plane wave (APW) method. The calculation predicts SnO₂ to be a semiconductor with an allowed direct band gap of 3·68 eV for light polarized perpendicular to the tetragonal axis, and of 4·07 eV for parallel polarized light; these values agree well with the measured values of 3·57 and 3·93 eV. The theory also predicts indirect and direct-forbidden optical transitions which are consistent with experiment.     

Measurement of the A1-modes reflectivity of BaTiO3

Previous polarized infrared reflectivity spectra of BaTiO₃ were unable to show the expected differences between the A₁ and E phonons. This can be explained by the small penetration of light polarized perpendicularly to the ferroelectric axis in the LO-TO range of the lowest E phonon, where only the crystal surface determines the reflection of light. We show that with an adequate etching of a mono-domain single-crystal it is possible to obtain good quality spectra for both polarizations.     

Ab initio study of dielectric function of C-substituted single walled boron nanotubes

We report dielectric function related optical properties namely dielectric constant, static dielectric constant, and absorption coefficients of C-substituted hexagonal boron nanotubes. The optical properties were computed for parallel and perpendicular polarized light in the framework of density functional theory. In this regard, three models of BNTs namely armchair (3,3), zigzag (5,0), and chiral (4,2) have been undertaken for probing the effect of carbon impurity. Our calculations show high dielectric constant of armchair and chiral BNTs for parallel polarized light and magnitude becomes smaller for higher impurity concentration, while zigzag BNT exhibits reverse trend for high impurity concentration. For perpendicular polarized light, the magnitude of dielectric constant ε ₁(ω) is decreased and shifts at higher frequencies. The absorption is revealed highest for armchair followed by zigzag and chiral BNTs independent of impurity concentration. The intensity of absorption gets weaken for higher concentration. The chiral BNTs show smaller but uniform absorption in smaller frequency range results in uniform field emission. These findings are also compared with available experimental and theoretical results. These metallic nanotubes are promising candidate as interconnects for nanodevices as well as field emission devices.     

Piezoreflection spectra of single crystals of an organic charge transfer complex

Piezoreflectance has been measured for single crystals of an electron donor-acceptor complex, pyromellitic dianhydride-anthracene, over the wavelength region of the charge transfer transition. Stress modulation of the optical reflectance was achieved by cementing single crystals at the center of a PZT disk which was set into resonant radial oscillation. Spectra were obtained with a microspectroreflectometer with light polarized parallel and perpendicular to the c axis of the crystal for the (010) face. An enhancement of structure over that of the single crystal spectrum is observed. The observed piezoreflection is found to resemble the numerically calculated first derivative of the unmodulated reflection spectrum but this structure is somewhat blue-shifted from the calculated curve. These results are discussed in terms of Mulliken's theory of electron donor-acceptor complexes.     

The polarized reflection and absorption spectra of perylene crystals in monomeric and dimeric forms

The electronic absorption spectra of perylene crystals in the α- and β-forms were measured by the normal incidence reflection method in the spectral region from 20 000 to 60 000 cm^?1. From the absorption spectrum polarized perpendicular to [1$\text{1}$0] axis of the α-form crystal, the bands around 24 000 cm^?1 were determined to be polarized along the long molecular axis. Two strong bands with different polarizations were observed around 50 000 cm^?1 for each of the α- and β-perylene crystals and were assigned to the transitions to the ¹B_2u and ¹B_3u states. The observed polarized absorption spectra as a whole were consistent with the theoretical results by Hummel and Ruedenberg and the reflection method was found to be suitable to the polarized absorption measurement of strong bands of crystals. The observed factor-group splittings were compared with the theoretical values, the oriented gas model being found to be applicable to the β-form crystal.     

Magneto-optic effects in ferromagnetic films: Implications for spin devices

We present results on the magneto-optic properties of ferromagnetic films deposited on GaAs and SiO₂ substrates. Using left- and right-circularly polarized light, we have measured the polarization-dependent photoresponse and reflectivity of Co/GaAs, Fe/GaAs and NiFe/GaAs Schottky diodes and the polarization-dependent reflection and transmission of NiFe/SiO₂ and Co/SiO₂ structures as a function of ferromagnetic film thickness, reported here in the range of 7.5-15 nm. Films were prepared by sputtering and molecular-beam epitaxy. Measurements were made in the presence of magnetic fields ranging from −1.2 to +1.2 T both parallel and perpendicular to the sample surface. We find maximum polarization-dependent transmission and photoresponse effects (with respect to left- versus right-circularly polarized light) of 2-4% in magnitude. Taken together the work suggests that magneto-optic effects intrinsic to the films, rather than spin injection across the ferromagnetic/semiconductor interface, are responsible for the observed phenomenology. The work has direct implications for the interpretation of results in ferromagnetic/semiconductor spintronic systems.     

Polarization dependence of the two quantum absorption spectrum of intrinsic excitons in ZnO

The intrinsic exciton spectrum of ZnO at 4.2°K has been investigated by two quantum absorption of light polarized parallel and perpendicular to hexagonal c-axis (light direction normal to c-axis). Three lines are observed with intensity and spectral position depending on polarization of the two interacting beams in respect to the c-axis. They are interpreted as n=2 states of the exciton series A, B and C with 2P₀ and 2P₊₁ envelope.     

Zeeman effect on the 4E level of Mn2+ in ZnS

The fine structure lines of the ⁴E level of Mn²⁺ in ZnS have been studied under a high magnetic field. Experiments were performed with the magnetic field parallel to the [111]_W crystallographic axis. The computed positions and intensities for polarized and non-polarized light are in agreement with the experiments.     

Potentiality of SBN textured ceramics for pyroelectric applications

Textured Sr_xBa_1−xNb₂O₆ (SBN) ferroelectric ceramics with x = 0.53 and 0.63 were fabricated by hot forging process. The objective was to obtain, in the ceramic form, the strong anisotropy of the electric properties that these materials possess in the single crystal form. Properties such as electric permittivity, pyroelectric coefficient and dielectric loss showed an anisotropy between the perpendicular and parallel direction with respect to the pressure axis (applied pressure during the forging of the ceramics). A high pyroelectric coefficient, comparable with these published for SBN single crystal with the same composition, was obtained for the SBN53/47 ceramic, when measured in the perpendicular direction to the pressing axis. From the calculus of the pyroelectric figures of merit, it was possible to conclude that the textured SBN53/47 ceramic has a high potential to be used as pyroelectric elements. This ceramic, cut in the perpendicular direction to the pressing axis, possess high potential as fast pulse detector but the same ceramic, cut in the parallel direction to the pressing axis, has better properties to be used as large area and point detectors.     

Infrared signature of the charge-density-wave gap in ZrTe<Subscript>3</Subscript>

The chain-like ZrTe₃ compound undergoes a charge-density-wave (CDW) transition at T_CDW=63 K, most strongly affecting the conductivity perpendicular to the chains. We measure the temperature (T) dependence of the optical reflectivity from the far infrared up to the ultraviolet with polarized light. The CDW gap Δ(T) along the direction perpendicular to the chains is compatible for T<T_CDW with the behavior of an order parameter within the mean-field Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer (BCS) theory. Δ(T) also persists well above T_CDW, which emphasizes the role played by fluctuation effects.     

Magnetic structure of FeI2 by neutron diffraction experiments

Phase transitions study of FeI₂ in high magnetic field parallel to the anisotropy axis has proved that FeI₂ has an antiferromagnetic structure (below T_N = 9.3 K) more complex than the two sublattices structure characteristic of FeCl₂ and FeBr₂.We performed neutron diffraction experiments, at room temperature and at 4.2 K using a powder sample. The results show that FeI₂ has an antiferromagnetic structure similar to the structure proposed by Keohler for MnBr₂, but with spins oriented along the crystal anisotropy axis perpendicular to the Fe⁺⁺ layers. This spin orientation is in accordance with the results of parallel and perpendicular susceptibilities study.     

Magnetic measurements of Fe-Ni-Nb-B and Fe-Co-Mo-Cu-B in the vicinity of the Curie temperature

The study of the transition between ferromagnetic and paramagnetic states has been investigated on selected metallic glass systems based on Fe-Ni-Nb-B and Fe-Co-Mo-Cu-B with T_C close to room temperature. Samples in the form of ribbons were prepared by planar flow casting and magnetostriction in parallel and perpendicular directions and saturation magnetostrictions have been determined on these samples in as-cast states together with hysteresis loops. In addition, a magneto-optic device for dynamic domain observation has been used for observation of domain structure. Magnetostriction measurements using direct method of measurement show the decrease of saturation magnetostriction towards zero upon approaching T_C. In paramagnetic state the field dependencies of magnetostriction in parallel and perpendicular configurations exhibit a linear dependence on the external magnetic field. In the transition region of temperatures the dependencies are a combination of ferromagnetic and paramagnetic field dependencies. The coercivity H_C in the materials investigated exhibits values below 20 A/m. The observed magnetic domains are typical for this class of amorphous alloys. The polarization in paramagnetic state increases gradually with increase in magnetizing field, reflecting the increasing amount of polarized regions.     

Using of sonochemically prepared components for vapor phase growing of SbI3·3S8

The using of sonochemically prepared components for growth of SbI₃·3S₈ single crystals from the vapor phase is presented for the first time. The good optical quality of the obtained crystals is important because this material is valuable for optoelectronics due to its non-linear optical properties. The products were characterized by using techniques such as X-ray crystallography, powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, selected area electron diffraction, optical diffuse reflection spectroscopy and optical transmittance spectroscopy. The direct and indirect forbidden energy gaps of SbI₃·3S₈ illuminated with plane polarized light with electric field parallel and perpendicular to the c-axis of the crystal have been determined. The second harmonic generation of light in the grown crystals was observed.     

Photofragment space distribution in the photodissociation of NaI in the spectral range 315–370 nm: the role of molecular axis rotation

The first determination of translational anisotropy parameters β in the photodissociation of NaI molecules in the spectral range 315–370 nm is reported. The anisotropy parameters were determined by the analysis of Doppler resolved absorption profiles of Na(²S_1/2) atoms produced in the photodissociation of NaI by linearly polarized light. The profiles were recorded for two orientations of the photolysis light: parallel and perpendicular to the direction of the probe beam. The value of the parameter β was obtained from a simultaneous fit of the profiles. The role of the rotation of the parent molecules on the branching ratio between parallel and perpendicular transitions in NaI during dissociation is discussed.     

Stress-induced optical dichroism of V−-centers in MgO

The stress-induced optical dichroism and optical absorption spectra of the V^?-centers in electron irradiated MgO are reported. The dichroism spectrum can be largely attributed to a paraelastic alignment of inherently-dichroic V^?-centers. A curve-fit analysis of the lower-energy portions of the dichroism and absorption spectra yields the ratio of the transition dipole strengths, $\text{D}{}_{\mathrm{\parallel }}\text{D}{}_{\mathrm{\perp }}\text{= 1.55 ± 0.2}$, and the energy splitting, E_∥ ? E_⊥ = 0.22 ± 0.07 eV, for light polarized parallel (∥) and perpendicular (⊥) to the defect symmetry axis. The spectra also have considerable intensity in their high-energy tails, and it is speculated that a portion of this intensity is due to the V-center. The implications of the results with regard to the electronic structure of the center are discussed.     

Observation of OH angular momentum polarization produced by H+O2 at 2.6 eV collision energy

The OH rotational polarization produced by the reaction of fast H atoms from the polarized 193 nm photolysis of HBr with O₂ (2.6 eV collision energy) has been measured by laser-induced fluorescence using polarized analysis light. A strong rotational polarization parallel to the electric vector of the dissociation laser and perpendicular to the flight direction of the H atoms is observed. Implications for the H+O₂ reaction dynamics at high collision energies are discussed.