Tantalum irradiation by high power pulsed laser at 1315 and 438 nm wavelengths

The high power pulsed laser Prague asterix laser system (PALS), operating at the fundamental (1ω) and third (3ω) harmonics (1315 and 438 nm wavelengths, respectively), is employed in a single-shot mode to irradiate tantalum targets in vacuum. The laser pulse width is 400 ps and the laser pulse energy ranges between 43 and 736 J at 1ω and between 12 and 230 J at 3ω. High ablation yields (0.1–0.6 mg per pulse) are measured as a function of the laser pulse energy at both wavelengths; at 438 nm higher etching rates are observed. The produced craters are analysed by the scanning electron microscope (SEM) and by the high sensitivity surface profiler system. They are investigated in dimension, shape and angle aperture as a function of the incident laser energy. Different possible mechanisms responsible for the different crater shapes are presented and discussed.     

Strain relaxation and surface morphology of high indium content InAlAs metamorphic buffers with reverse step

Low-temperature step-graded high indium content InAlAs (In% = 0.75) metamorphic buffer layers with reverse step layer grown on GaAs substrate by molecular beam epitaxy are investigated in this paper. The composition and the strain relaxation of the top InAlAs layer are determined by high-resolution triple-axis X-ray diffraction measurements, which show that the top InAlAs layer is nearly fully relaxed and the growth parameters for these samples have little influence on the strain relaxation ratio. Surface morphology is observed by reflection high-energy electron diffraction pattern and atomic force microscopy. The surface morphology is found to depend strongly on both the growth temperature and the As flux. Compared with other samples, the sample growth under the optimized conditions has the smallest value of root mean square surface roughness. Furthermore, the ω − 2θ and ω scans of the triple-axis X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy result also show the sample grown under the optimized conditions has good crystalline quality.     

UV-induced two-photon absorption in BiB3O6 single crystals

We show that BiB₃O₆ (BiBO) crystals, well known for their excellent second harmonic generation (SHG) properties, may also be of interest for third-order optical phenomena, particularly for two-photon absorption (TPA). Photoinduced TPA measurements were performed under illumination of excimer Xe–F laser (λ = 217 nm) as a photoinducing (pumping) beam. It created a thin surface layer (about 85 nm) that was a source of the observed photoinduced TPA. Raman shifted Nd-YAG laser radiation (λ = 1.9 μm) as well as its second and fourth harmonics (λ = 950 and λ = 475 nm, respectively) were used as fundamental (probing) beams of the TPA. The highest values of the TPA β coefficient were achieved for a polarization of the pumping light directed along crystallographic axis b. Quantum chemical simulations indicate on substantial contribution of UV-induced electron–phonon anharmonicity to the observed TPA. The obtained values of TPA coefficients indicate a possibility of using BiBO crystals as UV-operated optical limiters in a wide spectral range.     

The physical properties of aqueous solution of room-temperature ionic liquids based on imidazolium: Database and evaluation

We report the systematic studies of the physical properties of systems involving imidazolium based ionic liquids and water. The measurements of density ρ, refractive index Δ_n, viscosity η, specific conductance κ and surface tension γ were made over the whole concentration range. The equivalent conductivity Λ_m was calculated. The physical properti`es of the solutions changed with the change of association between ionic liquid and water. The physical properties of the solutions also vary with the alkyl length on the cation and polarity of anion.     

Magnetic phase transition in (Fe,Mn)65Ni35 alloys

Magnetization measurements on the Fe₆₀Mn₅Ni₃₅ and Fe₅₀Mn₁₅Ni₃₅ alloy samples were carried out in the temperature range 80T300 K and in magnetic fields up to 8 kOe. The Fe₆₀Mn₅Ni₃₅ was found to order ferromagnetically with a Curie temperature, T_c, above 300 K. From the temperature dependence of the spontaneous magnetization, M_s, it was concluded that the magnetic behavior of Fe₆₀Mn₅Ni₃₅ follows Wohlfarth theory of weak itinerant ferromagnet. The Fe₅₀Mn₁₅Ni₃₅ sample exhibits a magnetic phase transition from ferromagnetism to paramagnetism at T_c=242 K. The critical amplitudes and critical exponents (β, γ and δ) have been determined by using Arrott plots, Kouvel–Fisher method and scaling plots of the reduced magnetization and reduced magnetic field. The values of β, γ and δ are discussed and compared with the results obtained for various theoretical models and also with the experimentally determined values for related systems obtained by others.     

Optical properties of the filled skutterudite LaFe4P12

Full potential linearized augmented plane wave plus local orbital method (FPLAPW+lo) calculations were performed for LaFe₄P₁₂ in the filled skutterudite in order to investigate the optical properties and to show the origin of the different optical transitions. It is found that the band gap is indirect for LaFe₄P₁₂. Then the contribution of the different transitions peaks is analyzed from the imaginary part of the dielectric function. In contrast to recent experimental expectations, our calculations are in good agreement with experimental reflection spectra and ε₁(ω) spectrum.     

Description peculiarities of viscous and elastic properties of dense molecular liquids on the basis of the model of Lennard-Jones (n−6) fluid

Results previously obtained in molecular dynamics experiment with Lennard-Jones (n−6) (L-J (n−6)) fluid were applied for the determination of viscous and elastic properties of real molecular fluids (shear viscosity coefficient and pressure). Parameters σ and of real liquids (liquid hydrocarbons) were determined by fitting p–ρ–T data of model fluids to experimental p–ρ–T data of real liquids. Using the data obtained in that way, parameters σ and viscous and elastic characteristics of real liquids were determined. The comparison of experimental and calculated viscous and elastic characteristics revealed lesser dependence of viscous properties from n in comparison with elastic properties.     

Determination of the crystallographic texture of sintered PrFeB magnets based on X-ray diffraction patterns

An alternative method for determining the degree of crystallographic alignment (cos Θ) of the magnetic Pr₂Fe₁₄B phase (Φ) is proposed. The method is based on the relative X-ray diffracted intensities of the Φ planes of sintered magnets with and without texture. The degree of crystallographic alignment is also determined by X-ray pole figures using the (0 0 4) reflection and considered as a standard reference for comparison. The method is applied to Pr₁₆Fe₇₆B₈ magnets with 0.51cos Θ0.97. The difference between the crystallographic alignments determined by these two methods is 3% within the experimental error. The advantages and limitations of using X-ray diffraction patterns to quantitatively evaluate the texture of sintered magnets are also discussed.     

Pressure–temperature studies on conductivity of TlX(X=Cl,Br,I) compounds:: I: phase diagram. II: ionic mobility

We have measured the conductivity σ of TlX(X=Cl, Br, I) compounds up to 5.3 GPa and between 300–823 K. The σ–T dependence for all compounds can be divided into three distinct regions: (i) low temperature (LT), <400 K, with unusual negative σ–T dependence, (ii) intermediate temperature (IT), 400<650 K, with positive σ–T dependence and (iii) high temperature (HT), T>650 K, with positive σ–T dependence. The σ–T isobars were used to construct the T–P solid phase diagram for each compound. The LT region data indicate a new meta-stable phase in the 1.0–3.5 GPa range. The LT→IT transition is characterized by an inverse σ–T dependence followed by normal Arrhenius behavior up to and including the HT region. The extrapolation to 1 atm of the P-dependent boundary between IT and HT regions above 3 GPa for each compound in the P–T plot yields a value close to its respective normal (1 atm) T_melt suggesting a solid order–disorder transition type paralleling -AgI behavior. The abrupt drop in conductivity in the LT region for P between 2.5–4.1 GPa of all compounds is at variance with the Arrhenius behavior observed for unperturbed ion migration implying the appearance of a second factor overriding the Arrhenius temperature dependence. Normal Arrhenius σ–T dependence prevails in both IT and HT regions with Q_c values of 85–100 kJ mol⁻¹ and 50–75 kJ mol⁻¹, respectively. The higher conductivities at 0.4 GPa for TlBr and TlI relative to their 1 atm data and the increasing σ with P are in strong contrast to the normal σ-P behavior of TlCl. The dependence of activation volume ΔV^‡ on T for TlCl, i.e. ΔV^‡>0, shows abnormally high values with a maximum at 500 K for P<3.0 GPa but reasonable ΔV^‡ values appear above 3.0 GPa. The ΔV^‡–T dependence for both TlBr and TlI with ΔV^‡<0 is incompatible with an ion transport mechanism suggesting an electronic conduction process and implying an ionic–metallic transition at higher pressures. These contrasting conductivity features are discussed and interpreted in terms of electronegativity differences and bonding character rather than structure.     

Magnetic transport properties in iron/iron-oxide films

Iron/iron-oxide granular films were fabricated using reactive dc magnetron sputtering. Their structural, magnetic and transport properties were systematically studied. XPS and TEM confirmed the coexistence of Fe, FeO and Fe₂O₃. A metal–insulator transition was observed with the increasing of the oxygen component in the film. The temperature dependencies of longitudinal resistivity ρ_xx and anomalous Hall resistivity ρ_xy were discussed. We found the enhancement of ρ_xy and investigated the scaling law between anomalous Hall coefficient R_s and ρ_xx. In all the samples, R_s was found to be proportional to ρ_xx when ρ_xx is small, which indicated the skew scattering is dominant.     

The spectral function of the ω meson in nuclear matter from a coupled-channel resonance model

We calculate the spectral function of the ω meson in nuclear matter at zero temperature by means of the low-density theorem. The ωN forward scattering amplitude is calculated within a unitary coupled-channel effective Lagrangian model that has been applied successfully to the combined analysis of pion- and photon-induced reactions. While the peak of the ω spectral distribution is shifted only slightly, we find a considerable broadening of the ω meson due to resonance-hole excitations. For ω mesons at rest with respect to the surrounding nuclear medium, we find an additional width of about 60 MeV at saturation density.     

Effect of fabrication errors on axial super-resolution property of a three-zone pupil filter

Two models have been established using the basic definitions of super-resolution characteristic parameters for normalized spot size G_A and Strehl ratio S_A, of a three-zone axial super-resolution pupil filter with fabrication errors, to quantitatively analyze the effect of these fabrication errors on the axial super-resolution property. These new models established to describe the analytic relationship of G_Ae and S_Ae of a pupil filter with its fabrication errors and its transmission function A(ρ), phase function φ(ρ) and structural parameters, directly relate the super-resolution parameters of a three-zone axial super-resolution pupil filter to its fabrication errors to make the quantitative analyses of the effect of fabrication errors easier, thereby providing a theoretical basis for the analysis, design and fabrication of a three-zone axial super-resolution pupil filter. The models established for G_Ae and S_Ae have been used to analyze the effect of the fabrication errors of a pupil filter on its super-resolution property, with a three-zone phase-only pupil filters as example.     

Carrier dependence of the spontaneous emission factor in DBR lasers

We present the carrier dependence of the spontaneous emission factor, β, in distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) lasers using a specific example for InGaAs/InP multiple quantum wells (MQWs). Our approach is to isolate the spectral carrier dependent behaviour from cavity effects and examine the impact on the sub-threshold β value by considering three resonant modes at different positions in the spontaneous emission spectrum. The results indicate that conventional curve-fitting methods of determining β (assumed constant) from experimental data may incur significant errors since β may vary by up to a factor of 2.     

Surface barrier and magnetic hysteresis of ac permeability in YBaCuO single crystal

The nature of hysteretic behavior of the flux line lattice (FLL) contribution to ac magnetic permeability (μ_v) is analyzed for the case of YBa₂Cu₃O_x single crystal (at applied magnetic field Hc axis). It is shown that hysteresis loops μ_v(H) corresponding to different temperatures (T=70–84 K) are scaled to a universal curve in normalized coordinates. Such a behavior is interpreted in terms of the FLL interaction with the crystal surface. The explicit relationship between μ_v and magnetic induction B is found for the near-surface region of the superconductor. It is shown that the μ_v(H) loops are closely related to the hysteresis of B at cycling of applied magnetic field. The latter hysteresis stems from the Bean–Livingston surface barrier. The estimates demonstrate strong suppression of the surface barrier in YBa₂Cu₃O_x crystal in comparison to that expected for the ideal surface. As a result, the lower branch of the hysteresis loop corresponding to the increasing field is very close to the equilibrium μ_v(H) curve and the surface barrier appreciably affects only the upper branch when magnetic flux leaves the sample. The comparison of theoretical predictions and experimental data provides an opportunity to refine the actual range of stability H_max(B)–H_min(B) for the FLL at fixed B for YBa₂Cu₃O_x crystal in the case of Hc.     

Dynamical spin susceptibility of the d–p model in the over doping region

Dynamical spin susceptibility χ^s(q,ω) of the d–p model in the over doping region is investigated by using the auxiliary boson technique. It includes higher order terms of the 1/N-expansion within the random phase approximation (RPA) of the local vertex, where frequency dependence of the quasi-particle interaction is taken into account. The incommensurate spin fluctuation is obtained due to the nesting effect in the low energy region (ωω^*), whereas the commensurate one in the high energy region (ωω^*), the characteristic energy ω^* is estimated to be about 30 meV. Both of the spin–lattice relaxation rate 1/T₁ and the spin–spin relaxation rate 1/T_g monotonically increase as T decreases, while the spin Knight shift K is almost independent of T.     

Crosstalk between two-photon and two-color (two-photon) excitation in optical beam induced current generation with two confocal excitation beams

We analyze the influence of residual two-photon excitation (2PE) in two-color (two-photon) optical beam induced current (2CE-OBIC) generation in wide band gap semiconductor samples. 2CE-OBIC generation is accomplished with two confocal excitation beams of separation angle θ and wavelengths λ₁ and λ₂ where , λ_e = hc/E_b, h is the Planck’s constant, c is speed of light in vacuum, and E_b is the energy band gap. Because the conduction band of the sample is a continuum, at least one excitation beam would also contribute an undesirable 2PE-OBIC signal that degrades the signal-to-noise ratio of the measured 2CE-OBIC response and broadens the effective OBIC distribution in the sample particularly when θ ≠ 0 or π. We show that the deleterious effects of crosstalk are reduced by a careful selection of λ₁ and λ₂ and the relative excitation beam intensities. λ₁ and λ₂ should be chosen to minimize the ratio of the two-photon absorption coefficients (β₁, β₂) to the 2CE absorption coefficient β₁₂ or at least satisfy the constraint: β₁ + β₂  β₁₂. Keeping the two excitation intensities equal is beneficial only when β₁ = β₂. Otherwise, it is advantageous to bias the intensity ratio towards the wavelength with a lower 2PE absorption coefficient.     

Growth and laser properties of Nd:Ca4YO(BO3)3 crystal

Nd:Ca₄YO(BO₃)₃ (Nd:YCOB) crystal was grown by the Czochralski method, and its structure was measured by using a four circle X-ray diffractometer. The transparent spectrum from 200 to 2600 nm was measured at room temperature. The fluorescence spectrum near 1.06 μm showed that the main emission wavelength of Nd:YCOB crystal was centered at 1060.8 nm. Laser output at 1.06 μm has been demonstrated when it was pumped by a Ti:sapphire laser at the wavelength of 794 nm, the highest output power was 68 mW under pumping power of 311 mW, the pumping threshold was 163 mW and slope efficiency was 46.9%. The self-frequency doubled green light has been observed when it was pumped by a Ti:sapphire or a laser diode (LD). A 14.5 mm Nd:YCOB crystal sample cut at (θ, φ)=(90°, 33°) was used for type I second-frequency generation (SHG) of the 1.06 μm laser pulse. The SHG conversion efficiency was 22%.     

Ionic conduction in dilute pseudo-binary systems CuBr–Cu2Se

Ionic conductivity, σ_i, of dilute pseudobinary alloys (CuBr)_1−x(Cu₂Se)_x (x≤0.1) in their γ-phase has been measured by an ac method. The increase of the ionic conductivity propertional to x has been observed, which is attributed to interstitial ions brought by Cu₂Se dissolved in CuBr. It is found that the temperature dependence of mobility of interstitial ions, μ, evaluated by the relation Δσ_i/x=kμ (k is a constant) is bent at the temperature corresponding to the extrinsic–intrinsic transition of the based material CuBr.     

Anisotropic dielectric properties of PbYb1/2Ta1/2O3 single crystals

PbYb_1/2Ta_1/2O₃ single crystals were obtained for the first time. They were grown by the flux method. The PbOPbF₂B₂O₃ system was used as a solvent. Dielectric investigations were carried out in 1 0 0_c, 1 1 0_c and 1 1 1_c pseudocubic directions. These studies pointed to anisotropy of dielectric properties. Frequency-independent ε′(T) and ε″(T) maxima related to the antiferroelectric–paraelectric (AFE—PE) phase transition are observed for all directions at 562 K. The frequency-dependent ε′(T) and ε″(T) maxima near 400 K related to the ferroelectric (FE)–AFE phase transition are observed only in 1 1 1_c direction. The hysteresis loops were observed in this direction only. These results point that ferroelectric relaxor properties appear only in 1 1 1_c direction. We propose to consider the ferroelectric phase as ferrielectric one.     

The effect of key process parameters on crystallographic texture and magnetic properties of PrFeB HD sintered magnets produced using high-energy milling

A combination of hydrogen decrepitation and planetary ball milling has been used to produce sintered Pr₁₆Fe₇₆B₈ magnets. The effects of key process parameters and texture have been studied. The alignment degree (cos Θ) has been investigated by X-ray pole figure analysis using the (0 0 4) reflection. Magnets prepared from the alloy decrepitated for 3.6 ks and milled for 1.8 ks exhibited a low degree of crystal alignment (0.71±0.02) due to polycrystalline particles. Increasing the milling time to 4.5ks has led to an improvement in cos Θ to 0.84±0.02. This has been ascribed to the smaller particle size with a narrower size distribution as well as a more favorable particle shape for orientation. Superior alignment degree (cos Θ=0.88±0.02) has been achieved for the sintered magnet from the alloy decrepitated for 120 s and milled for 5.4 ks. This particular processing condition has led to a magnet with (BH)_max=250±5 kJ m⁻³, value found in magnets produced using roller ball milling, with the advantage of a reduced milling time (about 90%).