Formation of Discharges between Glass Insulated Electrodes in Ne + 1% N2 Mixtures. II. Frequency Dependence and Discharge Modes

Discharges between glazed electrodes for p = 2.67 kPa Ne + 1% N₂ and pd = 1.3 kPa cm (p = gas pressure, d = electrode distance) are investigated. They are sustained by a sine wave voltage of variable frequency f. Measurements of the space time structure of the radiation emission provide information of the build up and quenching of discharges and of the structure of the fully developed ac-discharge. It is shown that the discharge types for the different values of frequency and amplitude of the sine wave sustaining voltage are dynamically developed Townsend and glow discharges. For f ≦ 4 kHz the optical structure and its temporal behaviour largely depends on the increment of the sustaining voltage. For f ≧ 20 kHz the axial structure of radiation emission is modified by the influence of consecutive discharges due to residual ions (f ≌ 20 kHz) and metastable Ne(³P₂)-atoms (f > 20 kHz) existing for several periods of sine wave. The Penning effect of metastable Ne-atoms with N₂ molecules then produces start electrons for each discharge in a sequence which improve the initial conditions for the breakdown. Relations between space time structure and breakdown voltage as a function of frequency f are discussed.     

Microstructure identification during crystallization of charged colloidal suspensions

We use a polarized light microscope in its orthoscopic and conoscopic arrangements and laser light diffraction to study the effect of particle volume fraction and cell thickness on the microstructure of crystallizing suspensions of negatively charged polystyrene microspheres. Deionized suspensions of these particles nucleate at random sites in the bulk of the suspension to give a variety of structures, orientations and sizes. Orthoscopic observation of the Bragg diffraction colors between crossed polars and conoscopic inspection of the interference figures reveal structural details. We find that the crystallites grow by parallel stacking of the (111) layers to single and twin fcc structures. At moderate volume fractions, Φ ≈ 0.09, the structures are essentially “frozen” in space by their neighbors. At lower concentrations, Φ ≈ 0.05, the crystallites are larger with smoother boundaries and exhibit a range of colors. In thick cells, L ≥ 200 μm, and Φ ≤ 0.05, the colored crystallites become dark with time as they align with the (111) planes parallel to the cell walls. In thin, 50μm cells and Φ ≤ 0.05, this alignment is enhanced. We demonstrate that striated crystallites with lamellae of alternating colors and varying width are polysynthetic fcc twins with (111) twin plane. The number density of twin crystals and the frequency of striations decrease with decreasing volume fraction.     

Phase behaviour of colloid-polymer mixtures

Summary We review the phase behaviour of mixtures of colloids and non-adsorbing polymers. The exclusion of polymer molecules from overlapping ?depletion zones? between two neighbouring colloidal particles results in an unbalanced osmotic pressure pushing the particles together. This depletion potential is separately tunable in range and depth. Theory predicts that the resulting phase behaviour is sensitive to ξ=r _g/R, the ratio of the radius of gyration of a polymer molecule, to the radius of the colloid. At large ξ, a stable colloidalliquid phase becomes possible. This has been confirmed by recent experiments. The formation of non-equilibrium ?transient gel? states when the size ratio is small (≈0.08) is also introduced briefly. Paper presented at the I International Conference on Scaling Concepts and Complex Fluids, Copanello, Italy, July 4–8, 1994.     

Size effects in monodomain magnetite based ferrofluids

Ferrofluids based on two types of hybrid particles Fe₃O₄/β-cyclodextrin were prepared: Using monodomain (below 60 nm) magnetite nanoparticles with (A) non-superparamagnetic (non-SPM) behaviour and (B) with superparamagnetic (SPM) behaviour. We found a strong dependence of the hybrid particles’ magnetic properties on their size and homogeneity. In both types of ferrofluids we observed hyperthermia upon applying an ac electromagnetic field with frequency 40 kHz and amplitude 30 kA/m. The maximal ΔТ upon irradiation with duration of about 12 min for the non-SPM particles was 12 °C, while for the SPM ones it was 3.5 °C.     

Phase behaviour of a dispersion of charge-stabilised colloidal spheres with added non-adsorbing interacting polymer chains

We present a theory for the phase behaviour of mixtures of charge-stabilised colloidal spheres plus interacting polymer chains in good and θ -solvents within the framework of free-volume theory. We use simple but accurate combination rules for the depletion thickness around a colloidal particle and for the osmotic pressure up to the semi-dilute concentration regime. Hence, we obtain expressions for the free energy for mixtures of charged colloidal particles and non-adsorbing interacting polymers. From that, we calculate the phase behaviour, and discuss its topology in dependence on the competition between the charge-induced repulsion and the polymer-induced attraction. The homogeneous mixture of colloids and polymers becomes more stabilised against demixing when increasing the electrostatic repulsion. This charge-induced stabilisation is strongest for small polymer-to-colloid size ratios and is more pronounced for charged colloids mixed with polymers in a good solvent than for polymers in a θ -solvent. For the weakly charged regime we find that the phase diagram becomes salt-concentration-independent in the protein limit for charged colloids plus polymers in a θ -solvent. The liquid window, i.e., the concentration regimes where a colloidal liquid exists, is narrowed down upon increasing the charge-induced repulsion. Also this effect is more pronounced when charged colloids are mixed with polymer chains in a good solvent. In summary, we demonstrate that the solvent quality significantly influences the phase behaviour of mixtures of charged colloids plus non-adsorbing polymers if the range of the screened electrostatic repulsion becomes of the order of the range of the depletion-induced attraction.     

Ranges and range theories

Irradiation of ionic crystals causes the displacement of lattice ions and the formation of primary defects in the form of vacancies and interstitials. At high temperatures when these defects are mobile secondary defect reactions will produce various types of defect clusters. In some compounds clustering can lead to the formation of small particles of the metal constituent, referred to as colloids. A well-known example of this effect occurs in the alkali halides, where the colloids form as the result of large-scale aggregation of the primary F centres, so that the metallic region in this case derives from primary defects on the anion sublattice. The latent image of the photographic process in silver halides is also an example of the formation of a small metal colloid, and other crystals such as hydrides and azides can also be partially decomposed into metallic particles by irradiation with ionizing radiation. Recently metal colloids have been found as a result of displacement damage in the oxides Li₂ and Al₂O₃. This article reviews some of the background properties of colloids in ionic crystals and describes some examples of colloid formation by irradiation. Colloid growth in NaCl is described in more detail, since recent experimental and theoretical work provides a more complete picture than in other compounds. The Jain-Lidiard theory explains many features of the behaviour observed during high dose irradiation at high temperatures, and some comments are made about ways in which the theory could be developed further.     

Allgemeine Berechnung der Elektronenverteilungsfunktion von schwach ionisierten Plasmen in beliebig zeitabhängigen elektromagnetischen Feldern

The behaviour of a weakly ionized plasma in external, arbitrarily time-dependent, electromagnetic fields is treated within the framework of kinetic theory. The Boltzmann kinetic equation is solved using the Lorentz ansatz, taking into account elastic collisions between electrons and neutral particles and assuming that the collision frequency is independent of the electron velocity. The drift velocity of electrons enters into the isotropic part f₀ and into the direction-dependent part f₁ of the electron distribution function. A method is given for the calculation of the drift velocity, which is calculated explicitly for the important but difficult case of a sinusoidal electric field in the presence of a magnetic switching field. f₀ and f₁ are calculated; f₀ is investigated generally. f₀ consists of an expansion in generalized Laguerre polynomials. The influence of the electromagnetic fields on the distribution function and its time variation is discussed and the relaxation behaviour is shown. The following two special cases are calculated explicitly: a linear rising electric field and a sinusoidal electric field, both in the presence of a constant magnetic field.     

Dynamic colloidal stabilization by nanoparticle halos

We explore the conditions under which colloids can be stabilized by the addition of smaller particles. The largest repulsive barriers between colloids occur when the added particles repel each other with soft interactions, leading to an accumulation near the colloid surfaces. At lower densities these layers of mobile particles (nanoparticle halos) result in stabilization, but when too many are added, the interactions become attractive again. We systematically study these effects--accumulation repulsion, reentrant attraction, and bridging--by accurate integral equation techniques.     

Preparation and colloidal behaviour of surface-modified EuF3

Surface-modified EuF₃ nanoparticles has been produced by mixing of NaF and Eu(NO₃)₃ aqueous solutions in the presence of sodium citrate as stabilizer. Transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering has shown citric ions influence on the particle size and morphology. Modified and unmodified EuF₃ samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, elemental analysis, IR and luminescence spectroscopy. The results indicate that citrate ions bond chemically with EuF₃ particle, forming a layer onto the surface. The layer stabilizes nanoparticle colloids and prevents their aggregation. In the case of modified EuF₃ colloids, reversible precipitation-peptization processes at varying pH values and Cu²⁺ chemosorption by citric layer are revealed.     

Depolarized light scattering study of equilibrium sedimentation profiles of colloidal dispersions

Summary Equilibrium sedimentation profiles of concentrated suspensions of charged optically anisotropic colloids are accurately determined by performing depolarized light scattering measurements. From the data we derive the osmotic pressure πvs. the particle volume fraction Φ. The π(Φ) values obtained with strongly screened colloids are in excellent agreement with the predicted hard-sphere equation of state. The data suggest that, besides gravitation, there is an additional force acting on the particles, probably due to the build-up of an electrostatic sedimentation potential. Paper presented at the I International Conference on Scaling Concepts and Complex Fluids Copanello, Italy, July 4–8, 1994.     

Determination of structure parameters and size distribution of colloidal particles by means of small-angle X-ray scattering

A dilute silica suspension was used for examining the possibilities of using the small-angle X-ray scattering in the investigation of objects of colloid dimensions. The average radius of gyration, weight, volume and specific surface of the SiO₂ particles were determined. The particle size distribution curve was determined by integral transformation of the scattering curve and by adjusting the parameters of empirical functions.The authors are indebted to Professor P. W.Schmidt for kindly supplying the SiO₂ suspension.     

The lattice parameter of highly pure silicon single crystals

A lattice-gas of charged particles is analyzed with respect to self-diffusion. From a master-equation, which describes successive nearest-neighbour jumps of the particles, the concentration- and temperature-dependent tracer correlation factorf _t (c, T) is calculated by means of a mode-coupling approximation. We find that the Coulomb-repulsion leads to a substantial lowering off _t . This behaviour becomes particularly pronounced in a dilute system as a consequence of the long range nature of the Coulomb forces.     

Quantum effects on the Rayleigh–Taylor instability of stratified plasma in the presence of suspended particles

The effects of quantum correction on the Rayleigh–Taylor instability (RTI) in stratified plasma layer have been investigated in the presence of suspended particles. A general dispersion relation is obtained from the linearized set of quantum hydrodynamic (QHD) equations. Two particular cases of suspended particle parameters (f ^? and α ₀) with and without quantum corrections are analysed. The condition of RTI is derived while the stability of the system is discussed by applying Routh–Hurwitz (RH) criterion in the polynomial equation. The results show that, in the absence of quantum term, the relaxation frequency of the suspended particles has a destabilizing effect, while the mass concentration of the suspended particles has a stabilizing effect on the growth rates of RTI. In the presence of the quantum term, the relaxation frequency of the suspended particle yields to the stability behaviour on the growth rates of RTI.     

Experimental Evidence of Parametric Instabilities in an Unmagnetized Plasma Subjected to a Strong H.F. Electric Field

Experimental evidence of parametric excitation, by an intense external H.F. field, of an electron surface mode and an ion wave is presented. The pumping electromagnetic energy density is equal to or slightly larger than the thermal energy density of the electrons. The value of f_pc/f₀ (electron plasma frequency/external field frequency) is that for an electron surface wave. Depending on the pressure and field intensity, this decay instability can lead to three types of low frequency oscillations, with frequencies close to the ion plasma frequency. Two of these are described by Aliev and Silin's intense field theory: one is the volume ion plasma oscillation and the other a surface ion plasma oscillation. The third corresponds to no known ion eigenmode. Several other features of the theory by Aliev and co-workers are also confirmed experimentally, such as the harmonic excitation of the instability (nf₀ ≈ f_pe/√2, where n is an integer), the instability amplitude as a function of f_pe/f₀ (above threshold conditions), the value of the mismatch parameter as a function of field strength and ion mass, and the existence of a fine structure corresponding to the symmetric and antisymmetric electron surface oscillations. Even at high pump field strengths, the decay products are nearly monochromatic i.e. the plasma does not become turbulent.     

Dynamics of formation and decay of supercritical fluid silver colloid under pulse laser ablation conditions

The effect of the density of supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO₂) on the dynamics of formation of supercritical fluid (SCF) silver colloids during pulse laser ablation and their post-pulse degradation was studied by in situ UV/vis absorption spectroscopy. Laser irradiation of a silver target in SC-CO₂ caused ablative formation of Ag nanoparticles of different shapes and sizes: quasi-spherical particles (~4 nm) and larger Ag nanoparticles (hundreds of nanometers). A change in the colloid density from 0.24 to 0.82 g/cm³ caused significant changes in the dynamics of ablative formation of large and small particles, the rate of aggregation of small Ag particles into large particles, and the rate of gravitation-induced sedimentation of nanoparticles in the SCF colloid.     

Depletion interactions between colloidal particles in polymer solutions: density functional approach

A density functional theory for colloid–polymer mixtures based on the weighted-density approximation has been developed to investigate the depletion effects acting between two colloids immersed in a bath of polymers and the depletion effects for a colloid near a planar hard wall. The theoretical results for the polymer-induced depletion interactions and the local polymer density distributions are in good agreement with the computer simulations. The calculation shows that the depletion interaction for a colloid near a planar hard wall is much stronger than that between two colloids in a polymer solution because of the strong confinement effect. The behaviour of the depletion interactions has been analysed as a function of the polymer density, the polymer chain length, and the colloid/polymer size ratio. Strong depletion effects appear in short-chain systems and with large colloid/polymer size ratios.     

A Comparative Study of the Determination of Ferrofluid Particle Size by Means of Rotational Brownian Motion and Translational Brownian Motion

Two methods, the Toroidal Technique and the Forced Rayleigh Scattering (FRS) method, were used in the determination of the size of magnetic particles and their aggregates in magnetic fluids. The toroidal technique was used in the determination of the complex, frequency dependent magnetic susceptibility, x(w)=x'(w) - ix"(w) of magnetic fluids consisting of two colloidal suspensions of cobalt ferrite in hexadecene and a colloidal suspension of magnetite in isopar m with corresponding saturation magnetisation of 45.5 mT, 20 mT and 90 mT, respectively. Plots of the susceptibility components against frequency f over the range 10 Hz to 1 MHz, are shown to have approximate Debye-type profiles with the presence of relaxation components being indicated by the frequency, f _max, of the maximum of the loss-peak in the x"(w) profiles. The FRS method (the interference of two intense laser beams in the thin film of magnetic fluid) was used to create the periodical structure of needle like clusters of magnetic particles. This creation is caused by a thermodiffusion effect known as the Soret effect. The obtained structures are indicative of as a self diffraction effect of the used primary laser beams. The relaxation phenomena arising from the switching off of the laser interference field is discussed in terms of a spectrum of relaxation times. This spectrum is proportional to the hydrodynamic particle size distribution. Corresponding calculations of particle hydrodynamic radius obtained by both mentioned methods indicate the presence of aggregates of magnetic particles.     

High frequency properties of resonant tunneling diode

The small signal analysis for the resonant tunneling diode (RTD) is carried out by using a semiclassical transport theory. Multiple scattering effects are accounted for in an optical approximation by using a complex mean free path. An analytical expression for the conduction current is given. The results show that the negative differential conductance prevails up to the frequency f₀ limited by the quantum well transit time. The imaginary part of the admittance can be presented by a series inductance as has been recently found experimentally. In addition, the equivalent circuit has a capacitor in parallel with the conductance-inductance branch. Above f₀ the admittance shows an oscillatory behaviour. The oscillations are associated with the quantum well transit time resonances.     

掺Er光纤飞秒激光器中高信噪比载波包络位相偏移频率获取的实验研究

在实验上分析了掺Er光纤光学频率梳中激光器与一级放大器之间光纤长度、 光纤扰动以及放大器抽运功率对倍频程光谱和载波包络位相偏移频率(f₀)信噪比的影响. 通过系统优化, 实现了40 dB信噪比的f₀输出, 为f₀的长期锁定和光纤光学频率梳的实现提供了技术保障.     

Photothermal bleaching of Ca colloids in additively colored CaF2

Cation colloidal particles in additively colored CaF₂ crystals have been bleached with light in the colloidal band. At 360 K the colloid band decreases and a new band in the near i.r. region is created which is probably due to highly coagulated F-centers. At 430 K the colloidal band is destroyed at the same time that a band appears at 383 nm. This band has been tentatively associated to a kind of F-center. Photochromic conversions between colloids and i.r. bands at 360 K and between colloids and 383 nm band at 430 K have been obtained. A mechanism for the bleaching of colloids has been proposed.