Edge-modified zigzag-shaped graphene nanoribbons: Structure and electronic properties

Control of the band gap of graphene nanoribbons is an important problem for the fabrication of effective radiation detectors and transducers operating in different frequency ranges. The periodic edge-modified zigzag-shaped graphene nanoribbon (GNR) provides two additional parameters for controlling the band gap of these structures, i.e., two GNR arms. The dependence of the band gap E _g on these parameters is investigated using the π-electron tight-binding method. For the considered nanoribbons, oscillations of the band gap E _g as a function of the nanoribbon width are observed not only in the case of armchair-edge graphene nanoribbons (as for conventional graphene nanoribbons) but also for zigzag GNR edges. It is shown that the change in the band gap E _g due to the variation in the length of one GNR arm is several times smaller than that due to the variation in the nanoribbon width, which provides the possibility for a smooth tuning of the band gap in the energy spectrum of the considered graphene nanoribbons.     

Results of operating LIA-2 in radiograph mode

The LIA-2 linear induction accelerator was developed at the Budker Institute of Nuclear Physics as an electron beam injector for a building induction accelerator at energy of 20 MeV, on the basis of which a complex for flash radiography will be developed. The LIA-2, which was started up in 2010, is currently used as an independent X-ray unit for raying objects with an optic thickness up to 70 mm in the lead equivalent. The effective diameter of the X-ray source is 0.6–0.7 mm.     

Analysis of depth profiles of hydrogen isotopes in structural materials via reflected electron spectroscopy

Methods for measuring the layer-by-layer profiles of hydrogen in structural materials based on interpretation of the energy spectra of electrons reflected within a given spatial angle are discussed. Elastically reflected spectroscopy makes it possible to determine the hydrogen isotope content, but its implementation requires an energy resolution on the order of 1 eV. In the experimental implementation of the method based on analysis of the domelike part of the spectrum of reflected electrons, the required energy resolution of an analyzer is about 1%. Such a level of resolution makes it possible to measure the spectrum for several seconds. The possibilities of this method are illustrated with the use of hydrocarbon coatings.     

Study of ion adsorption at passive iron by using the impedance and photoadmittance methods

Intensity-modulated photocurrent (photoadmittance) and electrochemical impedance of anodicoxidized iron electrode in neutral nitrate solutions and in the presence of Ba²⁺, Ca²⁺, Cl^?, and C₆H₅COO^? (benzoate) are studied. It is shown that the ion adsorption at passive iron affects but slightly the system’s impedance; by contrast, it affects the photocurrent value significantly: when adsorbing, the anions increase the photoeffect, while the cations decrease it. These effects are associated with the potential drop redistribution in the Helmholtz layer and the film. The dissimilar changes of the generation current in the presence of similarly charged ions at their equal concentration evidence their different adsorption activity. The correlation between the generation current and surface-active ion concentration in solution is found. The photoelectrochemical spectroscopy allows evaluating qualitatively the surface-active ion adsorption at the passive iron and judging on the ion adsorption by the dependence of the generation current on the ion concentration.     

Behavior of prebreakdown emission centers with 200-kv 100-ns pulses applied to a vacuum gap

Using an electron-transparent anode (titanium foil), the behavior of prebreakdown emission centers on a cathode made of 12X18H10T stainless steel is studied for the case of vacuum gap excitation by 100-ns-wide voltage pulses with an amplitude of 200 kV. To raise the working electric field to 1 MV/cm or higher, the electrodes are preprocessed by a low-energy high-current electron beam in the surface melting mode. It is found that prebreakdown emission centers may be stable and unstable. The stable ones arise at an electric field strength of 0.4?C0.6 MV/cm, and their activity grows with voltage up to breakdown. As the electric field increases, new unstable emission centers occur at sites other than those observed at the previous voltage pulse. Reasons for the appearance of unstable emission centers are discussed.     

Effect of hydrogen sulfide on the iron dissolution rate in a sodium sulfate solution under natural aeration conditions

The influence of hydrogen sulfide (10–100 mg/1) on the Armco iron anodic dissolution in an aerated 0.17 M Na₂SO₄ solution is investigated. During a potentiostatic anodic polarization, the hydrogen sulfide introduction makes the current increase stepwise. The magnitude of the increase depends on the duration of preliminary anodic polarization, electrode potential, and hydrogen sulfide concentration. The anodic metal dissolution activation by hydrogen sulfide is explained by chemical conversion of the oxide-hydroxide passivating film into iron sulfide that is generated at the metal surface in the form of a porous film and does not hinder the electrode dissolution. Dedicated to the ninetieth anniversary of Ya.M. Kolotyrkin’s birth.