Solid state white light emitting systems based on CeF3: RE3+ nanoparticles and their composites with polymers

A series of doped CeF(3): RE(3+) (RE(3+): Tb(3+), Eu(3+) and Dy(3+)) nanoparticles were synthesized, with the aim of obtaining a white light emitting composition, by a simple polyol route at 160°C and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and photoluminescence. Uniformly distributed and highly water-dispersible rectangular nanoparticles (length ~15-20 nm, breadth ~5-10 nm) were obtained. The steady state and time resolved luminescence studies confirmed efficient energy transfer from the host to activator ions. Lifetime studies revealed that optimum luminescence is observed for 2.5 mol% Dy(3+) and 7.5 mol% Tb(3+). The energy transfer efficiencies (Ce(3+) to activators) were found to be 89% for CeF(3): Tb(3+) (7.5 mol%) nanoparticles and 60% for CeF(3): Dy(3+) (2.5 mol%) nanoparticles. Different concentrations of Tb(3+), Eu(3+) and Dy(3+) were doped to achieve a white light emitting phosphor for UV-based LEDs (light emitting diodes). Finally CeF(3), triply doped with 2.0 mol%Tb(3+), 4.5 mol% Eu(3+) and 3.5 mol% Dy(3+), was found to have impressive chromaticity co-ordinates, close to broad day light. The colloidal solutions of doped CeF(3) nanoparticles emitted bright green (Tb(3+)), blue (Dy(3+)) and white (triply doped) luminescence upon host excitation. Composites of poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA) and poly vinyl alcohol (PVA) were made with CeF(3): 5.0 mol%Tb(3+), CeF(3): 5.0 mol% Dy(3+) and triply doped white light emitting composition. The CeF(3)/PMMA (PVA) nanocomposite films, so obtained, are highly transparent (in the visible spectral range) and exhibit strong photoluminescence upon UV excitation.     

Study of magnetoresistance and conductance of bicrystal grain boundary in La0.67Ba0.33MnO3 thin film

La_0.67Ba_0.33MnO₃ (LBMO) thin film is deposited on a 36.7°C SrTiO₃ bicrystal substrate using laser ablation technique. A microbridge is created across bicrystal grain boundary and its characteristics are compared with a microbridge on the LBMO film having no grain boundary. Presence of grain boundary exhibits substantial magnetoresistance ratio (MRR) in the low field and low temperature region. Bicrystal grain boundary contribution in MRR disappears at temperature T>175 K. At low temperature, I-V characteristic of the microbridge across bicrystal grain boundary is nonlinear. Analysis of temperature dependence of dynamic conductance-voltage characteristics of the bicrystal grain boundary indicates that at low temperatures (T<175 K) carrier transport across the grain boundary in LBMO film is dominated by inelastic tunneling via pairs of manganese atoms and tunneling through disordered oxides. At higher temperatures (T>175 K), magnetic scattering process is dominating. Decrease of bicrystal grain boundary contribution in magnetoresistance with the increase in temperature is due to enhanced spin-flip scattering process.     

Shock response of viscoelastically damped sandwich plates

Analysis for the transient response of a simply supported three layer viscoelastically damped sandwich plate, subjected to a half sine shock pulse, has been carried out, with account taken of the transverse inertia effects only. The properties of the viscoelastic core material have been represented by those of a four element viscoelastic model. The influences of the variation of various geometrical and physical parameters of the damped sandwich plate on the shock response are investigated. The decay rate of the transverse vibrations of the plate is evaluated in terms of the logarithmic decrement.     

Correlation of light beams scattered at different angles by a ground glass

A quantitative study of the contrast of Young's fringes obtained with a fully scattering element by double exposure technique as a function of the inclination of the incident beam and the effect of varying the scatterer- photographic plate distance upon the γ - θ curve have been presented.     

Using fatigue information in design

It is impossible to find, for a specific design concern, fatigue information that is entirely adequate for an exact quantitative evaluation. Some of the approaches available for approximate design estimates are described to illustrate the problems that may occur and the considerations important in using available fatigue information in design.     

Magnetic phase diagram of anisotropic layered superconductors via magnetization measurements forH‖c in Bi2212

The Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O₈ system is viewed as an archetypal of superconductors modelled as Josephson coupled CuO₂ bilayers. The isothermal and temperature dependent DC and AC magnetization measurements forH‖c in a single crystal of Bi2212 have been performed. Qualitative changes are observed to occur over a narrow range of temperature values before reaching the superconducting-normal transition. The observed behaviour can be ascribed to the rapid variation in the strength of the coupling between the superconducting CuO₂ planes (i.e., bilayers in the case of Bi2212). Strongly coupled planes behave like a 3D superconductor, whereas weakly coupled planes have a two component response attributable to 2D planes and interplanar couplings. We believe that this paper is a plethora of new findings. Our observations imply that resistivity across the planes becomes zero earlier than that within the planes. A new line (designated asH _2D(T)) above which the change in the electromagnetic response is dominated by quasi 2D-planes has been determined for the first time. This paper also contains the first observation of Differential Diamagnetic Effect (DDE) in the In-phase AC susceptibility data which signals the onset (atT _2D(H)) of dominance of response from 2D-planes. In addition to a host of interesting thermomagnetic history effects which are a consequence of interplay between the diamagnetic responses from the two components, a comparison of irreversibility lines (of the 3D state) determined by different methods on the same specimen of a HTSC is also being presented for the first time. We have come across Paramagnetic Meissner Effect (PME), first recognized in ceramic samples of Bi2212, in the temperature region of dimensional crossover in our single crystal sample, whichinter-alia confirms our labelling of the two component behaviour. A schematic phase diagram summarizing the various transformations that can occur nearT _c in the electromagnetic response of an anisotropic layered system has been drawn.     

151Eu Mössbauer studies in the high Tc superconducting oxide materials

¹⁵¹Eu Mössbauer studies have been made across the respective superconductive transition temperatures in two compounds, La_1.7Eu_0.1Sr_0.2CuO_4?y and EuBa₂Cu₃O₇, having zero resistance state at 25K and 85K respectively. The¹⁵¹Eu isomer shift data establish that Eu ions are in trivalent state at all temperatures. The Mössbauer f-factor does not show any significant anomaly across the T_C.     

Electrochemical transacylations: A mild synthesis of esters

Esters can be synthesized by electrochemically oxidizing hydroquinone carboxylates in the presence of alcohols. High yields are obtained in acidic or basic solutions and at low temperatures.