Effect of Ge4+ and Mg2+ doping on superconductivity,fluctuation induced conductivity and interplanar coupling of TlSr2CaCu2O7−δ superconductors

Substitution of Ge⁴⁺ in place of Cu in Tl_0.85Cr_0.15Sr₂CaCu_2?xGe_xO_7?δ (x = 0–0.6) showed initial increase in zero critical temperature value, T_{c zero} from 98 K (x = 0) to 100 K (x = 0.1) and in the range of 85–86 K for x = 0.2–0.3. The slow decrease in T_{c zero} is unexpected as tetravalent Ge⁴⁺ substitution is expected to strongly reduce hole concentration in the samples and suppress T_{c zero}. Excess conductivity analyses of resistance versus temperature data based on Asmalazov–Larkin (AL) theory revealed that the substitution induced 2D-to-3D transition of fluctuation induced conductivity with the highest transition temperature, T_2D–3D observed at x = 0.1. FTIR spectroscopy analysis indicates Ge⁴⁺ substitution cause reduction in CuO₂/GeO₂ interplanar distance while our calculation based on Lawrence–Doniach model revealed highest superconducting coherence length, ξ_c(0) and interplanar coupling, J at x = 0.3. On the other hand, substitution of divalent Mg²⁺ for Ca²⁺ in (Tl_0.5Pb_0.5)(Sr_1.8Yb_0.2)(Ca_1?yMg_y)Cu₂O₇ (y = 0–1.0), which is not expected to directly vary hole concentration, surprisingly caused T_{c zero} to increase from 89.6 K (y = 0) to an optimum value of 95.9 K (y = 0.6) before decreasing with further increase in y. Excess conductivity analyses showed 2D-to-3D transition of fluctuation induced conductivity for all samples where the highest T_2D–3D was at y = 0.4. Similar calculation revealed highest values of ξ_c(0) and J also at y = 0.4. FTIR analysis of the samples indicates inequivalent Cu(1)O(2)Pb/Tl lengths and possible tilting of CuO₂ plane as a result of Mg²⁺ substitution. The increased ξ_c(0) and J as a result of the Ge⁴⁺ and Mg²⁺ substitutions are suggested to contributed to sustenance of superconductivity above 80 K in the samples.     

Effect of ion irradiation induced defects on the excess conductivity of Cu1−xTlxBa2Ca1Cu2O8−δ superconductor thin films

The Cu_1?xTl_xBa₂Ca₁Cu₂O_8?δ superconductor thin film samples were bombarded with protons, Si and Au ions of energies 6, 20 and 20 MeV respectively using 5MV tandem pelletron accelerator at Experimental Physics Labs. Each un-irradiated sample had different values of normal state resistivity and the zero resistance critical temperature. The zero resistivity critical temperature has been increased after the irradiation by Si and Au ions. The fluctuation induced conductivity (FIC) analysis of the as-prepared and the ion irradiated samples were performed in the light of Aslamasov–Larkin (AL) theory. The FIC analysis has shown three dimensional (3D) fluctuations in the order parameter in all the samples along with a cross-over to two dimensional (2D) fluctuations at higher temperature. The 3D–2D cross-over temperature has been shifted to higher values after the ion irradiation. Moreover, a direct correlation between the zero resistivity critical temperature, 2D–3D cross-over temperature (T_LD) and superconductivity fluctuation temperature (T_scf) was observed. These studies have shown that the fluctuation induced conductivity (excess conductivity) depends on the density of defects and is independent of their nature.     

A selective sensor for nanolevel detection of lead (II) in hazardous wastes using ionic-liquid/Schiff base/MWCNTs/nanosilica as a highly sensitive composite

An effective potentiometric sensor had been fabricated for the rapid determination of Pb²⁺ based on carbon paste electrode consisting of room temperature ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (BMIM-PF₆), multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), nanosilica, synthesized Schiff base, as an ionophore, and graphite powder. The constructed nanocomposite electrode showed better sensitivity, selectivity, response time, response stability, and lifetime in comparison with typical Pb²⁺ carbon paste electrode for the successfully determination of Pb²⁺ ions in water and in waste water samples. The best response for nanocomposite electrode was obtained with electrode composition of 18% ionophore, 20% BMIM-PF₆, 49% graphite powder, 10% MWCNT, and 3% nanosilica. The new electrode exhibited a Nernstian response (29.76?±?0.10 mV decade^?1) toward Pb²⁺ ions in the range of 5?×?10^?9?C1.0?×?10^?1 mol L^?1 with a detection limit of 2.51?×?10^?9 mol L^?1. The potentiometric response of prepared sensor is independent of the pH of test solution in the pH range of 4.5?C8.0. It has quick response with response time of about 6 s. The proposed electrode show fairly good selectivity over some alkali, alkaline earth, transition, and heavy metal ions.     

A sunlight-induced method for rapid biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using an <Emphasis Type="Italic">Andrachnea chordifolia</Emphasis> ethanol extract

In this study a sunlight-induced method for rapid synthesis of silver nanoparticles using an ethanol extract of Andrachnea chordifolia is described. The silver nitrate solutions (1 mM) containing the ethanol extract of Andrachnea chordifolia were irradiated by both sunlight radiation and by sunlight radiation passed through different colored filters (red, yellow or green). The smallest size of silver nanoparticles was obtained when a silver ion solution was irradiated for 5 minutes by direct sunlight radiation. Further examination of the shape and size and of the surface chemistry of these biogenic silver nanoparticles, which were prepared under sunlight radiation, was carried out using transmission electron microscopy and infrared spectroscopy, respectively. Transmission electron microscopy images show spherical particles with an average size of 3.4 nm. Hydroxyl residues were also detected on the surface of these biogenic silver nanoparticles fabricated using plant extract of Andrachnea chordifolia under sunlight radiation. Our study on the reduction of silver ions by this plant extract in darkness shows that the synthesis process can take place under dark conditions at much longer incubations (48 hours). Larger silver polydispersed nanoparticles ranging in size from 3 to 30 nm were obtained when the silver ions were treated with the ethanol extract of Andrachnea chordifolia under dark conditions for 48 hours.     

Defect induced ferromagnetism in carbon-doped ZnO thin films

We report on room temperature ferromagnetism in C-doped ZnO thin films prepared by electron beam evaporation. Magnetization, Hall effect, X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray diffraction studies have been conducted to investigate the source and nature of ferromagnetism in C-doped ZnO. The samples were observed to have n-type conduction with the carrier concentration increasing with C doping. XPS does not give any evidence for C substituted at the O site, and is more consistent with the formation of C-O bonds and with the presence of C primarily in the +4 state. It is suggested that the ferromagnetism originates in the development of Zn vacancies that are stabilized due to the incorporation of C in a high valence state (C⁴⁺).     

Automatic localization of pupil using eccentricity and iris using gradient based method

This paper presents a novel approach for the automatic localization of pupil and iris. Pupil and iris are nearly circular regions, which are surrounded by sclera, eyelids and eyelashes. The localization of both pupil and iris is extremely important in any iris recognition system. In the proposed algorithm pupil is localized using Eccentricity based Bisection method which looks for the region that has the highest probability of having pupil. While iris localization is carried out in two steps. In the first step, iris image is directionally segmented and a noise free region (region of interest) is extracted. In the second step, angular lines in the region of interest are extracted and the edge points of iris outer boundary are found through the gradient of these lines. The proposed method is tested on CASIA ver 1.0 and MMU Iris databases. Experimental results show that this method is comparatively accurate.     

Optical time-domain analog pattern correlator for high-speed real-time image recognition

The speed of image processing is limited by image acquisition circuitry. While optical pattern recognition techniques can reduce the computational burden on digital image processing, their image correlation rates are typically low due to the use of spatial optical elements. Here we report a method that overcomes this limitation and enables fast real-time analog image recognition at a record correlation rate of 36.7 MHz--1000 times higher rates than conventional methods. This technique seamlessly performs image acquisition, correlation, and signal integration all optically in the time domain before analog-to-digital conversion by virtue of optical space-to-time mapping.     

Time-stretch oscilloscope with dual-channel differential detection front end for monitoring of 100 Gb/s return-to-zero differential quadrature phase-shift keying data

Optical performance monitoring of high-capacity networks is one of the enabling technologies of future reconfigurable optical switch networks. In such networks, rapid performance evaluation of data streams becomes challenging due to the use of advanced modulation formats and high data rates. The time-stretch enhanced recording oscilloscope offers a potential solution to monitoring high-rate data in a practical time scale. Here we demonstrate an architecture with a differential detection front end for simultaneous I/Q data monitoring of a 100 gigabits/s return-to-zero differential quadrature phase-shift keying signal. This demonstration shows the potential of this technology for rapid performance monitoring of high-rate optical data streams that employ advanced modulation formats.     

Reverse micelle synthesis of perovskite oxide nanoparticles

La_0.6Sr_0.4Co_xFe_1−xO_3−δ (LSCF), La_0.6Sr_0.4Cu_0.2Fe_0.8O_3−δ, Ba_0.5Sr_0.4Co_0.8Fe_0.2O_3−δ and LaFeO_3−δ nanoparticles were synthesized by a reverse micelle procedure. Controlling the size of the micelles through the water:oil phase ratio enabled synthesis of phase pure perovskite particles with average sizes from 14 nm to 50 nm. Small amounts of an impurity phase, likely cobalt oxide, were detected in the XRD spectrum of high cobalt content samples of LSCF (x = 0.8). La_0.6Sr_0.4Co_0.2Fe_0.8O_3−δ nanoparticles were utilized to coat the surface of a dense thin-film La_0.6Sr_0.4Co_0.2Fe_0.8O_3−δ solid oxide fuel cell cathode. The polarization resistance of the nanoparticle coated electrode, measured at open circuit in air at 973 K, was 20% lower than an equivalent un-coated electrode.