XPS study of residual oxide layers on p-GaAs surfaces

The total thickness and composition of a residual oxide layer after chemical etching of p-GaAs:Zn + In has been studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The variation of the Ga to As oxides ratio along the depth has been determined. A concentration correlation of doping isovalent impurity and the dislocation density with the composition of residual oxides is looked for. The total thickness of the residual oxide layer on p- and semi-insulating GaAs is about 5–6 Å. It is found that the Ga₂O₃ quantity in the oxide bulk is greater than the same value of As₂O₃ in highly In-doped samples. In-doping in concentrations over 1.5 × 10¹⁹ cm⁻³ increases the Ga₂O₃ content and the density of the residual oxide. This influence is determined by reducing the dislocation density and changing the point defect environment. The presence of As-rich precipitates on the dislocations and in the matrix decreases the sputtering time and changes the composition of the residual oxide. The correlation between the type of high temperature dislocations revealed by Abrahams-Buiocchi (AB) etching and the oxide layer composition is shown. The results obtained could be used in the first stages of epitaxial growth, metallization and other technological processes of semiconductor device and ICs fabrication.     

Four cyclo­alkane­spiro‐4′‐imidazolidine‐2′,5′‐dithiones

The crystal structures of four cyclo­alkane­spiro‐4′‐imidazolidine‐2′,5′‐dithiones, namely cyclo­pentane­spiro‐4′‐imidazolidine‐2′,5′‐dithione {systematic name: 1,3‐diaza­spiro­[4.4]­nonane‐2,4‐dithione}, C₇H₁₀N₂S₂, cyclo­hexane­spiro‐4′‐imidazolidine‐2′,5′‐dithione {systematic name: 1,3‐diaza­spiro­[4.5]decane‐2,4‐dithione}, C₈H₁₂N₂S₂, cyclo­heptane­spiro‐4′‐imidazolidine‐2′,5′‐dithione {systematic name: 1,3‐diaza­spiro­[4.6]undecane‐2,4‐dithione}, C₉H₁₄N₂S₂, and cyclo­octane­spiro‐4′‐imidazolidine‐2′,5′‐dithione {systematic name: 1,3‐di­aza­spiro­[4.7]dodecane‐2,4‐dithione}, C₁₀H₁₆N₂S₂, have been determined. The three‐dimensional packing in all of the structures is based on closely similar chains, in which hydantoin moieties are linked through N—H⋯S hydrogen bonding. The size of the cyclo­alkane moiety influences the degree of its deformation. In the cyclo­octane compound, the cyclo­octane ring assumes both boat–chair and boat–boat conformations.     

Acetylene adsorption on a clean iridium surface

The interaction of C₂H₂ with a polycrystalline iridium surface at 140 KT500 K has been studied by AES, XPS and UPS. A model of the bonding between C₂H₂ and Ir by the 1 orbitals of the hydrocarbon is proposed. The more pronounced energy splitting between the orbitals of acetylene during adsorption compared to that in the gas phase is ascribed to deformation of the acetylene molecule.

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C₂H₂ . 140 KT500 K AES, XPS UPS. C₂H₂ Ir 1- . - , , .

     

X-ray determination of the mean amplitudes of vibration and debye temperatures of some rare earth monochalcogenides

The x-ray diffraction intensities of Bragg reflections have been measured at room temperature for thulium selenide, samarium sulphide, samarium selenide and samarium telluride. On the basis of a common amplitude approximation, the Debye-Waller factor, the mean amplitude of vibration and the Debye temperature have been evaluated. The values of the Debye temperatures and mean amplitudes of vibration are 176±16°K, 0·185 ± 0·017 Å (TmSe), 155 ± 7°K, 0·244 ± 0·012 Å (SmS), 153 ± 14°K, 0·221 ± 0·020 Å (SmSe) and 151 ± 20°K, 0·204 ± 0·027 Å (SmTe).     

Preparation,crystal structure and infrared spectroscopy of the new compound Rb4Be(SeO4)2(HSeO4)2·4H2O

A new compound, Rb₄Be(SeO₄)₂(HSeO₄)₂·4H₂O, crystallizes in a comparatively wide concentration range from mixed beryllium rubidium selenate solutions (from solutions containing 29.06 mass% beryllium selenate and 25.75 mass% rubidium selenate up to solutions containing 12.53 mass% beryllium selenate and 55.32 mass% rubidium selenate).Rb₄Be(SeO₄)₂(HSeO₄)₂·4H₂O crystallizes in the acentric orthorhombic space group Pmn2₁ (a = 32.607(4), b = 10.676(2), c = 6.069(1) Å, V = 2112.8 ų, Z = 4, R1 = 0.047 for 4059 F_o > 4σ(F_o) and 311 variables). The crystal structure is composed of Be(H₂O)₄ tetrahedra arranged in layers at x = 0 and x = ½, alternating with broad layers built up from SeO₄ and HSeO₄ selenate tetrahedra and Rb cations. The beryllium–water layers are linked to the rest of the structure via hydrogen bonds only. The H₂O molecules as well as the OH molecules of the acid HSeO₄ groups form strong to very strong hydrogen bonds with donor–acceptor distances between 2.58 and 2.74 Å.Vibrational spectra (infrared and Raman) of Rb₄Be(SeO₄)₂(HSeO₄)₂·4H₂O are presented and discussed in the region of the fundamentals of both the selenate and the beryllium tetrahedra (skeleton motions) as well as in the region of the OH vibrations at ambient and liquid nitrogen temperature (LNT). The appearance of four Raman bands corresponding to ν₁ of the selenate ions reflects the existence of four crystallographically different selenate tetrahedra in the structure. The spectroscopic experiments reveal that the ν₁ modes of the selenate ions appear at higher frequencies than some components of ν₃. Bands of an AB doublet structure (2950, 2390 cm^?1) arising from the OH stretching modes of the HSeO₄^- ions are recognized in the infrared spectra. The appearance of two infrared bands (1308, 1250 cm^?1) corresponding to δ(OH) (in-plane bending modes of the OH groups) confirms the structural data regarding the existence of two crystallographically different OH groups. The water librations are also briefly commented. The appearance of a band at a comparatively large wavenumber (1013 cm^?1) corresponding to rocking librations of the water molecules indicate that strong hydrogen bonds are formed in the title compound.     

Real-time holography in ruthenium-doped bismuth sillenite crystals at 1064 nm

Real-time holographic recording and an improvement of the response time in ruthenium (Ru)-doped Bi(12)SiO(20) (BSO) crystal at 1064 nm is obtained. Using green light pre-exposure, a significant operation speed of 60 ms is achieved. In addition, the ability for image reconstruction is demonstrated in Ru-doped BSO, supporting further applications as reversible media for real-time image processing at the near-IR spectral range.     

Hyperfine magnetic anomaly in the atomic spectra of rare-earth elements

Hyperfine-splitting constants in the optical spectra of rare-earth elements, Nd, Eu, Gd, and Lu, were measured using the laser-induced resonance fluorescence in a low-divergence atomic beam. Values of the hyperfine magnetic anomaly for different atomic levels were determined by comparing the ratios of the magnetic dipole constants of neighboring isotopes with odd numbers of protons or neutrons. The relation of these values to the special features of the atomic and nuclear structure of the investigated elements is discussed.     

Surface rheology of saponin adsorption layers

Extracts of the Quillaja saponaria tree contain natural surfactant molecules called saponins that very efficiently stabilize foams and emulsions. Therefore, such extracts are widely used in several technologies. In addition, saponins have demonstrated nontrivial bioactivity and are currently used as essential ingredients in vaccines, food supplements, and other health products. Previous preliminary studies showed that saponins have some peculiar surface properties, such as a very high surface modulus, that may have an important impact on the mechanisms of foam and emulsion stabilization. Here we present a detailed characterization of the main surface properties of highly purified aqueous extracts of Quillaja saponins. Surface tension isotherms showed that the purified Quillaja saponins behave as nonionic surfactants with a relatively high cmc (0.025 wt %). The saponin adsorption isotherm is described well by the Volmer equation, with an area per molecule of close to 1 nm(2). By comparing this area to the molecular dimensions, we deduce that the hydrophobic triterpenoid rings of the saponin molecules lie parallel to the air-water interface, with the hydrophilic glucoside tails protruding into the aqueous phase. Upon small deformation, the saponin adsorption layers exhibit a very high surface dilatational elasticity (280 ± 30 mN/m), a much lower shear elasticity (26 ± 15 mN/m), and a negligible true dilatational surface viscosity. The measured dilatational elasticity is in very good agreement with the theoretical predictions of the Volmer adsorption model (260 mN/m). The measured characteristic adsorption time of the saponin molecules is 4 to 5 orders of magnitude longer than that predicted theoretically for diffusion-controlled adsorption, which means that the saponin adsorption is barrier-controlled around and above the cmc. The perturbed saponin layers relax toward equilibrium in a complex manner, with several relaxation times, the longest of them being around 3 min. Molecular interpretations of the observed trends are proposed when possible. Surprisingly, in the course of our study we found experimentally that the drop shape analysis method (DSA method) shows a systematically lower surface elasticity, in comparison with the other two methods used: Langmuir trough and capillary pressure tensiometry with spherical drops. The possible reasons for the observed discrepancy are discussed, and the final conclusion is that the DSA method has specific problems and may give incorrect results when applied to study the dynamic properties of systems with high surface elasticity, such as adsorption layers of saponins, lipids, fatty acids, solid particles, and some proteins. The last conclusion is particularly important because the DSA method recently became the preferred method for the characterization of fluid interfaces because of its convenience.     

Hydrogen isotope exchange in a coverage obtained on Ir(111) by ethylene adsorption

HREELS and SIMS studies of hydrogen isotopc exchange in a coverage obtained on Ir(111) by ethylene adsorption are carried out at 180–450 K and at a hydrogen (deuterium) pressure up to 8×10⁶ Pa. The ethylidyne species have shown a high stability towards hydration and structural changes upon hydrogen (deuterium) exposures. Under these conditions hydrogen exchange in the methyl groups is a slow process. With increasing temperature the hydrogen exchange in the decomposition products of ethylidyne (C₂H species) is quick and depends on the exchanged amount of atomically adsorbed hydrogen.     

Recombination waves in CdS induced by optical quenching

Low-frequency current oscillations induced by optical quenching were observed in highly photosensitive CdS crystals. No evidence of a negative differential resistivity was found. The current oscillations were observed at room temperature at electric field strengths of 100–800 V/cm. As shown by probe measurements, the instabilities resulted from a bulk phenomenon. The oscillations are related to the excitation of recombination waves, predicted by Konstantinov and Perel.