Sensitivity studies on certain optical techniques used to find n, k and relative thicknesses for thin films

The sensitivities of different combinations of three optical functions in the determination of n, k and relative thickness for absorbing thin films have been studied by computer plotting of error parallelepipeds. An abitrary standard of sensitivity was used to identify the regions of high sensitivity over ranges of n and k between 0.1 and 10.0 and of d/λ between 0.005 and 0.16. In general, few of the 12 combinations examined showed any extensive regions of high sensitivity unless the optical functions could be measured to high accuracy ( 0.1% ). The best combinations were T_pφ_tsφ_tp and T_sT_pφ_ts, using angles of incidence of about 75°.     

Thermo-optical properties of a solar energy storage material

A dual wavelength laser Mach–Zehnder interferometric technique is applied for measuring the absolute values of refractive index n and its thermo-optic coefficients dn/dT for paraffin wax. The values of n and dn/dT are used to calculate a number of the decisive thermo-optic properties. Applying Maxwell’s equation (=n²) the optical permittivity and its thermal coefficient d/dT, specific refraction, specific dispersivity, polarizability per unit volume and the ratio of atomic to electronic polarizabilities are calculated. On the other hand the optical dispersion dn/dλ and dielectric dispersion d/dλ are calculated according to Cauchy’s equation. Different important relationships between −dn/dT, −dn/dλ, −d/dT and d/dλ as a function of wavelength and other important constants are calculated and graphically represented.     

Study of the structure and refractive parameters of diethylamine and triethylamine

The refractive index (n) and thermal coefficient of the refractive index (dn/dt) are measured at four wavelengths for the diethylamine and triethylamine. The measurements are carried out using the Bellingham+Stanley model 60/ED high-accuracy Abbe refractometer. The optical permittivity (ε) and its variation with temperature are calculated. Applying the Cauchy equation, the following refractive properties are obtained: the optical dispersion dn/dλ, the dielectric dispersion dε/dλ, the variation of -dn/dT, dε/dT, as a function of wavelength (λ), and Cauchy's constants against temperature. Additionally, molar refractivity versus temperature and wavelength are determined.     

Condition for adiabatic passage in the earth’s-field NMR technique

The equation of motion dM/dt=γ M×B(t) is solved for the case B(t)=jB_p(t)+kB_e. The field B_e is a small static field, typically the earth’s field. The field B_p(t) decays exponentially toward zero with time constant T. This decay is produced by an overdamped switching transient that occurs near the end of the rapid cutoff of the coil current used to polarize the sample. It is assumed that B_p is initially large compared to B_e, and that magnetization M is initially along the resultant field B. Exact solutions are obtained numerically for several decay time constants of B_p, and the motion of M is depicted graphically. It is found that for adiabatic passage, the final cone angle β of the precession in field B_e is related to the decay time constant of B_p by β=2e^{−(π/2)ω_eT}. This is confirmed by measurements of the amplitudes of the ensuing free-precession signals for various decay rates of B_p. Near-perfect adiabatic passage (magnetization aligned within 2° of the earth’s field) can be achieved for time constants T2.6/ω_e. For the case of sudden passage, an approximate analytic solution is developed by linearizing the equation of motion in the laboratory frame of reference. For the adiabatic case, an approximate analytic solution is obtained by linearizing the equation of motion in a rotating frame of reference that follows the resultant field B=B_p+B_e.     

The measurement of R2, and R2′ in HIV-infected patients using the prime sequence as a measure of brain iron deposition

Brain iron deposition was assessed at 1.5 T in the caudate nucleus, globus pallidus and frontal and parietooccipital white matter in 28 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients and 15 control subjects with a new Partially Refocussed Interleaved Multi-Echo sequence by measuring 1/T₂, 1/T₂^* and 1/T2′ (i.e., R₂, and R₂′). There were significant differences in the R₂ and of the caudate nucleus (p < 0.0001 and p < 0.05) and the R₂, and R₂′ of the globus pallidus (p < 0.001, p < 0.005 and p < 0.05) in HIV-infected patients compared to control subjects. There was a trend for higher values of R₂, and R₂′ in the globus pallidus and caudate nucleus in HIV-infected patients with later stage HIV disease. These results suggest that there is greater iron deposition in the basal ganglia of HIV-infected patients compared with control subjects, with a predilection for the globus pallidus. The relationship between iron deposition in the brain and various parameters of severity of HIV infection remains uncertain.     

Contours of constant Δ and Ψ in the 2–4 plane for the ellipsometric functions

Contour graphs of ₂ vs ₄ for different film thicknesses and a range of angles of incidence have been plotted for the ellipsometric functions Δ and Ψ in both the reflection and transmission modes. In the case of reflection ellipsometry, when the plots for Δ_R and Ψ_R are superimposed, the two sets of contours cross nearly at right angles over a large part of the field, this being indicative of the high accuracy obtainable in using this technique to determine ₄ and ₂ and hence the optical constants, n and k, for the film material. The reflection ellipsometric technique is accurate over angles of incidence between 30° and 75° and for a range of film thicknesses between λ/30 and 5λ. Transmission ellipsometry is less useful, due to anomalies in both X_s and X_p where sudden phase changes of ±π occur in regions of interest. There is also the possibility of multiple solutions, although the use of a multiangle technique would enable the “correct” values to be more easily determined.     

Effect of gamma irradiation on the optical properties of nano-crystalline InP thin films

Thin films of InP were prepared onto glass and quartz substrates using laser ablation technique. Some of the prepared films were irradiated using a ⁶⁰Co γ -ray source irradiation with a total dose of 100 kGy at room temperature. The as deposited and irradiated films were identified by scanning electron microscopy, SEM and X-ray diffraction, XRD. The SEM images have shown a nano-flower like structure for the as deposited films and influenced by the irradiation dose. The Optical characterizations of the as deposited and irradiated InP films were studied using spectrophotometric measurements of transmittance T(λ) and reflectance, R(λ) at normal incidence of light in the spectral range from 200 nm to 2500 nm. The refractive index, n, and the absorption index, k values were calculated using a modified computer program based on minimizing (ΔT)² and (ΔR)² simultaneously, within the desired accuracy. Analysis of the dispersion of the refractive index in the range 900 ≤ λ ≤ 2500 was discussed in terms of the single oscillator model. The optical parameters, such as the dispersion energy, E_d, the oscillator energy, E_o, the high frequency dielectric constant, _∞ and the lattice dielectric constant, _L were evaluated for the as deposited and irradiated films. The allowed optical transitions were found to be direct for the as deposited and irradiated films with energy gaps of 1.35 eV and 1.54 eV, respectively.     

Structural and optical properties of thermally evaporated thin films

Chalcogenide glass Se₅₅Ge₃₀As₁₅ have amorphous structure in both as-deposited and annealed conditions. The optical properties of the as-deposited and annealed films were studied using spectrophotometric measurements of transmittance, T(λ), and reflectance, R(λ), at normal incidence of light in the wavelength range 200–2500 nm. Neither annealing temperature nor film thickness can influence spectral response on refractive index and absorption index of films. The type of electronic transition responsible for optical properties is indirectly allowed transition with energy gap of 1.94 eV and phonon energy of 40 meV. The dispersion of the refractive index is discussed in terms of the single oscillator Wemple–Didomenico (WD) model. The width of band tails of localized states into the gap (ΔE), the single oscillator energy (E_o), the dispersion energy (E_d), the optical dielectric constant (ε_∞), the lattice dielectric constant (ε_L), the plasma frequency (ω_p) and the free charge carrier concentration (N) were estimated.     

Theoretical study of the electronic states and transition dipole moments of the LiK molecule

The adiabatic potential energy, the spectroscopic constants and the transition dipole moments of the lowest electronic states of the LiK⁺ molecule, dissociating into Li(2s, 2p, 3s, 3p, 3d, 4s, and 4p) + K⁺ and Li⁺ + K(4s, 4p, 5s, 3d, 5p, 4d, and 6s), have been investigated. We have used an ab initio approach involving a non-empirical pseudopotential for the Li (1s²) and K (1s²2s²2p⁶3s²3p⁶) cores and core valence correlation correction. A very good agreement has been obtained for the ground state for the spectroscopic constants with the available theoretical works. The transition dipole moment from X²Σ, 2²Σ, 3²Σ, and 4²Σ states to higher excited states have been determined. Numerous avoided crossing between electronic states of ²Σ and ²Π symmetries, have been localised and analysed. Their existences are related to the charge transfer process between the two ionic systems Li⁺K and LiK⁺.     

A new metallic state in two dimensions

We report the discovery of a new and unexpected kind of metal in two dimensions (2D), which exists in the presence of scattering by local magnetic moments. The experiment was carried out on a 2D electron system in silicon, where the local magnetic moments have been induced by disorder and their number was varied using substrate bias (V_sub). In the new metal, the conductivity decreases as σ(n_s,T)=σ(n_s,T=0)+A(n_s)T² (n_s – carrier density) to a non-zero value as temperature T→0. In three dimensions, this T² dependence is well known, and results from Kondo scattering by local magnetic moments. In 2D, however, the existence of a metal with dσ/dT>0 is very surprising. As the number of local moments is reduced, the range of temperatures [T<T_m(V_sub)] where they dominate transport becomes smaller. For T>T_m, we observe the usual 2D metallic behavior with dσ/dT<0.     

Macroscopic and microscopic parameters of laser dye solvents: m-xylene and dioxane

For the laser designer and other users the optical, electrical and refractive parameters have been obtained for pure nonpolar laser dye solvents m-xylene and dioxane. The refractive index (n) and its thermo-optic constant (dn/dT) at argon laser wavelength 514.5 nm and He–Ne laser wavelength 632.8 nm, are measured. The values of n and dn/dT are used to calculate the optical permittivity ε=n² and its variation with temperature dε/dT. Applying Cauchy's equation the optical and dielectric dispersion (dn/dλ and dε/dλ) are determined. The variation of −dn/dT, −dε/dT, molar refractivity and thermal volume expansion coefficient as a function of wavelength are calculated and represented. Furthermore Cauchy's constants A and B as a function of temperature are plotted. The specific and molar refractivities, specific and molar dispersivity total polarizability, distortion polarizability, ratio of atomic to electronic polarizability, molecular radius, relaxation time, electric susceptibility characteristic impedance, and other physical parameters were calculated. Additionally, density, thermal linear expansion coefficient and molar polarization as a function of temperature were calculated at the laser wavelengths 514.5 nm.     

B3LYP Calculation of Deuterium Quadrupole Coupling Constants in Molecules

The B3LYP/6-31G(df,3p) model for the calculation of deuterium nuclear quadrupole coupling constants (nqcc's) is shown to yield results as accurate as calculations previously performed at the MP4 level of theory. For 25 molecules, ranging from HD and DF to pyridine and fluorobenzene, the rms difference between the B3LYP nqcc's and the experimental nqcc's is 3.2 kHz (2.7%). For benzene, our calculations suggest that the experimental χ_bband χ_ccof S. Jans-Bürli, M. Oldani, and A. Bauder, 1989.Mol. Phys.,68, 1111–1123) have been incorrectly assigned with respect to inertia axes and should be reversed. For borane carbonyl and nitric acid, it is shown that nqcc calculations using hydrogen bond lengths given by MP2/6-311 + G(d,p) optimizations in combination with the heavy atom experimental structures significantly improve agreement with the experimental nqcc's.     

Effective action in higher derivative (Super)gravities

'The one-loop effective action (EA) with an accuracy up to linear curvature terms ind=4R ²-gravity, conformal gravity, andN=1,d=4 conformal supergravity on the backgroundR ₄×T_4–k,k=1, 2, 3 is calculated. (Here,R _k is thek-dimensional curved space, T_n is then-dimensional torus). The one-loop EA in multidimensionalR ²-gravity and ind=10 conformal supergravity on the backgroundR ₄ ×T _d–4 is also obtained. The mechanism of inducing the Einstein gravity from the EA of considered theories of higher derivative (super)gravity is presented.We are grateful to I. L. Bukhbinder for the numerous discussions of considered questions.     

On the nature of energy bands in tetracyanoplatinates

Optical data and band calculations are presented for a series of tetracyanoplatinates with varying Pt—Pt-distance R. The band gap energies decrease according to R^-3 with decreasing R. The energy bands which determine the optical and electrical properties for E6 c originate from (Pt5d_z², 6s) and (Pt6p_z, CNπ¹) hybrid molecular states.     

Microwave spectrum and structure of ethylene ozonide: Effects of large axes rotations in structure calculations

Rotational spectra for 14 isotopic species of ethylene ozonide have now been assigned. The consistency of the Kraitchman substitution structure was checked by calculating the O_p---O_p bond distance six ways; the values ranged from 1.458 to 1.502 Å. This variation was attributed to an amplification of residual vibrational effects by large axes rotations upon isotopic substitution. Estimates of errors produced from this effect were made and a procedure was developed for choosing r_s parameters in which the effect is minimized. This gave the following ring parameters: d(CO_e) = 1.416 Å, d(CO_p) = 1.412 Å, d(OO) = 1.461 Å, <CO_eC = 104.8°, <O_eCO_p = 105.5°, <CO_pO_p = 99.3°.     

Study of the behaviour of reflectance and phase change on reflection at thin and very thick films

It is shown that equations for the four functions, R_s, R_p, Φ_s and Φ_p for solid materials can be expressed as either quartics in ₄ (₄=₁−₃) and ₂ or in polar co-ordinates; in each case, when ₂ is plotted against ₄, heart-shaped figures are produced. Over the intermediate thickness range between the limit of validity of Abelès' equations and solids, the reflectances and phase changes show a series of maxima and minima due to interference between rays reflected from the top and bottom of the layer in agreement with the exact theory. The plots of these functions in the ₄, ₂ plane change from circles (in the Abelès regime) to heart-shaped figures as the thickness increases.     

Spin-dependent magnetotransport through one or more rings in the presence of the Rashba and Dresselhaus terms of the spin–orbit interaction

Magnetotransport through one or several quasi-one-dimensional rings, in the presence of the Rashba (RSOI) and Dresselhaus (DSOI) terms of the spin–orbit interaction (SOI) and of a magnetic field B, is investigated. The RSOI field and an effective DSOI field are taken as E_R=E_R(sinγ₁e_r+cosγ₁e_z) and E_D=E_D(sinγ₂e_r+cosγ₂e_z), their strengths are denoted by α and β, respectively. The exact one-electron eigenvalues and eigenfunctions are obtained and used to evaluate the transmission as a function of α, β, and of the angles γ₁,γ₂. Because the RSOI term couples the electronic orbit (along the θ direction) with the Pauli matrices σ_z and σ_r while the DSOI term couples it with σ_θ, they affect the electronic spin transport through a ring in distinctly different ways. The resulting transmission shows a considerable structure as a function of the angles γ₁ or γ₂. The same holds for the transmission, versus α or β, with the SOI present only in one arm of the ring and for that through two rings with the same or different radii. Various results of the literature, valid for β=0, are readily recovered. For weak magnetic fields the influence of the Zeeman term on the transmission, assessed by perturbation theory, is negligible.     

Correlation between Curie temperature and system dimension

Curie temperature T_C of spin arrangement with arbitrary dimension was considered. We assumed that interaction of a spin with all other spins vary with a power-law decay rate in exchange integral on Heisenberg model. As a result, we found that T_C, which was obtained from T_C=λC (λ: mean-field coefficient and C: Curie constant), significantly depends on fractal dimension of spin arrangements D, the exchange integral and the decay constant. This semi-quantitatively explains how T_C depends on D (1≤D≤3) in a universal way and also the finite size effect on T_C in low-dimensional spin systems.     

Ionization of barium through a coherent excitation of two bound intermediate states

We have investigated theoretically the asymmetrical photoionization yields into the 6s _1/2, 5d _3/2 and 5d _5/2 continuum channels of atomic barium observed by Wang, Chen and Elliott [Phys. Rev. Lett. 77, 2416 (1996)] in the study of coherent control through two-color resonant interfering paths. The atomic parameters obtained from a theoretical approach based on a combination of jj-coupled eigenchannel R-matrix and Multichannel Quantum Defect Theory are used to analyze the photoionization spectra from the and 6s7p states with polarized light beams. The studied energy range includes the 6p7p autoionizing resonances. The dynamics of the two-color photoionization is governed by the coherent excitation of the 6s6p and intermediate states. This excitation is described as an adiabatic process in the rotating wave approximation. The influence of the radiative decay, spatial distribution of the intensities of the laser beams and hyperfine interaction is discussed. Received 28 September 1999     

Simple technique for texture function analysis in granular thin film media

In this work a simple technique to extract the texture function in granular thin film media is implemented. The technique is based on previous work in which the distribution function of particles easy axes f(α) is calculated from the measured parallel remanence curve (M_rp(β)). In this simple technique we consider that the measured M_rp(β) curve can be fitted to a series of cos(2β), i.e. M_rp(β)=B₀+B₂ cos(2β)+B₄ cos(4β) where the angle β is the angle by which the film is rotated. This approximation is found to be valid when the texture function has a standard deviation >20°. On this basis, the constants B₀, B₂ and B₄ can be determined by using only three data points for the parallel remanence, M_rp(0), M_rp(45°) and M_rp(90°). The new technique is applied to a textured thin film consisting of cobalt ferrite particles 17 nm in diameter and to a commercial Sony video tape. Using this simple technique, the obtained texture functions are found to be similar to those obtained from the full M_rp(β) curves. This new technique will furnish a simple method with which the texture function in 2D systems can be obtained.