One-dimensional models of thermal activation under shear stress

The analysis of thermal activation under shear stress in three- and even two-dimensional models presents unresolved problems. The analysis of one-dimensional models presented here may illuminate the study of more realistic models. For the model in which as many dislocations are poised for backward jumps as for forward jumps, the experimental activation volume V ^?e(σ_a) under applied stresses close to σ_a is different from the true activation volume V(σ) evaluated at σ = σ_a. The relations between the two are developed. A model is then discussed in which fewer dislocations are available for backward than for forward jumps. Finally, the appropriateness of the hyperbolic sine approximation for moderately low stresses is defined and shown to be very limited.     

Mössbauer measurements of the bipyramidal lattice site in BaFe12O19

Mössbauer measurements have been made on polycrystalline barium ferrite samples. The subspectrum corresponding to the iron ion in the bipyramidal lattice site in the temperature range from T = 4.2K up to T = 870K was obtained. Based on the temperature dependence of the unusually large quadrupole splitting due to ferric iron in the bipyramidal position, a model of this lattice site is proposed in which the iron ion is located at one of two equivalent positions of Wyckhoff notation 4e, separated by a potential barrier. At sufficiently high temperature the ion jumps between the two 4e sites with a jump frequency which is greater than the inverse of the lifetime of the 14.4 keV state of ⁵⁷Fe. This is in agreement with Mössbauer measurements, molecular-orbital studies and previous X-ray data.     

A SQUID system for low-drift magnetization measurements

A system is described which, using an rf-biased SQUID and an adjustable flux transformer, can be applied to low-drift magnetization measurements. With microwaves as bias signal and a modulation frequency of 11 MHz, a slew rate of 2·10⁷ flux quanta/s in closed-loop operation of the SQUID is achieved. This corresponds to a maximum traceable rate of flux change at the flux transformer input of 4·10⁻³ V, allowing to investigate also specimens with considerable spontaneous magnetization changes (flux jumps).     

Low frequency transport measurements in

Low frequency transport measurements are performed on GdSr₂RuCu₂O₈ pellets. The observed current-voltage curves are qualitatively explained in the framework of a simple phenomenological model accounting for coexistence in the sample of ferromagnetism and superconductivity. A Curie temperature T _cM = 133 K and a superconducting critical temperature T _cS = 18 K, with an onset temperature T _cO = 33 K, are extracted from the analysis of the current-voltage curves. Received 18 September 2002 Published online 4 February 2003 RID="a" ID="a"e-mail: canio@sa.infn.it     

Collective defect formation in the high-temperature superconductor YBa2Cu3O7 under the influence of adsorbed water molecules

The mechanisms for defect formation stimulated by the adsorption of water molecules in the surface of YBa₂Cu₃O₇ ceramic are studied, together with the types of defects and their distributions. It is found that a water layer physically bound to the surface reduces the rates of annihilation and capture of positrons, changes the amount of barium and copper on the surface by a factor of two, and inhibits diffusive jumps of nickel atoms. A layer of adsorbed water excites subthreshold formation of 10²¹ cm⁻³ interstitial Ba and Cu1 atoms and transitions of oxygen from O1 to O5, and vice versa in the volume of crystallites, and the migration of defects and accumulation of Ba atoms in the surface layer, which block diffusive jumps of Ni within the volume of the crystals. These effects are related to the excitation of collective, low-frequency weakly damped motion of heavy holes in the crystal volume when defects are formed on the surface by physically adsorbed H₂O molecules, which is accompanied by Coulomb repulsion of cations from intermediate layers into interstitials and the migration of defects in the field of the collective excitations. Zh. éksp. Teor. Fiz. 116, 586–603 (August 1999)     

Condensed water in superfluid He-II

It was found that when ⁴He gas containing water vapor as an impurity condenses on the surface of superfluid He-II cooled to ∼ 1.4 K, semitransparent clouds (icebergs) form in the volume of a glass cell filled with He-II below the He-II surface. The form of the icebergs extracted from the superfluid liquid remains virtually unchanged on heating up to ∼ 1.8 K. In the temperature range 1.8–2.2 K the thermometers register sharp temperature jumps, which are accompanied by jumps in the gas pressure in the cell and a repeated decrease, by more than two orders of magnitude, in the total volume of the condensate, i.e., the water content in the volume of an iceberg does not exceed 10²⁰H₂O molecules per 1 cm³. It can be inferred that porous icebergs, permeated with superfluid liquid and containing cores consisting of small clusters surrounded by a layer of solidified helium, form in the volume of He-II as the gas mixture condenses. Pis’ma Zh. éksp. Teor. Fiz. 70, No. 11, 744–748 (10 December 1999)     

Precise frequency measurements of lines in the near infrared by Rb reference lines

Frequency measurements of 16 lines of I₂ in the near infrared have been performed using different Rb frequency references: diode lasers stabilised to the Rb D1 line at 377 THz, to the Rb D2 line at 384 THz and to the 5 s -5 d two photon transition at 385 THz. The relative uncertainties of the measurements of are limited by the frequency stability of the laser source locked to I₂ in the case of the Rb D2 and two photon transition or by the accuracy of the Rb D1 line. The internal consistency of calibrations of iodine lines is shown to be better than by measurements of the difference frequencies of calibrated iodine lines using four-wave mixing in laser diodes. Received 12 July 1999 and Received in final form 12 December 1999     

High-pressure,high-temperature thermophysical measurements on tungsten

Abstract

Wire shaped tungsten samples (0.25 mm diameter, 40 mm length, 99.97%) are resistively pulse heated as part of a coaxially built up capacitor discharge circuit. With heating rates of more than 10⁹ K/s, temperatures up to 12000 K are reached. The tungsten wire is contained with the surrounding medium water in a high pressure vessel with sapphire windows and a maximum pressure capability of 0.5 GPa. Time correlated measurements of the current through the wire and the voltage drop across it as well as surface radiation and wire expansion can be performed simultaneously and allow the determination of thermophysical properties for the liquid tungsten (see key words). All measuring systems have rise times less than 10 ns.     

In-situ small-angle X-ray scattering study of dynamic precipitation in an Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy

Dynamic precipitation during room-temperature deformation of an Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy in solid solution has been investigated using in-situ small-angle X-ray scattering measurements during tensile tests, performed at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility. Guinier-Preston (GP) zones are observed to form continuously during the deformation process, and the quantitative measurement of their size and volume fraction shows that their precipitation kinetics are much faster than those of static precipitation. A strong negative strain-rate sensitivity of dynamic precipitation has been observed. A model for the hardening effect of the GP zones is deduced from the evolution of yield stress during static ageing at room temperature. This model is applied to the dynamic precipitation kinetics in order to describe the anomalously high strain-hardening rate observed in these deformation conditions. The kinetics of dynamic precipitation are discussed in terms of semiphenomenological models based on the dynamic strain-ageing theory.     

A high sampling rate digital holographic imager instrument for the in situ measurements of hydrometeors

A novel digital in-line holographic imaging instrument designed for acquiring properties of individual hydrometeors in situ is presented. The instrument has a large measurement volume of 670 cm³. This combined with fast frame rate imaging and software controlled multi-exposure capabilities results in a representative sampling of rain and snowfall events. Hydrometeors are measured and analyzed from the in-focus images with microscopic resolution, and their 3D locations inside the measurement volume are determined. The instrument is designed to operate in cold climates and to produce reliable measurements also during strong winds. The imaging rate of the instrument was designed to be adequately high to observe the dynamic nature of rain and snow falls. By recording multi-exposure holograms, the effective frame rate can be increased. This allows the measurements of the velocities of the fast-falling hydrometeors. The instrument and the hologram processing are described; as well as results from laboratory tests and the first field measurements are shown. As a result, the resolving power of the instrument was measured to vary between 11 and 18 microns inside the measurement volume near the center of the field-of-view. Velocity vectors were measured both from multi-exposure and high frame rate holograms. The measured velocities ranged from 0.1 to 4 m/s. In addition, the projections of a flat-shaped and rotating snowflake imaged at different locations inside the measurement volume demonstrated the possibility to estimate the shape of the hydrometeor from multiple viewing angles.     

Effect of high pressure on metastable and stable intermediate hcp phases formed in the Ag-17at%Ge alloy

Abstract

A metastable hexagonal close-packed (hcp) phase obtained by rapid quenching from the melt has been compressed to 5.7 GPa and annealed up to 1023 K. The axial ratios (c/a) of the hcp structure at the initial state, the stable state annealed under high pressure (5.7 GPa, 673 K) and the quenched state from high pressure and high temperature condition are 1.630, 1.635 and 1.628, respectively.

The volume reduction of the hcp structure by application of high pressure gives rise to increase the c/a ratio, which corresponds to an apparent reduction in the number of valence electrons per atom (e/a) in the Hume-Rothery alloys.     

Lifetime measurements for some levels in Be-like Cl XIV and S XIII

Lifetime measurements have been carried out for some low lying (n = 2) levels in the four-electron ions Cl XIV and S XIII using the beam-foil technique. Accurate oscillator strengths for the 2 s2 ¹ S - 2 s 2 p ¹ P o transition have been determined by the inclusion of prominent cascades in the analysis. Lifetimes of the levels of the 2 p2 ³ P j multiplet have also been measured for both ions. The results are compared with theoretical predictions and earlier measurements. Received: 29 October 1997 / Revised: 10 February 1998 / Accepted: 5 March 1998     

Progress in pressure measurements with luminescence sensors

Abstract

Various luminescence sensors for pressure measurements are compared with the generally used ruby sensor. Typical advantages and disadvantages of different luminescence sensors based on lanthanide ions in various hosts are discussed. Emphasis is given to the sensor based on Sm^2?: MFCl (M =Sr, Ba) with respect to its sensitivity, temperature dependence and range of applicability.     

Excess free volume and mechanical properties of amorphous alloys

Characteristics of the excess free volume in amorphous alloys quenched from a melt are investigated and analyzed. It is established by small-angle x-ray scattering that the application of intense hydrostatic pressure causes this volume to decrease. This decrease leads to an enhancement of a number of characteristics of the mechanical properties of amorphous alloys. Fiz. Tverd. Tela (St. Petersburg) 40, 85–89 (January 1998)     

NMR investigation of defect properties in single crystal SrTiO3

Abstract

⁴⁹Ti and ⁸⁷Sr nuclear magnetic resonance measurements were performed in single crystalline SrTiO₃ between 90 K and 1800 K at various oxygen partical pressures. The NMR lines are found to be shifted with rising temperature due to oxygen vacancies acting as donors. Furthermore, three distinct motion-induced nuclear spin relaxation rates could be observed. The corresponding jump rates are attributed to the following processes: translational jumps of charged oxygen vacancies between oxygen sites, localized motion of oxygen vacancies in Fe-vacancy complexes, self diffusion of Sr²⁺.     

Left ventricular volume measurements with free breathing respiratory self-gated 3-dimensional golden angle radial whole-heart cine imaging – Feasibility and reproducibility

PurposeTo develop and evaluate a free breathing respiratory self-gated isotropic resolution technique for left ventricular (LV) volume measurements.MethodsA 3D radial trajectory with double golden-angle ordering was used for free-running data acquisition during free breathing in 9 healthy volunteers. A respiratory self-gating signal was extracted from the center of k-space and used with the electrocardiogram to bin all data into 3 respiratory and 25 cardiac phases. 3D image volumes were reconstructed and the LV endocardial border was segmented. LV volume measurements and reproducibility from 3D free breathing cine were compared to conventional 2D breath-held cine.ResultsNo difference was found between 3D free breathing cine and 2D breath-held cine with regards to LV ejection fraction, stroke volume, end-systolic volume and end-diastolic volume (P < 0.05 for all). The test-retest differences did not differ between 3D free breathing cine and 2D breath-held cine (P < 0.05 for all).Conclusion3D free breathing cine and conventional 2D breath-held cine showed similar values and test-retest repeatability for LV volumes in healthy volunteers. 3D free breathing cine enabled retrospective sorting and arbitrary angulation of isotropic data, and could correctly measure LV volumes during free breathing acquisition.     

Transition radiation measurements at distances from the transition point comparable to the formation length

The spatial distribution of the electromagnetic field excited by a relativistic particle crossing the surface of a metal is studied. It is shown that the field of the uniformly moving charge must also be taken into account during measurements at distances comparable to the path length for formation of the radiation. Expressions describing the effect of the self-field of the charge on the transition radiation field are derived. Zh. Tekh. Fiz. 67, 89–93 (September 1997)     

In situ mapping of high-pressure fluids using hydrothermal diamond anvil cells

We present new results combining high pressures and temperatures attainable in a diamond anvil cell with in situ synchrotron radiation induced micro-X-ray fluorescence measurements. Hydrothermal diamond anvil cells experiments have been performed by measuring the partitioning of Pb between aqueous fluids (pure water or NaCl-enriched water) and hydrous silicate melts of haplogranite composition using synchrotron X-ray fluorescence. The in situ measurements were performed in the range 0.3–1.2 GPa and 730–850 ^°C both in the aqueous fluid and in the silicate melts being in equilibrium. Pb is strongly partitioned into high-pressure–temperature hydrous melts when Cl is present in either the hydrous melt or the aqueous fluid. Moreover, our comparisons of in situ results with post-mortem results show that significant changes take place during rapid quenching especially when samples are small (few hundred of microns in diameter). Water exsolution is induced by the quench in the silicate melt showing the high mobility of Pb which immediately partitions into the water vapor phase during the quench. The current in situ approach offers thus a pertinent complementary method to the classical experimental petrology investigations.     

Structural changes of Zr x Cu100-x metallic glasses investigated by low temperature specific heat measurements

Amorphous alloys of Zr _x Cu_100–x (55x72) quenched from the melt are investigated by low temperature specific heat measurements. The influence of concentrationx, temperature of the melt before the quenching process and heat treatment on the electronic density of states, the Debye temperature and the superconducting transition temperature is examined. The latter one is the most affected value by structural relaxation while the specific heat in the normal conducting region remains nearly unchanged.     

Study of temperature dependence of crystallisation transitions of a symmetric PEO-PCL diblock copolymer using simultaneous SAXS and WAXS measurements with synchrotron radiation

The reversible transitions of the lamellae of a crystalline-crystalline diblock copolymer from the melt to crystallites were studied using simultaneous small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) measurements with synchrotron radiation. A symmetric poly(ethylene oxide)-poly( -caprolactone) diblock copolymer was chosen for this study. We showed in the course of the block copolymer crystallisation that the time-resolved integrated intensity I _int was proportional to the product of the volume fractions of the PEO and PCL phases and the scattering contrast due to the electron density difference. These results demonstrated that simultaneous SAXS/WAXS measurements could be used to monitor the crystallisation process in two domains of different sizes at the same time.