Influence of CO 3 2− and OH− groups on dielectric losses of NaCl crystals

The results of measuring the dielectric losses of NaCl crystals with a different concentration of Na₂CO₃ and NaOH admixtures in the melt are given in the present paper. From a comparison of the curves found for the dielectric losses of the crystals studied it can be seen that the course of tan and the positions of the relaxation maxima, corresponding to the measured specimens with CO ₃ ^2– or OH^– admixtures, hardly differ. From these measurements and from a comparison with the results of other authors it follows that the admixture is probably the same in both groups of crystals.In conclusion the author thanks Dr. A. Bohun for discussions on the results and for his continuous interest in this work.     

Influence of heat and UV light on the coercive field of lithium niobate crystals

Heating and UV illumination reduce the coercive field of lithium niobate crystals. It is found that both effects add up, leading to the conclusion that the underlying mechanisms are different. We present arguments that heating leads to an increased ionic conductivity that changes defect structures which pin domain walls, while UV illumination enables electrical screening of the pinning defects by photo-excited electrons.     

Influence of TEM specimen preparation on chemical composition of Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3–PbTiO3 single crystals

The influences of different transmission electron microscopy (TEM) specimen preparation techniques on the chemical composition of Pb(Mg_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃–PbTiO₃ (PMN–PT) single crystals was studied. Ion-milled samples where no cooling with liquid nitrogen (L-N₂) was applied show permanently changed composition also deep inside the bulk material. When the PMN–PT samples were cooled to L-N₂ temperature during the ion-milling process and in addition lower accelerating voltages were used, the chemical composition was altered only in the thinnest parts close to the specimen edge. Samples prepared using only tripod polishing technique show compositional irregularities close to the specimen edge. For the preparation of lead-containing samples, such as PMN–PT single crystals, a combination of tripod polishing and short Ar-ion-milling at low accelerating voltages while cooling the samples to liquid nitrogen temperature proved to be the most suitable to obtain artefact-free electron-transparent TEM lamellae.     

Influence of the composition of TlGa1 − x Er x Se2 crystals on their dielectric characteristics and parameters of localized states

Frequency dependences of the real (?′) and imaginary (?″) parts of the complex permittivity, the dielectric loss tangent (tanδ), and the ac conductivity (σ_ac) in frequency range f = 5 × 10⁴?3.5 × 10⁷ Hz have been investigated for TlGa_{1 ? x} Er _x Se₂ crystals of various compositions. It has been established that the relaxation dispersion of ?′ and ?″ takes place for the studied crystals. The influence of the erbium content in the crystals on their dielectric coefficients has been studied. The ac conductivity of the TlGa_{1 ? x} Er _x Se₂ single crystals in the high-frequency range obeys the law σ_ac ～ f ^0.8, which is characteristic of the hopping mechanism of charge transfer over the states localized in the vicinity of the Fermi level. Parameters of the states localized in the band gap of TlGa_{1 ? x} Er _x Se₂ and the influence of the composition of the crystals on these parameters have been evaluated.     

Influence of silver on the galvanomagnetic properties and energy spectrum of mixed (Bi1− x Sbx)2Te3 crystals

An investigation is made of the temperature dependences of the resistivity in the range 4.2–300 K, the Hall effect, and the Shubnikov-de Haas effect in magnetic fields up to 40 T in (Bi_{1? x} Sb_x)₂Te₃Ag_y single crystals (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.75). Doping (Bi_{1? x} Sb_x)₂Te₃ crystals with silver showed that in Sb₂Te₃ and (Bi_{1? x} Sb_x)₂Te₃ crystals unlike Bi₂Te₃ silver exhibits acceptor properties. The angular and concentration dependences of the Shubnikov-de Haas effect were studied in (Bi_{1? x} Sb_x)₂Te₃Ag_y. It was established that the anisotropy of the ellipsoids of the upper valence band in Bi_0.5Sb_1.5Te₃ remains unchanged as a result of silver doping.     

Measurement of the extraordinary refractive index dispersion in the MIR for Mg:Nd:LiNbO3 crystals by the use of quasi-phase-matching in a random 1D domain structure

We present a method of measurement of the extraordinary refractive index dispersion in MIR for periodically and aperiodically poled nonlinear crystals with unknown or uncertain periods. The method is based on the spontaneous parametric down-conversion and is useful for the crystals with domain structure formed directly in the process of growth by Czochralski technique. As an example we measure the extraordinary refractive index of in-growth poled 2 mol% Mg and 1 mol% Nd doped congruent lithium niobate and present the corresponding Sellmeier equation in the range of 0.4–3.6 μm.     

A critical consideration of magnetism and composition of (bcc) Cu precipitates in (bcc) Fe

Atom probe and small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) measurements were carried out in order to investigate the chemical composition of (bcc) Cu precipitates in a (bcc) Fe matrix. The ratio of nuclear and magnetic integrated intensities (R-value) found by SANS is compared to a theoretical model which is based on the chemical composition obtained from the atom probe data. Furthermore, density functional theory calculations were performed to derive the magnetic moment per atom and the lattice parameters of the Cu alloys modeled in terms of supercells. The calculated and measured R-values agree rather well suggesting that Fe atoms are incorporated in the Cu precipitates up to concentrations of about 50 at.%.     

Identification of I3 − and I5 − clusters in irradiated ki by X-ray photoelectron,Raman and optical absorption spectroscopies

Abstract

Raman and XPS measurements have been performed on KI crystals irradiated near 200 K. The Raman studies show I₃ ^? and I_n ^? (n = 5, 7,—) clusters which anneal together with F- and V- centres at 338 K. A small development of (I₂)_n aggregates occurs during the anneal; these decay near 378 K and are responsible for a broad and weak residual V-band. The I 3d _5/2 XPS peak has been fitted to reveal the presence of 3 components after low energy argon- ion bombardment. These are identified as due to normal lattice iodine, I₃ ^? and 1₅ ^? whose behaviour is consistent with the Raman work.     

Enhanced luminescent properties and optical absorption of γ-irradiated KI: Ce, Tb crystals

This paper reports that KI doped with Ce³⁺ or double doped with Tb³⁺ and Ce³⁺ were prepared by the Bridgman-Stockbarger method and characterized by optical absorption photoluminescence (PL), thermoluminescence (TL), photostimulated emission (PSL) and TL emission. The optical absorption measurement indicates that F and V₁, V₂ centers are formed in the crystals during the γ irradiation process. It was attempted to incorporate a broad band of Ce³⁺ activator into the narrow band emission of Tb³⁺ in the KI host without the reduction of emission intensity. Ce³⁺-co-doped KI and Tb crystals showed a broad band emission due to the d-f transition of Ce³⁺ and a reduction in the intensity of emission peaks due to the ⁵D₃-⁷F_j (j=3,4,5,6) transition of Tb³⁺, when they were excited at 240 nm.These results supported that an effective energy transfer occurs from Tb³⁺ to Ce³⁺ in the KI host. Co-doping Ce³⁺ ions greatly intensified the excitation peak at 260 nm for the emission at 393 nm of Tb³⁺, which means that more lattice defects, involved in the energy absorption and transfer to Tb³⁺, are formed by the Ce³⁺ co-doping. The integrated light intensity is an order of magnitude higher as compared to the undoped samples for similar doses of irradiation and heating rates. The defects generated by irradiation were monitored by optical absorption and TSL Trap parameters for the TL process are calculated and presented.     

Frequency-agile,rapid scanning spectroscopy: absorption sensitivity of 2 × 10−12 cm−1 Hz−1/2 with a tunable diode laser

We present ultrasensitive measurements of molecular absorption using frequency-agile rapid scanning, cavity ring-down spectroscopy with an external-cavity diode laser. A microwave source that drives an electro-optic phase modulator with a bandwidth of 20 GHz generates pairs of sidebands on the probe laser. The optical cavity provides for high sensitivity and filters the carrier and all but a single, selected sideband. Absorption spectra were acquired by stepping the tunable sideband from mode-to-mode of the ring-down cavity at a rate that was limited only by the cavity decay time. This approach allows for scanning rates of 8 kHz per cavity resonance, a minimum detectable absorption coefficient of 1.7 × 10^?11 cm^?1 after only 20 ms of averaging, and a noise-equivalent absorption coefficient of 1.7 × 10^?12 cm^?1 Hz^?1/2. By comparison with cavity-enhanced laser absorption spectrometers reported in the literature, the present system is, to the best of our knowledge, among the most sensitive and has by far the highest spectrum scanning rate.     

Influence of OH groups on 1.5-um emission of Yb_(3+)/Er_(3+) co-doped tungsten-tellurite glasses

The Yb3+/Er3+ co-doped TeO2-WO3-ZnO glasses bubbling with different times were prepared. The infrared (IR) transmission spectra, emission spectra and fluorescence lifetime of Er3+ at 1.5 um were measured. The quench effects of OH groups on emission intensity of Er3+ at 1.5 um as well as the relationships between fluorescence decay rate and OH group content were investigated. The constant kOH-Er which represents the strength of the interactions between Er3+ ions and OH groups, is approximately 17.0×10-20 cm4/s, and is comparable to that for Er3+ in Yb3+/Er3+ co-doped phosphate glasses.     

Influence of anionic substitution on phase transitions in Cu6PS5I1− x Cl x mixed crystals

Cu₆PS₅I_{1? ?} ? _x Cl _x mixed crystals were grown using chemical vapour transport. Isoabsorption studies of optical absorption edge and optical polarization measurements were performed in the temperature range 77–320?K. The influence of anionic I?→?Cl substitution on the phase transitions in Cu₆PS₅I_{1? ?} ? _x Cl _x mixed crystals is studied. Compositional dependence of the phase-transition temperatures is obtained and the x,T-diagram for Cu₆PS₅I_{1? ?} ? _x Cl _x mixed crystals is constructed.     

Influence of Zn concentration on electrical resistance of SmBa2(ZnxCu1−x 3O9−δ

It is known that perovskite type structures (ReBa₂Cu₃O_9–) exhibit superconductivity at temperatures below 90 K /1–3/. The substitution of other ions for Cu is interesting because the Cu-O interactions are probably responsible for the supercoductivity in those systems /4/. In the system Y-Ba-(Ag,Cu)-O Saito found that the gradual decrease of T_c with the increase of Ag concentration is due to the presence of the different phases /5/.In this letter we are reporting the experimental measurements of the electrical resistance of SmBa₂Cu₃O_9– oxygen defect perovskites with Zn substituted for Cu.     

Influence of frustration on a d = 3 diluted antiferromagnet: FexZn1−xF2

The influence of a frustrated bond on the magnetic properties of a d = 3 uniaxial (Ising) bcc diluted antiferromagnet, with emphasis in the compounds FexZn_1−xF₂, is investigated by a local mean-field numerical simulation. In particular we find that the initial drop of the saturation staggered magnetization (M_S) with concentration follows a percolation-like phenomenon characterized by an exponent β_P. For the frustrated samples, however, this regime is followed by a second one identified by a ‘long tail’ effect such that M_S is zero only at the percolation threshold. Our numerical data also confirms a spin-glass phase near this threshold.     

Growth mechanism, microstructure and transport properties of Sr1−x La x CuO2 (x=0.10−0.15) thin films

Sr_1−x La _x CuO₂ (x=0.10−0.15) thin films with an infinite-layer type structure were grown on BaTiO₃ buffered (001) SrTiO₃ substrates by pulsed laser deposition (PLD). The evolution of the growth front was monitored, in-situ, by high-pressure reflection high-energy electron diffraction (RHEED), while the surface morphology was analyzed by means of atomic force microscopy (AFM), ex-situ. X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used to determine the evolution of the film structure with deposition and cooling parameters, as well as to study the type and level of epitaxial strain in the Sr_1−x La _x CuO₂ films. The RHEED data showed that the Sr_1−x La _x CuO₂ films grow on BaTiO₃/SrTiO₃ following a 2D or Stranski-Krastanov mechanism, depending on the La doping level. The transition point (critical thickness d _c) from layer-by-layer like (2D) to island (3D) growth depends on the film stoichiometry: decreasing the La doping concentration x from 0.15 to 0.10, the critical thickness d _c increases from ∼45 nm to ∼75 nm. In order to induce superconductivity, the Sr_1−x La _x CuO₂ films were cooled down under reduction conditions. The as-deposited films showed semiconducting or metallic behavior, the resistivity decreasing with increasing La concentration. Post-deposition vacuum annealing resulted in a superconducting transition onset (but no zero resistance down to 4.2 K) only for some of the x=0.15 Sr_1−x La _x CuO₂ films.     

Ionic and electronic transport in perovskite-type La(Ga,M)O3−δ (M=Mg, Cr, Fe, Co, Ni, Nb)

Oxygen ion conduction in La_0.9Sr_0.1Ga_1−xM_xO_3−δ (M=Cr, Fe; x=0 – 0.20), LaGa_1−xM_xO_3−δ (M=Co, Ni; x=0.20 – 0.60), LaGa_1−x−yCo_xMg_yO_3−δ (x=0.35 – 0.60; y=0.10 – 0.25) and LaGa_0.85−xMg_0.15(Nb_0.33Mg_0.66)_xO_3−δ (x=0 – 0.20) is reported. At temperatures below 1200 K the ionic conductivity of La(Ga,M)O_3−δ (M=Co, Ni) increases with increasing oxygen nonstoichiometry, but is lower than for La(Ga,Mg)O_3−δ and (La,Sr)GaO_3−δ. Co-doping with Nb and Mg was found to result in decreasing ionic transport in La(Ga,Nb,Mg)O_3−δ due to blocking of oxygen sites by Nb⁵⁺. Small additions of Fe to the B-site of La_0.9Sr_0.1GaO_3−δ increase the ionic conductivity, whereas substitution of Cr for Ga has the opposite effect. Incorporation of transition metal cations into the Ga site leads to a higher p-type electronic conductivity in all studied perovskites. Paper presented at the 6th Euroconference on Solid Sate Ionics, Cetraro, Calabria, Italy, Sept. 12–19, 1999.     

Effect of PbCl2 addition on structure, OH− content, and upconversion luminescence in Yb3+/Er3+-codoped germanate glasses

Yb³⁺/Er³⁺-codoped oxychloride germanate glasses have been synthesized by a conventional melting and quenching method. Structural properties were obtained based on Raman-spectra investigation, indicating that PbCl₂ plays an important role in the formation of the glass network and has an important influence on the phonon density and the maximum phonon energy. The Judd–Ofelt intensity parameters and quantum efficiencies were calculated based on the Judd–Ofelt theory and lifetime measurements. The enhanced upconversion luminescence intensity of Er³⁺ with increasing PbCl₂ content could not be explained only by the maximum phonon-energy change of the host glasses. For the first time, the effect of PbCl₂ addition on phonon density, OH^– content, and upconversion luminescence in oxychloride glasses has been discussed and evaluated. The results show that the effect of phonon density and OH^– content on upconversion luminescence in oxychloride glasses is much stronger than that of the decrease of the maximum phonon energy. The possible upconversion luminescence mechanisms have also been estimated and are discussed.     

Influence of Ba addition on the dielectric and optic properties of (1 – x) Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3–xBaTiO3 (x = 0, 0.025, 0.0325 and 0.05) single crystals

High-quality, large-size lead-free (1 – x)Na_0.5Bi_0.5TiO₃–xBaTiO₃ ((1 – x)NBT–xBT) single crystals (x = 0, 0.025, 0.0325 and 0.05) were grown using the Czochralski method. Dielectric and transmitted light intensity properties were measured for these crystals. The broad anomalies exhibited in the temperature dependence of the transmitted light corresponded to structural and dielectric anomalies and were related to the temperature dependence of polar regions and the appearance of a long-range ferroelectric state. We explain our results based on local electromechanical fields, by inhomogeneity of the ion distribution and the mismatch in ion size. We suggested that the NBT–BT system can be a promising lead-free piezoelectric material for ultrasonic delay-line applications, broadband transducers and sensors.