Fluorimetry Studies of Oscillating Chemilumnescence in the Luminol= H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript>= KSCN= CuSO<Subscript>4</Subscript>= TMAOH System

Oscillating chemical reactions are complex systems, involving a large number of chemical species. In oscillating chemical reaction, some species, usually a reaction intermediate, exhibit fluctuation in its concentration. In this report, visible oscillating chemiluminescence produced by the addition of luminol (3-aminophthalhydrazide) to the oscillating system of H₂O₂=KSCN=CuSO₄=TMAOH was investigated using spectrofluorimetry method. The effects of ingredient concentration of the oscillating system and complexing agents like citric acid and cysteine on the behavior of the oscillating system were investigated. Moreover, the influence of nonaqueous solvents such as ethanol and ethylene glycol has been studied.     

On the magnetism of Ln<Subscript>2/3</Subscript>Cu<Subscript>3</Subscript>Ti<Subscript>4</Subscript>O<Subscript>12</Subscript> (Ln = lanthanide)

The magnetic and thermodynamic properties of the complete Ln_2/3Cu₃Ti₄O₁₂ series were investigated. Here Ln stands for the lanthanides La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, and Yb. All the samples investigated crystallize in the space group Im[`3]Im\bar{3} with lattice constants that follow the lanthanide contraction. The lattice constant of the Ce compound reveals the presence of Ce⁴⁺ leading to the composition Ce_1/2Cu₃Ti₄O₁₂. From magnetic susceptibility and electron-spin resonance experiments it can be concluded that the copper ions always carry a spin S = 1/2 and order antiferromagnetically close to 25 K. The Curie-Weiss temperatures can approximately be calculated assuming a two-sublattice model corresponding to the copper and lanthanide ions, respectively. It seems that the magnetic moments of the heavy rare earths are weakly coupled to the copper spins, while for the light lanthanides no such coupling was found. The 4f moments remain paramagnetic down to the lowest temperatures, with the exception of the Tm compound, which indicates enhanced Van-Vleck magnetism due to a non-magnetic singlet ground state of the crystal-field split 4f manifold. From specific-heat measurements we accurately determined the antiferromagnetic ordering temperature and obtained information on the crystal-field states of the rare-earth ions.     

Superconductivity and spectroscopy of heterofullerides Rb<Subscript>2</Subscript>MC<Subscript>60</Subscript>, K<Subscript>2</Subscript>MC<Subscript>60</Subscript>, and KM<Subscript>2</Subscript>C<Subscript>60</Subscript> (M = Mg,Be)

A series of new heterofullerides with compositions Rb₂MC₆₀, K₂MC₆₀, and KM₂C₆₀ (M = Mg, Be) have been synthesized. Measurements of the temperature dependences of the magnetic susceptibility in the temperature interval from 4.2 to 300 K reveal a superconducting transition in heterofullerides K₂MgC₆₀, KMg₂C₆₀, K₂BeC₆₀, and Rb₂BeC₆₀ at temperatures T _c = 13–22 K. The electron states with uncompensated spin are studied by the electron paramagnetic resonance technique. The contributions of conduction electrons and localized electrons to the paramagnetic susceptibility are extracted.     

Magnetic behaviour of doped dimer compounds Sr<Subscript>3</Subscript>Cr<Subscript>2−<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>M<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>O<Subscript>8</Subscript> (M = V,Mn)

Wilson chains, based on a logarithmic discretization of a continuous spectrum, are widely used to model an electronic (or bosonic) bath for Kondo spins and other quantum impurities within the numerical renormalization group method and other numerical approaches. In this short note we point out that Wilson chains can not serve as thermal reservoirs as their temperature changes by a number of order ΔE when a finite amount of energy ΔE is added. This proves that for a large class of non-equilibrium problems they cannot be used to predict the long-time behavior.     

Quasi-reversible solid-phase reaction in the superprotonic conductor Cs<Subscript>5</Subscript>H<Subscript>3</Subscript>(SO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>4</Subscript>·<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis>H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O

The thermal effect and heat capacity in a single crystal of nonstoichiometric cesium sulfate hydrate were measured. It was established that superprotonic conduction in this material is caused by an isothermal solid-phase transformation in the bulk of the single crystal. The results of thermal measurements were compared with experimental data on the electrical conductivity.     

Magnetocaloric effect in (La<Subscript>0.6</Subscript>Ca<Subscript>0.4</Subscript>)<Subscript>0.9</Subscript>Mn<Subscript>1.1</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>

The results of investigations of the magnetization, susceptibility, and magnetic-field-induced changes in the entropy of polycrystalline manganite (La_0.6Ca_0.4)_0.9Mn_1.1O₃ near the magnetic phase transition have been presented. Magnetic measurements have been carried out at temperatures in the range from 210 to 310 K in magnetic fields of up to 9 T. The magnetocaloric effect has been revealed by measuring the magnetic-field dependences of magnetization. The magnitude of the magnetocaloric effect is compared with similar results obtained for other manganites.     

Photoaccumulating film systems based on TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>/MoO<Subscript>3</Subscript> and TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>/MoO<Subscript>3</Subscript>:V<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript> nanoheterostructures

The thin-film photocatalysts TiO₂/MoO₃ and TiO₂/MoO₃:V₂O₅ obtained by a combination of sol–gel and sintering techniques were studied using the photooxidation of probing dyes, EPR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, and electron microscopy. It was shown that due to charge accumulation caused by UV irradiation, these photocatalysts retain their oxidative activity and ability for self-sterilization in the dark for a long time after irradiation was terminated (up to 5 h for TiO₂/MoO₃:V₂O₅).     

Special magnetic phenomena in heavily doped La<Subscript>0.7−<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Dy<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Sr<Subscript>0.3</Subscript>MnO<Subscript>3</Subscript> system

The magnetism in heavily Dy doped La_0.7−x Dy _x Sr_0.3MnO₃ (0.40⩽x⩽0.70) system is studied in this paper. The M-T relation seems to be complicated with the increase of x. For sample with x = 0.40, AFM behavior exists at T⩽T _N and M-T curves under zero field cooling (ZFC) and field cooling (FC) exhibit typical behavior of spincluster glass state above T _N. For the sample with x = 0.50, the M-T curve under ZFC exhibits a valley at a low temperature while the M-T curve under FC exhibits the negative magnetization below T _N. For samples with x = 0.60, 0.70, their ZFC M-T curves are similar to that of x = 0.50, but the FC M-T curves do not exhibit negative values any more. All the peculiar phenomena above are well explained by Néel double-lattice model combined with M-H relation at typical temperatures. The molecular field theory fits well the negative magnetization for x = 0.50. Supported by the State Key Project of Fundamental Research of China (Grant No. 2007CB925001), the State Key Development Program for Basic Research of China (Grant No. 001CB610604), the Natural Science Foundation of Anhui Higher Education Institutions of China (Grant Nos. 2006KJ266B and ZD2007003-1), Anhui Key Laboratory of Spin Electron and Nanomaterials (Cultivating Base)     

Thermal sensors based on Sb<Subscript>2</Subscript>Te<Subscript>3</Subscript> and (Sb<Subscript>2</Subscript>Te<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>70</Subscript>(Bi<Subscript>2</Subscript>Te<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>30</Subscript> thin films

Thin films of Sb₂Te₃ and (Sb₂Te₃)₇₀(Bi₂Te₃)₃₀ alloy and have been deposited on precleaned glass substrate by thermal evaporation technique in a vacuum of 2?×?10^?6 Torr. The structural study was carried out by X-ray diffractometer, which shows that the films are polycrystalline in nature. The grain size, microstrain and dislocation density were determined. The Seebeck coefficient was determined as the ratio of the potential difference across the films to the temperature difference. The power factor for the (Sb₂Te₃)₇₀ (Bi₂Te₃)₃₀ and (Sb₂Te₃) is found to be 19.602 and 1.066 of the film of thickness 1,500 Å, respectively. The Van der-Pauw technique was used to measure the Hall coefficient at room temperature. The carrier concentration was calculated and the results were discussed.     

Superconductivity in Ti-doped iron-arsenide compound Sr<Subscript>4</Subscript>Cr<Subscript>0.8</Subscript>Ti<Subscript>1.2</Subscript>O<Subscript>6</Subscript>Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>As<Subscript>2</Subscript>

Superconductivity was achieved in Ti-doped iron-arsenide compound Sr₄Cr_0.8Ti_1.2O₆Fe₂As₂ (abbreviated as Cr-FeAs-42622). The X-ray diffraction measurement shows that this material has a layered structure with the space group of P4/nmm, and with the lattice constants a = b = 3.9003 Å and c = 15.8376 Å. Clear diamagnetic signals in ac susceptibility data and zero-resistance in resistivity data were detected at about 6 K, confirming the occurrence of bulk superconductivity. Meanwhile we observed a superconducting transition in the resistive data with the onset transition temperature at 29.2 K, which may be induced by the nonuniform distribution of the Cr/Ti content in the FeAs-42622 phase.     

Spin-wave resonances in Eu<Subscript>0.8</Subscript>Ce<Subscript>0.2</Subscript>Mn<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript> and EuMn<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript> multiferroics

Spin-wave resonances have been observed in superlattices arising due to the phase separation and self-organization of charge carriers in Eu_0.8Ce_0.2Mn₂O₅ single crystals. The resonances are found within the 5–80 K temperature range at frequencies close to 30 GHz. Similar resonances with intensities about an order of magnitude lower are also observed in EuMn₂O₅. The latter suggests the existence of charge transfer processes between the manganese ions of different valences in EuMn₂O₅.     

Electronic excitations in BeAl<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>, Be<Subscript>2</Subscript>SiO<Subscript>4</Subscript>, and Be<Subscript>3</Subscript>Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>Si<Subscript>6</Subscript>O<Subscript>18</Subscript> crystals

Low-temperature (T = 7 K) time-resolved selectively photoexcited luminescence spectra (2–6 eV) and luminescence excitation spectra (8–35 eV) of wide-bandgap chrysoberyl BeAl₂O₄, phenacite Be₂SiO₄, and beryl Be₃Al₂Si₆O₁₈ crystals have been studied using time-resolved VUV spectroscopy. Both the intrinsic luminescence of the crystals and the luminescence associated with structural defects were assigned. Energy transfer to impurity luminescence centers in alexandrite and emerald was investigated. Luminescence characteristics of stable crystal lattice defects were probed by 3.6-MeV accelerated helium ion beams.     

Photoluminescence of nanoparticles of (Ga<Subscript>2</Subscript>S<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>0.95</Subscript>(Eu<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>0.05</Subscript> solid solution

We have ground bulk samples to obtain nanoparticles of (Ga₂S₃)_1–x (Eu₂O₃) _x solid solutions, the sizes of which were determined using an atomic force microscope. The photoluminescence spectra of the nanoparticles were studied in the temperature interval 77–300 K. We have established the mechanisms for emission and transfer of energy from the matrix to the rare-earth ion, and we determined the Stokes shift (ΔS = 0.7 eV), the Huang–Rhys parameter (S = 16), and the optical phonon energy (ħ−ω = 23 meV).     

Methane sensor based on SnO<Subscript>2</Subscript>/In<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>/TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanostructure

Two sets of samples of SnO₂/In₂O₃/TiO₂ system have been fabricated with different concentrations of component materials. In the first set TiO₂ with rutile structure was used, while in the second set it has the structure of anatase. Thin films (up to 50 nm) of obtained mixtures were deposited. Their sensitivity and selectivity with respect to methane (CH4) were studied. Nanostructure on the basis of 70%SnO₂ — 10%In₂O₃ — 20%TiO₂(anatase) exhibits sufficient sensitivity to methane.     

The Optical Gain of a Si-Based Lattice-Matched Si<Subscript>0.15</Subscript>Ge<Subscript>0.621</Subscript>Sn<Subscript>0.229</Subscript>/Si<Subscript>0.637</Subscript>Ge<Subscript>0.018</Subscript>Sn<Subscript>0.345</Subscript> MQW Laser

We study the optical-gain characteristics of a Si-based MQW laser, in which the active region has 20 Si_0.15Ge_0.621Sn_0.229 quantum wells separated by 20 Si_0.637Ge_0.018Sn_0.345 barriers. We reach a maximum optical gain of 2300 cm^?1 with an estimated carrier concentration of 5·10¹⁸ cm^?3, which is equivalent to the transparent current density equal to 0.5 kA/cm². Furthermore, we discuss the optical confinement factor and modal gain. The modal gain depends sensitively on the number of the quantum wells (QWs), and this fact restricts the optical confinement factor. The modal gain of the model we proposed can reach 1500 cm^?1 at the injection current density equal to 3 kA/cm². We hope that our results show the possibility to obtain a Si-based near-infrared laser.     

Absorption spectra of thin layers of solid solutions Cs<Subscript>2</Subscript>(Cd<Subscript>1 − <Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Zn<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>)I<Subscript>4</Subscript>

The excitonic absorption spectra of thin films of ferroelectric Cs₂CdI₄ and Cs₂ZnI₄ solid solutions are studied for the first time. It is found that, within the whole range of molar concentrations x, the spectra of Cs₂(Cd_{1 − x} Zn _x )I₄ comprise two bands that originate from the bands of the two compounds. It is shown that the exciton transfer occurs most efficiently between the tetrahedrons CdI₄ and ZnI₄ along the b axis of the crystal. Unusual behavior of the concentration with regards to the maxima of long-wavelength excitonic bands E _m (x) agrees well with the developed theory that takes into account dependence on x of the matrix element of the intertetrahedron exciton transfer and that is similar to the theory of Davydov’s splitting in molecular crystals.     

Nanosecond photoelectric effects in all-oxide p-n junction of La<Subscript>0.9</Subscript>Sr<Subscript>0.1</Subscript>MnO<Subscript>3</Subscript>/SrNb<Subscript>0.01</Subscript>Ti<Subscript>0.99</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>

Nanosecond (ns) photoelectric effects have been observed in all-oxide p-n junctions of La_0.9Sr_0.1MnO₃/SrNb_0.01Ti_0.99O₃ for the first time. The rise time was about 23 ns and the full width at half maximum was about 125 ns for the open-circuit photovoltaic pulse when the La_0.9Sr_0.1MnO₃ thin film in the p-n junction was irradiated by a laser of ≈20 ns pulse duration and 308 nm wavelength. The photovoltaic sensitivity was 80 mV/MJ for a 308 nm laser pulse.