Characterization of photoluminescence spectra from poly allyl diglycol carbonate (CR-39) upon excitation with the ultraviolet radiation of various wavelengths

The induced photoluminescence (PL) from the π-conjugated polymer poly allyl diglycol carbonate (PADC) (CR-39) upon excitation with the ultraviolet radiation of different wavelengths was investigated. The absorption and attenuation coefficients of PADC (CR-39) were recorded using a UV–visible spectrometer. It was found that the absorption and attenuation coefficients of the PADC (CR-39) exhibit a strong dependence on the wavelength of ultraviolet radiation. The PL spectra were measured with a Flormax-4 spectrofluorometer (Horiba). PADC (CR-39) samples were excited by ultraviolet radiation with wavelengths in the range from 260 to 420 nm and the corresponding PL emission bands were recorded. The obtained results show a strong correlation between the PL and the excitation wavelength of ultraviolet radiation. The position of the fluorescence emission band peak was red shifted starting from 300 nm, which was increased with the increase in the excitation wavelength. The PL yield and its band peak height were increased with the increase in the excitation wavelength till 290 nm, thereafter they decreased exponentially with the increase in the ultraviolet radiation wavelength. These new findings should be considered carefully during the use of the PADC (CR-39) in the scientific applications and in using PADC (CR-39) in eyeglasses.     

Electric field effects on the linear and nonlinear intersubband optical properties of double semi-parabolic quantum wells

In this work, the effects of the electric field on the optical properties of the symmetric and asymmetric double semi-parabolic quantum wells (DSPQWs) are investigated numerically for typical GaAs/Al_xGa_1−xAs. Optical properties are obtained using the compact density matrix approach. Our calculations for the asymmetric DSPQW show that the resonant peak values of the total refractive index change and total optical absorption coefficient are maximum for a certain value of the applied electric field, due to the anti-crossing effect. However, for the symmetric DSPQW, the resonant peak values of these optical properties decrease monotonically with increasing the applied electric field. Also, our results indicate that a larger value of the optical rectification coefficient of the symmetric DSPQW can be induced by applying a small electric field.     

A comparative study on the effects of Co-60 gamma radiation on polypropylene and polyimide

Polypropylene (PP) and polyimide (PI), which belong to entirely different classes of polymers, are irradiated by Co-60 gamma radiation under similar doses and similar conditions in the dose range varying from 57.6 to 230.4 kGy. The radiation responses of these two polymers are analyzed by various characterizations such as Fourier transform infrared, UV–visible, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and contact angle. PP shows substantial modifications in its structure and properties while in the same dose range, PI shows remarkable stability. These two different responses are interpreted in terms of physicochemical structure and properties of these polymers.     

Theoretical studies on the optical absorption coefficients and refractive index changes in parabolic quantum dots in the presence of electric and magnetic fields

The optical absorption coefficients and the changes in the refractive index in GaAs/AlGaAs parabolic quantum dots(QDs) with applied electric and magnetic fields are studied in detail. Analytical expressions for the linear and nonlinear intersubband absorption coefficients and refractive index changes are obtained by using a compact density matrix approach and an iterative procedure. Finally, the calculated results show the incident optical intensity, the frequencies of the confined potential of the QDs and the applied electric and magnetic fields have a great influence on the optical absorption coefficients and refractive index changes in this system.     

ZnSe and copper-doped ZnSe nanocrystals (NCs): Optical absorbance and precise determination of energy band gap beside their exact optical transition type and Urbach energy

The using of a reliable and accurate new method (called in literature as derivation of absorption spectrum fitting (DASF)) for evaluation of the optical band gap (E_g) and also the exact nature of charge carriers optical transitions, is investigated in ZnSe and ZnSe:Cu nanocrystals (NCs) synthesized by rapid microwave irradiation. This method can be performed by using the output of UV–Visible spectroscopy. The obtained E_g values are within the range of 2.985–3.261 eV, depending to the microwave irradiation time and Cu dopant percentage (decreasing trend with increasing of irradiation time and Cu content). The DASF-based obtained results for ZnSe and ZnSe:Cu nanoparticles, showed the more precise values of band gap, with the same trend of previously qualitative reported data on the same samples. Also, the direct gap nature of their optical transitions was justified. To perform the method, there is no any need to the concentration of solutions and merely one need the direct absorption or transmission spectra. In other word, DASF technique was employed on ZnSe NCs to confirm its validity and to avoid non-precise reports on optical band gap which can affect on the device optimizations based on these samples. Moreover, using the values of E_g, refractive index and dielectric constant of each sample were obtained at the absorption edge. Also, the width of the tailing states in the gap (Urbach energy: E_Tail) was estimated and were within the range of 0.049–0.122 eV, which their very small values in compare with E_g imply to the sharp valence and conduction band edges; it means the good crystallinity nature of the produced samples.     

Track revelation and optical properties of pentaerythritol tetrakis (allyl carbonate) plastic for application as nuclear track detector: effects of gamma radiations

The etching conditions of an indigenously prepared thin film of pentaerythritol tetrakis(allyl carbonate) (PETAC) were standardised for the use as a nuclear track detector. The optimum etching times in 6?N NaOH at 70°C for the appearance of fission and alpha tracks recorded in this detector from a ²⁵²Cf solid source were found to be 30 min and 1.50?h, respectively. The experimentally determined values for the bulk and track-etch rates for this detector in 6?N NaOH at 70°C were found to be 1.7?±?0.1 and 88.4?±?10.7?µm/h, respectively. From these results, the important track etching properties such as the critical angle of etching, the sensitivity and the fission track registration efficiency were calculated and compared with the commercially available detectors. The activation energy value for bulk etching calculated by applying Arrhenius equation to the bulk etch rates of the detector determined at different etching temperatures was found to be 0.86?±?0.02?eV. This compares very well with the value of about 1.0?eV reported for most commonly used track detectors. The effects of gamma irradiation on this new detector in the dose range of 200–1000?kGy have also been studied using bulk etch rate technique. The activation energy values for bulk etching calculated from bulk etch rates measurements at different temperatures were found to decrease with the increase in gamma dose indicating scission of the detector due to gamma irradiation. The optical band gap of this detector was also determined using UV–visible spectrometry and the value was found to be 4.37?±?0.05?eV.     

Influence of 60Co gamma irradiation on the structural and optical properties of 2-aminopyridinium 4-nitrophenolate 4-nitrophenol crystals

In this article, effect of gamma irradiation on the structural and optical properties of 2-aminopyridinium 4-nitrophenolate 4-nitrophenol (2AP4N) has been reported. The grown crystals of 2AP4N were exposed to ⁶⁰Co gamma rays with a dose of 50 kGy and 100 kGy. The radiation-induced effects were analyzed using X-ray diffraction, FT-IR, UV–visible, photoluminescence techniques. The refractive index was determined using a long arm spectrometer. The structural properties of the pristine and irradiated crystals were studied using powder XRD. The peak intensity decrease after irradiation may be attributed to the formation of point defects. The UV visible study reveals that the energy gap has decreased after irradiation and then has increased for the higher dose. The intensity variation in the PL spectra is due to colour center mechanism. The SHG efficiency of 2AP4N crystals was found to be unaffected by gamma irradiation.     

The effects of hydrostatic pressure on the nonlinear intersubband transitions and refractive index changes of different QW shapes

In this study, the effects of hydrostatic pressure on the linear and nonlinear intersubband transitions and the refractive index changes in the conduction band of different quantum well shapes are theoretically calculated within framework of the effective mass approximation. Results obtained show that intersubband properties and the energy levels in different QWs can be modified and controlled by the hydrostatic pressure. The modulation of the absorption coefficients and the refractive index changes which can be suitable for good performance optical modulators and various infrared optical device applications can be easily obtained by tuning the hydrostatic pressure strength.     

热硫化Co掺杂对纳-微米黄铁矿的晶体结构特征及光吸收性能的影响

过渡金属硫化物黄铁矿是一种优异的光伏材料,掺杂改性是提高黄铁矿光伏性能的一种重要手段。为了探究不同Co掺杂量对黄铁矿的晶体结构和吸光性能的影响,采用热硫化法在360℃时制备出了纳-微米黄铁矿样品。利用Ｘ射线衍射(XRD)和多功能场发射扫描式电子显微镜(FESEM)分析了样品的晶体结构、形貌特征和晶粒尺寸;利用能谱仪(EDS)分析了样品的化学成分,并通过紫外-可见-近红外分光光度计(UV-Vis-NIR)表征了样品的光吸收性能和禁带宽度的变化。结果表明,掺Co并未改变黄铁矿的立方晶型结构,但与未掺杂黄铁矿相比,样品结晶度变差,晶粒发生团聚,尺寸在1～1.45 μm范围内;掺Co量的增加会导致晶粒尺度略微减小,但影响不大。EDS检测表明,实际样品的掺杂并不均匀,当掺Co量小于7 at%时,测试值小于名义掺杂量;而当掺Co量大于7 at%时,Co易发生富集。S/(Fe+Co)的比值在1.92～2.05范围内,表明样品内部的点缺陷数量的变化。反射光谱表明制备样品的禁带宽度E_g在0.57～0.72 eV之间。禁带宽度E_g随着掺杂量的增加,呈现出先减小(Co 3 at%)后增加(Co 5～9 at%)的趋势。掺Co量从0%增加3 at%时,样品内部产生的点缺陷数目增多,形成的附加能级会导致禁带宽度E_g窄化;随着掺Co量进一步增加,S/(Fe+Co)比值更接近于2,晶体结构更趋完善,Fe空位或S间隙点缺陷比率降低,禁带宽度E_g趋近于本征特征,会导致禁带宽度E_g宽化;另外,随着Co含量的提高,物相中微量的CoS₂相增多,亦会导致较高掺Co量样品的禁带宽度有所宽化。掺Co量在9 at%的样品的禁带宽度为0.72 eV,大于同温度条件下未掺杂样品的禁带宽度0.65 eV,禁带宽度的宽化在理论上有利于提高样品的光电转换效率。     

Intersubband resonant enhancement of the nonlinear optical properties in asymmetric (CdS/ZnSe) based quantum wells

In this work, the linear and nonlinear optical properties are studied theoretically in asymmetric (CdS/ZnSe/BeTe)/(ZnSe/BeTe) quantum wells. The electronic states are calculated using the envelope wave function approximation and the intersubband transition energies are studied as a function of CdS and ZnSe well thicknesses as well as doping concentration. The optimum parameters carrying out the transition energy 0.8 eV (1.55 μm wavelength) are given. Results are presented for the linear, the third order nonlinear optical absorption and the refractive index changes in the studied heterostructure. Results show that the changes in the linear and the third order nonlinear optical absorption as well as refractive index change are as important as the temperature is high, the nonlinear terms must be taken into consideration especially near the resonance.     

Influence of solvent on solution processed Cu2ZnSnS4 nanocrystals and annealing induced changes in the optical,structural properties of CZTS film

The well-known quaternary Cu₂ZnSnS₄ (CZTS) chalcogenide thin films are playing an important role in modern technology. The CZTS nanocrystal were successfully prepared by solution method using water, ethylene glycol and ethylenediamine as different solvent. The pure phase material was used for thin film coating by thermal evaporation method. The prepared CZTS thin films were characterized by XRD, Raman spectroscopy, FESEM, XPS and FT-IR spectroscopy. The XRD and Raman spectroscopy analysis revealed the formation of polycrystalline CZTS thin film with tetragonal crystal structure after annealing at 450 ^°C. The oxidation state of the annealed film was studied by XPS. A direct band gap about 1.36 eV was estimated for the film from FT-IR studies, which is nearly close to the optimum value of band gap energy of CZTS materials for best solar cell efficiency. The CZTS annealed thin films are more suitable for using as a p-type absorber layer in a low-cost solar cell.     

Electronic states and the resonant optical non-linearity of exciton in a narrow band InSb quantum dot

Binding energy, interband emission energy and the non-linear optical properties of exciton in an InSb/InGa_xSb_1−x quantum dot are computed as functions of dot radius and the Ga content. Optical properties are obtained using the compact density matrix approach. The dependence of non-linear optical processes on the dot sizes is investigated for different Ga concentrations. The linear, third order non-linear optical absorption coefficients, susceptibility values and the refractive index changes of the exciton are calculated for different concentrations of gallium content. It is found that gallium concentration has great influence on the optical properties of InSb/InGa_xSb_1−x dots.     

Estimation of thermal contact resistance and thermally induced optical effects in single-coated optical fibers

In this study, a conjugate gradient method based on an inverse algorithm is applied to estimate the unknown time-dependent thermal contact resistance in a single-coated optical fiber, which is subjected to transient thermal loading. While knowing the temperature history at the measuring position, no prior information is needed on the functional form of the unknown contact resistance. The temperature data obtained from the direct problem are used to simulate the temperature measurement. The influence of measurement errors, initial guess values, and measurement locations upon the precision of the estimated results is also investigated. Results show that an excellent estimation on the time-dependent thermal contact resistance, temperature distributions, thermally induced microbending loss, and refractive index changes can be obtained for the case considered in this study.     

Spatial-dispersion and relativistic effects in the optical sum rules

We describe a procedure to take into account the spatial dispersion of the optical excitations in the susceptibility sum rules. We show that this implies that relativistic corrections of the same order must be considered. The final result is a decrease of the total oscillator strength equal to the ratio of the average electron kinetic energy with mc². We propose experiments with synchrotron radiation sources on crystals of heavy elements to observe the described effect. Received 5 June 2001     

Third harmonic generation of laser radiation in Fe- and Zn-doped polyvinylpyrrolidone

The results of third-order nonlinear susceptibilities studies of Fe- and Zn-doped polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) aqueous solution in processes of third harmonic generation of Nd:YAG laser radiation are presented. Nonlinear susceptibilities of PVP:Fe and PVP:Zn were calculated to be 5×10^-13 esu and 3×10^-13 esu respectively. Third harmonic conversion efficiencies in these metallocomplexes were measured to be 8×10^-7 and 5×10^-7 respectively. The Z-scan method was applied to determine Kerr effect influence on frequency conversion process. The value of nonlinear refractive index of PVP:Fe at the wavelength of λ = 1064 nm was measured to be n ₂ = - 6.7×10^-13 esu. Received 30 November 2001 / Received in final form 27 March 2002 Published online 28 June 2002     

Phase transitions and temperature changes of the optical absorption edge in (NH2(C2H5)2)2CoCl4 layered crystal

This work was devoted to X-ray diffraction study and investigations of temperature changes of the optical absorption edge of (NH₂(C₂H₅)₂)₂CoCl₄ crystals in the region of possible phase transitions. The X-ray powder diffraction data revealed the monoclinic phase at room temperature – space group P2/n. The cobalt atom was found to be square-plane coordinated by four chlorine atoms resulting [CoCl₄]^2– anion, which is surrounded by two DEA⁺ cations. It was shown that the low-energy tail of the absorption edge in these materials possesses an exponential shape. In the temperature range above 255?K it follows the empirical Urbach’s rule. The obtained experimental data confirmed the existence of the ferroelastic phase in (NH₂(C₂H₅)₂)₂CoCl₄ in the temperature range between 255 and 326?K. The anomalous behaviour of the investigated parameters observed at the temperatures below 255?K would be related to earlier unknown phase transitions.     

Surface and interface effects in the optical properties of silver nanoparticles

We present novel experimental results about influences of surrounding foreign materials on optical properties of small silver clusters. First we show spectra of free cluster beams produced with different seeding gases Ar, Kr, Xe. Second, we estimate, from measured spectra, the cluster deformations and contact areas after deposition on different substrates (Cr₂O₃ and MgF₂) at room temperature and on SiO₂ at 110 K and between 160 K and 300 K. Third, we present and compare the static and dynamic charge transfer after embedding the clusters in various fluorides and compare with previous results on oxides. Received 2 September 1998 and Received in final form 3 January 1999     

Pockels effect of water in the electric double layer at the interface between water and transparent electrode

We have obtained the first experimental evidence for the Pockels effect of water, which is induced by a high electric field in the electric double layer (EDL) on the water-transparent electrode interface. The electric-field induced energy shift of the visible interference fringes of a 300 nm indium-tin-oxide (ITO) electrode layer is observed, indicating a negative refractive index change at the interface. Numerical calculation reproduces well the experimental observation, showing that the signal mainly originates from water in the EDL. The Pockels constants of water are estimated to be r₃₃ = 5.1 × 100 pm/V and r₁₃ = 1.7 × 100 pm/V. The large anisotropy of the Pockels effect of water is deduced from the incidence angle dependence of the p-polarization signal. At the same time, the ITO shows a blue shift of the band gap in the UV due to the band population effect in the space charge layer. The plasma frequency in the near IR is also expected to increase due to the band population effect, since the ITO has a high doped carrier population close to metal. A negative refractive index change in the ITO space charge layer is induced from both effects, but its effect on the signal is estimated to be much smaller than that of the negative refractive index change of water in the EDL.     

Surface chemistry and catalysis of oxide model catalysts from single crystals to nanocrystals

Fundamental understandings of surface chemistry and catalysis of solid catalysts are of great importance for the developments of efficient catalysts and corresponding catalytic processes, but have been remaining as a challenge due to the complex nature of heterogeneous catalysis. Model catalysts approach based on catalytic materials with uniform and well-defined surface structures is an effective strategy. Single crystals-based model catalysts have been successfully used for surface chemistry studies of solid catalysts, but encounter the so-called “materials gap” and “pressure gap” when applied for catalysis studies of solid catalysts. Recently catalytic nanocrystals with uniform and well-defined surface structures have emerged as a novel type of model catalysts whose surface chemistry and catalysis can be studied under the same operational reaction condition as working powder catalysts, and they are recognized as a novel type of model catalysts that can bridge the “materials gap” and “pressure gap” between single crystals-based model catalysts and powder catalysts. Herein we review recent progress of surface chemistry and catalysis of important oxide catalysts including CeO₂, TiO₂ and Cu₂O acquired by model catalysts from single crystals to nanocrystals with an aim at summarizing the commonalities and discussing the differences among model catalysts with complexities at different levels. Firstly, the complex nature of surface chemistry and catalysis of solid catalysts is briefly introduced. In the following sections, the model catalysts approach is described and surface chemistry and catalysis of CeO₂, TiO₂ and Cu₂O single crystal and nanocrystal model catalysts are reviewed. Finally, concluding remarks and future prospects are given on a comprehensive approach of model catalysts from single crystals to nanocrystals for the investigations of surface chemistry and catalysis of powder catalysts approaching the working conditions as closely as possible.