Multifunctional synchrotron spectrometer of the National Research Center “Kurchatov Institute”: I. EXAFS in dispersive mode

The improved X-ray optical scheme, the system of registration, and the measurement procedure of the multifunctional synchrotron radiation spectrometer in the dispersive EXAFS mode are described. The results of the spectrometer energy resolution measurements are given. The advantages and disadvantages of traditional and dispersive EXAFS spectrometers are analyzed. Examples of EXAFS spectra measured in the dispersive mode are given.     

Debye Temperature of the MgCNi3 Superconductor

We have determined the Dabye temperature of the MgCNi3 superconductor by using the Rietveld refinement method based on the powder x-ray diffraction data.MgCNi3 crystallizes in the cubic perovskite structure with space group Pm3m and lattice constant a=3.8089A.The temperature factors of the atoms Mg,C and Ni are 0.52,0.45 and 0.44,respectively.The Debye temperature of MgCNi3 is calculated to be ΘD=440K.     

Temperature-resolved synchrotron X-ray diffraction of nanocrystalline titania in solvent: the effect of Cr–Sb and V–Sb doping

Nanocrystalline titania pigments were produced by high temperature-forced hydrolysis in a coordinating high-boiling solvent (and water for reference). The effect of synthesis conditions and co-doping with Cr–Sb and V–Sb on particle size and anatase-to-rutile transformation (A → R) was studied by temperature-resolved synchrotron X-ray diffraction. The experiments were performed directly on low concentration (3.5 vol.%) as-synthesized suspensions of titania nanoparticles (up to 230 °C) and on the corresponding dried powders (up to 950 °C). Crystallite size of as-synthesized nano-anatase is around 20 nm (glycol) or 70 nm (water); it exhibits a slow growth rate up to the onset temperature of the A → R. Phase composition and crystallite size are drastically influenced by both synthesis conditions and doping. Synthesis in water resulted in the simultaneous occurrence of anatase and brookite; transformation into rutile begins early but with a slower rate with respect to glycol-based samples. Doping affected the A → R, whose onset temperature in undoped titania (700 °C) was lowered to 650 °C (V–Sb) or prevented up to 950 °C (Cr–Sb). Both (V–Sb) and (Cr–Sb) dopings reduced the volume thermal expansion rate of anatase.     

The geometry of the higher dimensional black hole thermodynamics in Einstein–Gauss–Bonnet theory

In this paper, we have studied the geometry of the five-dimensional black hole solutions in (a) Einstein–Yang–Mills–Gauss–Bonnet theory and (b) Einstein–Maxwell–Gauss–Bonnet theory with a cosmological constant for spherically symmetric space time. Formulating the Ruppeiner metric, we have examined the possible phase transition for both the metrics. It is found that depending on some restrictions phase transition is possible for the black holes. Also for Λ = 0 in Einstein–Gauss–Bonnet black hole, the Ruppeiner metric becomes flat and hence the black hole becomes a stable one.     

Laser Running Waves for the Kapitza–Dirac Diffraction in the Atom Interferometer

The scheme of multi-momentum atom interferometer based on the resonant Kapitza–Dirac diffraction is considered. The conclusion is made that the arms of counter propagating waves forming the standing wave, which scatters the atoms, should have the equal length.     

Nucleation of the titanium α and β phases. in situ study of the dislocation role by synchrotron X-ray topography

This “in situ” and real time study is an approach to the role of matrix dislocations in the nucleation of the α or β phases in titanium single crystals. When the dislocations interact, forming tangles, subboundaries…, the residual stresses, present at the transformation temperature, trigger the new phase. If the dislocations are isolated at the transformation temperature they are destabilized by the large crystalline anisotropy resulting from the vibrational entropy dependence with the temperature. These dislocations disappear and do no act as preferential nucleation sites.     

A study of hadronic shower development in the ECAL of the alpha magnetic spectrometer Ⅱ

In this paper, we studied the development of hadronic shower in an electromagnetic calorimeter of Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer Ⅱ. Two parametrized empirical formulae were proposed to describe the hadronic shower shape in calorimeter. Using 100 GeV proton beam incident on the center of the ECAL, detailed plots of lateral and longitudinal hadronic shower behavior were given and we found the formulae can describe the development of the hadronic shower with the test beam data. The possible application of the parametrized formulae including e^±-π^± discrimination and tau jet reconstruction was discussed.     

Measurement of the η production in proton-proton collisions with the COSY time-of-flight spectrometer

The reaction pp → ppη was measured at excess energies of 15 and 41 MeV at an external target of the Jülich Cooler Synchrotron COSY with the time-of-flight spectrometer. About 25000 events were measured for the excess energy of 15 MeV and about 8000 for 41 MeV. Both protons of the process ppη were detected with an acceptance of nearly 100% and the η was reconstructed by the missing-mass technique. For both excess energies the angular distributions are found to be nearly isotropic. In the invariant-mass distributions strong deviations from the pure phase space distributions are seen. Received: 24 May 2002 / Accepted: 20 September 2002 / Published online: 17 January 2003 RID="a" ID="a"e-mail: e.roderburg@fz-juelich.de Communicated by M. Gar?on     

Supersonic flows with small perturbations in the presence of external effects in the flow. Part 1: “Thin body of revolution”

Axisymmetric supersonic flow about a thin body of revolution with an external energy supply and an external force localized near the body surface is considered in the linear approximation. An analytic theory is constructed for calculating spatial fields of flow parameters in this case for an arbitrary dependence of external effects on the longitudinal coordinate. Formulas are derived for the pressure ratio on the surface of the thin body of revolution. The results of calculations based on the analytic theory are in good agreement with numerical data obtained from the solution of hydrodynamic equations in the Euler approximation.     

Laboratory investigations of back discharge in multipoint–plane geometry in flue gases

The paper presents investigations of back discharge occurring in air and flue gases produced by the process of burning of LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) or charcoal at temperature ranging from 20 to 120 °C. The discharge was generated between a charge-emitting multipoint electrode and a plate covered with fly-ash layer. Current–temperature characteristics were determined for this system. The aim of this work was to determine an effect of back discharge on morphology of fly-ash layer and gas composition. It was noticed that flue gases leaving the back-discharge zone contains increased amount of NO_x and CO compounds.     

Diffraction of a modulated laser beam in 3ω optics system

Based on diffraction optical theory, diffraction of a laser beam with periodic amplitude modulation and phase distortion is derived in 3ω optics system. Influence of defocus distance and focal length of a focusing lens on intensity distribution of diffraction light is investigated by numerical simulation. The results show that appropriate distance away from the focus spot and increase the focal length in final optical systems are beneficial to control the modulation of light intensity fluctuations and reduce the optical components damage caused by small-scale self-focusing effect.     

Beam Polarization Dependence of Diffraction Efficiency in Photorefractive LiNbO_3 Crystal

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Electron Diffraction Analysis of the Fracture Zone of Fe–0.45C–17Mn–3Al Steel Subjected to Multicyclic Fatigue Tests

The methods of transmission electron microscopy are used to investigate the structure and phase content of Fe–0.45C–17Mn–3Al steel subjected to multicyclic fatigue tests to failure after intermediate electrostimulation. It is demonstrated that electrostimulation does not change the mechanism of steel failure. An increase in the operating life time of samples after electrostimulation in the intermediate test stage is connected with the hindered -martensitic transformation, the relaxation of stress concentrators, and the reduction of the volume fraction of the critical dislocation (network) substructure in which -martensite is mainly developed.     

Commercial cyclotrons. Part I: Commercial cyclotrons in the energy range 10–30 MeV for isotope production

A survey of commercial cyclotrons for production of medical and industrial isotopes is presented. Compact isochronous cyclotrons which accelerate negative hydrogen ions in the energy range 10–30 MeV have been widely used over the last 25 years for production of medical isotopes and other applications. Different cyclotron models for the energy range 10–12 MeV with moderate beam intensity are used for production of ¹¹C, ¹³N, ¹⁵O, and ¹⁸F isotopes widely applied in positron emission tomography. Commercial cyclotrons with high beam intensity are available on the market for production of most medical and industrial isotopes. In this work, the physical and technical parameters of different models are compared. Possibilities of improving performance and increasing intensity of H^? beams up to 2–3 mA are discussed.     

Atomic-scale study of dislocation–stacking fault tetrahedron interactions. Part I: mechanisms

Stacking fault tetrahedra (SFTs) are formed under irradiation in fcc metals and alloys. The high number density of SFTs observed suggests that they should contribute to radiation-induced hardening and, therefore, be taken into account when estimating mechanical property changes of irradiated materials. The key issue in this is to describe the interaction between a moving dislocation and an individual SFT, which is distinguished by a small physical size of the order of ～1–10?nm. We have performed atomistic simulations of edge and screw dislocations interacting with SFTs of different sizes at different temperatures and strain rates. Five possible interaction outcomes have been identified, involving either partial absorption, or shearing or restoration of SFTs. The mechanisms that give rise to these processes are described and their dependence on interaction parameters, such as SFT size, dislocation–SFT geometry, temperature and stress/strain rate are determined. Mechanisms that help to explain the formation of defect-free channels cleared by gliding dislocations, as observed experimentally, are also discussed. Hardening due to the various mechanisms and their dependence on loading conditions will be presented in a following paper (Part II).     

Extrusions and intrusions in fatigued metals. Part 1. State of the art and history†

Current state and historical progress in experimental and theoretical studies of surface relief appertaining to persistent slip bands (PSBs) and leading to fatigue crack initiation in cyclically deformed metals is presented as a thorough critical overview. A comprehensive inventory of microscopic techniques used for this study is tabulated chronologically with emphasis to their applicability to polycrystals. The most relevant experimental characteristics concerning surface relief evolution, namely the form of extrusions and intrusions in single- and polycrystalline materials, are surveyed. Theoretical models and computational simulations of extrusion and intrusion formation and fatigue crack initiation are critically reviewed.     

Developments in geothermal energy in Mexico—Part twenty-two. Causes of erosion of the rotor blades in a geothermal turbine

The principal causes of erosion which affected the blades of the two last stages of a 37.5 MW_e geothermal turbine are analyzed. The steam piping system, auxiliary equipment (flashers, dehumidifiers, etc.) and the turbine itself were carefully inspected. The design of the turbine and lay out of the piping system have been analyzed and evaluated. The moving blades were tested for cracks using the magnetic particle method. Also, the natural frequencies of the blades have been measured. It was concluded that the blades of the two last stages should be replaced and the steam path of the low pressure part of the turbine must be modified to avoid similar problems in the future. Several simple modifications of the piping system were recommended as well.