AnX α study of the laser crystal MgF2:V2+

The electronic structures of the laser crystal MgF₂:V²⁺ were obtained with the spinpolarized MS-X method. The calculated value of 10Dq and the energies of the lowest doublet states were given for the first time. The relations between the laser properties and the electronic structures were discussed.     

Yb:CaF2 — a new old laser crystal

Here is presented and discussed the history, the spectroscopic, the thermo-mechanical and the laser properties of the new old laser crystal Yb:CaF₂, of its Sr and Ba isotypes as well as of an Yb and Na codoped compound. It will be shown that Yb:CaF₂ is a very particular luminescent material, in which the laser-active center probably consists of a complex hexameric cluster, that it is the most promising Yb-doped fluoride material for large-scale, high-power and high-energy laser systems and that it can compete in several aspects with the currently used Yb-doped oxide crystals and glasses. The opportunity of operating the crystals at cryogenic temperatures and the recently achieved improvements in the field of femtosecond pulsed laser operation and high peak power laser amplification is highlighted and evaluated.     

Superconductivity,magnetism and crystal chemistry of Ba1−xKxFe2As2

BaFe₂As₂ is the parent compound of the ‘122’ iron arsenide superconductors and crystallizes with the tetragonal ThCr₂Si₂-type structure, space group I4/mmm. A spin-density-wave transition at 140 K is accompanied by a symmetry reduction to space group Fmmm and simultaneously by antiferromagnetic ordering. Hole-doping induces superconductivity in Ba_1?xK_xFe₂As₂ with a maximum T_c of 38 K at x ≈ 0.4. The upper critical fields approach 75 T with rather small anisotropy of H_c2. At low potassium concentrations (x ? 0.2), superconductivity apparently co-exists with the orthorhombically distorted and magnetically ordered phase. At doping levels x ? 0.3, the structural distortion and antiferromagnetic ordering is completely suppressed and the T_c is maximized. No magnetically ordered domains could be detected in optimally doped Ba_1?xK_xFe₂As₂ (x ? 0.3) by ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy in contrast μSR results obtained with single crystals. The magnetic hyperfine interactions investigated by ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy are discussed and compared to the ZrCuSiAs-type materials.     

Sum-frequency generation in a cooledβ-BaB2O4 crystal

Sum-frequency generation in -BaB₂O₄ has been studied by mixing the unpolarized output of an excimer laser pumped dye laser with its second harmonic. The shortest wavelength obtained at 95 K is 195.3 nm. A lower limit of 194.4±0.2 nm at the temperature of liquid helium can be expected.     

A BaF2 crystal array for high energy γ-ray measurements

We shall discuss about the scientific motivation and construction of a 7×7 BaF₂ crystal array at Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre, Calcutta. This detector would be used to measure high energy γ-ray photons from GDR decay and proton-neutron bremsstrahlung reactions at the present 88″ cyclotron and upcoming superconducting cyclotron at VECC, Calcutta. This detector can also be used to measure photons from quark-gluon plasma at the relativistic heavy ion collider (RHIC) in USA.     

Infrared absorption studies on the superionic conductor ZrO2−Y2O3 crystal

Infrared absorption spectra of (1−x)ZrO₂−xYO_1.5, which is one of the superionic conductors, have been studied using thin films evaporated on Si plates. From absorption spectra obtained at normal incidence and at oblique incidence it is shown that ZrO₂−Y₂O₃ crystals have well-defined TO and LO infrared active phonons, though they have many defects. From the analysis of the spectra, x-dependences of the force constant and the effective charge are obtained, and it is found that the concept of the virtual ion crystal model is very useful to understand the infrared properties of the superionic conductor ZrO₂−Y₂O₃ crystal.     

Study on nitridation processes of β-Ga_2O_3 single crystal

Nitridatedβ-Ga_2O_3(100)substrate was investigated as the substrate for GaN epitaxial growth.The effects of nitridation temperature and surface roughness ofβ-Ga_2O_3 wafers on the formation of GaN were studied.It was found that the most optimized nitridation temperature was 900°C,and hexagonal GaN with preferred orientation was produced on the well-polished wafer.The nitridation mechanism was also discussed.     

Application of plasma shutter in second harmonic generation of AgGaSe2 crystal

A reliable target-triggering plasma shutter was applied to second harmonic generation (SHG) of AgGaSe2 crystal with a TEA CO2 laser. Under normal air pressure, argon charged plasma shutter was triggered by focusing beam companying with a pair of adjustable metal targets. Conversion efficiency was enhanced by 3.3 times and the maximal efficiency 9.3%, with 1.4-mJ second harmonic energy was obtained. Finally, crystal damage was discussed together with previous work.     

Gas–crystal phase transition in a 2D dipolar exciton system

A system of dipolar excitons at temperatures exceeding the expected Bose–Einstein condensation temperature is considered. It is shown that a first-order phase transition with the formation of a phase close to the crystal of such excitons is possible at such temperatures. The phase diagram in the range of low concentrations and temperatures is constructed. The effect of this transition on the luminescence spectrum of the system is analyzed.     

Amplified spontaneous emission of F2− color center in LiF crystal

Intense, directional, and narrow-bandwidth 1130-nm emission was generated from LiF crystal at room temperature by the pumping with radiation in the wavelength region of the absorption band of the F₂ ⁻ color center. The emission was observed by the pumping with radiation of pulse energy above 5 mJ, and the divergence angle of the beam was about 16 mrad. This emission is attributed to the amplified spontaneous emission by the F₂ ⁻ center. Received: 8 April 1999 / Revised version: 18 May 1999 / Published online: 16 September 1999     

Structure determination of MnO2 films grown on single crystal α-Al2O3 substrates

Manganese oxide films have been grown by atomic layer deposition and investigated using electron diffraction and high-resolution electron microscopy (HREM). The films were deposited on the (001) surface of monocrystalline α-Al₂O₃. The films were found to consist of an ordered version of the hexagonal ε-MnO₂ (Akhtenskite) type. Using X-ray diffraction, the cell parameters were determined to be a?=?2.75(2)?Å and c?=?4.302(5)?Å. The films are epitaxial with a specific orientation relative to the Al₂O₃ substrate. The [210] and [001] axes of ε-MnO₂ are parallel to the [110] and [001] axes of α-Al₂O₃, respectively. Evidence of cation ordering was found by parallel beam electron diffraction. The ordered domains are needle shaped with widths of 2–10?nm. The unit cell of the ordered structure was found to be orthorhombic with cell dimensions a?=?2.75, b?=?4.76, c?=?4.302?Å and space group Pmnn (No. 58).     

TiO2–carbon nanotube composites for visible photocatalysts – Influence of TiO2 crystal structure

We investigated the influence of the crystal structure of TiO₂ and the use of different TiO₂ precursors on the properties and photocatalytic activity of carbon nanotube (CNTs)–titania composites. We found that the crystal structure and properties of starting TiO₂ nanomaterial significantly affected the effect of CNTs incorporation on the photocatalytic activity under simulated solar and visible light illumination (simulated solar illumination with UV-blocking filter). In case of significant photocatalytic activity under visible light illumination (anatase TiO₂), likely due to the presence of native defects, composites exhibited lower activity under visible illumination only, but higher activity under simulated solar illumination. The opposite trends were observed for P25 (anatase + rutile) and rutile TiO₂, where incorporation of CNTs resulted in a significant increase of photocatalytic activity under visible illumination. Thus, control over crystal structure and native defects is essential for the development of efficient visible light activated photocatalysts.     

The crystal structure of meta-zeunerite Cu(UO2)2(AsO4)2⋅8 H2O

The structure of the mineral zeunerite (deposits at Rotava near Kraslice, Ore Mountains) was determined. The tetragonal unit cell, having the dimensionsa=7.10₅Å andc=17.70₄Å, contains two structure units of Cu(UO₂)₂(AsO₄)₂8H₂O. The space group isP4₂/nmc. The distribution of the atoms in the unit cell was determined from the Patterson projectionP(vw) and by means of (F ₀-F _c) synthesis. Meta-Zeunerite has a layer type structure. The sheets [(UO₂)(AsO₄)] are separated by layers containing the cations (Cu(H₂O)₄)²⁺ and molecules of water. The uranium is coordinated octahedrally with six oxygen atoms at distances: U-O₁ 1.94 Å, U-O₂ 1.78 Å, U-O₃₍₄₎ 2.18 Å (4×). The uranyl radical O₁-U-O₂ is linear. In the tetrahedron AsO₄ the interatomic distances are As-O 1.77 Å and the bond angles 102°, 102°, 113° and 113°. Each oxygen atom of the tetrahedron AsO₄ is simultaneously bonded to the uranium atom. The bond angle As-O-U is 137°. The layers [(UO₂)₂(AsO₄)] are bonded together by the cations (Cu(H₂O)₄)²⁺. The distances Cu-O₁ and Cu-O₂ are 2.55 and 2.58Å respectively. The structural changes during hydration and dehydration are explaned.

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- Cu(UO₂)₂(AsO₄)₂8 H₂O

( , ). =7,10₅ Å,=17,70₄ Å Cu(UO₂)₂(AsO₄)₂8 ₂O. P4₂/nmc. P(v w) (F ₀-F _c) . . , [(UO₂)(AsO₄)], , [u(₂)₄]²⁺ . : U-O₁ 1,94 Å, U-O₂ 1,78 Å, U-O₃₍₄₎ 2,18 Å ( ). ₁-U-₂. AsO₄ As- 1,77 Å -102°, 102°, 113° 113°. AsO₄ . As--U 137°. [(UO₂)₂(AsO₄)] [u(₂O)₄]²⁺. u-O₁ 2,55 Å, u-O₂ 2,58 Å. .

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In conclusion the author thanks T. Veselská for assistance in the calculations and workers of the National Museum in Prague, and primarily Dr. ípek, for supplying the sample. The experimental work was carried out at the Department of Physics of the Natural Science Faculty of Komenský University.     

Stability of liquid crystal systems doped with γ-Fe_2O_3 nanoparticles

In order to explore the stability of a liquid crystal(LC) system doped with γ-Fe_2O_3 nanoparticles, the physical properties(clearing point, dielectric properties), electro-optical properties and residual direct-current voltage(RDCV) of the doped LC system were measured and evaluated at different times. First, the temperature was controlled by precision hot stage, and the clearing point temperature of doped LC was observed and measured by a polarized optical microscope. Using a precision LCR meter, we measured the capacitance-voltage curves of the doped LC system at the temperature of 27℃.The dielectric constant of doped LC was calculated by the dualcell capacitance method. Then, the electro-optical properties of the doped LC system were measured. Finally, the RDCV of the doped LC system was measured and calculated. After five months, the parameters of the doped LC system were re-measured and analyzed under the same conditions to evaluate its stability. The experimental results show that, within five months, the clearing point change rate of doped LC is in the range of 0.24%–1.37%, the change of dielectric anisotropy is in the range of 0.035–0.2, the curves of electro-optical properties are basically fitted, and the change rate of saturated RDCV is about 11.2%, which basically indicate that the LC system doped with γ-Fe_2O_3 nanoparticles has good stability.     

Infrared active phonon modes and ionicity of single crystal MgAl2O4

Near-normal incident infrared reflectivity spectra of （100） MgAl2O4 spinel single crystal have been measured at different temperatures in the frequency region between 50 and 6000 cm^-1. Eight infrared-active phonon modes are identified, which are fitted with the factorized form of the dielectric function. The dielectric property and optical conductivity of the MgAl2O4 crystal are analysed. From TO/LO splitting, the effective Szigeti charges and Born effective charges at different temperatures are calculated for studying the ionicity and the effect of polarization. Based on the relationship between the （LO-TO）1 splitting, which represents the transverse and longitudinal frequencies splitting of the highest energy phonon band in the reflectivity spectrum, and the ionic-covalent parameter, the four main phonon modes are assigned. MgA1204 can be considered as a pure ionic crystal and its optical characters do not change with decreasing temperature, so it may be used as a suitable substrate for high-Tc superconducting thin films.     

Tuning the bandgaps in a magnonic crystal–ferroelectric–magnonic crystal layered structure

A dispersion relation has been obtained for the hybrid electromagnetic spin wave in a magnonic crystal–ferroelectric–magnonic crystal layered structure. The mechanisms of the bandgap formation in this structure have been revealed, and the ability to double tune bandgap characteristics by means of the electric and magnetic fields has been shown.     

Dielectric relaxation in ferroelectric (CH3)2NH2AL(so4)2 · 6H2O crystal

Abstract

This paper presents the results of the investigation of dielectric dispersion and ultrasonic velocity in the ferroelectric (CH₃)₂NH₂Al(SO₄)₂ · 6H₂O crystal. The crystal shows a critical slowing down process of polarization with an extremely long relaxation time of the dipole system (τ = 1.6 · 10^?7s at the phase transition point). The dielectric response over the frequency range up to 56 GHz in the paraelectric phase can be well described in terms of a monodispersive Debye-type formula. The activation energy of dipoles in the paraelectric phase is 0.11 eV = 8.5 kT_c . The results show that the proper ferroelectric phase transition is nearly critical and of the order-disorder type.     

Electronic and crystal structure of α- and β-CeIr2Si2

We present the results of XRD, magnetization, resistivity and specific heat measurements of CeIr₂Si₂ single crystals for both, the low-temperature α-phase and the high-temperature β-phase, respectively. The α-phase adopts the tetragonal ThCr₂Si₂-type whereas the β-phase forms in the CaBe₂Ge₂-type structure. Both the phases remain paramagnetic down to low temperatures, nevertheless both, the magnetization and resistivity exhibit pronounced anisotropy in the whole temperature range of measurements (2-300 K). Results of fitting the temperature dependence of the susceptibility within the interconfiguration-fluctuation model point to the Ce valence fluctuating between 3+ and 4+. The α-phase behaves as a Fermi-liquid (FL) at low temperatures whereas the β-phase exhibits non-Fermi-liquid (NFL) features. The results are discussed in context of other similar polymorphic compounds.     

The mixed-spins 1/2 and 3/2 Blume—Capel model with a random crystal field

The random crystal field(RCF) effects are investigated on the phase diagrams of the mixed-spins 1/2 and 3/2 Blume-Capel(BC) model on the Bethe lattice.The bimodal random crystal field is assumed and the recursion relations are employed for the solution of the model.The system gives only the second-order phase transitions for all values of the crystal fields in the non-random bimodal distribution for given probability.The randomness does not change the order of the phase transitions for higher crystal field values,i.e.,it is always second-order,but it may introduce first-order phase transitions at lower negative crystal field values for the probability in the range about 0.20 and 0.45,which is only the second-order for the non-random case in this range.Thus our work claims that randomness may be used to induce first-order phase transitions at lower negative crystal field values at lower probabilities.     

Single crystal growth and superconductivity of Ca(Fe1−x Co x )2As2

We report the single crystal growth of Ca(Fe_1?x Co _x )₂As₂ (0?≤?x?≤?0.082) from Sn flux. The temperature–composition phase diagram is mapped out based on the magnetic susceptibility and electrical transport measurements. The phase diagram of Ca(Fe_1?x Co _x )₂As₂ is qualitatively different from those of Sr and Ba; this could be due to both the charge doping and structural tuning effects associated with Co substitution.