Pulsed evaporator of an electrodynamic disperse suspension of particles

We consider the technique for obtaining electrodynamic disperse suspension of metal (Al, W, Cu) and dielectric (semiconductor) particles (SiO₂, Al₂O₃, CuO, Cu₂O) and its evaporation with the help of a diffusive electric discharge. The time dependences of current and integrated luminescence intensity in a pulsed electric discharge in a tube containing a film of a substance (Cu) of the electrodynamic disperse suspension are measured.     

Two-dimensional model of the Penning discharge in a cylindrical chamber with the axial magnetic field

The drift–diffusion model of a Penning discharge in molecular hydrogen under pressures of about 1 Torr with regard to the external electric circuit has been proposed. A two-dimensional axially symmetric discharge geometry with a cylindrical anode and flat cathodes perpendicular to the symmetry axis has been investigated. An external magnetic field of about 0.1 T is applied in the axial direction. Using the developed drift–diffusion model, the electrodynamic structure of a Penning discharge in the pressure range of 0.5–5 Torr at a current source voltage of 200–500 V is numerically simulated. The evolution of the discharge electrodynamic structure upon pressure variations in zero magnetic field (the classical glow discharge mode) and in the axial magnetic field (Penning discharge) has been studied using numerical experiments. The theoretical predictions of the existence of an averaged electron and ion motion in a Penning discharge both in the axial and radial directions and in the azimuthal direction have been confirmed by the calculations.     

Rotational and Vibrational Temperature Measurements in a High‐Pressure Cylindrical Dielectric Barrier Discharge (C‐DBD)

The rotational (T_R) and vibrational (T_v) temperatures of N₂ molecules were measured in a high‐pressure cylindrical dielectric barrier discharge (C‐DBD) source in Ne with trace amounts (0.02 %) of N₂ and dry air excited by radio‐frequency (rf) power. Both T_R and T_v of the N₂ molecules in the C ³Π_u state were determined from an emission spectroscopic analysis the 2^nd positive system (C ³Π_u → B³Π_g). Gas temperatures were inferred from the measured rotational temperatures. As a function of pressure, the rotational temperature is essentially constant at about 360 K in the range from 200 Torr to 600 Torr (at 30W rf power) and increases slightly with increasing rf power at constant pressure. As one would expect, vibrational temperature measurements revealed significantly higher temperatures. The vibrational temperature decreases with pressure from 3030 K at 200 Torr to 2270 K at 600 Torr (at 30 W rf power). As a function of rf power, the vibrational temperature increases from 2520 K at 20 W to 2940 K at 60 W (at 400 Torr). Both T_R and T_v also show a dependence on the excitation frequency at the two frequencies that we studied, 400 kHz and 13.56 MHz. Adding trace amounts of air instead of N₂ to the Ne in the discharge resulted in higher T_R and T_v values and in a different pressure dependence of the rotational and vibrational temperatures. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Investigation of the electromagnetic wave scattering dynamics during microwave streamer evolution

A self-consistent electrodynamic model based on analytic relations, which makes it possible to describe the electromagnetic wave scattering from a thin (compared to the wavelength) plasma channel, is proposed. The results of experimental investigation of the dynamics of the signal scattered by a single channel in air in the pressure range P ₀ = 10⁴−1.4 × 10⁴ Pa are presented. The results are analyzed in terms of the electrodynamic model.     

Calculation of the parameters of excimer light sources on the basis of a positive column glow discharge

We calculate the concentration of plasma and gas-temperature components in a contracted filament of a glow capillary discharge (R = 0.75 mm) in xenon for pressures of P = 100 and 400 Torr and currents of I = 6–15 mA for cases of with and without cryogenic cooling of the discharge. We find that the gas temperature in the channel of the glow discharge has a value of 1000–2000 K, the concentration of xenon excimers attains a maximum at the boundary of the filament with a value of 10¹⁰–10¹¹ cm⁻³, and the efficiency of electric energy transformation into excimer radiation energy has a value of 0.1–5%.     

Low-Noise single-frequency He-Ne laser with stable output power at a wavelength of 1.52 µm

The results of investigation of the energy and spectral characteristics of a He-Ne laser (λ_rad=1.52 μm) with transverse microwave discharge are presented. A single-frequency generation mode at a pressure above 6.0 mm Hg was obtained with radiation power 7.0 mW and low level of amplitude noise (10⁻⁵ Hz^−1/2). Active stabilization of the laser power was carried out, which allows reduction in radiation intensity fluctuations from 1–5 to 0.1 %. Translated from Zhurnal Prikladnoi Spektroskopii, Vol. 67, No. 1, pp. 127–128, January–February, 2000.     

The growth of Y2SiO5:Ce thin films with pulsed laser deposition

Y₂SiO₅:Ce phosphor thin films were grown onto Si(100) substrates with pulsed laser deposition (PLD) using a 248-nm KrF excimer laser. Process parameters were varied during the growth process and the effect on the surface morphology and cathodoluminescence (CL) was analysed. The process parameters that were changed included the following: gas pressure (vacuum (5×10⁻⁶ Torr), 1×1⁻² Torr and 1 Torr O₂), different gas species (O₂, Ar and N₂ at a pressure of 455 mTorr), laser fluence (1.6±0.1 J cm⁻² and 3.0±0.3 J cm⁻²) and substrate temperature (400 and 600°C). The surface morphology was investigated with atomic force microscopy (AFM). The morphology of the thin films ablated in vacuum and 10 mTorr ambient O₂ showed more or less the same trend. An increase in the pressure to 1 Torr O₂, however, showed a definite increase in deposited particle sizes. Ablation in N₂ gas resulted in small particles of 20 nm in diameter and ablation in O₂ gas produced bigger particles of 20, 30 and 40 nm as well as an agglomeration of these particles into bigger size clusters of 80 to 100 nm. Ablation in Ar gas led to particle sizes of 30 nm and the particles were much more spherically defined and evenly distributed on the surface. The higher fluence deposition led to bigger particle and grain sizes as well as thicker layers with respect to the lower fluence. The particle sizes of the higher fluence vary mainly between 130 and 140 nm and the lower fluence sizes vary between 50 and 60 nm. The higher fluence particles consist of smaller particles ranging from 5 to 30 nm as measured with AFM. The surface structure of the thin film ablated at 400°C substrate temperature is less compact (lesser agglomeration of particles than at 600°C). The increase in substrate temperature definitely resulted in a rougher surface layer. CL was measured to investigate the effect of the surface morphology on the luminescent intensities. The increased O₂ ambient (1 Torr) resulted in a higher CL intensity compared to the thin films ablated in vacuum. The thin film ablated in Ar gas showed a much higher CL intensity than the other thin films. Ablation at a high fluence resulted in a higher CL intensity. The higher substrate temperature resulted in better CL intensities. The more spherically shaped particles and rougher surface led to increase CL intensities.     

Local fracture of thin metallic films during electromagnetic loading

The pulsed electrodynamic fracture of thin (10–50 nm) aluminum films deposited onto polymer substrates is experimentally studied. The fracture of the films manifests itself in the form of discontinuity (crack) channel growth across an applied electric field. The roles of a magnetic pressure, thermomechanical stresses, and Joule heating at the tip of a growing crack are analyzed at high current densities (∼10¹⁰−10¹² A/m²). In contrast to the results well known for the electrodynamic fracture of bulk metallic samples, the first two factors in the films are insignificant. The effect of the electric explosion of the crack tip is found to play a key role in the beginning of fracture.     

Mid-infrared upconversion spectroscopy based on a Yb:fiber femtosecond laser

We present a system for molecular spectroscopy using a broadband mid-infrared laser with near-infrared detection. Difference frequency generation of a Yb:fiber femtosecond laser produced a mid-infrared (MIR) source tunable from 2100–3700 cm⁻¹ (2.7–4.7 μm) with average power up to 40 mW. The MIR spectrum was upconverted to near-infrared wavelengths for broadband detection using a two-dimensional dispersion imaging technique. Absorption measurements were performed over bandwidths of 240 cm⁻¹ (7.2 THz) with 0.048 cm⁻¹ (1.4 GHz) resolution, and absolute frequency scale uncertainty was better than 0.005 cm⁻¹ (150 MHz). The minimum detectable absorption coefficient per spectral element was determined to be 4.4×10⁻⁷ cm⁻¹ from measurements in low pressure CH₄, leading to a projected detection limit of 2 parts-per-billion of methane in pure nitrogen. In a natural atmospheric sample, the methane detection limit was found to be 30 parts-per-billion. The spectral range, resolution, and frequency accuracy of this system show promise for determination of trace concentrations in gas mixtures containing both narrow and broad overlapping spectral features, and we demonstrate this in measurements of air and solvent samples.     

On the spin correlations of muons generated in the annihilation process e + e ? → μ+μ?

Using the technique of helicity amplitudes, the electromagnetic process e ⁺ e ⁻ → μ⁺μ⁻ is theoretically investigated in the one-photon approximation. The structure of the triplet states of the final (μ⁺μ⁻) system is analyzed. It is shown that in the case of unpolarized electron and positron the finalmuons are also unpolarized, but their spins are strongly correlated. Explicit expressions for the components of the correlation tensor of the final (μ⁺μ⁻) system are derived. The formula for the angular correlation at the decays of final muons μ⁺ and μ⁻, produced in the process e ⁺ e ⁻ → μ⁺μ⁻, is obtained. It is demonstrated that spin correlations of muons in the process of electron-positron pair annihilation have the purely quantum character, since one of the incoherence inequalities for the correlation-tensor components is always violated. The additional contribution of the weak interaction of lepton neutral currents through the virtual Z ⁰ boson is considered; it is established that, taking into account the weak interaction, the qualitative character of the muon spin correlations does not change. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

Spin correlations of muons in the process of electron-positron pair annihilation e + e ? → μ+μ?

Using the technique of helicity amplitudes, the electromagnetic process e ⁺ e ⁻ → μ⁺μ⁻ is theoretically investigated in the one-photon approximation. The structure of the triplet states of the final (μ⁺μ⁻) system is analyzed. It is shown that in the case of unpolarized electron and positron the final muons are also unpolarized, but their spins are strongly correlated. Explicit expressions for the components of the correlation tensor of the final (μ⁺μ⁻) system are derived. The formula for the angular correlation at the decays of final muons μ⁺ and μ⁻, produced in the process e ⁺ e ⁻ → μ⁺μ⁻, is obtained. It is demonstrated that spin correlations of muons in the process of electron-positron pair annihilation have the purely quantum character, since one of the incoherence inequalities for the correlation tensor components is always violated. The additional contribution of the weak interaction of lepton neutral currents through the virtual Z ⁰ boson is considered; it is established that, taking into account the weak interaction, the qualitative character of the muon spin correlations does not change.     

Investigation of the ozone formation process in a nanosecond microwave discharge in air and oxygen

Results are presented from an investigation of the dynamics of ozone formation in a freely localized discharge generated by a periodic train of 3-cm nanostructured microwave pulses in oxygen and air at a pressure p=3–30 Torr. Conditions for the efficient generation of ozone in air with the minimum production of nitrogen oxides are demonstrated experimentally. It is shown that when the microwave pulse repetition frequency is high, heating of the gas and the buildup of nitrogen oxides in the discharge in air reduce the ozone formation efficiency while under prolonged exposure the ozone formed initially is destroyed. The energy cost of forming ozone in oxygen and air is determined as a function of the microwave pulse length and repetition frequency and the gas pressure. The lowest energy cost of forming a single ozone molecule in these experiments is 16 eV per molecule for a discharge in air and 4 eV per molecule in oxygen. It was observed that circulating the gas through the discharge zone enhances th ozone formation efficiency. It is shown that there are optimal conditions for ozone formation as a function of the reduced electric field in the plasma. Zh. Tekh. Fiz. 67, 9–18 (March 1997)     

MeV particles from laser-initiated processes in ultra-dense deuterium D(−1)

Fast particles from laser-induced processes in ultra-dense deuterium D(−1) are studied. The time of flight shows very fast particles, with energy above MeV. Such particles can be delayed or prevented from reaching the detector by inserting thin or thick metal foils in the beam to the detector. This distinguishes them from energetic photons which pass through the foils without delays. Due to the ultra-high density in D(−1) of 10²⁹cm⁻³, the range for 3 MeV protons in this material is only 700 pm. The fast particles ejected and detected are thus mainly deuterons and protons from the surface of the material. MeV particles are expected to signify fusion processes D+D in the material. The number of fast particles released is determined using the known gain of the photomultiplier. The total number of fast particles formed, assuming isotropic emission, is less than 10⁹ per laser pulse at < 200 mJ pulse energy and intensity 10¹²W cm⁻². A fast shockwave with 30keV u⁻¹ kinetic energy is observed.     

Photoacoustic spectroscopy for trace gas detection with cryogenic and room-temperature continuous-wave quantum cascade lasers

The main characteristics that a sensor must possess for trace gas detection and pollution monitoring are high sensitivity, high selectivity and the capability to perform in situ measurements. The photacoustic Helmholtz sensor developed in Reims, used in conjunction with powerful Quantum Cascade Lasers (QCLs), fulfils all these requirements. The best cell response is # 1200 V W⁻¹ cm and the corresponding ultimate sensitivity is j 3.3 × 10⁻¹⁰ W cm⁻¹¹ Hz^−11/2. This efficient sensor is used with mid-infrared QCLs from Alpes Lasers to reach the strong fundamental absorption bands of some atmospheric gases. A first cryogenic QCL emitting at 7.9 μm demonstrates the detection of methane in air with a detection limit of 3 ppb. A detection limit of 20 ppb of NO in air is demonstrated using another cryogenic QCL emitting in the 5.4 μm region. Real in-situ measurements can be achieved only with room-temperature QCLs. A room-temperature QCL emitting in the 7.9 μm region demonstrates the simultaneous detection of methane and nitrous oxide in air (17 and 7 ppb detection limit, respectively). All these reliable measurements allow the estimated detection limit for various atmospheric gases using quantum cascade lasers to be obtained. Each gas absorbing in the infrared may be detected at a detection limit in the ppb or low-ppb range.     

Model of pulsed electric discharge expansion in dense gas taking into account electron and radiative thermal conductivities. II. Energy balance and equation

Using an ionization sensor, it was found that weakly ionized plasma with an ionization degree larger than 10⁻⁶ is formed under exposure to UV radiation of a high-current pulsed electric discharge in gas (air, nitrogen, xenon, and krypton) at atmospheric pressure at a distance of ∼1.2–2.5 cm from the discharge boundary. It was shown that the structure of such discharge includes, in addition to the discharge channel, a dense shell and a shock wave, also a region of weakly ionized and excited gas before the shock wave front. The mechanism of discharge expansion in dense gas is ionization and heating of gas involved in the discharge due to absorption of the UV energy flux from the discharge channel and the flux of the thermal energy transferred from the discharge channel to the discharge shell due to electron thermal conductivity.     

QEPAS spectrophones: design, optimization, and performance

The impact of design parameters of a spectrophone for quartz-enhanced photoacoustic spectroscopy on its performance was investigated. The microresonator of spectrophone is optimized based on an experimental study. The results show that a 4.4 mm-long tube with 0.6 mm inner diameter yields the highest signal-to-noise ratio, which is ∼30 times higher than that of a bare QTF at gas pressures between 400 and 800 Torr. The optimized configuration demonstrates a normalized noise-equivalent absorption coefficient (1σ) of 3.3×10⁻⁹ cm⁻¹W/Hz^1/2 for C₂H₂ detection at atmospheric pressure. The effect of the changing carrier gas composition is studied. A side-by-side sensitivity comparison between QEPAS and conventional photoacoustic spectroscopy technique is reported.     

Acoustic particle manipulation in a 40 kHz quarter-wavelength standing wave with an air boundary

An implementation of a quarter-wavelength standing wave separator that exploits an air drum to achieve the pressure node is presented and characterized experimentally. The air drum configuration was implemented and tested in a set-up with a 40 kHz transducer immersed in a water tank with the quarter-wavelength gap being approximately 9 mm wide. Injection of suspensions of 5 μm and 45 μm diameter polystyrene particles at flow rates of 30 ml/h and 60 ml/h was studied and particle deflection towards the pressure node at the air drum surface was observed for a range of acoustic pressures. Computational results on single particle trajectories show good agreement with the experimental findings for the 45 μm particles, but not for the 5 μm particles. These were considered to behave as aggregates of higher effective dimension, due to their much higher number density relative to the 45 μm particles in the suspensions used. The set-up developed in this study includes a robust method for achieving a pressure node in a quarter-wavelength system and can represent the first step toward the development of an alternative separator configuration in respect to small channel MHz range operated systems for the manipulation of particles streams.     

Characterization of particulates accompanying laser ablation of pressed polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE) targets

We present observations of sub-micron- to micron-sized particles generated by high fluence (≈2 J/cm²) 248-nm laser ablation of pressed polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE) targets in air at atmospheric pressure. The original target material was hydrostatically compressed ≈7 μm PTFE powder, sintered at 275 °C. Collected ejecta due to laser irradiation consists of four basic particle morphologies ranging from small particles 50–200 nm in diameter to larger particles ≈10 μm in diameter. Many particles formed in air carry electric charge. Using charged electrodes we are able to collect charged particles to determine relative numbers of ± charge. We observe roughly equal numbers of positively and negatively charged particles except for the largest particles which were predominantly negative. For a range of particle sizes we are able to measure the sign and magnitude of this charge with a Millikan-oil-drop technique and determine surface charge densities. The implications of these observations with respect to pulsed laser deposition of PTFE thin films and coatings are discussed. Received: 15 January 1999 / Accepted: 18 January 1999 / Published online: 7 April 1999     

Evaluation of a PbTe detector for infrared imaging purposes

Summary An infra-red detector produced by the Elettronica SPA Company for the European Space Agency to be used in the Earth surface mapping from aircraft has been tested in our laboratory. We present the characteristics of the detector working in the spectral range (1÷2.5) μm. The acquisition system and the electronics are discussed and a detailed study of all the noise sources is presented; the measured NEP is 3.2·10⁻¹⁴W Hz^−1/2 at a temperature of 108 K. Paper presented at the V Cosmic Physics National Conference, S. Miniato, November 27–30, 1990.