Phase diagram of the Al–Er–Mo ternary system at 873 K

The phase relationship in the Al–Er–Mo ternary system at 873 K has been investigated based on the equilibrated method mainly by means of X-ray powder diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The existence of 10 binary compounds and two ternary compounds has been confirmed. The results present that the isothermal section at 873 K is governed by 15 single-phase regions, 29 two-phase regions and 15 three-phase regions. By using the phase-disappearing method, Al₈Mo₃ has a narrow homogeneity range (from 72 to 73 at% Al), while the homogeneity range of AlMo₃ is from 21% to 28.5% at% Al. Also, the maximum solubility of Al in Mo is about 16 at%.     

The isothermal section of the Tb–Co–Cr ternary system at 873 K

The isothermal section of the phase diagram of the Tb–Co–Cr ternary system at 873?K was investigated by means of X-ray diffraction, metallography, and scanning electron microscopy equipped with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Ternary phases and their lattice parameters as a function of composition of solid solution were systematically studied. The existence of one ternary phase reported previously was confirmed. The ternary compound Tb(Co,?Cr)₁₂ crystallizes with ThMn₁₂-type structure, space group I4/mmm. The linear homogeneity range along the line of 7.69 at.% Tb in TbCo_{12? x} Cr _x was found to be about x?=?3.6–5.7, i.e., 27.7–43.8 at.% Cr. The lattice parameters are a?=?0.8326–0.8352?nm and c?=?0.4709–0.4740?nm. The maximum solid solubilities of Cr in Tb₂Co₁₇, TbCo₃, and TbCo₂ are about 20.0, 8.2, and 7.9 at.%, respectively.     

Phase relations and optical properties of semiconducting ternary sulfides in the system Cu–Sn–S

The ternary system Cu–Sn–S was re-investigated and the phase diagram Cu₂S–SnS₂ studied in detail by differential thermal analysis and X-ray diffractometry. Three phases of composition Cu₄SnS₄, Cu₂SnS₃ and Cu₂Sn_3+xS_7+2x(0≤×≤1) were found exhibiting melting points at 833, 856 and 803 °C, respectively. Ellipsometric and diffuse reflectance measurements revealed that the latter two sulfides possess a fundamental band gap of 0.93 eV followed by a higher transitions. For the first time it could be demonstrated that Cu₂Sn₃S₇ has semiconducting properties and an absorption coefficients of the order 10⁵ cm⁻¹.     

Decoherence of genuine multipartite entanglement for local non-Markovian–Lorentzian reservoirs

We study decoherence effects on genuine multipartite entanglement for three and four qubits, spatially separated and subjected to local Lorentzian reservoirs. Employing recent techniques to compute genuine negativity for multipartite systems and an exact solvable model, we analyze the dynamics of genuine entanglement for different coupling bandwidths and detunings. We find that collapses and revivals can occur by varying these parameters for various multipartite quantum states.     

Periodically modulated interaction effect on transport of Bose–Einstein condensates in lattice with local defects

We theoretically investigate the periodically modulated interaction effect on the propagation properties of a traveling plane wave in a Bose–Einstein condensate(BEC) trapped in a deep annular lattice with local defects both analytically and numerically. By using the two-mode ansatz and the tight-binding approximation, a critical condition for the system preserving the superfluidity is obtained analytically and confirmed numerically. We find that the coupled effects of periodic modulated atomic interactions, the quasi-momentum of the plane wave, and the defect can control the superfluidity of the system. Particularly, when we consider the periodic modulation in the system with single defect, the critical condition for the system entering the superfluid regime depends on both the defect and the momentum of the plane wave. This is different from the case for the system without the periodic modulation, where the critical condition is only determined by the defect. The modulation and quasi-momentum of the plane wave can enhance the system entering the superfluid regime. Interestingly, when the modulated amplitude/frequency, the defect strength, and the quasi-momentum of the plane wave satisfy a certain condition, the system will always be in the superfluid region. This engineering provides a possible means for studying the periodic modulation effect on propagation properties and the corresponding dynamics of BECs in disordered optical lattices.     

Behaviors of thermalization for the Fermi–Pasta–Ulam–Tsingou system with small number of particles

We study the behaviors of thermalization in Fermi–Pasta–Ulam–Tsingou(FPUT) system with small number of particles using periodic boundary conditions. The total energy has initially equidistributed among some of the lowest frequency modes. The thermalization time t_(eq) depending on system's energy density ε scales as t_(eq) ∝ε~(-4) only within a certain range of nonlinearity. In this range of nonlinearity, energies can interchange between the initial excited modes and other modes continuously with time until reaching the thermalized state. With a further decreasing nonlinearity, a steeper growth than ε~(-4) will appear. In the very weakly nonlinear regime, energies on low frequency modes are found to be frozen on large time scales. Redistribution of mode energies happens through the resonances of high frequency modes.     

An Overview of the Use of Yttrium for Internal Standardization in Inductively Coupled Plasma–Atomic Emission Spectrometry

Abstract

Internal standardization is a widely used method for compensating nonspectral interference in inductively coupled plasma (ICP) spectrometry. Emphasis is given on the choice of the suitable element and its specific spectral line as an efficient internal standard. This choice is the result of multi-variable evaluations and analytical applications. In inductively coupled plasma–atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) and other spectrometric techniques several spectral lines of the same or different elements have been evaluated as potential internal standards. Yttrium spectral lines fulfill certain prerequisites and they are favored by a large number of researchers. In our discussed review, we present several reports of ICP-AES techniques that employ yttrium as the internal standard. These reports are classified according to specific sample origin and aim of the research.     

Influence of iron ions on dielectric properties of the PbO–Bi2O3–B2O3 glass system

PbO–Bi₂O₃–B₂O₃ glasses containing small concentrations of Fe₂O₃ (0–1 mol%) were subject to dielectric studies (dielectric constant ε′; loss tan δ; and ac conductivity σ _ac) over a wide range of frequency and temperature. From spectroscopic (infrared, optical absorption and ESR spectra) and magnetic susceptibility studies, variations in these properties with dopant ion concentration were analyzed in terms of different oxidation states and iron ion environment in the glass network.     

Development of a new P–T controlling system for neutron-scattering experiments

We developed a new device involving an individual P–T controlling system for neutron-scattering experiments available at 0–10 GPa and at 77–473 K. Thanks to the thermal insulators made of zirconia and glass-fiber-reinforced plastic under the anvils, temperature only around anvils can be controllable with fast heating/cooling rate of<20 K/min, and it also allows us to use normal hydraulic oil even at low temperatures, which has much less risk of leaking compared with helium gas. The feasibility test for this system for neutron diffraction experiments for ice VIII shows that the full decompression is established without any technical difficulty, which used to be not straightforward by the previous systems.     

Development of modified embedded atom potentials for the Cu–Ag system

The modified embedded atom method is tested in the atomistic simulations of binary fcc metallic alloys. As an example the alloying behaviour of Cu–Ag is studied using the molecular dynamics (MD) method. The MD algorithms that we use are based on the extended Hamiltonian formalism and the ordinary experimental conditions are simulated using the constant-pressure, constant temperature (NPT) (MD) method. The enthalpy of mixing values of the random Ag–Cu binary alloys are obtained as functions of concentration after 20 000 steps.     

Semiempirical fine-tuning for Hartree–Fock ionization potentials of atomic ions with non-integral atomic number

Amovilli and March (2006) [8] used diffusion quantum Monte Carlo techniques to calculate the non-relativistic ionization potential I(Z)$I(Z)$ in He-like atomic ions for the range of (fractional) nuclear charges Z   lying between the known critical value _Zc=0.911$Z_{\mathrm{c}}=0.911$ at which I(Z)$I(Z)$ tends to zero and Z=2$Z=2$. They showed that it is possible to fit I(Z)$I(Z)$ to a simple quadratic expression. Following that idea, we present here a semiempirical fine-tuning of Hartree–Fock ionization potentials for the isoelectronic series of He, Be, Ne, Mg and Ar-like atomic ions that leads to excellent estimations of _Zc$Z_{\mathrm{c}}$ for these series. The empirical information involved is experimental ionization and electron affinity data. It is clearly demonstrated that Hartree–Fock theory provides an excellent starting point for determining I(Z)$I(Z)$ for these series.     

Characterization of NiO–yttria stabilised zirconia (YSZ) hollow fibres for use as SOFC anodes

NiO–yttria stabilised zirconia (YSZ) hollow fibres with varying NiO content and a desired microstructure were prepared using a phase inversion technique and sintering. By controlling the fabrication parameters, microstructures with predominately finger-like pores near the inner and outer surfaces and a denser central layer with sponge-like pores were produced, for use as substrates for anode-supported hollow fibre solid oxide fuel cells (HF-SOFC). The NiO–YSZ fibres were reduced to Ni–YSZ at 250–700 °C in hydrogen flowing at 20 cm³ min^? 1 to produce Ni–YSZ hollow fibres, the mechanical and electrical properties of which were determined subsequently, reduction to Ni being verified by X-ray diffraction. The effects of NiO concentration and sintering temperature of the fibre precursors on the conductivity, strength and porosity of the reduced hollow fibres were investigated to assess their suitability for use as anode substrates. As expected, increasing Ni concentration increased electrical conductivities and decreased mechanical strength. Sintering temperature had a critical effect in producing axially conductive hollow fibres of sufficient mechanical strength for use as SOFC anodes. The hollow fibres retained their initial microstructure through the reduction process, though ca. 41% volume contraction is predicted on reduction of NiO to Ni, producing increased porosity in the reduced fibres. The mean porosity of the Ni–YSZ hollow fibres was ca. 60% and ca. 40% after sintered at 1250 °C and 1400 °C, respectively. The mean pore sizes for all the fibres after reduction varied between ca. 0.3 and 1 µm. The hollow fibres produced with 60% NiO, of length ca. 300 mm, electrical conductivities of ca. (1–2.25) × 10⁵ S m^? 1 and a porosity of ca. 43% are being used currently to construct and test the electrical behaviour of an anode-supported HF-SOFC.     

Synthesis and characterization of Pt–Sn–Ce/MC ternary catalysts for ethanol oxidation in membraneless fuel cells

The present work represents the mesoporous carbon-supported Pt–Sn and Pt–Sn–Ce catalysts with different mass ratios have been prepared by co-impregnation reduction method. The prepared catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) investigation. The XRD patterns of prepared Pt/MC (100) Pt–Sn/MC (75:25), Pt–Ce/MC (75:25), and Pt–Sn–Ce/MC (75:20:05) catalysts showed that Pt metal was the predominant material in all the samples, with peaks attributed to the face-centered cubic (fcc) crystalline structures. Additionally changes in the lattice parameters observed for Pt suggest the incorporation of Sn into the Pt crystalling structure with the formation of an alloy mixture with the SnO₂ phase. The TEM analysis designates that the prepared catalysts had similar particle morphology, and their particle sizes were 2–5 nm. The electrochemical studies showed that ternary catalyst shows best performance for oxidation of ethanol molecule at normal temperature. The enhanced ethanol oxidation activity for the ternary Pt–Sn–Ce catalyst is mainly attributed to the synergistic effect of bifunctional mechanism with electronic effect. Additionally, chemical nature of ceria affords oxygen-containing molecule to oxidize acetaldehyde to acetic acid. In this present context, 1 M ethanol was used as a fuel, 0.1 M sodium perborate was used as an oxidant, and 0.5 M sulfuric acid was used as an electrolyte. In mesoporous carbon-supported binary Pt–Sn and ternary Pt–Sn–Ce anode catalysts were effectively tested in a single membraneless fuel cell at normal temperature. The presence of Sn and Ce enhances the CO oxidation; they produced an oxygen-containing species to oxidize acetaldehyde to acetic acid.     

Optical and luminescence properties of Dy3+ ions in K–Sr–Al phosphate glasses for yellow laser applications

Trivalent dysprosium (Dy³⁺)-doped K–Sr–Al phosphate glasses have been prepared and investigated for their optical and luminescence properties. Judd–Ofelt theory has been used to derive radiative properties for the ⁴F_9/2 level of Dy³⁺ ions. The luminescence spectrum of 1.0 mol% Dy₂O₃-doped glass shows intense yellow emission around 572 nm ascribed to ⁴F_9/2 → ⁶H_13/2 transition with 78 % branching ratio and emission cross section of the order of 2.48 × 10^?21 cm². Moreover, the quantum efficiency of the ⁴F_9/2 level has been found to be 76 %. The luminescence decay curves for the yellow emission (⁴F_9/2 → ⁶H_13/2) have been measured and analyzed as a function of Dy³⁺ ion concentration. The results revealed that Dy³⁺-doped phosphate glasses could be useful for yellow laser applications.     

Transition between monopole and antimonopole for electrically charged monopole–antimonopole chain system of solutions

The dependence of physical properties of the electrically charged monopole–antimonopole pair (MAP) solutions in the Higgs self-coupling constant is previously investigated. In this paper we study the three-poles monopole–antimonopole chain (MAC) solutions. The study includes ?$?$-winding number n=2,3$n=2,3$, and 4. For the case of n=2$n=2$, no bifurcation and geometrical transition is detected for the interval of the study. For the case of n=3$n=3$, two geometrical transitions happen along the fundamental solution. Also two bifurcations and one joining point is detected for the interval of study. The case of n=4$n=4$ includes one bifurcation. There is also a geometrical transition along the fundamental solution and two transitions along the Higher energy bifurcating branch. This study implies that during some specific kind of geometrical transition, a magnetic and electric charge transition occurs for the pole which is located at the origin.     

Optimized electron–optical system of a static mass-spectrometer for simultaneous isotopic and chemical analysis

A new approach to control the linear dimensions of analytical electrophysical systems is suggested. This approach uses the lens properties of electron–optical elements with a curvilinear axis. It is shown that such an approach can be effectively applied, in particular, to synthesize ion–optical systems (IOSs) for static magnetic mass spectrometers and can be implemented owing to off-axis fundamental points, the “poles” of an electron–optical system, introduced earlier by one of the authors. The capabilities of the new approach are demonstrated with the synthesis of the IOS of a static mass spectrometer dedicated for isotopic and chemical analysis with an increased resolution. A new IOS not only provides desired high ion–optical parameters at decreased dimensions of the mass spectrometer as a whole but also makes it possible to loosen requirements for the manufacturing accuracy of IOS main elements.     

De–excitation of compound nuclei with A around 56: reduction of the emission barriers for protons and alpha particles

This paper contributes to the discussion on the phenomena of the enhanced emission of low–energetic charged particles during compound nuclei decay. The decay of compound nuclei ⁵²Fe, ⁵⁶Ni, and ⁵⁹Cu was studied. Energy spectra and emission angles of evaporated charged particles were measured in coincidence with gamma rays to determine the corresponding evaporation residue nucleus. Additionally, evaporation residue distributions were determined with the Munich rf recoil spectrometer. In this way, detailed channel–specific evaporation data were obtained for theoretical analysis. We extracted evaporation barriers and compared them with corresponding fusion barriers. The main result was revealed to be a lowering of the evaporation barrier for protons and alpha particles relative to the fusion barriers. But the observed effect is not as intensive as reported in recent studies. Received: 15 June 1998 / Revised version: 5 November 1998