Time differential perturbed angular correlation studies of hafnium hydrides

The dependence of the electric field gradients (EFG) in Hafnium-Hydride systems as a function of the composition H/Hf in the cubic δ and tetragonal ε phases were investigated using the time-dependent perturbed angular correlation (TDPAC) technique, with¹⁸¹Ta as the nuclear probe. Two EFGs were found in the ε phase, indicating the existence of two major symmetries surrounding the Ta probe. The results indicate that the trend of the EFGs, in the ε phase, are due to the changes in the lattice parametersa _o,c _o as hydrogen is added to the Hf-H system. In the δ phase, only one major symmetry was found. Both phases are characterized by broad frequency distributions and large anisotropies.     

Phase equilibria in random multiblock copolymers

A mean-field theory for domain structures in random multiblock copolymer melts is developed. We focus on the finite molecular weight effects resulting in a competition between macroscopic phase separation and microdomain formation in the system. We identify an essential parameter N ε controlling the phase behavior of the system, where N is the number of blocks per chain and ε is the composition asymmetry parameter (= the difference between the mean copolymer composition and its critical value). The phase diagram involving N ε and the reduced temperature as variables is obtained. The regions of coexistence of two or more phases are identified. We show that a superstructure formation on cooling is always pre-empted by a macroscopic phase separation of the macroscopically homogeneous (disordered) system yielding two homogeneous phases: H ₀↦H ₁ + H ₂. The third (lamellar) phase separates on further cooling. Then hexagonal and body-centred-cubic phases take over if N ε 1. As the Flory interaction parameter χ increases further, the standard transitions BCC↦HEX↦LAM take place. Received 13 July 2001     

Observation of relaxation modes in room temperature ferroelectric liquid crystal mixtures

The dielectric measurements in SmC* and SmA phases of a room temperature ferroelectric liquid crystal mixture FLC-6980 in the cells of different thickness in planer alignment have been carried out in the frequency range 100 Hz to 1 MHz. A relaxation mode (called NRM) whose dielectric increment is less than the Goldstone mode has been observed in the SmC* phase. This mode appears due to the surface effect. Goldstone mode and the soft mode was observable in the vicinity of SmC*-SmA transition temperature (T _C*A). The dielectric parameters of the Goldstone mode, new mode and the soft mode have been studied as a function of frequency and temperature. The calculated values for f_NRM, δε^NRM and distribution parameter α_NRM are found to be 325 kHz, 6 and 0.156 for 5μm thick planer cell at 37°C. It is seen that in the vicinity of theT _C*A, soft mode obeys the Curie-Weiss law given by mean field theory. The results have been compared with materials of large spontaneous polarization.     

Inertial-Range Behavior of a Passive Scalar Field in a Random Shear Flow: Renormalization Group Analysis of a Simple Model

Infrared asymptotic behavior of a scalar field, passively advected by a random shear flow, is studied by means of the field theoretic renormalization group and the operator product expansion. The advecting velocity is Gaussian, white in time, with correlation function of the form μ d(t-t￠) / k_^^d-1+x\propto\delta(t-t') / k_{\bot}^{d-1+\xi}, where k _⊥=|k _⊥| and k _⊥ is the component of the wave vector, perpendicular to the distinguished direction (‘direction of the flow’)—the d-dimensional generalization of the ensemble introduced by Avellaneda and Majda (Commun. Math. Phys. 131:381, 1990). The structure functions of the scalar field in the infrared range exhibit scaling behavior with exactly known critical dimensions. It is strongly anisotropic in the sense that the dimensions related to the directions parallel and perpendicular to the flow are essentially different. In contrast to the isotropic Kraichnan’s rapid-change model, the structure functions show no anomalous (multi)scaling and have finite limits when the integral turbulence scale tends to infinity. On the contrary, the dependence of the internal scale (or diffusivity coefficient) persists in the infrared range. Generalization to the velocity field with a finite correlation time is also obtained. Depending on the relation between the exponents in the energy spectrum E μ k_^^1-e\mathcal{E} \propto k_{\bot}^{1-\varepsilon} and in the dispersion law w μ k_^^2-h\omega\propto k_{\bot}^{2-\eta}, the infrared behavior of the model is given by the limits of vanishing or infinite correlation time, with the crossover at the ray η=0, ε>0 in the ε–η plane. The physical (Kolmogorov) point ε=8/3, η=4/3 lies inside the domain of stability of the rapid-change regime; there is no crossover line going through this point.     

Induced ferrielectricity in antiferroelectric liquid crystals

The behaviour of the antiferroelectric SmC_A liquid crystal phase under applied electric field is discussed theoretically. The phase diagram involving the SmA, SmC_A and SmC _A ^* phases is worked out and shown to exhibit a Lifshitz critical point. The deformation of the bilayer structures induced by the field transforms the SmC_A phases into a ferrielectric phase whose specific configuration is described. Received: 23 October 1997 / Revised: 8 April 1998 / Accepted: 14 July 1998     

Flory radius of polymers in a periodic field: An exact analytic theory

We found an exact expression for the Flory radius R _F of Gaussian polymers placed in an external periodic field. This solution is expressed in terms of the two parameters η and a that describe the reduced strength of an external field and the period of the field to the polymer gyration radius ratio, respectively. R _F is found to be a decaying function of η for any values of a . Provided that the gyration radius is of the order of the period of an external field or less, the ground-state (GS) approximation of the exact result for R _F is shown to give qualitatively incorrect results. In addition to the “ground-state” contribution, the exact solution for R _F contains an additional term that is overlooked by the GS approximation. This term gives rise to the fact that R _F as a function of η exhibits power law behavior (rather than exponential decay obtained from the GS result) once η exceeds the threshold value η_con .     

Relaxation phenomena of polar non-polar liquid mixtures under low and high frequency electric field

Simultaneous calculation of the dipole moment μ_j and the relaxation time τ_j of a certain number of non-spherical rigid aliphatic polar liquid molecules (j) in non-polar solvents (i) under 9.8 GHz electric field is possible from real ε′_ij and imaginary ε″_ij parts of the complex relative permittivity ε*_ij. The low frequency and infinite frequency permittivities ε_0ij and ε_∞ij measured by Purohitet al [1,2] and Srivastava and Srivastava [3] at 25, 35 and 30°C respectively are used to obtain static μ_s. The ratio of the individual slopes of imaginary σ″_ij and real σ′_ij parts of high frequency (hf) complex conductivity σ*_ij with weight fractionsw _jatw _j → 0 and the slopes of σ″_ij— σ′_ij curves for differentw _js [4] are employed to obtain τ_js. The former method is better in comparison to the existing one as it eliminates polar-polar interaction. The hf μ_js in Coulomb metre (C m) when compared with static and reported μs indicate that μ_s s favour the monomer formations which combine to form dimers in the hf electric field. The comparison among μs shows that a part of the molecule is rotating under X-band electric field [5]. The theoretical μ_theos from available bond angles and bond moments of the substituent polar groups attached to the parent molecules differ from the measured μ_js and μs to establish the possible existence of mesomeric, inductive and electromeric effects in polar liquid molecules.     

Effects of current density on electropulsing-induced phase transformations in a Zn–Al based alloy

Phase transformations of an electropulsing-treated ZA22 alloy were studied after tensile deformation by using scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. It was found that electropulsing tremendously accelerated phase transformations consequentially in the two stages: (a) quenching from supersaturated state approaching the final stable state, i.e., α+ε→T′+η, and (b) up-quenching from the final stable state to a higher temperature state, i.e., T′+η→α+ε. The mechanism of electropulsing-induced phase transformation is discussed from the point of view of Gibbs free energy, and electropulsing kinetics.     

A comprehensive,time-resolved SANS investigation of temperature-change-induced sponge-to-lamellar and lamellar-to-sponge phase transformations in comparison with <Superscript>2</Superscript>H -NMR results

Time-resolved small-angle neutron scattering (TR-SANS) was employed to observe temperature-induced phase transitions from the sponge (L ₃ to the lamellar ( L _α phase, and vice versa, in the water-oil (n -decane)-non-ionic surfactant ( C₁₂E₅ system using both bulk and film contrast. Samples of different bilayer volume fractions φ and solvent viscosities η were investigated applying various amplitudes of temperature jump ΔT . The findings of a previous ²H -NMR study could be confirmed, where the lamellar phase formation was determined to occur through a nucleation and growth process, while it was concluded that the L ₃ -phase develops in a mechanistically different and more rapid manner involving uncorrelated passage formation. Likewise, the kinetic trends of the nucleation and growth transition (decreased transition time with increase of φ and ΔT were witnessed once again. Additionally, NMR and SANS data that demonstrate a strong dependency of that process on solvent viscosity η are presented. Contrariwise, it is made evident via both SANS and NMR results that the L _α -to-L ₃ transition time is independent (within experimental sensitivity) of the varied parameters (φ , ΔT , η . Unusual scattering evolution in one experiment, originating from a highly ordered lamellar phase, intriguingly hints that a major rate determining factor is the disruption of long-range order. Furthermore, the bulk contrast investigations give insight into structure peak shifts/development during the transitions, while the film contrast experiments prove the bilayer thickness to be constant throughout the phase transitions and show that there is no evidence for a change in the short-range order of the bilayer structure. The latter was considered possible, due to the different topology of the L ₃ and L _α phases. Lastly, an unexpected yet consistent appearance of anisotropic scattering is detected in the L ₃ -to- L _α transitions.     

Liesegang patterns: Complex formation of precipitate in an electric field

Formation of 1D Liesegang patterns was studied numerically in precipitation and reversible complex formation of precipitate scenarios in an electric field. The Ostwald’s supersaturation model reported by Buki, Kárpáti-Smidróczki and Zrínyi (BKZ model) was extended further. In the presence of an electric field the position of the first and the last bands (X _n) measured from the junction point of the outer and the inner electrolytes can be described by the functionX _n =a ₁τ _n ^1/2 +a ₂τ_n +a ₃, where τ_n is the time elapsed until the nth band formation,a ₁,a ₂ anda ₃ are constants. The variation of the total number of bands with different electric field strengths (ε) has a maximum. For higher ε one can observe a moving precipitation zone that becomes wider due to precipitation and reversible complex formation.     

Dynamical behavior and nonminimal derivative coupling scalar field of Reissner-Nordstr?m black hole with a global monopole

In this paper, we research the dynamical evolution and quasinormal modes of nonminimal derivative coupling scalar field in Reissner-Nordstr?m spacetime with a global monopole. We also find that Hawking radiation behavior near the event horizon is similar to the scalar field case. In the whole spacetime, the conclusions show that weak coupling field will affect the dynamical behavior delicately, but the strong coupling constant η results in the deformation of dynamical evolution curve. When η > η _c , the black hole system will not be stable. The break from the global monopole also intensely affect the dynamical behavior of this black hole spacetime. Furthermore, the break will promote the instability of the coupling field.     

Effect of illumination on a dielectric nonlinearity in Cr-doped SBN-75 single crystal

The dielectric nonlinearity in an SBN-75 single crystal doped with 0.01 at % Cr was investigated in the vicinity of a diffuse phase transition by studying the reverse dielectric dependences ε′(E ₌). The influence of illumination and exposure (aging) on the behavior of ε′(E ₌) was demonstrated. A reduction in the dielectric memory effect after sample illumination was detected.     

Rapid and efficient synthesis of colloidal gold nanoparticles by?arc discharge method

The microstructural (XRD and SEM) and dielectric behavior of Pb(Zr_0.54Ti_0.46)O₃ (PZT 54/46) ceramic system with donor (La, Nb and La+Nb) doping was studied. For all Nb-doped PZT samples, only one (tetragonal) phase was found, which confirms the compositional shifts near the morphotropic phase boundary. For La- and La+Nb-doped samples, there are two (rhombohedral and tetragonal) phases. Dielectric characteristic behavior (1/ε) for La- and La+Nb-doped PZT was associated with two-phase transitions: Ferro–Ferro at low temperature and Ferro–Para at Curie temperature. For Nb-doped samples, only one phase transition is observed, which indicates the presence of a single ferroelectric phase.     

On the harmonic analysis of non-linear dielectric effects

We investigate the nonlinear dielectric effects in a polar viscous liquid, propylene carbonate, by analyzing the voltage and current traces obtained for a sinusoidal electric field at a frequency of 1 kHz and field amplitudes as high as 162 kV/cm. The main source of non-linear behavior results from the energy absorbed from the field and is understood quantitatively. However, there is a qualitative difference in the behavior of the field induced change, Δε^′′(E), and the third harmonic amplitude of the current, I_3ω. Although both Δε^′′(E) and I_3ω are considered reliable measures of non-linear behavior, we show here that the third harmonic signal reflects only those non-linear responses that are instantaneous on the time scale of the test frequency.     

Laser light scattering technique for non-invasive<Emphasis Type="Italic">in situ</Emphasis> simultaneous measurements on elastic constants and viscosity coefficients of nematic liquid crystals

The laser light scattering technique for non-invasivein situ simultaneous measurements on elastic constants and viscosity coefficients of nematic liquid crystals is introduced. By measuring the autocorrelation function of the scattered light from nematic liquid crystals at different scattering angles, the splay and twist elastic constantsK ₁₁ andK ₂₂ are obtained from the amplitudes of the autocorrelation function, and the viscosity coefficients ofη _Splay andη _Twist are determined using the viscoelastic ratiosK ₁₁/η _Splay andK ₂₂ η _Twist from the telaxation parameters of the two modes.     

Formation mechanism of the primary faceted phase and complex eutectic structure within an undercooled Ag–Cu–Ge alloy

The solidified microstructure of bulk undercooled Ag₄₀Cu₃₀Ge₃₀ alloy consists of three parts: primary (Ge) phase, the complex structure of (Ag + Ge) and (Ag + ε ₂) pseudobinary eutectics, and (Ag + Ge + ε ₂) ternary eutectic. In comparison, the pseudobinary eutectic no longer appears in an alloy droplet solidified in a drop tube. Once the undercooling exceeds 225 K and the cooling rate is greater than 2×10³ K s⁻¹, the microstructure of the solidified droplet is totally composed of anomalous ternary eutectic. In both cases, the primary (Ge) phase exhibits various faceted growth morphologies at different undercoolings, such as columnar block, long dendrite, equiaxed dendrite and rod-like crystal. Some refined side branches grow from the equiaxed (Ge) dendritic branches composed of {111} twins, which is ascribed to the rapid epitaxial growth of (Ag + Ge) pseudobinary eutectic from the (Ge) dendritic branches. Moreover, both the primary (Ge) phase and the (Ge) phase in the (Ag + Ge) pseudobinary eutectic are effective heterogeneous nuclei for the (Ag+ε ₂) pseudobinary eutectic. As undercooling increases, the (Ge) phase in the (Ag + Ge+ε ₂) ternary eutectic transforms from faceted to non-faceted phase, while the independent nucleation and growth of the (Ag) and ε ₂ phases in the ternary eutectic displaces their previous cooperative growth. These growth kinetics transitions result in the formation of anomalous ternary eutectic.     

Dielectric and polar order behaviors of BaTiO<Subscript>3</Subscript>-Bi(Mg<Subscript>1/2</Subscript>Ti<Subscript>1/2</Subscript>)O<Subscript>3</Subscript> ceramics

New perovskite solid solution ceramics of (1−x)BaTiO₃-xBi(Mg_1/2Ti_1/2)O₃ ((1−x)BT-xBMT, x≤0.09) were synthesized by the solid-state reaction technique. X-ray diffraction studies have revealed a stable single perovskite structure for all samples. Dielectric measurements were carried out at different frequencies and temperatures. The polarization evolutions with temperatures were measured to investigate the ferroelectric properties. All the compositions show features of ferroelectrics with diffuse phase transition, though the temperature T _m of their dielectric constant maximum ε _m is frequency dependent. The dielectric constant peak ε(T) of (1−x)BT-xBMT ceramics become broad with increasing BMT content. During the temperature range of ε(T) peak summit, (1−x)BT-xBMT ceramics present quasi-linear dielectric phenomenon under high electric field with very high dielectric constant.     

Nature of conduction via impurities in uncompensated silicon

The static conductivity σ(E) and photoconductivity (PC) at radiation frequencies ħω=10 and 15 meV in Si doped with shallow impurities (density N=10¹⁶−6×10¹⁶ cm⁻³, ionization energy ε₁≃45 meV) with compensation K=10⁻⁴−10⁻⁵ in electric fields E=10–250 V/cm are measured at liquid-helium temperatures T. Special measures are taken to prevent the high-frequency part of the background radiation (ħω>16 meV) from striking the sample. It is found that the conductivity σ(E) is due to carrier motion along the D ⁻ band, which is filled with carriers under the influence of the field E. In fields E<E _q (E _q ≃100–200 V/cm) the carrier motion consists of hops along localized D ⁻ states in a 10–15 meV energy band below the bottom of the free band (energy ε=ε₁); for E>E _q carriers drift along localized D ⁻ states with energy ε∞ε₁−10 meV. An explanation is proposed for the threshold behavior of the field dependence of the photo-and static conductivities. Pis’ma Zh. éksp. Teor. Fiz. 66, No. 4, 232–236 (25 August 1997)     

Ternary eutectic growth of Ag-Cu-Sb alloy within ultrasonic field

The liquid to solid transformation of ternary Ag42.4Cu21.6Sb36 eutectic alloy was accomplished in an ultrasonic field with a frequency of 35 kHz, and the growth mechanism of this ternary eutectic was examined. Theoretical calculations predict that the sound intensity in the liquid phase at the solidification interface increases gradually as the interface moves up from the sample bottom to its top. The growth mode of (ε θ Sb) ternary eutectic exhibits a transition of "divorced eutectic- mixture of anomalous and regular structures-regular eutectic" along the sample axis due to the inhomogeneity of sound field distribution. In the top zone with the highest sound intensity, the cavitation effect promotes the three eutectic phases to nucleate independently, while the acoustic streaming efficiently suppresses the coupled growth of eutectic phases. In the meantime, the ultrasonic field accelerates the solute transportation at the solid-liquid interface, which reduces the solute solubility of eutectic phases.     

Phase transition and random-field induced domain wall response of SrTi O 3

The dielectric permittivity ε^′ - i of SrTi ¹⁸O ₃ (STO18) is studied under a dc electric field E as a function of the temperature, T. In ε^′ vs. T, a double-peak is found when 0 < E < 30 KV/m. While the peak at high-T is attributed to the smeared ferroelectric phase transition, the low-T one is induced by domain wall motion. The transverse Ising model including an external homogeneous and quenched random-fields is successfully used to describe both the smeared phase transition and the domain wall response in the low-T domain state. The calculations are in good agreement with the experimental results. Received 4 January 2002 / Received in final form 25 March 2002 Published online 19 July 2002