Study of the heavy-fermion compound CeRu<Subscript>2</Subscript>Si<Subscript>2</Subscript> by the small-angle neutron scattering method

In order to directly observe neutron scattering by heavy fermion quasiparticles at low temperatures, a CeRu₂Si₂ single crystal has been studied by the small-angle neutron scattering method. In the experiment, neutron scattering is observed at T = 0.85 K for momentum transfers q ≤ 0.04 Å^?1, which is treated as the orbital component of magnetic scattering by heavy fermion quasiparticles. It has been found that the application of a magnetic field H = 1 T leads to both an increase in the observed scattering and its anisotropy with respect to the field direction. Moreover, measurements in the magnetic field reveal additional scattering for q > 0.04 Å^?1, which is well described by a Lorentzian and is interpreted as neutron magnetic scattering by spin-density fluctuations with a correlation radius R_c ≈ 30 Å.     

Microstructure,elastic, and inelastic properties of biomorphic carbons carbonized using a Fe-containing catalyst

The microstructure and amplitude dependences of the Young’s modulus E and internal friction (logarithmic decrement δ), and microplastic properties of biocarbon matrices BE-C(Fe) obtained by beech tree carbonization at temperatures T _carb = 850–1600°C in the presence of an iron-containing catalyst are studied. By X-ray diffraction analysis and transmission electron microscopy, it is shown that the use of Fe-catalyst during carbonization with T _carb ≥ 1000°C leads to the appearance of a bulk graphite phase in the form of nanoscale bulk graphite inclusions in a quasi-amorphous matrix, whose volume fraction and size increase with T _carb. The correlation of the obtained dependences E(Т _carb) and δ(T _carb) with microstructure evolution with increasing Т _carb is revealed. It is found that E is mainly defined by a crystalline phase fraction in the amorphous matrix, i.e., a nanocrystalline phase at Т _carb < 1150°C and a bulk graphite phase at T _carb > 1300°C. Maximum values E = 10–12 GPa are achieved for samples with Т _carb ≈ 1150 and 1600°C. It is shown that the microplasticity manifest itself only in biocarbons with T _carb ≥ 1300°C (upon reaching a significant volume of the graphite phase); in this case, the conditional microyield stress decreases with increasing total volume of introduced mesoporosity (free surface area).     

Contribution from Mechanisms of Direct Nucleon Transfer to Proton Spectra in the <Superscript>15</Superscript>N (α, <Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>)<Superscript>18</Superscript>O Reaction

The differential cross section for the (α, p)¹⁸O reaction at an α-particle energy of 30 MeV is analyzed in the context of direct reaction mechanisms and the compound nucleus model. Spectroscopic amplitudes are calculated at the vertices of the diagrams illustrating triton and ¹⁴С cluster transfer reactions, including cases of mixed configurations of 1p–2d shells. The OP parameters of α–¹⁵N and p–¹⁸O interaction are found that provide the best agreement between the calculated and experimental data at an energy of ~30 MeV. It is shown that the main contribution to the production of protons comes from direct triton cluster transfer. The role of the heavy ¹⁴С cluster transfer mechanism and the compound nucleus mechanism is notable in the region of angles greater than 90°.     

Study of ferromagnetic correlations caused by impurities in nonmagnetic materials by the method of small-angle scattering of polarized neutrons

The possibility of the study of ferromagnetic correlations caused by d-metal impurities in nonmagnetic matrices is discussed. The polarization and magnetic-nuclear interference obtained by analyzing the small-angle scattering of polarized neutrons in a CuZn(20) alloy with Ni impurity (1 at %) are reported. It has been shown that Ni is clustered in the CuZn matrix with the characteristic correlation radius in the range 100 Å < R _c < 5000 Å depending on the thermal processing of the samples. The cross correlation function determining magnetic-nuclear interference is satisfactorily approximated by the exponential exp(?r/R _c), where r is the distance. It has been found that the nonmagnetic matrix CuZn(20) with an almost uniform distribution of 1% Ni impurity has metamagnetic properties in the field H ≈ 0.5 T at room temperature.     

Electronic structure of α-Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>: Ab initio simulations and comparison with experiment

Al₂O₃ films 150 Å thick are deposited on silicon by the ALD technique, and their x-ray (XPS) and ultraviolet (UPS) photoelectron spectra of the valence band are investigated. The electronic band structure of corundum (α-Al₂O₃) is calculated by the ab initio density functional method and compared with experimental results. The α-Al₂O₃ valence band consists of two subbands separated with an ionic gap. The lower band is mainly formed by oxygen 2s states. The upper band is formed by oxygen 2p states with a contribution of aluminum 3s and 3p states. A strong anisotropy of the effective mass is observed for holes: m _h⊥ ^* ≈ 6.3m ₀ and m _h‖ ^* ≈ 0.36m ₀. The effective electron mass is independent of the direction m _e‖ ^* ≈ m _e⊥ ^* ≈ 0.4m ₀.     

Studies of the defect structure from the calculations of optical and electron paramagnetic resonance spectra for Ni<Superscript>2+</Superscript> centre in <Emphasis Type="Italic">α</Emphasis>-LiIO<Subscript>3</Subscript> crystal

By calculating the optical spectrum band positions and EPR parameters (g factors, g‖, g⊥ and zero-field splitting D) by diagonalizing the complete energy matrix of 3d⁸ ions in trigonal symmetry, the defect structure of Ni²⁺ centre in α-LiIO₃ crystal is studied. It is found that to reach the good fits of optical and EPR data between calculation and experiment, the Ni²⁺ ion should shift by Δz ≈ 0.298 Å along C₃-axis and the O^2? ions between the Ni²⁺ ion and Li⁺ vacancy (V _Li) should be displaced away from the V _Li by Δx ≈ 0.097 Å because of the electrostatic interaction. The results are discussed.     

Optical properties and mechanisms of current flow in Cu<Subscript>2</Subscript>ZnSnS<Subscript>4</Subscript> films prepared by spray pyrolysis

Thin films Cu₂ZnSnS₄ (up to 0.9 μm thick) with p-type conductivity and band gap E_g = 1.54 eV have been prepared by the spray pyrolysis of 0.1 M aqueous solutions of the salts CuCl₂ · 2H₂O, ZnCl₂ · 2H₂O, SnCl₄ · 5H₂O, and (NH₂)₂CS at a temperature T_S = 290°C. The electrophysical properties of the films have been analyzed using the model for polycrystalline materials with electrically active grain boundaries. The energy and geometric parameters of the grain boundaries have been determined as follows: the height of the barriers is E_b ≈ 0.045–0.048 eV, and the thickness of the depletion region is δ ≈ 3.25 nm. The effective concentrations of charge carriers p₀ = 3.16 × 10¹⁸ cm^–3 and their mobilities in crystallites μ_p = 85 cm²/(V s) have been found using the technique for determining the kinetic parameters from the absorption spectra of thin films at a photon energy hν ≈ E_g. The density of states at grain boundaries N_t = 9.57 × 10¹¹ cm^–2 has been estimated.     

Experimental Research to Confirm the Excitation of Gamov–Teller Resonance in Compound Nucleus <Superscript>118</Superscript>Sb

At proton energies of 4–9 MeV, trial experimental investigations were performed to confirm the excitation of Gamov–Teller resonance (GTR) 1⁺ in the compound nucleus ¹¹⁸Sb discovered by B.Ya. Guzhovskiy’s research group in the ¹¹⁷Sn(p,xn) reaction at proton energies of 7.2 MeV (the first component is GTR1) and 9.9MeV (the second component is GTR2). The ¹¹⁷Sn(p,xn) reaction was used, whose neutrons and background neutrons were registered by an all-wave long counter arranged at an angle of 140° to the direction of the proton beam propagation. Simultaneously, along with the registration of neutrons, elastically and inelastically scattered protons at angles of 20° and 160° were registered. At the proton energy equal to ~7.2 MeV, in the excitation functions for ¹¹⁷Sn(p,xn), ¹¹⁷Sn(p,p₀), and ¹¹⁷Sn(p,p₄)¹¹⁷Sn* (1004.5 keV, 3/2⁺), a resonance with a width of ≈1.2 MeV having an energy structure was discovered. Its possible quantum numbers are 1⁺.     

A new one-dimensional hybrid material lattice: AC conductivity and structural characterization of [C<Subscript>7</Subscript>H<Subscript>12</Subscript>N<Subscript>2</Subscript>][CdCl<Subscript>4</Subscript>]

The present paper reports the synthesis, crystal structure, ¹³C and ¹¹¹Cd cross-polarization magic-angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance(CP-MAS-NMR) analysis and ac conductivity for a new organic–inorganic hybrid salt, [C₇H₁₂N₂][CdCl₄]. The compound crystallizes in the triclinic system, space group P\( \overline 1 \), with unit cell dimensions: a?=?7.1050(3) Å, b?=?8.9579(3) Å, c?=?9.4482(3) Å, α?=?81.415(1)°, β?=?89.710(2)°, γ?=?85.765(1)°, V?=?592.97(4) Å³, and Z?=?2. The asymmetric unit is composed of one-2,4-diammonium toluene cation and one [CdCl₄]^2? anion. The Cd atom is in a slightly distorted octahedra coordination environment. Its structure can be described by infinite chains of CdCl₆ octahedron linked to organic cations by a strong charge-assisted N–H???Cl interactions in order to build organic–inorganic layers staked along \( \left[ {0\overline 1 1} \right] \) direction. The solid state ¹³C CP-MAS-NMR spectra has shown seven isotropic resonances, confirming the existence of seven non-equivalent carbon atoms, which is consistent with crystal structure determined by X-ray diffraction. As for ¹¹¹Cd MAS-NMR, it has shown one cadmium site with isotropic chemical shift observed at 167.2 ppm. The complex impedance of the compound has been investigated in the temperature range of 403–460 K and in the frequency range of 200 Hz–5 MHz. The impedance plots have shown semicircle arcs at different temperatures and an electrical equivalent circuit has been proposed to explain the impedance results. The circuits consist of the parallel combination of bulk resistance R _p and constant phase elements.     

Über die mathematische Struktur und eine Klasse strenger Lösungen der Jordanschen erweiterten Gravitationstheorie

Theβ-α. angular correlationW(Θ)=1+a cosΘ+cos² Θ of the decay of Li⁸ was measured for average electron energies ofE _β ≈5 MeV, 11 MeV and 12 MeV. The experiment yields an anisotropyA=(0·0036±0·0011)·E _β (MeV)^?1. This result is in good agreement with the results of the other groups. The measurements were performed in a counting chamber separated from the activation room simultaneously for two sealer positionsΘ=90° and 180°. The result is discussed in terms of the CVC-theory, taking into account the second forbidden Fermi-matrixelements (‖M1‖) and (‖E2‖).     

Structure and electrophysical properties of ferrocobaltites <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ln</Emphasis>BaFeCoO<Subscript>5 + δ</Subscript> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ln</Emphasis> = Tb,Dy, Ho,Y)

The ferrocobaltites LnBaFeCoO^{5 + δ} (Ln = Tb, Dy, Ho, Y) have been synthesized, and the parameters of their crystal structure have been determined. The thermal expansion, electrical resistivity ρ, and thermopower S of the synthesized compounds have been investigated in air at temperatures in the range from 300 to 1100 K. The compounds have a tetragonal structure (symmetry space group P4/mmm) with the unit cell parameters a = 3.9000 Å and c = 7.5922 Å (Ln = Tb, δ = 0.31), a = 3.8973 Å and c = 7.5679 Å (Ln = Dy, δ = 0.34), a = 3.8970 Å and c = 7.5507 Å (Ln = Ho, δ = 0.28), and a = 3.9029 Å and c = 7.5538 Å (Ln = Y, δ = 0.25). The ferrocobaltites under investigation are p-type semiconductors, and their electrical resistivity ρ and thermopower S decrease in the sequence Tb → Ho → Y → Dy (at room temperature). The linear thermal expansion coefficient of the LnBaFeCoO^{5 + δ} phases in the vicinity of the temperatures ranging from 465 to 535 K increases from (1.15?1.23) × 10^?5 to (1.73?1.93) × 10^?5 K^?1. The parameters of charge transfer in these ferrocobaltites have been determined. It has been found that an increase in the temperature leads to an increase in the excitation energy of charge carriers and a decrease in the activation energy of charge carrier transfer.     

Determination of the Spin–Spin Coupling Constant in Hydrogen Deuteride HD and Estimates of the Manifestation of Axion-Like Particles

An experimental value of the spin–spin coupling constant in deuterated molecular hydrogen HD has been obtained, J _pd = (43.112 ± 0.005) Hz (300 K), while investigating two gaseous samples at pressures of 95 and 155 atm. The experimental result does not coincide with Jpd = (43.31 ± 0.05) Hz that was calculated theoretically by Helkager et al. The observed discrepancy ΔJ _pd ≈ (0.20 ± 0.05 Hz) may point to a manifestation of the involvement of light pseudo-scalar (axion-like) bosons with a mass m _a ≈ 1 keV/c² in the spin–spin coupling of the HD proton and deuteron.     

X-ray reflectivity and photoelectron spectroscopy of superlattices with silicon nanocrystals

The structural properties and features of the chemical composition of SiO _x N _y /SiO₂, SiO _x N _y /Si₃N₄, and SiN _x /Si₃N₄ multilayer thin films with ultrathin (1–1.5 nm) barrier SiO₂ or Si₃N₄ layers are studied. The films have been prepared by plasma chemical vapor deposition and have been annealed at a temperature of 1150°С for the formation of silicon nanocrystals in the SiO _x N _y or SiN _x silicon-rich layers with a nominal thickness of 5 nm. The period of superlattices in the studied samples has been estimated by X-ray reflectivity. The phase composition of superlattices has been studied by X-ray electron spectroscopy using the decomposition of photoelectron spectra of the Si 2p, N 1s, and O 1s levels into components corresponding to different charge states of atoms.     

Crystalline and optical properties of Cd<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Zn<Subscript>1–<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>S (0.5 ≤ <Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis> ≤ 1) films doped with silver

The results from studying Cd _x Zn_1–x S (0.5 ≤ x ≤ 1) films fabricated via pyrolysis from thiourea coordination compounds of cadmium and zinc bromides doped with silver ions having impurity concentrations of 10^–7, 10^–6, 10^–5, 10^–4, and 10^–3 mol L^–1 in sputtered solutions are presented. Films prepared at 400°С have the wurtzite lattice. The bandgap of pure and doped films, determined from absorption spectra near the edge of fundamental absorption, varies linearly from 2.5 to 3.11 eV. An order of magnitude increase in the intensity of luminescence is observed after doping with silver.     

Stark shift of the CI 2479 Å spectral line of carbon

The Stark shift of the CI 2479 Å emission line of atomic carbon is measured in a broad range of electron densities between ~6 × 10¹⁶ and ~4 × 10¹⁸ cm^–3. It is established that the shift is linear and its value is significantly lower than that predicted by theory. The line shape is found to be dominated by the Stark effect at Т = 32 kK and electron concentration N _e ≈ 3.9 × 10¹⁸ cm^–3. The electron-impact and ion widths of this contour are in good agreement with the Grim data, while its total shift to longer wavelengths is found to be half that calculated theoretically.     

Boron–Carbon Nanocomposites Fabricated at High Pressures and Temperatures

Interaction of amorphous boron and C₆₀ fullerite is analyzed at pressures of 2.0 and 7.7. GPa and temperatures of 600–1800°C. Effect of pressure and temperature on the material structure is studied, temperatures for synthesis of boron carbide and diamond are found, and the sequence of transformations of the carbon component is determined. Ultrasonic method is used to measure elastic moduli of the samples, and the dependences of the moduli on the structure are analyzed. It is demonstrated that the boron–carbon nanocomposite synthesized at relatively low pressure (2.0 GPa) and temperature (about 1000°C) exhibits high elastic parameters (bulk modulus, B ≈ 75.3–84.0 GPa; Young modulus, E ≈ 108–119 GPa; and shear modulus, G ≈ 43–47 GPa at a density of about 2.2 g/cm³). The results can be used for development of novel nanocomposite materials.     

A new crystalline HMX polymorph: ɛ-HMX

A new crystalline HMX polymorph, ?-HMX, was obtained. ?-HMX crystals were studied by X-ray structure analysis, optical microscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry. Their space group is P2₁/c. The unit cell parameters are a = 21.799(3) Å, b = 10.913(2) Å, c = 10.819(2) Å, and β = 97.43(2)°, V = 2552.15 ų, Z = 4. ?-HMX molecules are not equivalent in crystals and have chair conformations. The heat of the polymorphic transition of ?-HMX into the δ-polymorph was measured. The transition occurred with the intermediate formation of β-HMX. The dependence between the heats of polymorphic transitions and the densities of crystals of various HMX polymorphs was demonstrated. The character of this dependence was to a substantial extent determined by the type of HMX molecule conformation.     

Low-temperature spray-pyrolysis of FeS2 films and their electrical and optical properties

Iron disulfide (FeS₂) films with a wide range of electrical resistivities 100 Ω cm ? ρ ? 800 kΩ cm, a high adhesion to the substrate, and a resistance to aggressive media have been prepared by the spray pyrolysis of aqueous solutions of the salts FeCl₃ · 6H₂O and (NH₂)₂CS at low temperatures in the range 250°C ? T _S ? 400°C. It has been found that the FeS₂ films have a high transmittance T ≈ 60–70% and are characterized by a sharp transmission edge. It has been shown that the optical band gap for direct (E _g ^op = 2.19–2.78 eV) and indirect (E _g ^′op = 1.26–1.36 eV) optical transitions depends on the conditions of film preparation.     

Thermal conductivity of high-porosity biocarbon precursors of white pine wood

This paper reports on measurements of the thermal conductivity κ and the electrical conductivity σ of high-porosity (cellular pores) biocarbon precursors of white pine tree wood in the temperature range 5–300 K, which were prepared by pyrolysis of the wood at carbonization temperatures (T _carb) of 1000 and 2400°C. The x-ray structural analysis has permitted the determination of the sizes of the nanocrystallites contained in the carbon framework of the biocarbon precursors. The sizes of the nanocrystallites revealed in the samples prepared at T _carb = 1000 and 2400°C are within the ranges 12–35 and 25–70 Å, respectively. The dependences κ(T) and σ(T) are obtained for samples cut along the tree growth direction. As follows from σ(T) measurements, the biocarbon precursors studied are semiconducting. The values of κ and σ increase with increasing carbonization temperature of the samples. Thermal conductivity measurements have revealed that samples of both types exhibit a temperature dependence of the phonon thermal conductivity κ_ph, which is not typical of amorphous (and amorphous to x-rays) materials. As the temperature increases, κ_ph first varies proportional to T, to scale subsequently as ～T ^1.7. The results obtained are analyzed.     

Das Kernquadrupolmoment des Mn55

With a recording photoelectric Fabry-Perot spectrometer and an atomic-beam light source the hyperfine structure of the Mn I-resonance linesλ=4031 Å,λ=4033 Å,λ=4034 Å (3d ⁵4s ² a ⁶ S _5/2?3d ⁵4s4p z ⁶ P _7/2,5/2,3/2 ⁰)and of the inter-combination linesλ=5395 Å andλ=5433 Å (3d ⁵4s ² a ⁶ S _5/2?3d ⁵4s4p z ⁸ P _7/2,5/2 ⁰) was measured. Furthermore the resonance lines have been measured with a pulsed atomic-beam in absorption. In this case the quotient (I ₀(ν)?I(ν))/I ₀(ν) was recorded, whereI(ν)=I ₀(ν) exp(?α(ν)d) is the observed intensity with absorption andI ₀(ν) the intensity of the light source. From the hyperfine structure splitting the value of the electric quadrupole moment of Mn⁵⁵ was derived to be:Q(Mn⁵⁵)=+(0.35±0.05)·10^?24 cm².