Gold coatings on polyethyleneterephthalate nano-patterned by F2 laser irradiation

In this work we present periodic surface structures generated by linearly polarized F₂ laser light (157 nm) on polyethyleneterephthalate (PET). Atomic force microscopy was used to study the topological changes induced by the laser irradiation. The laser irradiation induces the formation of periodic ripple structures with a width of ca 130 nm and a height of about 15 nm in the fluence range 3.80-4.70 mJ/cm² and the roughness of the polymer surface increases due to the presence of these periodic structures. Subsequently, the laser modified PET foils were coated with a 50 nm thick gold layer by sputtering. After Au deposition on the PET foils with ripple structure, the roughness of surface decreases in comparison to PET with ripples without Au coating. For 50 nm thick Au layers, the ripple structure is not directly transferred to the gold coating, but it has an obvious effect on the grain size of the coating. With considerably thinner Au layers, the ripple structures are smoothened but preserved.     

Beam characterization and spatial coherence measurement of F2 laser using Lumilass glass fluorescence

This paper presents the spectral emission and saturation properties of a Lumilass G9 fluorescence glass excited using a 157 nm laser emitting ∼10 ns duration pulses. This fluorescence glass can be applied in conjunction with a CCD array for beam profiling and divergence measurements. This method can also be used for deriving information on the spatial coherence function of the F₂ laser. This constitutes one of the major contributions of the paper and is also discussed.     

预处理对355nm激光作用下熔石英损伤增长的影响

测试了经化学蚀刻、紫外激光预处理及其共同处理后的熔石英355 nm激光损伤阈值;研究了处理前后其损伤斑面积随激光辐照脉冲数的增长情况。结果表明,处理后熔石英355 nm激光损伤阈值得到了提高,且损伤斑面积增长变慢。利用CO2激光对熔石英表面损伤点进行了修复处理,修复后的损伤点R-on-1抗损伤阈值和基底阈值相当,损伤增长得到有效抑制。     

12CH2F2 and13CH2F2far-infrared lasers: New lines and frequency measurements

We report here the discovery of 13 new far-infrared laser lines from¹²CH₂F₂ and seven new lines from¹³CH₂F₂. Most of the new lines were pumped by high-J lines of the 9R branch of a cw-CO₂ laser. Wavelengths range from 97.6 to 616.18 μm. Frequency, pump offset, relative polarization, and relative intensity were measured for most of the new lines.     

Frequencies and wavelengths from a new, efficient FIR lasing gas: CD2F2

We report for the first time wavelength, relative polarization, and frequency measurements for 47 new cw FIR laser lines in the wavelength region from 120 to 1714 m, all obtained by optically pumping CD₂F₂ with a CO₂ laser. Relative output powers were also measured. For comparison, the 189.8 m line pumped by R_I(34) is nearly five times as efficient as the 118.8 m methyl alcohol line.Contribution of the U.S. Government, not subject to copyright.     

亚纳米厚的氧化铝包裹层可以显著提高负载型金纳米颗粒催化剂的热稳定性

负载型金纳米颗粒催化剂在许多催化反应中展现出非常好的催化活性,但是金纳米颗粒在高温等反应条件下容易烧结团聚,极大地限制了金催化剂的应用。利用原子层沉积技术在Au/TiO₂催化剂表面分别精确沉积了一层超薄的二氧化钛和氧化铝包裹层,并对比研究了包裹层对金纳米颗粒的热稳定性影响。原位红外漫反射CO吸附和x-射线光电子能谱数据证实了氧化物包裹层的存在。发现亚纳米厚的氧化铝包裹层能够在600 C完全避免金纳米颗粒的团聚;相反,二氧化钛包裹层对金纳米颗粒稳定性的提高没有明显效果。通过CO氧化探针反应的活性测试,发现随着煅烧温度的升高氧化铝包裹的Au/TiO₂ 催化剂的活性逐渐提高,表明高温处理可以促进被包裹金原子的暴露并表现出催化活性。提供了提高金纳米颗粒稳定性的有效方法,为拓展金催化剂在条件苛刻的反应中的应用奠定了技术基础.     

Optically pumped submillimeter laser lines from CH2F2 and CD2Cl2 using a12C18O2 CW laser

Thirty-nine new submillimetre laser lines in CH₂F₂ and twelve in CD₂Cl₂ have been obtained in a Fabry-Perot FIR resonator by optically pumping with a CW¹²C¹⁸O₂ laser. The wavelength range obtained for CH₂F₂ is 126m to 1091m and for CD₂Cl₂ 212m to 774m. The wavelength measurements are accurate to within 5.10^–3. The relative polarisations of the pump laser and the FIR laser output were also determined. Tentative assignments of the IR and FIR transitions were made using existing microwave data.     

Thermal infrared cross-sections of C2F6 at atmospheric temperatures

Spectral absorption cross-sections, k_ν (), have been measured in the 8.0 and bands of C₂F₆. Temperature and total (N₂-broadening) pressure have been varied to represent the conditions specified in various models of the terrestrial atmosphere so that the absorption cross-sections can be applied directly to the optical remote-sensing of C₂F₆ in the atmosphere. The measured absolute intensities of the 8.0 and the bands are (1.636±0.003)×10⁻¹⁶ and (, respectively.     

Enhanced nonlinear optical absorption of Au/SiO2 nano-composite thin films

Nano metal-particle dispersed glasses are the attractive candidates for nonlinear optical material applications.Au/SiO 2 nano-composite thin films with 3 vol% to 65 vol% Au are prepared by inductively coupled plasma sputtering.Au particles as perfect spheres with diameters between 10 nm and 30 nm are uniformly dispersed in the SiO 2 matrix.Optical absorption peaks due to the surface plasmon resonance of Au particles are observed.The absorption property is enhanced with the increase of Au content,showing a maximum value in the films with 37 vol% Au.The absorption curves of the Au/SiO 2 thin films with 3 vol% to 37 vol% Au accord well with the theoretical optical absorption spectra obtained from Mie resonance theory.Increasing Au content over 37 vol% results in the partial connection of Au particles,whereby the intensity of the absorption peak is weakened and ultimately replaced by the optical absorption of the bulk.The band gap decreases with Au content increasing from 3 vol% to 37 vol % but increases as Au content further increases.     

Examination of CO2 laser-induced rapid solidification structures on magnesia partially stabilised zirconia and the effects thereof on wettability characteristics

The formation mechanism of rapidly solidified microstructures in a magnesia partially stabilised zirconia (MgO-PSZ) following CO₂ laser radiation has been investigated. The influence of laser processing parameters on the microstructures of this material was analysed based on a review of the basic concepts of solidification, the theories of constitutional suppercooling and morphological stability. The different microstructures that were brought about by various laser parameters and appeared across the same track were examined based on the CO₂ laser beam profile of a transverse electromagnetic mode (TEM₀₁). The contact angle measurement revealed a better wettability characteristic of CO₂-laser-modified MgO-PSZ. The clear differences were observed in the change in contact angle for glycerol across the range of rapid solidification microstructures obtained with various power densities. It was therefore determined that the degree of rapid surface resolidification could be the most predominant element governing the wettability characteristics of the MgO-PSZ. The sharp reduction of contact angle for glycerol took place when the cellular microstructure appeared and might be accompanied by the onset of melting on the modified surface of the MgO-PSZ. Moreover, the CO₂ laser treatment also brought about the change in the surface oxygen content and surface roughness. The analysis showed that surface oxygen content was also an influential factor in changing the wettability characteristics of the MgO-PSZ, whilst surface roughness was found to play an insignificant role. The work provides the clear evidence that laser radiation can be a workable and controllable technique to modify the wetting characteristic of the MgO-PSZ.     

Frequencies of cw FIR laser lines from optically pumped CH2F2

The frequencies of 48 optically pumped cw FIR CH₂F₂ laser lines have been measured relative to stabilized CO₂ lasers. Uncertainties are estimated to be about 5 parts in 10⁷.     

Influence of overcoat on laser-induced damage threshold of 532 and 800 nm TiO2/SiO2 high reflectors

TiO₂/SiO₂ high reflectors with and without a SiO₂ overcoat are deposited by electron-beam evaporation. The film properties are characterized by visible spectrometry measures, structure analysis, roughness and laser-induced damage threshold (LIDT) tests, surface defects and damage morphology observation. The effects of overcoats on LIDT at 532 nm, 8 ns and 800 nm, 220 ps laser pulses are investigated. The relations between film structure, roughness, surface defects, electric field and LIDT are discussed. It is found that overcoats can increase the LIDT at these two laser wavelengths. The reduction of peak temperature, the low defects density and roughness, the low intrinsic absorption of SiO₂ and its amorphous structure are the main reasons for LIDT improvement by overcoats.     

Influences of CO2 laser annealing on mechanical and laser-induced damage properties of ZrO2 thin films

Zirconium dioxide (ZrO₂) thin films were deposited on BK7 glass substrates by the electron beam evaporation method. A continuous wave CO₂ laser was used to anneal the ZrO₂ thin films to investigate whether beneficial changes could be produced. After annealing at different laser scanning speeds by CO₂ laser, weak absorption of the coatings was measured by the surface thermal lensing (STL) technique, and then laser-induced damage threshold (LIDT) was also determined. It was found that the weak absorption decreased first, while the laser scanning speed is below some value, then increased. The LIDT of the ZrO₂ coatings decreased greatly when the laser scanning speeds were below some value. A Nomarski microscope was employed to map the damage morphology, and it was found that the damage behavior was defect-initiated both for annealed and as-deposited samples. The influences of post-deposition CO₂ laser annealing on the structural and mechanical properties of the films have also been investigated by X-ray diffraction and ZYGO interferometer. It was found that the microstructure of the ZrO₂ films did not change. The residual stress in ZrO₂ films showed a tendency from tensile to compressive after CO₂ laser annealing, and the variation quantity of the residual stress increased with decreasing laser scanning speed. The residual stress may be mitigated to some extent at proper treatment parameters.     

Frequency measurements on far-infrared emissions from12C16O2-pumped methyl chloride and from12C18O2-pumped difluoromethane

The frequencies of 42 far-infrared laser lines have been measured by mixing with high-order harmonics of microwave frequencies in a Josephson junction. A total of 5 emissions between 334 and 1887 m have been measured from¹²C¹⁶O₂-pumped methyl chloride (CH₃Cl) and 37 emissions between 116 and 1092 m in¹²C¹⁸O₂-pumped difluoromethane (CH₂F₂). Additional data is given on the laser emission characteristics.Division of Electrical Science, National Physical Laboratory     

Formation of helium bubbles and dislocation loops in tritium-charged vanadium

Dislocation loops and small He bubbles were observed by transmission electron microscopy in V samples which were tritium-charged to produce single α-phase and (α+ β) two-phase regions and subsequently aged up to 14 months at room temperature and at — 196°C. In the β-phase areas, large densities of He bubbles, 1–2 nm in diameter and dislocation loops were observed. Preliminary observations after 14 months of ageing showed that the loop pattern had coarsened into a dislocation network. In the α-phase areas, bubbles and tube-shaped cavities were found along dislocations and in dislocation tangles. Also, isolated bubbles which had grown by prismatic loop punching were observed. In low-angle grain boundaries bubbles were formed at dislocations. These results show that microstructures similar to those observed after energetic He implantation can form in the absence of irradiation-induced defects. It is concluded that He must be mobile at room temperature in both phases and precipitates by a mechanism which does not require He trapping in vacancies as a first step.     

Effects of deposition parameters on laser-induced damage threshold of Ta2O5 films

Ta₂O₅ films were deposited on BK7 substrates by e-beam evaporation with different deposition parameters such as substrate temperature (323-623 K), oxygen pressure (0.5-3.0×10⁻² Pa) and deposition rate (0.2-0.5 nm/s). Absorption, scattering and chemical composition were investigated by surface thermal lensing (STL) technique, total integrated scattering (TIS) measurement and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), respectively. The laser-induced damage threshold (LIDT) was assessed using pulsed Nd:YAG 1064 nm laser at a pulse length of 12 ns. The results showed that optical properties, absorption and LIDT were influenced by the deposition parameters and annealing. However, scattering was little correlated with the deposition parameters. On the whole, the LIDT increased with increasing substrate temperature and oxygen pressure, whereas it increased firstly and then decreased upon increasing deposition rate. After annealing at 673 K for 12 h, the LIDT of films improved significantly. The dependence of possible damage mechanism on deposition parameters was discussed.     

Size-selected Au clusters deposited on SiO2/Si: Stability of clusters under ambient pressure and elevated temperatures

This study examined the oxidation and reduction behavior of mass-selected Au clusters consisting of 2-13 atoms deposited on silica. An atomic oxygen environment was used for the oxidation of Au. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was used to identify Au(III) and Au(O). Au₅, Au₇ and Au₁₃ clusters deposited on the as-prepared SiO₂/Si substrates were highly inert towards oxidation, whereas the other clusters could be oxidized, i.e. the chemical property drastically changed with the number of atoms in a cluster. The size-selectivity in chemical reactivity remained unchanged upon air-exposure. The chemical properties of the deposited Au clusters were unchanged after annealing at 250 °C. Annealing at higher temperatures caused structural changes to the surface, as determined by the oxidation behavior. XPS of the deposited Au clusters upon annealing indicated charge transfer from Au to silica.     

Multireference second-order Brillouin–Wigner perturbation theory§

The multireference, state-specific, second-order, Brillouin–Wigner perturbation theory (MR-BWPT2) is presented. A posteriori corrections are made which, in the case of a single reference function, recover the well-known formula of second-order many-body perturbation theory, i.e. Møller–Plesset ‘MP2’ theory, and in the multireference case suppress terms which scale non-linearly with the number of electrons in the system. Prototype calculations are reported for the (H₂)₄ model in which the degree of quasi-degeneracy can be varied by changing a single geometric parameter. The calculated total energies obtained by a second-order Brillouin–Wigner treatment are compared with those supported by CAS-MP2 (complete active space self-consistent field followed by second-order Møller–Plesset-like treatment of dynamic correlation effects), by MR-BWCC (multireference Brillouin–Wigner coupled cluster expansion), and by full configuration interaction. MR-BWPT2 provides a theoretical apparatus comparable to the widely used MP2 theory, but which can be applied to quantum chemical problems requiring a multireference formalism.     

溶胶-凝胶ZrO2-TiO2高折射率光学膜层的抗激光损伤性能研究

采用溶胶-凝胶方法制备了ZrO₂-TiO₂(Ti含量为0—100mol%)高折射率光学薄膜. 借助激光动态光散射技术研究溶胶微结构. 采用傅里叶变换红外光谱、原子力显微镜、薄膜光学常数分析仪、漫反射吸收光谱及强激光辐照实验，对膜层的结构、光学性能及抗激光损伤性能进行了系统表征. 结果显示，溶胶-凝胶工艺可以在部分牺牲折射率的情况下，使膜层的抗激光损伤性能得到大幅度提升. 随Ti含量从0mol%增加至100mol%，膜层的平均损伤阈值呈下降趋势，当Ti含量从0mol%增加至60mol%时，平均损伤阈值从57.1J/cm²下降到21.1J/cm²(辐照激光波长为1053nm，脉冲宽度为10ns，“R/1”测试模式)，当Ti含量从60mol%增加至100mol%时，平均损伤阈值变化很小. 综合溶胶微结构、膜层光学性能和损伤实验结果可以推断，强激光诱导多光子吸收是引起膜层损伤的主要原因. 不同配比的复合膜之间光学带隙的显著差异导致相同辐照激光情况下多光子吸收的概率发生变化，从而导致损伤阈值的规律性变化. 关键词： 2-TiO₂薄膜')" href="#">ZrO₂-TiO₂薄膜 溶胶-凝胶 激光诱导损伤 光学带隙     

Investigation of annealing effects on the laser-induced damage threshold of amorphous Ta2O5 films

Ta₂O₅ films were deposited using the conventional electron beam evaporation method and then annealed at temperatures in the range 373-673 K. Chemical composition, scattering and absorption were examined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), total integrated scattering (TIS) measurement and the surface thermal lensing (STL) technique, respectively. The laser-induced damage threshold (LIDT) was assessed using the output from an Nd:YAG laser with a pulse length of 12 ns. The results showed that the improvement of the LIDT after annealing was due to the reduced substoichiometric and structural defects present in the film. The LIDT increased slightly below 573 K and then increased significantly with increase in annealing temperature, which could be attributed to different dominant defects. Moreover, the root mean square (RMS) roughness and scattering had little effect on the LIDT, while the absorption and the LIDT were in accord with a general relation.