KLL Auger resonant Raman transition in metallic Cu and Ni

High energy resolution KL₂₃L₂₃ Auger spectra of polycrystalline Cu and Ni were measured using photon energies up to about 50 eV above the K-absorption edge and down to 5 eV (Cu KLL) and 4 eV (Ni KLL) below threshold. The spectra show strong satellite structures varying considerably as a function of the photon energy. In the sub-threshold region the linear dispersion of the diagram line energy positions and a distortion of the line shape as a function of photon energy, attributable to the Auger resonant Raman process, is clearly observed, indicating the one-step nature of the Auger emission. These changes in the resonant spectra are interpreted using a simple model based on resonant scattering theory in combination with partial density of states obtained from cluster molecular orbital (DV-Xα) calculations.     

Polarization-dependent gain and saturation energy density in a TE N2-laser amplifier

The polarization-dependent gain, g₀, and saturation energy density, E_s, in a TE N₂-laser amplifier were measured, using an oscillator-amplifier laser system for different amplifier electrode gap separations, d_AMP, of 7, 9 and 4 mm and gas pressure of p = 77, 60, and 165 Torr, respectively. It was realized that for the amplifier with the gap separation of 7 and 9 mm, where the pd_AMP-value has its optimum-value of 54 Torr cm, the gain-coefficient for the input beam with the polarization parallel to the discharge electrodes (P-polarized beam) is slightly higher than the case when the beam polarization is perpendicular to the discharge electrodes (S-polarized beam). In this case, the depolarization ratio for d_AMP = 7 mm is the range of ∼0.998 to ∼0.962 as the input voltage increases from 12 to 15.5 kV, having a minimum of 0.937 around 14 kV. For the E_s-parameter, the reversed order is true. Also, it was found that the saturation energy densities for three states of polarization are linearly related to the output energy densities, having different slopes of 0.11, 0.14, and 0.17 for R (randomly), P- and S-polarization, respectively. The present measurement supports qualitatively the prediction of polarization-inhomogeneity model for the stimulated emission cross-section, showing that randomly oriented dipoles exhibit slightly larger gain on the direction of the electric field.     

Transient differential reflectivity of ferromagnetic and paramagnetic phases in the bilayered manganite La1.24Sr1.76Mn2O7

Photoinduced effects in a single crystal of bilayered manganites, La_2−2xSr_1+2xMn₂O₇ (x=0.38), were investigated in a wide range of temperatures by pump-probe measurement at a photon energy of 1.6 eV. In a ferromagnetic metallic state, significant enhancement of positive rise in differential reflectivity with a slow relaxing time of 100 ps was observed just below T_C=127 K, indicating that the reflectivity change with the slow relaxation time constant is induced by laser heating. We have also observed an unconventional fast relaxing component that has a time constant of the order of 10 ps. This fast relaxing component, whose absolute value has an asymmetric peak at T_C, is presumably due to short-range correlation of Jahn-Teller distortion.     

Spontaneous emission from cylindrical atomic cloud: Collective eigenstates and non-local effects

We consider collective emission of a single photon stored in a cloud of N two-level atoms (with energy ?ω) confined inside an infinite cylinder and discuss eigenstates of this system, their decay rates and collective frequency shifts. We found that states with wave number k_z ≥ ω/c do not decay and analogous to guiding modes in dielectric waveguides. Evolution of such states is qualitatively different in local (Markovian) and non-local regimes. We found that in the Markovian regime there is no photon emission. In contrast, non-local (memory) effects result in emission and reabsorption of the photon so that probability to find atoms excited oscillates with a collective Rabi frequency. Cross-over between local and non-local behavior can be observed by increasing radius of the cylinder or wave number k_z of the excited atomic state. Similar behavior can also be observed in slab geometry and tested in synchrotron experiments on collective excitation of solid-state samples by increasing thickness of the nuclear layer.     

Enhancement of the secondary ion emission induced by fast clusters

The emission yields of the secondary ions are measured by using a conventional time of flight (TOF) technique under bombardments of Mg and C₂, Ni and Si₂ with different energies, and C_n, Si_n and Ni_n (n = 1-3) with the different charge states and with energy of 1.5 MeV per atom, respectively. For the bombardments of C_n, Si_n and Ni_n, the enhancements of the secondary ion emissions increase with increasing cluster sizes and charge states. For the bombardments of Mg and C₂, Ni and Si₂, although the mass and the nuclear charges of C₂ and Si₂ are the same as or equivalent to Mg or Ni, respectively, the enhancements of the secondary ion emissions induced by the clusters of C₂ and Si₂ in a wide energy range are also clearly indicated. The instantaneous collective interaction of the cluster constituents plays an important role in the secondary ion emissions.     

Characterization of scandia doped pressed cathode fabricated by spray drying method

Scandia doped pressed cathode was prepared by a new method of spray drying combined with two-step hydrogen reduction process. The Sc₂O₃ and barium-calcium aluminate co-doped powders have sub-micrometer size in the range of 0.1-1 μm and scandium oxide and barium-calcium aluminate are distributed evenly in the powders. The cathodes sintered by powder metallurgy at 1600 °C_b have a smooth surface and sub-micrometer grain structure with homogeneous distribution of scandium, barium, calcium and aluminum which are dispersed over and among the tungsten grains. This cathode has good emission, e.g., the current density of this cathode reaches 31.50 A/cm² at 850 °C_b. After proper activation, the cathode surface is covered by a Ba-Sc-O active substances layer with a preferable atomic ratio, leading to its good emission property. The evaporation activation energy of SDP cathode with 4.58 eV is the highest among the Ba-W, M-type and SDP cathodes, and the average evaporation velocity v_t of SDP cathode with 1.28 × 10⁻⁸ g cm⁻² s⁻¹ at 1150 °C_b is the lowest one.     

Sputtering yields of PMMA films bombarded by keV C60 ions

A quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) has been used to determine total-mass sputtering yields of PMMA films by 1-16 keV C₆₀^+,2+ ion beams. Quantitative sputtering yields for PMMA are presented as mass loss per incident ion Y_m. Mass-lost rate QCM data show that a 13 keV C₆₀ cluster leads to emission equivalent to 800 PMMA molecules per ion. The power law obtained for the increase in sputtering yield with primary ion energy is in good agreement those predicted by “thermal spike” regime and MD models, when crater sizes are used to estimate sputtering.     

Neon 3p-excitation by proton impact (100 keV-1 MeV): Cross sections and line polarization

The excitation of all ten levels of the neon 2p ⁵3p configuration by proton impact (100 keV-1 MeV) has been investigated by the spectral analysis of photon emission. Absolute emission cross sections have been obtained by calibration with a standard light source. Cascade effects are shown to be very important especially in the case ofJ=1 levels. For the 3p(¹ S ₀) level, which we studied additionally for electron impact excitation (100 eV-1 keV), our experimental cross sections are compared with the first Born approximation. Furthermore the polarization of sixteen 3p—3s emission lines has been measured as a function of impact energy. The energy dependence of the line polarization is characterized by theJ quantum numbers of the atomic states involved in the respective transition. An anomalous polarization of all lines originating from the decay ofJ=1 levels has been found and is referred to dominant cascade effects.     

A shock tube study of the auto-ignition of toluene/air mixtures at high pressures

The auto-ignition of toluene/air mixtures was studied in a shock tube at temperatures of 1021-1400 K, pressures of 10-61 atm, and equivalence ratios of Φ = 1.0, 0.5, and 0.25. Ignition times were measured using endwall OH∗ emission and sidewall piezoelectric pressure measurements. The measured pressure time-histories do not show significant pre-ignition energy release, in agreement with the rapid compression machine study of Mittal and Sung [G. Mittal, C.-J. Sung, Combust. Flame 150 (2007) 355-368] and disagreement with the shock tube study of Davidson et al. [D.F. Davidson, B.M. Gauthier, R.K. Hanson, Proc. Combust. Inst. 30 (2005) 1175-1182]. Kinetic modeling predictions from three detailed mechanisms are compared. Sensitivity analysis indicates that the reaction of toluene (C₆H₅CH₃) and the benzyl radical (C₆H₅CH₂) with molecular oxygen are important and examination of the rate coefficients for these reactions suggests that improved rate parameters for the multi-channel C₆H₅CH₂ + O₂ reaction may improve model predictions.     

Electrochemical investigation of the surface energy: Effect of the HF concentration on electroless silver deposition onto p-Si (1 1 1)

Electroless silver deposition onto p-silicon (1 1 1) from 0.005 mol l⁻¹ AgNO₃ solutions with different HF concentration was investigated by using an electrochemical direct current polarization method and open circuit potential-time (Ocp-t) technique. The fact that three-dimensional (3D) growth of silver onto silicon is favored with increasing the HF concentration was ascribed to the drop of the surface energy and approved by electrochemical direct current polarization, Ocp-t technique and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The drop slope of open-circuit potential, K_{−ΔE(OCP)/t}, was educed from the mixed-potential theory. K_{−ΔE(OCP)/t} as well as the deposition rate determined by an inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES), increased with the HF concentration, yet was not a linear function. Results were explained by the stress generation and relaxation mechanisms.     

Enhancement effect in photon-stimulated ion desorption for benzene adsorbed on silicon surfaces observed using angle-dependent technique

We have investigated photon-stimulated ion desorption from deuterated benzene (C₆D₆) adsorbed on Si(1 0 0) and Si(1 1 1) surfaces following C 1s core excitation. Using time-of-flight mass spectrometry combined with angle-dependent technique, we measured the dependences of mass-spectra of desorption ions on photon energies and on incident angle (θ) of synchrotron beam. We have found the ion yields for adsorbate-derived fragments of CD⁺ and CD₂⁺ are enhanced in very small angles of incident X-rays. Moreover, molecular orientation effect appeared in excitation energy dependences of D⁺ ions from the Si(1 0 0) and Si(1 1 1) surfaces; that is, ion yield spectra measured at θ = 10° are different from that at θ = 65°. Furthermore, it was found that desorption ion yields increase greatly with decreasing incident angles. The angular dependences are consistently similar for all ion species, excitation energies, and indexes of substrates. Possible desorption processes are described on the basis of the observations.     

Polarization of recoil protons from the reaction γp → π0p in the proton energy range 450–800 MeV

Measurement of secondary-proton polarization from the reaction γp → π⁰p have been performed in the proton energy range 500–800 MeV at c.m. pion emission angles 100°, 120°, 140°. The experiment was carried out using an optical spark chamber telescope at the output of the magnetic spectrometer. The obtained experimental data are included in a Walker-type analysis in order to verify the parameters of the resonances P₁₁(1470), D₁₃(1570) and S₁₁(1535). Proton polarization in the reaction γp → π⁰p was measured for a photon energy of 450 MeV at a c.m. pion emission angle of 105° using photons linearly polarized at 45° to the reaction plane. A liquid hydrogen target in the field of a superconducting magnet was used for the separation of the P_x′ and P_z′ components of the secondary-proton polarization vector.Data are obtained for three components (P_x′, P_y, P_z′) of the proton polarization. The obtained results are compared with predictions of different multipole analyses of photoproduction.     

Rotational and hyperfine spectra for a sandwich titanium complex, C5H5TiC7H7

Microwave spectroscopy measurements and density functional theory calculations are reported for the cyclopentadienyl cycloheptatrienyl titanium complex, C₅H₅TiC₇H₇. Rotational transition frequencies for this symmetric-top complex were measured in the 4-13 GHz range using a Flygare-Balle-type pulsed beam spectrometer. The spectroscopic constants obtained for the normal C₅H₅⁴⁸TiC₇H₇ isotopomer are B = 771.78907(38), D_J = 0.0000295(41), and D_JK = 0.001584(73) MHz. The quadrupole hyperfine splittings for C₅H₅⁴⁷TiC₇H₇ were clearly observed and the measured constants are B = 771.79024(32) MHz, D_J = 0.0000395(33), D_JK = 0.001646(24), and eQq_aa = 8.193(40) MHz. Analysis of the experimental and theoretical rotational constants indicates that the η⁷-C₇H₇Ti and η⁵-C₅H₅Ti bond lengths in the gas phase are about 0.02 Å longer than those reported for the solid-state X-ray structure. The calculated Ti-C bond lengths are shorter for the C₇H₇ ligand (r(Ti-C) = 2.21 Å) than for the C₅H₅ ligand (r(Ti-C) = 2.34 Å), and the C₇H₇ H atoms are displaced 0.15 Å out of the C₇ plane, toward the Ti atom.     

Electrical characterization of deep levels in n-type GaAs after hydrogen plasma treatment

Deep level transient spectroscopy (DLTS) and Laplace-DLTS (L-DLTS) have been used to investigate defects in an n-type GaAs before and after exposure to a dc hydrogen plasma (hydrogenation). DLTS revealed the presence of three prominent electron traps in the material in the temperature range 20-300 K. However, L-DLTS with its higher resolution enabled the splitting of two narrowly spaced emission rates. Consequently four electron traps at, E_C—0.33 eV, E_C—0.36 eV, E_C—0.38 eV and E_C—0.56 eV were observed in the control sample. Following hydrogenation, all these traps were passivated with a new complex (presumably the M3), emerging at E_C—0.58 eV. Isochronal annealing of the passivated material between 50 and 300 °C, revealed the emergence of a secondary defect, not previously observed, at E_C—0.37 eV. Finally, the effect of hydrogen passivation is completely reversed upon annealing at 300 °C, as all the defects originally observed in the reference sample were recovered.     

The orbital characters and kz dispersions of bands in iron-pnictide NaFeAs

The electronic structure and orbital characters of iron-pnictide NaFeAs have been studied by polarization dependent angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy. Some of the bands are mixed with the orbitals of opposite symmetries, which could be interpreted by the hybridization among the bands. According to the photon energy dependent experiment, the k_z dispersions of the bands that cross the Fermi energy are weak in both paramagnetic and spin density wave states. However, a band well below the Fermi level shows a k_z dispersion of 41 meV, which mainly contains the d_z² orbital.     

Microwave spectrum, molecular structure, and theoretical calculation of cyclohexanone oxime (chair form)

The microwave spectra of cyclohexanone oxime and d₁ (=NOD) and d₄(2,2,6,6-d₄) derivatives were observed in the frequency range from 8 to 40 GHz in the ground and excited vibrational states. The rotational constants were determined to be A = 3799.844(48), B = 1513.7912(23), and C = 1189.6118(29) MHz for normal species, A = 3791.835(88), B = 1461.0324(47), and C = 1157.5653(53) MHz for d₁ species, and A = 3364.141(49), B = 1487.9551(34), and C = 1154.0965(44) MHz for d₄ species in the ground vibrational state. The planar moments, P_bb (P_bb = (I_c + I_a − I_b)/2) of normal, d₁, and d₄ species were determined to be 111.9885(26), 111.9817(46), and 124.2394(49) uŲ, respectively. The almost same values of P_bb of normal and d₁ species suggest that the hydroxyl hydrogen atom is very close to the a-c plane. From the r_s coordinates of the hydroxyl hydrogen atom, the OH bond was found to be at the trans position with respect to the CN double bond. The conformation of cyclohexanone oxime was determined to be chair form by comparing the observed and calculated rotational constants, ΔI, and planar moments, and taking account of the calculated the relative energy difference, ΔE. The structural parameters, the three bond lengths, three bond angles, and three dihedral angles, were adjusted to the nine rotational constants observed. The bond angle of ∠C₂C₁N is much wider than that of ∠C₆C₁N by about 10°. The dihedral angles of ∠C₁C₂C₃C₄, ∠C₂C₃C₄C₅, and ∠C₃C₄C₅C₆ were determined to be 53.3(5), −57.2(5), and 57.2(5)°. Two vibrational modes were assigned to the ring-bending and ring-twisting ones, which are almost harmonic up to v = 3.     

Dynamical theory for photon and photoelectric pulse distributions in single molecule fluorescence

A single two-level molecule driven by CW-laser field and a photomultiplier tube (PMT) are considered as two parts of the united dynamical system connected with each other by photons of molecular fluorescence. Each PMT is characterized by a rate α of photo-effect and by a rate β of PMT recovery. A theory for the photon distribution function w_N(t) and for the photoelectric pulse distribution function f_n(t) for such a system is built up. If times 1/ α and 1/ β characterizing PMT are much shorter as compared to the average time interval 1/ k between two successively emitted photons of fluorescence, the photon and the photoelectron distribution functions coincide with each other, i.e. f_n(t) ≅ w_N(t). A relation between w_N(t) and f_n(t) is studied in detail for the case in which PMT works slower as compared to the rate k of photon emission, i.e. at 1/ α, 1/ β ≥ 1/ k.     

Down-conversion near infrared emission in Pr, Yb co-doped Y2O3 transparent ceramics

Pr³⁺, Yb³⁺ co-doped Y₂O₃ transparent ceramics have been prepared by the solid state reaction and vacuum sintering. Down-conversion near infrared emission has been demonstrated upon a 482 nm excitation. The energy of the 482 nm blue photon was first absorbed by Pr³⁺ and then delivered to Yb³⁺. Possible energy transfer mechanisms from Pr³⁺ to Yb³⁺ have been discussed. Under the 482 nm excitation, the Pr⁴⁺-Yb²⁺ charge transfer state would not seriously influence the energy transfer process. The dominant one should be either the cooperative down-conversion or the two-step photon emission. The efficient down-conversion near infrared emission has potential application in enhancing the conversion efficiency of crystalline silicon solar cells.     

A study of TaxC1−x coatings deposited on biomedical 316L stainless steel by radio-frequency magnetron sputtering

In this paper, Ta_xC_1−x coatings were deposited on 316L stainless steel (316L SS) by radio-frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering at various substrate temperatures (T_s) in order to improve its corrosion resistance and hemocompatibility. XRD results indicated that T_s could significantly change the microstructure of Ta_xC_1−x coatings. When T_s was <150 °C, the Ta_xC_1−x coatings were in amorphous condition, whereas when T_s was ≥150 °C, TaC phase was formed, exhibiting in the form of particulates with the crystallite sizes of about 15-25 nm (T_s = 300 °C). Atomic force microscope (AFM) results showed that with the increase of T_s, the root-mean-square (RMS) values of the Ta_xC_1−x coatings decreased. The nano-indentation experiments indicated that the Ta_xC_1−x coating deposited at 300 °C had a higher hardness and modulus. The scratch test results demonstrated that Ta_xC_1−x coatings deposited above 150 °C exhibited good adhesion performance. Tribology tests results demonstrated that Ta_xC_1−x coatings exhibited excellent wear resistance. The results of potentiodynamic polarization showed that the corrosion resistance of the 316L SS was improved significantly because of the deposited Ta_xC_1−x coatings. The platelet adhesion test results indicated that the Ta_xC_1−x coatings deposited at T_s of 150 °C and 300 °C possessed better hemocompatibility than the coating deposited at T_s of 25 °C. Additionally, the hemocompatibility of the Ta_xC_1−x coating on the 316L SS was found to be influenced by its surface roughness, hydrophilicity and the surface energy.     

On the formation and decomposition of C7H8

The kinetics of reactions on the C₇H₈ surface were studied with state-of-the-art ab initio transition state theory (TST) and master equation methodologies. A priori predictions of the capture rate for C₆H₅ + CH₃ and for C₇H₇ + H are obtained from direct variable reaction coordinate TST simulations. These simulations employ small basis set CASPT2 interaction energies coupled with one-dimensional reaction path corrections based on higher level simulations for related reactions. For the C₇H₇ + H reaction, predictions are obtained for both the total rate and for the branching between toluene, o-isotoluene and p-isotoluene. A mapping of the low energy pathways for isomerization from these three C₇H₈ isomers identifies a number of processes with barriers at or below the dissociation threshold. Nevertheless, at combustion temperatures the dissociation rates are predicted to exceed the isomerization rates, and it is reasonable to treat the kinetics of each isomer as a simple single well association/dissociation equilibrium. Master equation simulations yield predictions for the temperature and pressure dependence of each of the recombination and dissociation processes, as well as for the C₇H₇ + H → C₆H₅ + CH₃ bimolecular reaction. These simulations implement collisional energy transfer probabilities based on the work of Luther and co-workers. The theoretical predictions are found to be in satisfactory agreement with the available experimental data for the photodissociation of toluene, the temperature and pressure dependent dissociation of toluene, and the reaction of benzyl radical with H. For the C₆H₅ + CH₃ recombination, the theoretical predictions exceed the experimental measurements of Lin and coworkers by a factor of 2 or more for all temperatures.