Contactless density measurement of high-temperature BiFeO<Subscript>3</Subscript> and BaTiO<Subscript>3</Subscript>

The density of liquid and undercooled BiFeO₃ and high-temperature solid, liquid, and undercooled BaTiO₃ was measured with an electrostatic levitation furnace. The density was obtained with an ultraviolet-based imaging technique that allowed excellent sample contrast throughout all phases of processing, including at elevated temperatures. Over the 1250- to 1490-K temperature range, the density of liquid BiFeO₃ can be expressed as _L(T)=6.70×10³–1.31(T-T_m)(kgm^-3) (±2 per cent) with T_m=1423 K, yielding a volume coefficient of thermal expansion _L(T)=1.9×10^-4 K^-1. For BaTiO₃, the density of the solid can be expressed as _S(T)=5.04×10³–0.21(T-T_m) (T_m=1893 K) over the 1220- to 1893-K range, yielding a volume coefficient of thermal expansion _S(T)=4.2×10^-5 K^-1, whereas that of the liquid can be expressed as _L(T)=4.04×10³-0.34(T-T_m) over the 1300- to 2025-K range with _L(T)=8.4×10^-5 K^-1. PACS 77.84.-s; 81.05.Je; 81.20.n     

Interaction of running gratings of the space charge and conductivity in photorefractive Bi<Subscript>12</Subscript>Si(Ti)O<Subscript>20</Subscript> crystals

The simultaneous excitation and nonlinear interaction of the space-charge and photoconductivity gratings are studied experimentally in photorefractive Bi₁₂SiO₂₀ and Bi₁₂TiO₂₀. The measurements are performed using the diffraction technique, which implies the illumination of the crystal by an oscillating interference pattern (_r=532 nm) along with the application of dc and ac electric fields and detection of the diffracted probe beam (_p=650 nm). Such illumination excites the running photoconductivity grating, which interacts with the ac component of the applied field giving rise to the space-charge wave. Being the eigenmode of the space-charge oscillations, this wave reveals itself as a low-frequency resonant maximum at the frequency-transfer function of the detected signal. The drift mobilities of electrons are estimated using the developed technique: =(1.1–1.4)×10^-2 cm²/Vs (Bi₁₂SiO₂₀, T=296–298 K) and =2.8×10^-3 cm²/Vs (Bi₁₂TiO₂₀, T=293 K). PACS 42.65.Sf; 42.70.Nq     

Effects of thickness on the infrared optical properties of Ba<Subscript>0.9</Subscript>Sr<Subscript>0.1</Subscript>TiO<Subscript>3</Subscript> ferroelectric thin films

Using infrared spectroscopic ellipsometry (IRSE), the optical properties of the Ba_0.9Sr_0.1TiO₃ (BST) ferroelectric thin films with different film thicknesses on Pt/Ti/SiO₂/Si substrates prepared by a modified sol-gel method have been investigated in the 2.5–12.6 m wavelength range. By fitting the measured ellipsometric parameter ( and ) data with a three-phase model (Air/BST/Pt) and the classical dispersion relation for the BST thin films, the optical constants and thicknesses of the thin films have been obtained. The average thickness of the single layer decreases with increasing film thickness. The refractive index of the BST films decreases with increasing thickness in the wavelength range 2.5–11 m, and increases with increasing thickness in the wavelength range 11–12.6 m. However, the extinction coefficient of the BST films monotonously decreases with increasing thickness. It is closely associated with the crystallinity of the thin films, the crystalline size effect and the influence of the interface layer. The absorption coefficient of the BST films with different thicknesses decreases with increasing thickness. PACS 77.55.+f; 78.20.Ci; 78.30.Am; 81.70.Fy; 81.40.Tv     

Large magnetic entropy change in Nd<Subscript>2/3</Subscript>Sr<Subscript>1/3</Subscript>MnO<Subscript>3</Subscript>

In order to search for new materials for the application of magnetic refrigeration, the polycrystalline perovskite compound Nd_2/3Sr_1/3MnO₃ was prepared by a solid-state method. The dependence of the magnetization on the applied field and temperature was measured near the Curie temperature. In terms of Maxwells equation, the temperature dependence of the absolute value of the isothermal magnetic entropy change |S_M| at various applied fields from 1 T to 5 T was determined. The results showed that a large magnetic entropy change was observed in this compound. The maximum magnetic entropy change |S_M^max|can reach 3.25 J/kgK with an applied field of 1 T at the Curie temperature of 257.5 K, which equals that of Gd. At 5 T applied field, it is 7.57 J/kgK. Such good magnetocaloric properties make this compound a promising candidate for the application of magnetic refrigeration in the room-temperature range. PACS 74.25.Ha; 75.30.-m; 75.30.Sg; 75.50.-y; 75.60.-d     

Relationship between low frequency dielectric dispersion and ferroelectric phase transition in pulsed-laser-deposited Bi<Subscript>4-x</Subscript>La<Subscript>x</Subscript>Ti<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>12</Subscript> thin film

The frequency and temperature dependence of the complex dielectric constant of Bi_4-xLa_xTi₃O₁₂ (BLT, x=0.9) ferroelectric thin film was studied in the frequency range of 10^-110⁶ Hz and the temperature range of 298673 K. A low frequency dielectric dispersion (LFDD) was found. A model was proposed to account for this observed phenomena. The complex dielectric constant data obtained in the measured frequency and temperature ranges have been found to fit very well to the dielectric dispersion relation: ^*=+i/₀+[B(i)^n-1]/₀. The knee in the log of the electrical conductivity versus the reciprocal temperature curve occurs at T_c. The activation energies associated with charge conduction are E_a,II=0.73 eV below T_c and E_a,I=0.95 eV above T_c. The occurrence of an anomaly in both the n and parameters near T_c indicates a coupling between charge carries and phonons. PACS 77.55.+f; 77.80.-e; 77.22.Jp     

Crystal structure and dielectric properties of a new complex perovskite oxide Ba<Subscript>2</Subscript>LaSbO<Subscript>6</Subscript>

The crystal structure and dielectric properties of a new perovskite material Ba₂LaSbO₆ are reported. Ba₂LaSbO₆ was synthesized for the first time by conventional solid state reaction process. X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements and Rietveld analysis revealed that, contrary to the other Ba₂RESbO₆ (RE=Rare-Earth other than La) complex perovskites, which are cubic, Ba₂LaSbO₆ crystallizes in a monoclinic system having space group P2₁/n. Dielectric properties of Ba₂LaSbO₆ at frequencies up to 40 GHz and in temperatures ranging from 50 to 350 K were determined by analyzing the resonant modes in cavities totally filled with the measured material. The dielectric constant ()=15.8±0.2% and at 77 K loss factor (tg)9×10^-4. Preliminary studies reveal that at the processing temperatures, Ba₂LaSbO₆ do not react with YBa₂Cu₃O_7- (YBCO) and Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O_x [Bi (2212)] superconductors. Having appropriate dielectric properties along with chemical stability with superconductors Ba₂LaSbO₆ can be used as a precursor as substrate for deposition of various passive HTS devices, or as an insulator in the active SIS structures. PACS 61.66.Fn; 61.10.Nz; 77.22.-d; 74.72.-h     

Comparative study of hydrofullerides C<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Bold">60</Emphasis></Subscript>H<Subscript><Emphasis Type="BoldItalic">x</Emphasis></Subscript> synthesized by direct and catalytic hydrogenation

Hydrofullerides with hydrogen content up to 5 wt.% were obtained by direct and catalytic reactions with H₂ gas. Hydrogen content was monitored in situ using a gravimetric system, and verified by chemical analysis ex situ. It was found that pure C₆₀ reacts rapidly when exposed to H₂ gas at 673 K and 50–100 bar. Gravimetric study of this reaction showed that hydrogenation is saturated at about 5 wt.% of hydrogen. The mass of the sample goes through a maximum and with a longer reaction time its weight starts to decrease. This proves that hydrofullerides with high hydrogen content are not stable and strong hydrogenation results in the collapse of C₆₀ molecules. XRD studies showed that samples prepared by direct hydrogenation without a catalyst retain an original fcc structure with an increase of the cell parameter a up to 15.1 Å. Catalytic hydrogenation of C₆₀ with H₂ gas results in a decrease of the reaction temperature and formation of hydrofullerides with different types of crystal structures. PACS 61.48.+c; 61.10.Nz; 81.05.Tp     

Temperature effects in proton exchanged LiNbO<Subscript>3</Subscript> waveguides

Temperature effects on single, homogeneous phases of proton exchanged LiNbO₃ waveguides have been studied. The refractive index of -phase guides on z-cut and x-cut congruent substrates monotonically increases with temperature, the thermo-optical coefficient being similar to that of the substrate. In ₂-phases on z-cut congruent substrates and in ₁-phases on z-cut and x-cut congruent and quasi-stoichiometric substrates, the thermo-optical coefficient is smaller than that of the substrate below 60 °C and higher above this temperature. A rather similar effect has been observed in ₁-phases on z-cut and x-cut congruent substrates in the linear expansion coefficient. The microscopic origin of the phase transition is not known for the moment. PACS Provide PACS codes please.     

A Generalized Hypergeometric Function II. Asymptotics and <Emphasis Type="Italic">D</Emphasis><Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">4</Emphasis></Subscript> Symmetry

In previous work we introduced and studied a function that generalizes the hypergeometric function. In this paper we focus on a similarity-transformed function , with parameters ⁴ related to the couplings c⁴ by a shift depending on a ₊ , a _– . We show that the -function is invariant under all maps w(), with w in the Weyl group of type D ₄ . Choosing a ₊ , a _– positive and real, we obtain detailed information on the |Re v| asymptotics of the -function. In particular, we explicitly determine the leading asymptotics in terms of plane waves and the c-function that implements the similarity R.     

Microscopic bonding and macroscopic strain relaxations at Si-SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> interfaces

Optical second harmonic generation studies of the temperature dependence of the phase angle differences from contributions of terrace and edge bonding at silicon–silicon dioxide interfaces prepared on vicinal Si(111) wafers have revealed an interface relaxation process at an annealing temperature between 850 and 900 °C. Complementary studies by synchrotron soft X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy have established that this relaxation is associated with changes in the concentration and composition of local suboxide bonding environments in an ultrathin, interfacial transition region that is approximately one molecular layer thick. This relaxation occurs at a significantly lower temperature than an approximately 990±10 °C relaxation of macroscopic compressive strain in the bulk of the SiO₂ film. This paper establishes an analogy between i) the Si–SiO₂ interface in which there is a transition from a rigid substrate, Si, to an ideal continuous random covalent network, SiO₂, in which the average number of bonding constraints/atom matches the network dimensionality, and ii) a concentration dependent transition between under- and over-constrained local bonding in non-crystalline glass alloys such as Ge_xSe_1-x. The interfacial suboxide transition region is demonstrated to have properties in common with a regime of alloy compositions in which self-organization reduces bond constraint induced strain, thereby stabilizing these compositions against aging as for example in time-dependent changes in the glass transition temperature. These comparisons provide important new insights into defect formation at Si–SiO₂ interfaces, as well as interfaces between Si and alternative high-k dielectrics being considered for advanced Si devices including Al₂O₃ and transition metal silicate alloys, e.g., (ZrO₂)_x(SiO₂)_1-x. This new perspective is also extended to interfaces between GaN and SiO₂, where the interfacial transition region is a suboxide of Ga, GaO_x, with x<1.5. PACS 85.30.Tv; 42.65.-k; 79.40.+z; 73.20.-r; 77.55.+f     

Growth of polycrystalline LaNi<Subscript>1-x</Subscript>Co<Subscript>x</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> (<Emphasis Type="BoldItalic">x</Emphasis> =0.3,0.5) thin films on Si(100) by pulsed laser deposition

Polycrystalline LaNi_1-xCo_xO₃ (x=0.5,0.3) thin films have been deposited on polished Si(100) substrates by pulsed laser deposition. The films are grown at 650 °C in ambient oxygen pressure of 0.4 mbar with an incident laser fluence of 1.5 J/cm² delivered by a KrF excimer laser. The lattice parameters of the as-grown films are slightly larger (0.05–0.4%) than those of the powders used to prepare the targets. The films exhibit weak texturing along the (012) direction. The low-temperature magnetic properties of the films, i.e. the coercive force, the remanence and the saturation magnetization, are enhanced compared to the powders. Furthermore, the x=0.3 film exhibits a low, almost temperature-independent resistivity above 200 K [(300 K)30 cm] and thus we propose it as a potential candidate material for electrode applications, e.g. in ferroelectric devices. PACS 68.55.-a; 73.61.-r; 81.15.Fg     

On the survival probability of a random walk in a finite lattice with a single trap

We consider the survival of a random walker in a finite lattice with periodic boundary conditions. The initial position of the random walker is uniformly distributed on the lattice with respect to the trap. We show that the survival of a random walker, U _n>, can be exactly related to the expected number of distinct sites visted on a trap-free lattice by U _n=1–S _n/N ^D (*) whereN ^D is the number of lattice points inD dimensions. We then analyze the behavior of S_n in any number of dimensions by using Tauberian methods. We find that at sufficiently long times S _n decays exponentially withn in all numbers of dimensions. InD = 1 and 2 dimensions there is an intermediate behavior which can be calculated and is valid forN ²N 1 whenD = 1 andN lnN n 1 whenD = 2. No such crossover exists when Z3. The form of (*) suggests that the single trap approximation is indeed a valid low-concentration limit for survival on an infinite lattice with a finite concentration of traps.     

Structural and optical characterization of polycrystalline CdSe<Subscript>x</Subscript>Te<Subscript>1-x</Subscript> thin films

Solid solutions of CdSe_xTe_1-x (0.7x1) were synthesized by vacuum fusion of stoichiometric amounts of CdSe and CdTe constituents in a silica tube. X-ray and electron microscope diffractometry techniques revealed that the CdSe_xTe_1-x thin films were polycrystalline with a hexagonal structure. The variation of lattice constants with composition was found to obey Vegards law. The compositional dependence of the optical constants, the refractive index n and the absorption index k, of the films was determined in the spectral range of 400–2000 nm. The dispersion of the refractive index of the films could be described using the Wemple–DiDomenico single oscillator model. Changes of the dispersion parameters were also studied as a function of the mole fraction x. A plot representing ²=f(h) showed that the CdSe_xTe_1-x thin films of different compositions have two direct transitions corresponding to the energy gaps E_g and E_g+. The variation in either E_g or E_g+ with x indicates that this system belongs to the amalgamation type. The variation follows a quadratic dependence and the bowing parameters were found to be 0.4 and 0.5 eV, respectively. PACS 78.20.-e; 81.15.-z     

Levels in <Superscript>127</Superscript>La fed by the <Superscript>127</Superscript>Ce beta-decay

The low-lying levels in ¹²⁷La have been studied through the -decay of ¹²⁷Ce ( T_1/2 = 29s) produced by bombarding a ^natMo target with a 185-MeV ³⁵Cl beam. Reaction products were on-line mass-separated, and -ray singles and - coincidence measurements were performed. Conversion electrons were also measured and multipolarities of transitions have been derived. The half-life of the 210.9-keV level was determined to be (1.9±0.3)ns by the - delayed coincidence technique. The level scheme obtained has been compared with calculations based on the Nilsson model.     

Equilibrium points of the tilted perfect fluid Bianchi VI<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">h</Emphasis></Subscript> state space

We present the full set of evolution equations for the spatially homogeneous cosmologies of type VI_h filled with a tilted perfect fluid and we provide the corresponding equilibrium points of the resulting dynamical state space. It is found that only when the group parameter satisfies h > –1 a self-similar solution exists. In particular we show that for h > – there exists a self-similar equilibrium point provided that whereas for h < – the state parameter belongs to the interval (1, . This family of new exact self-similar solutions belongs to the subclass n = 0 having non-zero vorticity. In both cases the equilibrium points have a six-dimensional stable manifold and may act as future attractors at least for the models satisfying n = 0. Also we give the exact form of the self-similar metrics in terms of the state and group parameter. As an illustrative example we provide the explicit form of the corresponding self-similar radiation model ( = ), parametrised by the group parameter h. Finally we show that there are no tilted self-similar models of type III and irrotational models of type VI_h.     

High-spin states and band structures in the doubly odd <Superscript>136</Superscript>La nucleus

High-spin states of ¹³⁶La have been investigated with the reaction ¹³⁰Te( ¹¹B, 5n) at a beam energy of 60 MeV. The level scheme with three collective bands has been updated with spin up to 20 . The observed h_11/2 h_11/2 band shows -instability with increasing spin according to the TRS calculations. The band crossing and the signature splitting and inversion have been discussed. Other two collective bands based on 12^-and 16⁺ levels were proposed as oblate deformation with -60^°. They most probably originate from four- and six-quasiparticle configurations, that is, h_11/2 g_7/2h_11/2² and g_7/2 g_7/2²d_5/2h_11/2² respectively.     

Collective structures of the <Superscript>131</Superscript>Cs nucleus

The collective structures of ¹³¹Cs have been investigated by in-beam -ray spectroscopic techniques following the ¹²⁴Sn (^11B , 4n) reaction at a beam energy E_lab = 57MeV. The previously established rotational bands, built on g_7/2, d_5/2 and the unique-parity h_11/2 orbitals, have been extended and evolve into new bands involving rotationally aligned (h_11/2)² and (h_11/2)² quasiparticles. In addition, a new multiquasiparticle band based on the g_7/2 g_7/2 h_11/2 configuration has also been observed. Theoretical interpretations for the assigned configurations are discussed in the framework of Total Routhian Surface (TRS) and Tilted Axis Cranking (TAC) model calculations. TAC model calculations predict a decrease in the B(M1) values with increasing rotational frequency for the g_7/2/d_5/2 (h_11/2)² and h_11/2 (h_11/2)² bands, thus indicating a magnetic rotation character for these bands.     

Fluorescence studies of polycrystalline Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> composite constituents: piezo-spectroscopic calibration and applications

Optical fluorescence microscopy (OFM) was used to quantify the effect of applied stress or strain upon the position of the R fluorescence line of Al₂O₃ composite constituents (fibers and matrices) prior to composite processing. Polycrystalline Nextel^TM Nextel 720 fibers were tested under tension and compression by means of a cantilever beam technique, whereas the polycrystalline matrix was tested in compression. The position of the R fluorescence line was correlated to applied strain and stress in order to provide the piezo-spectroscopic calibration curve and the corresponding coefficients for both sensors, which form the basis for interpretation of frequency shifts from full, all-alumina, composites. The piezo-spectroscopic coefficients of the polycrystalline matrix were found to be 2.57 cm^-1GPa^-1 and 2.52 cm^-1GPa^-1 for the R1 and R2 lines respectively, whereas the coefficients for the polycrystalline Al₂O₃ Nextel 720 fibers were found to be 3.07 cm^-1GPa^-1 and 2.91 cm^-1GPa^-1 for the R1 and R2 lines, respectively. The effects of collection probe size, as well as penetration depth, are discussed. The established piezo-spectroscopic behavior is used inversely to quantify the residual stresses in the as-received fibers due to the presence of sizing, as well as in the thermally grown alumina layer of an industrial thermal barrier coating. PACS 87.64.Ni; 81.05.Je; 78.66.Sq     

Highly (100)-oriented Eu-doped PZT thin films on sol-gel derived (100)-textured LaNiO<Subscript>3</Subscript>/Si substrates

(100)-oriented LaNiO₃ (LNO) thin films were grown on Si substrates by a sol-gel method followed by a rapid thermal process at temperatures ranging from 650 °C to 800 °C. The films produced at 700 °C had a resistivity of 1.79 mcm and could be used as bottom electrodes in the fabrication of ferroelectric capacitors on Si. Subsequently, a sol-gel derived Eu-doped Pb(Zr_0.52,Ti_0.48)O₃ (PEZT) thin film with a thickness of 130 nm prepared on the LNO electrode was found to have a (100)-oriented texture. Possible reasons for the high degree of (100) orientation in PEZT thin films are given. Good ferroelectric performance was obtained for Au/PEZT/LNO capacitors. The remnant polarization (2P_r) was found to be 22 C/cm² at a coercive electric field (E_c) of 134 kV/cm. After 10¹¹ polarization reversals, P_r decreased by only 15%. PACS 68.37.Yz; 68.37.Hk     

Continuous wave laser operation of Yb<Superscript>3+</Superscript>:YVO<Subscript>4</Subscript>

We have demonstrated the continuous wave laser operation of Yb³⁺:YVO₄. For Ti:Al₂O₃ laser pumping at 985 nm, a maximum slope efficiency of 41.1% and a threshold pump power of 76 mW were obtained. The maximum output power was 433 mW at a laser wavelength of 1037 nm.Using a cw diode laser around 974 nm as a pump source, a slope efficiency of 10.9% and a maximum output power of 152 mW were achieved at a laser wavelength of 1039 nm. The laser threshold pump power was 608 mW with respect to the absorbed pump power. The effective emission cross-sections for the ²F_5/2²F_7/2 transition were determined using the Füchtbauer–Ladenburg equation. The maxima of the effective absorption and emission cross-sections were found at 984.5 nm (6.74×10^-20 cm²) in -po larization and 985.5 nm (4.28×10^-20 cm²) also in -p olarization. The upper laser level lifetime was measured with suppression of radiation trapping and is around 318 s. PACS 42.55.Rz; 42.55.Xi; 42.70.Hj