Assessment of nanoparticle surface area by measuring unattached fraction of radon progeny

A number of studies on the exposure of nanometer aerosols have indicated that health effects associated with low-solubility inhaled particles in the range of 1–100 nm may be more appropriately associated with particulate surface area than mass concentration. Such data on correlation between number, surface area and mass concentration are needed for exposure investigations, but the means for measuring aerosol surface area are not readily available. In this paper we propose a method for particle surface area assessment based on a new approach, deposition of the “unattached fraction of radon progeny” onto nanometer aerosols. The proposed approach represents a synthesis of: (1) Derived direct analytical correlation between the “unattached fraction” of radon progeny and surface area particle concentration in the range of 1–100 nm particle diameter; (2) Experimental data on correlation between the unattached fraction of radon progeny and particle surface area for particles with diameter in the range of 44 nm–2.1 μm.     

A Fast Algorithm for Wave Propagation from a Plane or a Cylindrical Surface

The newly developed Taylor-Interpolation-FFT (TI-FFT) algorithm dramatically increases the computational speeds for millimeter wave propagation from a planar (cylindrical) surface onto a “quasi-planar” (“quasi-cylindrical”) surface. Two different scenarios are considered in this article: the planar TI-FFT is for the computation of the wave propagation from a plane onto a “quasi-planar” surface and the cylindrical TI-FFT is for the computation of wave propagation from a cylindrical surface onto a “quasi-cylindrical” surface. Due to the use of the FFT, the TI-FFT algorithm has a computational complexity of O(N ² log₂  N ²) for an N × N computational grid, instead of N ⁴ for the direct integration method. The TI-FFT algorithm has a low sampling rate according to the Nyquist sampling theorem. The algorithm has accuracy down to −80 dB and it works particularly well for narrow-band fields and “quasi-planar” (“quasi-cylindrical”) surfaces.     

Acoustic laser cleaning of silicon surfaces

We investigate the detachment of small particles from silicon surfaces by means of acoustic waves generated by laser-induced plasma formation at the back side of the sample. It is demonstrated that sufficiently high acoustic intensities can be reached to detach particles in the submicron regime. In order to study this “acoustic laser cleaning” in more detail, we have developed an interference technique which allows one to determine the elongation and acceleration of the surface with high temporal resolution, the basis for an analysis of the nanomechanical detachment process, which takes place on a temporal scale of nanoseconds. We find that the velocity of the detaching particles is significantly higher than the maximum velocity of the substrate surface. This indicates that not only inertial forces, but also elastic deformations of the particles, resulting from the acoustic pulse, play an important role for the cleaning process. PACS 81.65.Cf; 68.35.Np     

Magnetic and structural behaviour of Fe40Ni40B20 alloys as a function of the melt-spinning parameters

Changes in structure and magnetic properties of Fe₄₀Ni₄₀B₂₀ alloys were investigated as a function of the surface velocity, V_u, of the quenching substrates in the range 8 m/s≤V_u≤70 m/s. For V_u>30 m/s no changes were found. Below a “critical” region, 20 m/s≤V_u≤30 m/s, where changes in spin orientation are observed, crystallization processes are frozen in. The structure of one of the crystallization products, (FeNi)₃B, appears to depend on the surface speed V_u.     

Asymptotic fractality and the anomalous transport of particles having finite velocity

A generalized time-dependent transport equation is obtained for particles whose free motion has a finite velocity, which includes “Lévy flights” and the effect of “traps.” It is shown that as a result of allowing for the finite velocity, the asymptotic (with respect to time) distribution of a particle walking in one dimension has a fractal nature only when the power-law tails of the mean-free-path distributions and particle residence times in the trap have the same exponents. Zh. Tekh. Fiz. 68, 138–139 (January 1998)     

Lorentz gas interacting with an inhomogeneous thermostat

The equilibrium distribution of a Lorentz gas (“electrons”) interacting with an inhomogenous thermostat (“atoms”) is examined with consideration of 1) the concept of volumes available and forbidden for the gas particles and 2) the solution of the kinetic equation. Analytical calculations for “electrons” and “atoms” repelling each other with the force ≈r⁻⁵ (where r is the distance between the particles) have shown that the coordinate- and velocity-dependent variables in the distribution function cannot be separated. In particular, this leads to the dependence of the average kinetic energy per “electron” on the coordinate: it is higher in the region with higher density of the “atoms”. It is assumed that the Gibbs distribution does not describe the properties of the system under consideration, because in this case the interaction between the system and thermostat cannot be considered small. Scientific-Research Physical-Technical Institute at N. I. Lobachevskii Nizhnii Novgorod State University. Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Fizika, No. 6, pp. 38–43, June, 1999.     

Radiowave propagation on short meteor radio links

We present experimental results obtained on meteor radio links with lengths of 100 and 250 km. The advantage of the “lateral propagation” is demonstrated. Using the “KAMET” computer model, we simulated the propagation of radiowaves along radio links, of up to 600 km. An effective version is proposed for working on radio links of up to 300 km, which is called “tracking the meteor activity maximum.” State University, Kazan’, Russia. Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Radiofizika, Vol. 40, No. 6, pp. 693–703, June, 1997.     

Influence of background radiation on the composition of ultrahigh-energy cosmic rays in propagating from their source to an earth-based facility

The composition of cosmic rays as they propagate from their source is noticeably distorted due to the photodisintegration of nuclei against the background cosmic radiation. We analyze the propagation of different nuclei groups of ultrahigh-energy cosmic rays on the way from their source to an earth-based facility. Two types of sources are considered: “nearby” (within an area having a radius of ≈40 Mpc) and “remote” (at distances of hundreds of Mpc) active galactic nuclei. We show that within the accepted model, the composition of the particles incident on the facility depends on the source type.     

Cluster formation, pressure and density measurements in a granular medium fluidized by vibrations

We report experimental results on the behavior of an ensemble of inelastically colliding particles, excited by a vibrated piston in a vertical cylinder. When the particle number is increased, we observe a transition from a regime where the particles have erratic motions (“granular gas”) to a collective behavior where all the particles bounce like a nearly solid body. In the gas-like regime, we measure the density of particles as a function of the altitude and the pressure as a function of the number N of particles. The atmosphere is found to be exponential far enough from the piston, and the “granular temperature”, T, dependence on the piston velocity, V, is of the form , where is a decreasing function of N. This may explain previous conflicting numerical results. Received 1 February 1999     

Growth kinetics of polymer crystals in bulk

Temperature-dependent measurements of spherulite growth rates carried out for i-polystyrene, poly(ε -caprolactone) and linear polyethylene show that the controlling activation barrier diverges at a temperature which is 14K, 22K and 12K, respectively, below the equilibrium melting points. We discuss the existence of such a “zero growth temperature” T _zg in the framework of a recently introduced thermodynamic multiphase scheme and identify T _zg with the temperature of a (hidden) transition between the melt and a mesomorphic phase which mediates the crystal growth. The rate-determining step in our model of crystal growth is the attachment of chain sequences from the melt onto the lateral face of a mesomorphic layer at the growth front. The necessary straightening of the sequence prior to an attachment is the cause of the activation barrier. A theory based on this view describes correctly the observations. With a knowledge of T _zg it is possible to fully establish the nanophase diagram describing the stability ranges of crystalline and mesomorphic layers in a melt. An evaluation of data from small-angle X-ray scattering, calorimetry and optical growth rate measurements yields heats of transition and surface free energies of crystals and mesophase layers, as well as the activation barrier per monomer associated with the chain stretching. According to the theory, the temperature dependence of the crystallization rate is determined by both the activation energy per monomer and the surface free energy of the preceding mesomorphic layer. Data indicate that the easiness of crystallization in polyethylene is first of all due to a particularly low surface free energy of the mesomorphic layer.     

Effects of the diffusive acceleration of particles by shock waves in the primordial matter of the solar system

The effects of the shock wave diffusive acceleration of particles are considered in the case of formation of isotopic relations of the anomalous Xe-HL component of xenon in relic grains of nanodiamonds in chondrites. It is shown that this component could be formed and captured simultaneously with the nanodiamond synthesis in the conditions of the explosive shock wave propagation from supernova outbursts. The specificity of isotopic composition of Xe-HL is due to the high hardness of the spectrum of nuclear-active particles at the shock wave front and its enrichment with heavy isotopes. The spallogenic nature of both the anomalous and normal components of xenon is ascertained, and the role of the subsequent evolutionary processes in the change of their isotopic systems is shown. Experimental evidence of the formation of the power law spectrum of particles with the spectral index γ ∼ 1 by the supersonic turbulence during the carbon-detonation supernova SnIa explosion is obtained; this perhaps opens new perspectives in studying the problem of the origin of cosmic rays. It is shown that at the stage of free expansion of the explosive shock wave, the degree of compression of the matter at the wave front was σ = 31 (the corresponding Mach number M ∼ 97); this led to a 31-fold increase of the magnetic field as well as of the maximum energy of accelerated particles, so that even the energy of protons reached ∼ 3 × 10¹⁵ eV, i.e., the “knee” region.     

Photoluminescence spectra of copper-based planar nanostructures

We have studied the luminescence of planar nanostructures based on amorphous copper, excited by a low-intensity source in the UV region of the spectrum. We have shown that it is dependent on the packing density of copper granules on the surface of the quartz substrate, the presence of chains of granules, the optical properties of the surrounding medium, and the oxidation time. The observed maxima at the wavelengths of 400 nm and 520 nm correspond to luminescence of the quartz and copper oxide Cu₂O. The maximum at 650 nm is located in the region of plasma resonances of the oxidized copper chains and aggregates, and is enhanced in the “hot spot” region near the surface of interacting copper particles. __________ Translated from Zhurnal Prikladnoi Spektroskopii, Vol. 73, No. 4, pp. 510–515, July–August, 2006.     

Oblique Sounding and Modeling of the Ionospheric HF Channel

We present the results of experimental studies of the distance-frequency and amplitude-frequency characteristics of the ionospheric HF channel on mid-latitude paths of oblique chirp sounding. It is shown that the maximum observed frequencies (MOFs) are subject to short-period variations with the quasi-periods from 30 min to 2 h.The amplitude of the MOF variations reaches 2 MHz and can increase up to 5–8 MHz on the Cyprus—Rostov-on-Don one-hop path in the sunrise-sunset time. It is established that the MOF fluctuations are accompanied by pronounced “cusp” features occurring in the upper rays and moving with time to the region of shorter delays, i.e., from lower to higher frequencies. The amplitude-frequency characteristics of individual propagation modes undergo deep fluctuations (up to 20–30 dB)whose quasi-period and depth depend on the frequency. It is shown that the appearance of fluctuations is caused by interference of the unresolved rays within the limits of one propagation mode. Based on the modeling, it is shown that “cusps” in oblique-sounding ionograms are due to the influence of traveling ionospheric disturbances (TIDs). The TID parameters are estimated. It is shown that conditions of the formation of “ cusps” in the distance-frequency characteristics depend on the TID amplitude, the wavelength of the disturbance wave, and the direction of its phase front with respect to the propagation path. The effect of quasi-regular frequency modulation of the Pedersen mode with a period of 250–300 kHz on the Cyprus-Rostov-on-Don chirp-sounding path is found. Altitude stratification of the ionosphere near the F-layer maximum, which is responsible for the focusing and defocusing of the Pedersen mode, is estimated. It is established that the stratification scale amounts to approximately 200–250 m. __________ Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Radiofizika, Vol. 48, No. 6, pp.455–471, June 2005.     

Effective interaction potential and ordered structures of dust particles in a gas-discharge plasma

An effective potential is proposed for the interaction between dust particles in a gas-discharge plasma which takes account of the following physical factors: the spatial dependence of the particle charges on the floating potential of the plasma, anisotropy of the interaction, resulting from focusing of the negatively charged particles of the drift ion current, and aspects of screening of the dust particles by plasma electrons and ions which interact strongly with them and recombine faster in their vicinity and on their surface. Monte Carlo calculations explain the formation of threadlike structures of dispersed particles, and also “transverse crystallization” of these “threads” in a stratified gas-discharge plasma. Zh. éksp. Teor. Fiz. 115, 819–836 (March 1999)     

What can polymer crystal structure tell about polymer crystallization processes?

Contrary to most or all other materials, crystallization of chiral but racemic polymers such as isotactic polypropylene is accompanied by a conformational rearrangement which leads to helical geometries: the building units of the crystal are helical stems, -20nm long, which can be either right-handed or left-handed. Helical hand cannot be reversed within the crystal structure: it is therefore a permanent marker and an indicator of molecular processes (in particular segregation/selection of helical hands) which take place during crystal growth, and more precisely during the crucial step of “efficient” helical stem deposition. The issue of proper helical hand selection during polymer crystal growth is mainly illustrated with isotactic polypropylene. Its various crystalline polymorphs (, , and smectic) display virtually all possible combinations of helical hands, azimuthal settings and even non-parallel orientation of helix axes in space. Furthermore, a specific homoepitaxy which generates a lamellar branching in the phase “quadrites” and composite structures makes it possible a) to determine the helical hand and associated azimuthal setting of every stem in the crystalline entities and b) to determine the impact on the crystal structure and morphology of “mistakes” in helical hand of the depositing stem. Analysis of these morphologies demonstrates that the crystallization of isotactic polypropylene (and by implication of other achiral, helical polymers) is a highly sequential and “substrate-determined” process, i.e. that the depositing stem probes the topography of the growth face prior to attachment. These observations appear difficult to reconcile with crystallization schemes in which molecules (helical segments) are prearranged in a kind of pseudo-crystalline bundle (and as such, are not subjected to the high constraints of crystal symmetry) before deposition as a preassembled entity on the substrate. Received: 5 May 2000     

Hysteresis Phenomenon in Deterministic Traffic Flows

We study phase transitions of a system of particles on the one-dimensional integer lattice moving with constant acceleration, with a collision law respecting slower particles. This simple deterministic “particle-hopping” traffic flow model being a straightforward generalization to the well known Nagel–Schreckenberg model covers also a more recent slow-to-start model as a special case. The model has two distinct ergodic (unmixed) phases with two critical values. When traffic density is below the lowest critical value, the steady state of the model corresponds to the “free-flowing” (or “gaseous”) phase. When the density exceeds the second critical value the model produces large, persistent, well-defined traffic jams, which correspond to the “jammed” (or “liquid”) phase. Between the two critical values each of these phases may take place, which can be interpreted as an “overcooled gas” phase when a small perturbation can change drastically gas into liquid. Mathematical analysis is accomplished in part by the exact derivation of the life-time of individual traffic jams for a given configuration of particles. This research has been partially supported by Russian Foundation for Fundamental Research and French Ministry of Education grants.     

Reconstruction of the Fermi surface in the pseudogap state of cuprates

Reconstruction of the Fermi surface of high-temperature superconducting cuprates in the pseudogap state is analyzed within a nearly exactly solvable model of the pseudogap state, induced by short-range order fluctuations of the antiferromagnetic (AFM), spin-density wave (SDW), or a similar charge-density wave (CDW) order parameter, competing with the superconductivity. We explicitly demonstrate the evolution from “Fermi arcs” (on the “large” Fermi surface) observed in the ARPES experiments at relatively high temperatures (when both the amplitude and phase of the density waves fluctuate randomly) towards the formation of typical “small” electron and hole “pockets,” which are apparently observed in the de Haas-van Alphen and Hall resistance oscillation experiments at low temperatures (when only the phase of the density waves fluctuate and the correlation length of the short-range order is large enough). A qualitative criterion for the quantum oscillations in high magnetic fields to be observable in the pseudogap state is formulated in terms of the cyclotron frequency, the correlation length of fluctuations, and the Fermi velocity. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

Quantitative analysis of lyotropic lamellar phases SANS patterns in powder oriented samples

We have developed a detailed numerical method based on the Caillé model to fit Small Angle Neutron Scattering profiles of powder-oriented lyotropic lamellar phases. We thus obtain quantitative values for the Caillé parameter and the smectic penetration length from which we can derive the smectic compression modulus and the membrane mean bending modulus. Our method, applied to a surfactant lamellar phase system decorated by amphiphilic copolymers, provides excellent fits for any intermembrane spacing or membrane concentration over the entire q-range of the SANS experiments. We compare our fits with those obtained from the model of Nallet et al. (J. Phys. II 3, 487 (1993)), which is reviewed. Good fits are obtained with both methods for samples exhibiting “hard” smectic order (sharp Bragg peak, moderate small angle scattering). Only our procedure, however, gives good fits in the case of “soft” smectic order (smooth Bragg peak, strong small angle scattering). A quantitative criterion to discriminate between these “soft” and “hard” samples is also proposed, based on a simple analogy with smectic-A liquid crystal in contact with an undulating solid surface. This allows us to anticipate the type of thermodynamic information that can be derived from the fits.     

Coupling mode-based nanophotonic circuit device

Coupling mode-based nanophotonic U-shaped circuit devices is proposed. Furthermore, the coupling of TM mode between adjacent air channels on metal and propagation of surface plasmon polariton (SPP) waves was demonstrated. Different output intensities were derived by modifying the U-shaped air channel width, and the binary logical value “1” or “0” is obtained after definition of threshold. A spacial coupling mode theory is used to explain the computational simulation results. The theory and the numerical results are well fitted to each other. The structure can be used to obtain all four binary arrays applying to the highly integrated optical circuit. PACS 02.60.Cb; 42.25.Fx; 42.25.Bs     

Composite boson many-body theory for Frenkel excitons

We present a many-body theory for Frenkel excitons which takes into account their composite nature exactly. Our approach is based on four commutators similar to the ones we previously proposed for Wannier excitons. They allow us to calculate any physical quantity dealing with N excitons in terms of “Pauli scatterings” for carrier exchange in the absence of carrier interaction and “interaction scatterings” for carrier interactions in the absence of carrier exchange. We show that Frenkel excitons have a novel “transfer assisted exchange scattering”, specific to these excitons. It comes from indirect Coulomb processes between localized atomic states. These indirect processes, commonly called “electron-hole exchange” in the case of Wannier excitons and most often neglected, are crucial for Frenkel excitons, as they are the only ones responsible for the excitation transfer. We also show that in spite of the fact that Frenkel excitons are made of electrons and holes on the same atomic site, so that we could naively see them as elementary particles, they definitely are composite objects, their composite nature appearing through various properties, not always easy to guess. The present many-body theory for Frenkel excitons is thus going to appear as highly valuable to securely tackle their many-body physics, as in the case of nonlinear optical effects in organic semiconductors.