Effect of surface preparation on the properties of Au/p-Cd1−xZnxTe

The effect of bromine methanol (BM) etching and NH₄F/H₂O₂ passivation on the Schottky barrier height between Au contact and semi-insulated (SI) p-Cd_1−xZn_xTe (x ≈ 0.09-0.18) was studied through current-voltage (I-V) and capacitance-voltage (C-V) measurements. Near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy technique was utilized to determine the Zn concentration. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) for surface composition analysis showed that BM etched sample surface left a Te⁰-rich layer, however, which was oxidized to TeO₂ and the surface [Te]/([Cd] + [Zn]) ratio restored near-stoichiometry after NH₄F/H₂O₂ passivation. According to I-V measurement, barrier height was 0.80 ± 0.02-0.85 ± 0.02 eV for Au/p-Cd_1−xZn_xTe with BM etching, however, it increased to 0.89 ± 0.02-0.93 ± 0.02 eV with NH₄F/H₂O₂ passivation. Correspondingly, it was about 1.34 ± 0.02-1.43 ± 0.02 eV and 1.41 ± 0.02-1.51 ± 0.02 eV by C-V method.     

Theoretical investigation of ESR spectra and local structure for VO in Ba2Zn(HCOO)6(H2O)

The electron spin resonance spectra (characterized by g factors g_, g_⊥ and hyperfine structure constants A_ and A_⊥) of Ba₂Zn(HCOO)₆(H₂O) (BZFA): VO²⁺ crystal are calculated from high order perturbation formulas. The calculated results are in good agreement with the observed values. The local structure parameters of [VO(H₂O)₅]²⁺ clusters are also obtained from the calculation. The magnitudes of the metal-ligand distances parallel and perpendicular to the C₄-axis are, respectively, R_≈0.163 nm and R_⊥≈0.210 nm. It is shown that the local structure around the V⁴⁺ ion possesses a compressed tetragonal distortion along C₄-axis.     

Hydrogen indium vacancy complex VInH4 in n-type InP studied by positron-lifetime

Positron-lifetime experiments have been carried out on two undoped n-type liquid encapsulated Czochralski (LEC)-grown InP samples with different stoichiometric compositions in the temperature range 10-300 K. For temperatures below 120 K for P-rich InP and 100 K for In-rich InP, the positron average lifetime began to increase rapidly and then leveled off, which was associated with the charge state change of hydrogen indium vacancy complexes from (V_InH₄)⁺ to (V_InH₄)⁰. This phenomenon was more obvious in P-rich samples that have a higher concentration of V_InH₄. The transformation temperature of approximately 120 K suggests that the complex V_InH₄ is a donor defect and that the ionization energy is about 0.01 eV. The ionization of neutral V_InH₄ accounted for the decrease of the positron average lifetime when the sample was illuminated with a photon energy of 1.32 eV at 70 K. These results provide evidence for hydrogen complex defects in undoped LEC InP.     

Conversion of covalent to ionic character of V2O5–CeO2–PbO–B2O3 glasses for solid state ionic devices

xV₂O₅–xCeO₂–(30−x)PbO–(70−x) B₂O₃ glasses are synthesized by using the melt quench technique. The number of studies such as XRD, density, molar volume, optical band gap, refractive index and FTIR spectroscopy are employed to characterize the glasses. The band gap decreases from 2.20 to 1.78 eV and density increases from 3.49 to 4.25 g/cm³. FTIR spectroscopy reveals that incorporation of V₂O₅ in glass network helps to convert the structural units of [BO₃] into [BO₄]. At higher concentration of vanadium, VO vibration of [VO₅] structural units and V–O–V vibration are present. The bond ionicity of glasses increases with incorporation of V₂O₅ contents.     

Effects of hydrogen annealing on the room temperature ferromagnetism and optical properties of Cr-doped ZnO nanoparticles

We explore the effects of hydrogen annealing on the room temperature ferromagnetism and optical properties of Cr-doped ZnO nanoparticles synthesized by the sol-gel method. X-ray diffraction and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy data show evidence that Cr has been incorporated into the wurtzite ZnO lattice as Cr²⁺ ions substituting for Zn²⁺ ions without any detectable secondary phase in as-synthesized Zn_0.97Cr_0.03O nanopowders. The room temperature magnetization measurements reveal a large enhancement of saturation magnetization M_s as well as an increase of coercivity of H₂-annealed Zn_0.97Cr_0.03O:H samples. It is found that the field-cooled magnetization curves as a function of temperature from 40 to 400 K can be well fitted by a combination of a standard Bloch spin-wave model and Curie–Weiss law. The values of the fitted parameters of the ferromagnetic exchange interaction constant a and the Curie constant C of H₂-annealed Zn_0.97Cr_0.03O:H nanoparticles are almost doubled upon H₂-annealing. Photoluminescence measurements show evidence that the shallow donor defect or/and defect complexes such as hydrogen occupying an oxygen vacancy H_o may play an important role in the origin of H₂-annealing induced enhancement of ferromagnetism in Cr-H codoped ZnO nanoparticles.     

Magnetic behavior and structural feature of quasi-one-dimensional BaCu2V2O8 crystal

Magnetic properties of BaCu₂V₂O₈ single crystals obtained by the spontaneous nucleation method using V₂O₅ as a self-flux are investigated. Singlet ground states with spin gaps of 215 and 223 K are observed along the directions parallel and perpendicular to the c-axis of the crystal, respectively, being in good agreement with powder sample measurements. Reinvestigation of the crystal structure reveals that the whole structural framework of BaCu₂V₂O₈ crystal can be described as an assembly of alternating chains, which are built by edge-sharing pairs of CuO₄ square-plaquettes and VO₄ tetrahedra along the c-axis. The magnetic nature of BaCu₂V₂O₈ is well understood based on this structural interpretation.     

Fast relaxation of the metastable helium state 2S0 in collisions with molecules and collisional lasing on the He (2P1-2S0) transition

In the present study, the laser absorption method was used to measure the rates of quenching of the metastable state He(2¹S₀), the lower laser level in the self-terminating helium laser, with H₂O, NH₃, N₂O, and CO₂ molecules. For the above molecules, the quenching rate constants were found to equal (1.2 ± 0.3)10^− 9, (0.8 ± 0.2)10^− 9, (1.9 ± 0.2)10^− 9 and (2.2 ± 0.4)10^− 9 cm³ s^− 1. Under excitation with long (up to 750 ns) open discharge generated electron beam pulses, lasing on the transition He (2¹P₁⁰-2¹S₀) was examined. In the mixtures He-H₂O and He-NH₃, lasing durations almost equal to the pump-pulse duration were obtained. In the mixtures of He with CO₂ and N₂O, no lasing prolonged in comparison with pure helium was found. The data obtained were explained considering two quenching mechanisms for the state He(2¹S₀): in collisions with molecules and in collisions with plasma electrons having low energies due to fast relaxation of the vibrational states of H₂O and NH₃ molecules.     

High-resolution FTIR measurement and analysis of the ν3 band of C2H3D

The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrum of the ν₃ band of C₂H₃D was measured at an unapodized resolution of 0.0063 cm⁻¹ in the 1240-1340 cm⁻¹ region. Rovibrational constants for the upper state (ν₃ = 1) up to five quartic and two sextic centrifugal distortion terms had been obtained by assigning and fitting a total of 1037 infrared transitions using a Watson’s A-reduced Hamiltonian in the I^r representation. The root-mean-square deviation of the fit was 0.00051 cm⁻¹. The ground state rovibrational constants were also determined by a fit of 674 combination differences together with 21 microwave frequencies from the present infrared measurements with a root-mean-square deviation of 0.00040 cm⁻¹. The upper state (ν₃ = 1) and ground state rovibrational constants of C₂H₃D represent the most accurate values obtained so far. The A-type ν₃ band, centred at 1288.788826 ± 0.000044 cm⁻¹ was found to be relatively free from local frequency perturbations. From the ν₃ = 1 rovibrational constants obtained, the inertial defect Δ₃ was 0.1619724 ± 0.0000001 μŲ.     

Studies of the g factors and the local structure of the orthorhombic Ni center in KTaO3 crystal

The local structure and the g factor (g_x, g_y, and g_z) of the Ni⁺ center in KTaO₃ are theoretically studied using the perturbation formulas of the g factors for a 3d⁹ ion in orthorhombically elongated octahedra. The orthorhombic field parameters are determined from the superposition model and the local geometry of the system. In view of the covalency, the contributions from the ligand orbital and spin–orbit coupling interactions are taken into account from the cluster approach. In the calculations, the orthorhombic center is attributed to Ni⁺ occupying the host Ta⁵⁺ site, associated with the nearest-neighboring oxygen vacancy V_O along the c-axis. Furthermore, the planar Ni⁺–O²⁻ bonds are found to experience the relative variation ΔR (≈0.076 Å) along the a- and b-axis, respectively, due to the Jahn–Teller effect and the size mismatching substitution of Ta⁵⁺ by Ni⁺. Meanwhile, the effectively positive V_O can make the central Ni⁺ displace away from V_O along the c-axis by about 0.20 Å. The calculated g factors based on the above local distortions show good agreement with the experimental data.     

Magnetic properties of strontium hexaferrite films prepared by pulsed laser deposition

The magnetic properties of strontium hexaferrite (SrFe₁₂O₁₉) films fabricated by pulsed laser deposition on the Si(100) substrate with Pt(111) underlayer have been studied as a function of film thickness (50–700 nm). X-ray diffraction patterns confirm that the films have c-axis perpendicular orientation. The coercivities in perpendicular direction are higher than those for in-plane direction which indicates the films have perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. The coercivity was found to decrease with increasing of thickness, due to the increasing of the grain size and relaxation in lattice strain. The 200 nm thick film exhibits hexagonal shape grains of 150 nm and optimum magnetic properties of M_s=298 emu/cm³ and H_c=2540 Oe.     

Theoretical study on the kinetics for OH reactions with CH3OH and C2H5OH

Kinetics and mechanisms for reactions of OH with methanol and ethanol have been investigated at the CCSD(T)/6-311 + G(3df, 2p)//MP2/6-311 + G(3df, 2p) level of theory. The total and individual rate constants, and product branching ratios for the reactions have been computed in the temperature range 200-3000 K with variational transition state theory by including the effects of multiple reflections above the wells of their pre-reaction complexes, quantum-mechanical tunneling and hindered internal rotations. The predicted results can be represented by the expressions k₁ = 4.65 × 10⁻²⁰ × T^2.68 exp(414/T) and k₂ = 9.11 × 10⁻²⁰ × T^2.58 exp(748/T) cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ for the CH₃OH and C₂H₅OH reactions, respectively. These results are in reasonable agreements with available experimental data except that of OH + C₂H₅OH in the high temperature range. The former reaction produces 96-89% of the H₂O + CH₂OH products, whereas the latter process produces 98-70% of H₂O + CH₃CHOH and 2-21% of the H₂O + CH₂CH₂OH products in the temperature range computed (200-3000 K).     

Microfabrication and magnetoelectric properties of amorphous magnetic-tunnel-junctions with Co–Fe–B/Al–O/Co–Fe–B hardcore structure

Both single-barrier magnetic tunnel junctions (SBMTJs) and double-barrier magnetic tunnel junctions (DBMTJs) with an amorphous hardcore structure of Co₆₀Fe₂₀B₂₀/Al–O/Co₆₀Fe₂₀B₂₀ were microfabricated. A high TMR ratio of 102.2% at 4.2 K was observed in the SBMTJs after annealing at 265 °C for 1 h. High TMR ratio of 56.2%, low junction resistance-area product RS of 4.6 kΩ μm², small coercivity H_C=25 Oe, and relatively large bias-voltage-at-half-maximum TMR with the value V_1/2 greater than 500 mV at room temperature (RT) had been achieved in such Co–Fe–B SBMTJs. Whereas, high TMR ratio of 60% at RT and 89% at 30 K, low junction resistance-area product RS of 7.8 kΩ μm² at RT and 8.3 kΩ μm² at 30 K, low coercivity H_C=8.5 Oe at RT and H_C=14 Oe at 30 K, and relatively large bias-voltage-at-half-maximum TMR with the value V_1/2 greater than 1150 mV at RT had been achieved in the Co–Fe–B DBMTJs. Temperature dependence of the TMR ratio, resistance, and coercivity from 4.2 K to RT, and applied voltage dependence of the TMR ratio and resistance at RT for such amorphous MTJs were also investigated.     

Improved rovibrational constants for the ν12 band of C2H3D

The Fourier transform infrared absorption spectrum of the ν₁₂ fundamental band of ethylene-d (C₂H₃D) was recorded at an unapodized resolution of 0.0063 cm⁻¹ in the 1330-1475 cm⁻¹ region. Upper state (ν₁₂ = 1) rovibrational constants inclusive of three rotational, five quartic, and four sextic centrifugal distortion constants were improved by assigning and fitting 1444 infrared transitions using Watson’s A-reduced Hamiltonian in the I^r representation. The present analysis yielded more higher-order upper state constants than previously reported. The rms deviation of the fit is 0.00055 cm⁻¹. Improved ground state rovibrational constants were also determined from the combined fit of 2026 ground state combination differences (GSCD) from the assigned infrared transitions of the ν₁₂, ν₃ and ν₆ bands and 21 microwave frequencies of C₂H₃D. The rms deviation of the GSCD fit is 0.00047 cm⁻¹. The A-type ν₁₂ band is centered at 1400.76262 ± 0.00004 cm⁻¹. Local frequency perturbations were not detected in the analysis. The calculated inertial defect Δ₁₂ is 0.20809 ± 0.00003 μŲ.     

Antiferromagnetic phase transition in garnet-type AgCa2Co2V3O12 and AgCa2Ni2V3O12

Antiferromagnetic phase transition in two vanadium garnets AgCa₂Co₂V₃O₁₂ and AgCa₂Ni₂V₃O₁₂ has been found and investigated extensively. The heat capacity exhibits sharp peak due to the antiferromagnetic order with the Néel temperature T_N=6.39 K for AgCa₂Co₂V₃O₁₂ and 7.21 K for AgCa₂Ni₂V₃O₁₂, respectively. The magnetic susceptibilities exhibit broad maximum, and these T_N correspond to the inflection points of the magnetic susceptibility χ a little lower than T(χ_max). The magnetic entropy changes from zero to 20 K per mol Co²⁺ and Ni²⁺ ions are 5.31 J K⁻¹ mol-Co²⁺-ion⁻¹ and 6.85 J K⁻¹ mol-Ni²⁺-ion⁻¹, indicating S=1/2 for Co²⁺ ion and S=1 for Ni²⁺ ion. The magnetic susceptibility of AgCa₂Ni₂V₃O₁₂ shows the Curie-Weiss behavior between 20 and 350 K with the effective magnetic moment μ_eff=3.23 μ_B Ni²⁺-ion⁻¹ and the Weiss constant θ=−16.4 K (antiferromagnetic sign). Nevertheless, the simple Curie-Weiss law cannot be applicable for AgCa₂Co₂V₃O₁₂. The complex temperature dependence of magnetic susceptibility has been interpreted within the framework of Tanabe-Sugano energy diagram, which is analyzed on the basis of crystalline electric field. The ground state is the spin doublet state ²E(t₂⁶e) and the first excited state is spin quartet state ⁴T₁(t₂⁵e²) which locates extremely close to the ground state. The low spin state S=1/2 for Co²⁺ ion is verified experimentally at least below 20 K which is in agreement with the result of the heat capacity.     

High-resolution FTIR spectrum of the ν12 band of ethylene-d (C2H3D)

The infrared absorption spectrum of the ν₁₂ fundamental band of ethylene-d (C₂H₃D) has been recorded with an unapodized resolution of 0.004 cm⁻¹ in the wavenumber range of 1340-1460 cm⁻¹ using the Fourier transform technique. By assigning and fitting a total of 870 infrared transitions using a Watson’s A-reduced Hamiltonian in the I^r representation, three rotational and five quartic centrifugal distortion constants for the upper state (v₁₂ = 1) were determined for the first time. The rms deviation of the fit was 0.00044 cm⁻¹ which is close to the experimental precision of the absorption lines. The A-type ν₁₂ band centred at 1400.762811 ± 0.000041 cm⁻¹was found to be relatively free from local frequency perturbations. The inertial defect Δ₁₂ was found to be 0.20928 ±  0.00002 μŲ.     

Optical,physical and structural studies of vanadium doped P2O5–BaO–Li2O glasses

Glasses in the compositions (Li₂O)₂₅–(BaO)₂₅–(P₂O₅)_50−x–(V₂O₅)_x (with x=0.5,1.0,1.5,2.0,2.5, and 3.0 mol%) have been prepared by the conventional melt quenching technique. X-ray powder diffractrogram show broad peaks which conforms glassy nature of the sample. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) thermograms show characteristic glass transition temperature (T_g) and it increases with increasing substitution of V₂O₅ for P₂O₅. The measured physical parameters like density, refractive index, ionic concentration and electronic polarizability are found to vary linearly with increasing x. Infrared spectra exhibits few bands, which are attributed to (P=O)_AS, (P=O)_S, (V=O), (P–O–P)_AS,P–O–V, (P–O–P)_AS and O–P–O vibrations. The optical absorption spectra of VO²⁺ ions in these glasses show three bands and are assigned to the ²B₂→ ²E,²B₂→ ²B₁ and ²B₂→ ²A₁ transitions. Electron paramagnetic resonance spectra of all the glass samples exhibit resonance signals characteristic of VO²⁺ ions. The values of Spin-Hamiltonian parameters indicate that the VO²⁺ ions are present in octahedral sites with tetragonal compression and belong to C_4V symmetry.     

Electrical characterisation of ruthenium Schottky contacts on n-Ge (1 0 0)

Ruthenium (Ru) Schottky contacts were fabricated on n-Ge (1 0 0) by electron beam deposition. Current–voltage (I–V), deep level transient spectroscopy (DLTS), and Laplace-DLTS techniques were used to characterise the as-deposited and annealed Ru/n-Ge (1 0 0) Schottky contacts. The variation of the electrical properties of the Ru samples annealed between 25 °C and 575 °C indicates the formation of two phases of ruthenium germanide. After Ru Schottky contacts fabrication, an electron trap at 0.38 eV below the conduction band with capture cross section of 1.0×10⁻¹⁴ cm⁻² is the only detectable electron trap. The hole traps at 0.09, 0.15, 0.27 and 0.30 eV above the valence band with capture cross sections of 7.8×10⁻¹³ cm⁻², 7.1×10⁻¹³ cm⁻², 2.4×10⁻¹³ cm⁻² and 6.2×10⁻¹³ cm⁻², respectively, were observed in the as-deposited Ru Schottky contacts. The hole trap H(0.30) is the prominent single acceptor level of the E-centre, and H(0.09) is the third charge state of the E-centre. H(0.27) shows some reverse annealing and reaches a maximum concentration at 225 °C and anneals out after 350 °C. This trap is strongly believed to be V–Sb₂ complex formed from the annealing of V–Sb defect centre.     

Effect of substrate temperature on the morphology, structural and optical properties of Zn1−xCoxO thin films

Zn_1−xCo_xO thin films with c-axis preferred orientation were deposited on sapphire (0 0 0 1) by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) technique at different substrate temperatures in an oxygen-deficient ambient. The effect of substrate temperature on the microstructure, morphology and the optical properties of the Zn_1−xCo_xO thin films was studied by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM), UV-visible-NIR spectrophotometer, fluorescence spectrophotometer. The results showed that the crystallization of the films was promoted as substrate temperature rose. The structure of the samples was not distorted by the Co incorporating into ZnO lattice. The surface roughness of all samples decreased as substrate temperature increased. The Co concentration in the film was higher than in the target. Emission peak near band edge emission of ZnO from the PL spectra of the all samples was quenched because the dopant complexes acted as non-radiative centers. While three emission bands located at 409 nm (3.03 eV), 496 nm (2.5 eV) and 513 nm (2.4 eV) were, respectively, observed from the PL spectra of the four samples. The three emission bands were in relation to Zn interstitials, Zn vacancies and the complex of V_O and Zn_i (V_OZn_i). The quantity of the Zn interstitials maintained invariable basically, while the quantity of the V_OZn_i slightly decreased as substrate temperature increased.     

Phase control in a coherent superposition of degenerate quantum states through frequency control

We demonstrate a controlled phase change of π in a degenerate superposition by altering a laser frequency by only 10 MHz. The method relies on the preparation of an adiabatic state involving the M = ±2 and M = 0 states of the ³P₂ (J = 2) level of metastable neon. Dependent on the frequency, the preparation proceeds either by stimulated Raman adiabatic passage (STIRAP) or by coherent population trapping (CPT). In the former case the superposition is prepared by adiabatic transfer induced in an extended tripod linkage scheme. In the latter case population is optically pumped into the Zeeman manifold of the level ³P₂. The population which does not reach a dark state decays to the ground state of neon. The amplitudes and relative phases of the dark states differ for the two cases. The phase change is monitored using the method of phase-to-population mapping.     

Mixed water/OH structures on Pd(1 1 1)

Chemisorbed O and water react on Pd(1 1 1) at low temperatures to form a mixed OH/H₂O layer with a (√3 × √3)R30° registry. Reaction requires at least two water molecules to each O before the (2 × 2)O islands are consumed, the most stable OH/water structure being a (OH + H₂O) layer containing 0.67 ML of oxygen, formed by the reaction 3H₂O + O → 2(H₂O + OH). This structure is stabilised compared to pure water structures, decomposing at 190 K as OH recombines and water desorbs. The (√3 × √3)R30° − (OH + H₂O) phase cannot be formed by O/H reaction and is distinct from the (√3 × √3)R30° structure formed by O/H coadsorption below 200 K. Mixed OH/water structures do not react with coadsorbed H below 190 K on Pd(1 1 1), preventing this phase catalyzing the low temperature H₂/O₂ reaction which only occurs at higher temperatures.