Spectral probing of carrier traps in Si–Ge alloy nanocrystals

Photogenerated carriers in Si–Ge alloy nanocrystals (NCs) prepared by co‐sputtering method were investigated by mean of transient induced absorption. The carrier relaxation features multiple components, with three decay life times of τ ≈ 600 fs, 12 ps, and 15 ns, established for Si_0.2Ge_0.8 alloy NCs of a mean crystal size of 9 nm and standard deviation of 3 nm. Deep carrier traps, identified at the boundary between the NCs and the SiO₂ host with the ionization energy of about 1 eV, are characterized by a long‐range Coulombic potential. These are responsible for rapid depletion of free carrier population within a few picoseconds after the excitation, which explains the low emissivity of the investigated materials, and also sheds light on the generally low luminescence of Si/Ge and Ge NCs. (© 2016 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH &Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Laser surface alloying of pure titanium with TiN–B–Si–Ni mixed powders

Laser alloying was carried out on the surface of pure titanium substrate with TiN–B–Si–Ni mixed powders. The result of X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis shows that the alloyed layer consists of many kinds of intermetallic compounds. The test results show that the alloyed layers have high microhardness (1500–1600 HV_0.1), low friction coefficient (about 0.4), and are more resistant to oxidation than untreated substrate.     

Quantitative analysis of Mn and Si of alloy steels by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy

The concentration of Mn and Si in different kinds of steels was determined by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). The multivariate quadratic nonlinear function was adopted for calibration. Samples including common alloy steels, stainless steels and carbon tool steels were analyzed. The matrix effect was serious because of large difference in compositions of different kinds of steels and strong line overlaps in steel spectra. Therefore, the common calibration methods that only use one analytical line to calibrate the complex chemical compositions of alloy steels will lose much information. The multivariate calibration methods, however, can utilize more information of spectra, successfully reduce the matrix effect and improve the measurement repeatability and accuracy of LIBS. Compared with the common calibration method based on one analytical line, the relative standard deviation was reduced from above 20% to below 10%, and the accuracy was increased by more than 5 times for Mn and more than 6 times for Si.     

Evidence of new high-pressure magnetic phases in Fe–Pt Invar alloy

To investigate the magnetic properties of disordered Fe₇₀Pt₃₀ Invar alloy under high pressure, measurements of the real part of the AC susceptibility (χ) were made under pressure up to 7.5 GPa in the temperature range 4.2–385 K using a cubic anvil high-pressure apparatus. The Curie temperature (T_C) decreased with increasing pressure, and then, two new high-pressure magnetic phases appeared. These results show that the ferromagnetism of Fe–Pt Invar alloy becomes weaker, and the antiferromagnetic interaction becomes dominant with increasing pressure.     

基于激光诱导击穿光谱技术的铝合金成分定量分析

利用Nd:YAG激光器输出的532nm激光束对位于空气中的标准变形铝合金样品进行烧蚀产生了激光诱导等离子体.对测量的230—440nm波长范围的光谱进行了谱线标定,同时基于自由定标方法对样品成分进行了定量分析,确定了样品中的元素含量.分析结果与标准值具有较好的一致性.     

Quantitative analysis of chromate (CrVI) by normal Raman spectroscopy and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy using poly(diallyldimethylammonium) chloride-capped gold nanoparticles

Chromate (Cr^VI) has emerged as a widespread environmental contaminant found in groundwater and surface water, and there is a great need for rapid detection and monitoring of this contaminant. Normal Raman scattering (NRS) spectroscopy with a detection limit of Cr^VI at concentrations of 0.2 g/L was attached. And surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy technique was found to be capable of detecting Cr^VI at concentrations as low as 2.5 mg/L using poly(diallyldimethylammonium) chloride modified gold nanoparticles (PDDA-AuNPs) as a substrate. The SERS substrate was successfully fabricated by combining the selfassembly technique with a heat-treatment-based strategy using poly(diallyldimethylammonium) chloride (PDDA) as the reducing and stabilizing agents. With the 520 cm^?1 band of silicon as internal standard, band intensity ratios of Cr^VI to silicon, that is I ₉₀₂/I ₅₂₀, were found to have a quantitative relationship with a large concentration range of Cr^VI from 0.2 to 20.0 g/L for NRS (R ² = 0.994) and from 2.5 to 25.0 mg/L for SERS (R ² = 0.980), respectively. Besides, the SERS methodology was reproducible, and susceptible to the interference of pH value. The optimum pH for Cr^VI detection by SERS was 3.38. The application of NRS and SERS showed high practical potential for rapid screening and routine analysis of Cr^VI in environmental samples.     

XPS and RBS investigations of Si–Er–O interactions on a Si(1 0 0)-2x1 surface

The interactions among erbium, oxygen and silicon atoms on a Si(1 0 0)-2x1 reconstructed surface have been studied by means of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Rutherford backscattering spectrometry. Erbium and oxygen were deposited at 600 °C on the Si surface and their behavior has been observed after different thermal processes. It was found that at 600 °C, the formation of a stable surface complex Er–O–Si is obtained together with Si oxidation; after an 800 °C annealing, the amount of oxygen bound to Si decreases and the remaining O atoms are mainly bonded to Er. An abrupt change was observed after 900 and 1000 °C annealings, which bury the Er atoms about 60 Å below the substrate surface. Our results give some hints to hypotise the O diffusion towards the Si bulk.     

Coercivity mechanism in nanophase (Nd–Pr)–Fe–B melt spun alloys

The nucleation mechanism to predict coercivity values in melt-spun exchange-coupled (Nd_1−xPr_x)_yFe_94−yB₆ alloys for various Nd:Pr ratios x, and Fe:RE ratios y, was tested using the dependence of the anisotropy constant K₁ on Pr content x for the minimum nucleation field H_N^min in the modified Brown's equation. Very good agreement was found between experimental data and theoretical values, confirming the predominance of the nucleation of reverse domains over the wall pinning process in the coercivity mechanism of melt spun REFeB alloys.     

Using chemometric methods for overlap correction of sodium–zinc spectral lines generated by wavelength dispersive X‐ray fluorescence in mineral samples

Partial least squares, principal component regression and support vector machine multivariate methods were used for overlap correction of sodium–zinc (Na(Kα)–Zn(Lα)) spectral lines generated by means of wavelength dispersion X‐ray fluorescence (WDXRF) combined with standard‐less software (IQ+) technique for the analyses of mineral samples. This methodology uses one scan channel using PX1 analyzer crystal, 550‐µm collimator, flow detector (Ar + CH₄), and rhodium (Rh) tube for determination of Na and Zn in mineral compositions in minimum time. The calibration matrix was made up of 35 samples containing different amounts of Na₂O and ZnO. The considered concentration ranges were 0–5% for both Na₂O and ZnO. The values for 2θ angle were recorded between 25° and 29.9° at every 0.1°. Variable tube powers (kV ? mA) were used to investigate the effect of tube power on the analyses of elements. The validation of the multivariate methods was realized by analyzing soil samples. Atomic absorption and flame photometry methods were used as reference methods for analyzing Zn and Na in the soil samples, respectively. The results of using chemometric methods, WDXRF (standard‐less software) and reference method determined partial least squares and support vector machine models obtained more acceptable results for Na₂O in presence of ZnO than those of WDXRF (standard‐less software). Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Combination of wavelength dispersive X‐ray fluorescence analysis and multivariate statistic for alluvial soils classification: a case study from the Padanian Plain (Northern Italy)

Wavelength dispersive X‐Ray fluorescence analysis, coupled with multivariate statistics, has been used to characterise the alluvial soils of the easternmost Po Plain area. Coarse to fine sediments, which can be related to various depositional environments (paleochannels, interfluvial areas, brackish marsh interdistributary bays and littoral dunes), have been taken into consideration. Through the use of an extensive analytical database and the principal component analysis in combination with factorial analysis, a soil classification method is proposed, which can also help to constrain the depositional environment of the alluvial sediments. This methodology was subsequently validated using other wavelength dispersive X‐Ray fluorescence analyses of soils with different provenance and historical bricks made with alluvial deposits similar to those already studied. By relating the principal component analysis in combination with factorial analysis factors, we therefore provide a useful tool to integrate the classical and well‐established classification of alluvial deposits based on field observation and grain size investigations. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Flavor-dependent supersymmetric phases and CP asymmetry in B --> X(s)gamma decays

We study the direct CP asymmetry in B-->X(s)gamma decay in supersymmetric models with nonuniversal A terms. We show that the flavor-dependent phases of the A terms, unlike the flavor-independent ones, can give rise to a large contribution to the CP asymmetry while respecting the experimental bounds on the branching ratio of B-->X(s)gamma decay and the electric dipole moments of the electron and neutron. The CP asymmetry of this decay is predicted to be much larger than the standard model prediction in a wide region of the parameter space. In particular, it can be of order 10%-15% which can be accessible at B factories.     

第十五届全国原子与分子物理学术会议: 用激光诱导击穿光谱技术定量分析油漆中的有害重金属

很多轻工业产品需要用到油性油漆，其中的重金属元素的含量是否超标将会直接影响到产品质量及其安全性。因此发展轻工产品中重金属含量的快速检测技术，对促进国民经济的发展和保障消费者生命安全具有重要的意义。我们利用激光诱导击穿光谱技术实现了对油漆中有害重金属含量的快速定性和定量分析。通过观测激光等离子体中重金属原子辐射强度可以定性测量重金属含量的大体水平。然后，在相同检测条件下，将已知浓度的标准样品作为参考，制定出各元素的校正曲线，使用外标法，就能够实现定量分析。对Pb、Cr、Cd三种有害重金属元素，目前检出限分别达到9、3.5和23ppm的水平，分析相对误差小于10%，单次测量时间短于2分钟。汞的结果不太理想，检测灵敏度相对偏低，与其原子辐射寿命较短有关。我们将采取脉冲放电延长汞原子辐射弛豫时间的措施来改进汞元素的分析灵敏度，使其达到较高水平。     

用激光诱导击穿光谱技术定量分析油漆中的有害重金属

很多轻工业产品需要用到油性油漆,其中的重金属元素的含量是否超标将会直接影响到产品质量及其安全性.因此发展轻工产品中重金属含量的快速检测技术,对促进国民经济的发展和保障消费者生命安全具有重要的意义.我们利用激光诱导击穿光谱技术实现了对油漆中有害重金属含量的快速定性和定量分析.通过观测激光等离子体中重金属原子辐射强度可以定性测量重金属含量的大体水平.然后,在相同检测条件下,将已知浓度的标准样品作为参考,制定出各元素的校正曲线,使用外标法,就能够实现定量分析.对Pb、Cr、Cd三种有害重金属元素,目前检出限分别达到9、3.5和23ppm的水平,分析相对误差小于10%,单次测量时间短于2分钟.汞的结果不太理想,检测灵敏度相对偏低,与其原子辐射寿命较短有关.我们将采取脉冲放电延长汞原子辐射弛豫时间的措施来改进汞元素的分析灵敏度,使其达到较高水平.     

Energy‐dispersive x‐ray fluorescence analysis of modern coloured glasses from Marinha Grande (Portugal)

The elemental composition (K, Ca, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Sr, Ba, Nd and Pb) of modern coloured glasses was obtained by energy‐dispersive x‐ray fluorescence (EDXRF) spectrometry. This non‐destructive technique is frequently used in the analysis of historical glass objects. Two reference glasses were also measured to assess the overall accuracy of the EDXRF method. Reference and unknown glasses were analysed without any preparation. The coloured glass samples studied belong to the Glass Museum of Marinha Grande and were chosen from two distinct collections, which were characterized by the different concentrations of some elements (K, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ba and Pb). The determined major elements allowed the identification of two raw materials used in glass manufacture, sand and lime. Multivariate statistical analysis, namely principal component extraction, simplified the identification of some of the colouring chemical elements, associating them with the different colours of the glass objects. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Quantitative electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) analyses of lead zirconate titanate

Electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) analyses have been performed on a sol-gel deposited lead zirconate titanate film, showing that EELS can be used for heavy as well as light element analysis. The elemental distributions within the sol-gel layers are profiled using the Pb N(6,7)-edges, Zr M-edges, Ti L-edges and O K-edge. A multiple linear least squares fitting procedure was used to extract the Zr signal which overlaps with the Pb signal. Excellent qualitative information has been obtained on the distribution of the four elements. The non-uniform and complementary distributions of Ti and Zr within each sol-gel deposited layer are observed. The metal:oxygen elemental ratios are quantified using experimental standards of PbTiO(3), PbZrO(3), ZrO(2) and TiO(2) to provide relevant cross-section ratios. The quantitative results obtained for Ti/O and Pb/O are very good but the Zr/O results are less accurate. Methods of further improving the results are discussed.     

Effect of proton donors on the intramolecular coordination C=O→Si–F in (acyloxymethyl)trifluorosilanes. Ab initio,DFT and FTIR study,QTAIM analysis

The intramolecular С=O→Si coordination in H‐complexes of (acetoxymethyl)trifluorosilane and (benzoyloxymethyl)trifluorosilane with proton donors HCl, PhOH, MeOH, and CHCl₃ was investigated by density functional theory and second‐order Møller‐Plesset perturbation theory (MP2) methods. Interrelation and mutual influence of the intramolecular coordination bond С=O→Si and intermolecular hydrogen bonds C=O···H and Si–F···H in H‐complexes was established using the AIM and NBO analyses. The С=O→Si coordination is weakened by the C=O···H hydrogen bonding but enhanced by the Si–F_ax···H hydrogen bonding. The structure of H‐complexes of (acetoxymethyl)trifluorosilane with proton donors in solution was determined by comparing the ν(C=O) and ν(Si–F) frequencies calculated using the conductor‐like polarizable continuum model and their experimental Fourier transform infrared values. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Feasibility for chemometric energy dispersive X‐ray fluorescence and scattering (EDXRFS) spectroscopy method for rapid soil quality assessment

Soil quality assessment (SQA) is important for modulating agricultural productivity and thus requires simple and rapid analysis of soil (macro & micro) nutrients (here called soil quality indicators – SQIs). We report proof of concept of a chemometrics‐assisted energy dispersive X‐ray fluorescence and scattering (EDXRFS) spectroscopy technique for direct rapid analysis of SQIs. The EDXRFS method exploits, in addition to fluorescence, the X‐ray scatter peaks obtained non‐invasively from soils to develop a calibration strategy for quantitative analysis of SQIs in model clay soils doped with micronutrients (Fe, Cu, and Zn) and macronutrients (NO₃^?, SO₄^2?, and H₂PO₄^?). The soil samples and certified reference materials IAEA Soil‐7 and IAEA Soil‐1 (used to build spectral library for soil classification) were irradiated at various live times (to simulate different signal‐to‐noise ratios of analyte signals and analysis speed) in a teflon holder and were analyzed using a ¹⁰⁹Cd‐excited XRF spectrometer. Principal components analysis was used for spectral data compression and pattern recognition (including for those SQI spectral signatures without any visibly discernible characteristic X‐ray lines), whereas partial least squares regression and artificial neural networks were used to build a calibration and quantitative analysis strategy. The method furnishes soil micronutrient and macronutrient information simultaneously and rapidly (t = 200 s). To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first time that an XRF method has demonstrated spectroanalytical potential for quantitative macronutrients analysis in soils applicable to routine SQA. Coupling EDXRFS with multivariate chemometrics enables rapid and reliable assessment of chemical SQIs. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

In situ observation of Ni–Mo–S phase formed on NiMo/Al2O3 catalyst sulfided at high pressure by means of Ni and Mo K‐edge EXAFS spectroscopy

To obtain direct evidence of the formation of the Ni–Mo–S phase on NiMo/Al₂O₃ catalysts under high‐pressure hydrodesulfurization conditions, a high‐pressure EXAFS chamber has been constructed and used to investigate the coordination structure of Ni and Mo species on the catalysts sulfided at high pressure. The high‐pressure chamber was designed to have a low dead volume and was equipped with polybenzimidazole X‐ray windows. Ni K‐edge k³χ(k) spectra with high signal‐to‐noise ratio were obtained using this high‐pressure chamber for the NiMo/Al₂O₃ catalyst sulfided at 613 K and 1.1 MPa over a wide k range (39.5–146 nm^?1). The formation of Ni–Mo and Mo–Ni coordination shells was successfully proved by Ni and Mo K‐edge EXAFS measurement using this chamber. Interatomic distances of these coordination shells were almost identical to those calculated from Ni K‐edge EXAFS of NiMo/C catalysts sulfided at atmospheric pressure. These results support the hypothesis that the Ni–Mo–S phase is formed on the Al₂O₃‐supported NiMo catalyst sulfided under high‐pressure hydrodesulfurization conditions.