Possibilities of the formation of carbides and borides by ion implantation

In the system of boron and carbon, the formation of boron carbide was investigated after ion implantation of 25 keV B ions into carbon or of 25 keV C ions into boron and subsequent annealing. TEM and electron diffraction studies showed that the crystallization of boron carbide begins only at temperatures above 1050°C. By implantation of 20 keV C ions into iron (ion dose 10¹⁷ C ions/cm²) only the metastable ε-Fe₂O will be generated, which at above 220°C transforms into the stable cementite Fe₃C. After implantation of 20 keV B ions into iron, no formation of iron boride could be found. These experimental facts can be understood qualitatively with the help of the thermal-spike model. The energy density or the temperature in the thermal spikes is not sufficient for the generation of cementite iron boride or boron carbide.     

DC-60 heavy ion cyclotron complex: The first beams and project parameters

The construction of the DC-60 Heavy Ion Cyclotron for the Interdisciplinary Scientific Research Complex (ISRC) in Astana started in early 2004. The cyclotron was manufactured and tested at the Flerov Laboratory of Nuclear Reactions (FLNR) in Dubna. The main units were delivered to Astana and assembled in the ISRC building in the summer of 2006. The cyclotron was turned on in September, 2006. The first heavy ion beams in the whole A/Z and energy ranges were accelerated and extracted in December, 2006. The complex, based on the DC-60 cyclotron, is intended for applied and fundamental research using accelerated heavy ion beams ranging from Carbon to Xenon with energies in the range of 0.34–1.77 MeV/nucleon, as well as for experiments on the channel of low energy ion beams, where the ion extraction voltage supplied by the ECR source reaches 25 kV. The energy variation of the accelerated ions is accomplished by changing the ion charge. The possibility of smoothly tuning the ion energy by ±30% of its nominal value can be seen by changing the cyclotron magnetic field. Within the framework of commissioning the DC-60 cyclotron, a number of experiments were carried out with accelerating charged particle beams in the main points of the working diagram

Influence of annealing on the concentration profiles of boron implantations in silicon

The influence of annealing on the concentration profiles of boron implanted into silicon with does of 10¹⁴ ions/cm² up to 10¹⁶ ions/cm² and an energy of 70 keV was studied. The concentration profiles were measured with Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS). The broadening of the concentration profiles during annealing can be described as a superposition of effects resulting from a relatively immobile and a mobile boron fraction. The properties of the immobile boron fraction were studied by measuring the influence of a boron implantation on the distribution of a homogeneous boron background dope. From these experiments it was concluded that the immobile boron fraction consists of boron precipitates. The properties of the mobile fraction were studied from concentration profiles that were obtained after annealing during different periods at the same temperature. It was found that during the initial stage of the annealing process a fast broadening of the profile occurs; this was assumed to be due to an interstitial type boron diffusion. After prolonged annealing the much slower substitutional type diffusion prevails, due to trapping of the interstitial boron atoms by vacancies. The reliability of the SIMS method, as applied to profile measurements, was checked for the high boron doses used in this investigation. Excessive boron precipitates, obtained after annealing of a high dose, such as 10¹⁶ ions/cm² at about 1000°C, appear to give some increase of the ion yield.     

Growth and characterization of cerium-substituted yttrium iron garnet single crystals for magneto-optical applications

This paper is concerned with the preparation and characterization of cerium-substituted yttrium iron garnets, which are known to be oxides having a large Faraday rotation effect. Using the improved flux method we successfully grew bulk single crystals of iron garnet doped with Ce³⁺ ions with maximum substitutions up to 0.349. Here we investigate different solution compositions for maximum Ce³⁺ substitution. The Faraday rotation and optical absorption spectra were measured in the near infrared region for different Ce³⁺ ion substituted iron garnets. The specific Faraday rotation of Ce_0.349Eu_0.195Y_2.456Fe₅O₁₂ was found to be 1430 deg/cm at a wavelength of 780 nm and –1280 deg/cm at 1150 nm. The Ce substitution prominently enhances the Faraday rotation effect, and Yb³⁺ and Eu³⁺ ions substituted for Y³⁺ in the dodecahedral sites of YIG can increase the concentration of Ce³⁺ ions, depressing the formation of nonmagnetic Ce⁴⁺ ions by charge compensation. Received: 24 January 2001 / Accepted: 2 March 2001 / Published online: 27 June 2001     

Development,creation, and startup of the DC-110 heavy ion cyclotron complex for industrial production of track membranes

The DC-110 heavy ion cyclotron for industrial production of track membranes has been developed and created at the Laboratory of Nuclear Reactions of the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research. The cyclotron is equipped with an electron cyclotron resonance ion source operating at a frequency of 18 GHz. The accelerator complex was put into operation in 2012 and ⁴⁰Ar⁶⁺, ⁸⁶Kr¹³⁺, and ¹³²Xe²⁰⁺ ion beams with a energy of 2.5 MeV/nucleon and intensity of 13, 14.5, and 10.5 μA, respectively, were produced. Irradiation of a polymer film was carried out on a specialized channel and track membranes with a high uniformity of pores were obtained. The DC-110 accelerator complex can produce up to 2 million square meters of track membranes per year.     

Optical characterization of the phosphate glasses containing pair transition ions

The paper deals with optical and electronic properties of the aluminophosphate glasses containing Fe–Mn and Fe–Cr ion pairs in different concentration. The influence of the mixed alkali ions over the electronic properties has been investigated. The optical behavior (optical transmission) of the glass samples has been studied by UV-VIS spectroscopy and the refractive index dependency on wavelength has been discussed. The transmission spectra show features specific for the doping transition ions (TM), revealing different oxidation states of iron (Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺), manganese (Mn²⁺/Mn³⁺) and chromium (Cr³⁺/Cr⁶⁺) in the vitreous network. Mössbauer spectroscopy offers information regarding the TM oxidation states, redox processes and the iron coordination symmetry in the vitreous network. In the case of Fe–Mn doped glasses, the percentage of Fe²⁺ is about 40% and a doubled iron content leads to an increasing of Fe²⁺ percentage up to 53%. The replacing of lithium ions by natrium ions (mixed alkali effect) provides an increasing of the Fe²⁺ percentage up to 56%. The occurrence of the tetrahedral or octahedral symmetry of Fe²⁺ ions bonded by O^2? ions depends on the transition ion nature and Li⁺/Na⁺ ratio. Infrared absorption spectra of the pair transition ions-doped aluminophosphate glasses reveal optical phonons specific for the phosphate glass matrix.     

Application of X-ray absorption spectroscopy to the investigation of charge states of iron ions in iron borate nanoceramics

The method of X-ray absorption spectroscopy has been used for the investigation of charge states of iron ions in iron borate nanoceramics prepared by shear deformation under pressure. The experimental Fe 2p X-ray absorption spectra have been presented in comparison with the calculation of atomic multiplets of iron ions taking into account the charge transfer from the 2p orbitals of oxygen to the 3d orbitals of iron and the crystal-field splitting of the 3d orbitals of iron. Our results indicate that, in addition to iron ions in the ground charge state Fe³⁺, nanostructured FeBO₃ contains a few percent of Fe²⁺ ions. It has been found that an increase in the degree of plastic deformation (the rotation angle of the anvils) leads to a decrease in the size of crystallites and to an increase in the concentration of Fe²⁺ ions without the formation of new phases. The results of this work agree with the magnetic and optical measurements and confirm high defectness of FeBO₃ nanoceramics.     

Formation of lithium-like boron and nitrogen ions in the <Superscript>4</Superscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">P</Emphasis><Subscript>5/2</Subscript> state in gaseous media

We experimentally determined the fraction of α_v of lithium-like boron B²⁺ and nitrogen N⁴⁺ ions in the ⁴ P _5/2 state having a velocity of 3.6 au that are formed upon capture of two (α₂) electrons by hydrogen-like B⁴⁺ and N⁶⁺ ions and upon capture of one (α₁) electron by helium-like (1s2s)^1,3 S metastable B³⁺ and N⁵⁺ ions in gaseous media (H₂, He, N₂, Ar), as well as upon passage through a celluloid film. In light-element media (H₂, He), α₂ increases proportional to the target thickness T _g and reaches a maximum at T _g ≈ 10¹⁶ atom/cm² (for B ions, α₂ ≈ 0.2 in H₂ and α₂ ≈ 0.4 in He). For boron and nitrogen ions passing through thin layers of heavier gases (N₂, Ne), α₂ depends considerably more weakly on T _g , and, in Ar, becomes practically constant. It is assumed that, since hydrogen and helium do not contain electrons with parallel spins, autoionizing lithium-like ions are formed as a result of successive (one by one) capture of electrons, whereas, in the heavier gases, simultaneous capture of two electrons predominates. At T _g ～ 10¹⁵ atom/cm², the fraction α₁ of boron ions is the highest in He, ～0.15, and the lowest in Ar, ～0.07, being in qualitative agreement with calculations.     

Ion storage in Kingdon trap

Abstract

The characteristics of stored ions in a Kingdon trap have been investigated. The charge distribution of stored ions was measured by a time of flight (TOF) mass spectrometer. Storage of Ar^q+ (q = 1, 2, 3, 4) produced by electron beam irradiation has been confirmed. The dependences of Ar ion yields on the trapping potential and storage time have been systematically studied.

Applying a voltage to end plates is very important for the storage of ions. Remarkable oscillations of the ion yields are found in the decay curves as a function of storage time for Ar⁺, Ar²⁺ and Ar³⁺ indicating periodical motion of each ion group about the central wire. The three dimensional orbits of ions in the trap are analysed by a computer calculation to understand the experimental results.     

HgSe:Fe—a mixed-valency system and the problem of the ground state

The dependence of the electron mobility on the iron impurity content N _Fe and temperature is studied for three variants of the ordering of Fe³⁺ ions in crystalline HgSe:Fe, a weakly correlated gas, states with near ordering like that in a strongly correlated Coulomb liquid, and long-range ordering. The electron mobilities owing to scattering on the correlated system of Fe³⁺ ions are determined. The temperature dependence of the mobility is analyzed for electron scattering on fluctuations in the charge density in a system of Fe²⁺-Fe³⁺ iron ions with mixed valency, and the correlation length is determined. It is shown that the ordering region for the Fe³⁺ ions encompasses only the first coordination sphere, i.e., near ordering in the position of the Fe³⁺ ions is established, as in a liquid. The coupling between the ordering of the Fe³⁺ ions and the formation of a correlation gap in the density of impurity d-states and its effect on the low-temperature behavior of the electron mobility in HgSe:Fe crystals are examined. Fiz. Tverd. Tela (St. Petersburg) 40, 425–432 (March 1998)     

Vibrations and chemical states of iron ions in soda‐lime glasses determined by element‐specific X‐ray analyses

We systematically study medium‐range structures including more than three neighboring atoms around iron ions (Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺) in soda‐lime glass samples with low iron oxide concentrations (M_Fe2O3) and a wide number ratio of Fe²⁺ to all iron ions (Fe²⁺/Σ_nFe). The precise medium‐range structures around iron ions in glass have not yet been revealed because of a lack of the appropriate measurement methods. To avoid this problem, we used element‐specific nuclear resonant inelastic scattering (NRIS) with synchrotron X‐rays to observe the vibrations of iron ions (⁵⁷Fe). The vibrations are related to medium‐range structures with more than three neighboring atoms and to the potential asymmetry and the coordination environment, around iron ions. The NRIS method has high sensitivity and can measure over a wide concentration range. Linear combination fitting of the X‐ray absorption fine structure spectra, which measures only the first neighbors but is a faster than using the NRIS method, was also used additionally. A systematically produced set of glasses with 0.015–5 wt% M_Fe2O3 and 0–0.85 Fe²⁺/Σ_nFe was measured with these methods. It was found that the soda‐lime glass possessed two different medium‐range structures with different iron ion valences (~2+ or ~3+), which were determined by the Fe²⁺/Σ_nFe, and that these structures were generated during production of the glass. Moreover, these medium‐range structures were the same from 0.015 to 5 wt% M_Fe2O3.     

Effect of precursors on the growth of carbon filaments onto clay surface

The successful growth of carbon filaments on two different precursors, i.e., the pristine sodium-montmorillonite (Na⁺MMT), which undergoes reflux at 100 °C (r-MMT), and the Na⁺MMT exchanged with Fe³⁺ ions (MMT(Fe)), was attained through chemical vapor deposition (CVD). The products obtained were characterized by X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetry, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Refluxing can make the Fe³⁺ ions in the octahedral layer of Na⁺MMT migrate to the interlayer and exchange with Na⁺ ions. Furthermore, through calcination at 500 °C, the Fe³⁺ ions migrate again to the surface of the clay layer and form iron oxides, which can serve as precursors for the deposition of carbon. Although r-MMT contained less iron than the MMT(Fe), the ultimate yield of carbon components grown was almost the same, indicating that the iron species in r-MMT possess higher catalytic activity. However, on the surface of r-MMT, CVD hardly generated carbon nanotubes with a clear hollow structure but that those with a carbon fiber structure instead.     

Synthesis of Highly Selective Indole-Based Sensors for Mercuric Ion

Two indole-based fluorescent chemosensors 1 and 2 were prepared and investigated characteristic features with transition metal ions. Sensors 1 and 2 were selective for Hg²⁺ ion, among a series of metal ions, in aqueous ethanol (H₂O–EtOH, 1:2, v/v) with association constants of 5.74 × 10³ and 4.46 × 10³ M⁻¹ and detection limits of 7.4 and 6.8 μM, respectively. Computational results revealed that sensor 1 or 2 with Hg²⁺ ion formed 1:1 complex with a central, sandwich-coordinated Hg²⁺ ion. Computational calculations provided evidence that a sandwich-coordinated Hg²⁺ ion center was formed and the polyoxyethylene spacer acted as a scaffold for bringing functional ligands into a suitable geometry.     

Synthesis and laser patterning of Bi-doped Y3Fe5O12 crystals in germanosilicate glasses

New germanosilicate glasses giving the crystallization of yttrium iron garnet Y₃Fe₅O₁₂ (YIG) and Bi-doped YIG, 23Na₂O-xBi₂O₃-(12−x)Y₂O₃-25Fe₂O₃-20SiO₂-20GeO₂ (mol%), are developed, and the laser-induced crystallization technique is applied to the glasses to pattern YIG and Bi-doped YIG crystals on the glass surface. It is clarified from the Mössbauer effect measurements that iron ions in the glasses are present mainly as Fe³⁺. It is suggested from the X-ray diffraction analyses and magnetization measurements that Si⁴⁺ ions are incorporated into YIG crystals formed in the crystallization of glasses. The irradiations (laser power: 32-60 mW and laser scanning speed: 7 μm/s) of continuous wave Yb:YVO₄ fiber laser (wavelength: 1080 nm) are found to induce YIG and Bi-doped YIG crystals, indicating that Fe³⁺ ions in the glasses act as suitable transition metal ions for the laser-induced crystallization. It is suggested that YIG and Bi-doped YIG crystals in the laser irradiated part might orient. The present study will be a first step for the patterning of magnetic crystals containing iron ions in glasses.     

Investigation of the processes of iron-ion recharging on surfaces of natural nanoclays (Based on Mössbauer spectroscopy data)

Experimental results on studying charge exchange in iron ions in systems of reduced dimensionality (nanoclays) of natural origin is presented. The conditions for the observation and the effect of different external factors on the reversible transition of the valence change for iron ions (Fe³⁺ ai Fe²⁺) in typical representatives of clays is established using Mössbauer spectroscopy. A technique of the determination of the location of iron complexes on the aluminosilicate surface of clays for Earth group planets is developed.     

CEMS measurements at low temperatures with Fe-Implanted sapphire

A single crystal of sapphire was implanted with 100-keV⁵⁷Fe to a dose of 3.4×10¹⁵ ions/cm². The charge states of iron ions were investigated with the CEMS technique at low temperatures. The formation of the observed charge states Fe²⁺(1) and Fe²⁺(2) were elucidated in terms of crystal structure.     

A Highly Fluorescent Pyrene-Based Sensor for Selective Detection Of Fe3+ Ion in Aqueous Medium: Computational Investigations

In this work, we introduce a highly selective and sensitive fluorescent sensor based on pyrene derivative for Fe(III) ion sensing in DMSO/water media. 2-(pyrene-2-yl)-1-(pyrene-2-ylmethyl)-1H-benzo[d]imidazole (PEBD) receptor was synthesized via simple condensation reaction and confirmed by spectroscopic techniques. The receptor exhibits fluorescence quenching in the presence of Fe(III) ions at 440 nm. ESI–MS and Job’s method were used to confirm the 1:1 molar binding ratio of the receptor PEBD to Fe(III) ions. Using the Benesi-Hildebrand equation the binding constant value was determined as 8.485?×?10³ M^?1. Furthermore, the limit of detection (LOD, 3σ/K) value was found to be 1.81 µM in DMSO/water (95/5, v/v) media. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of the United States, it is lower than the acceptable value of Fe³⁺ in drinking water (0.3 mg/L). The presence of 14 other metal ions such Co²⁺, Cr³⁺, Cu²⁺, Fe²⁺, Hg²⁺, Pb²⁺, K⁺, Ni²⁺, Mg²⁺, Cd²⁺, Ca²⁺, Mn²⁺, Al³⁺, and Zn²⁺ did not interfere with the detection of Fe(III) ions. The fluorescence life-time of the receptor PEBD with and without Fe³⁺ ion was found to be 1.097?×?10^?9 s and 0.9202?×?10^?9 s respectively. Similarly, the quantum yield of the receptor PEBD with Fe³⁺ and without Fe³⁺ ion was calculated, and found as 0.05 and 0.25 respectively. Computational studies of the receptor PEBD were carried out with density functional theory (DFT) using B3LYP/ 6-311G (d, p), LANL2DZ level of theory.

Graphical Abstract

     

UV–visible,infrared absorption spectra of undoped and TiO2-doped lead phosphate glasses and the effect of gamma irradiation

Undoped and TiO₂-doped lead phosphate glasses were prepared. Ultraviolet (UV)–visible and Fourier transform-infrared (IR) absorption spectra of the prepared samples were measured before and after being subjected to doses of 30 and 60 kGy of gamma irradiation. The parent undoped lead phosphate glass reveals charge transfer UV absorption bands which are attributed to the presence of unavoidable iron impurities contaminated within the raw materials used for the preparation of the glasses and the sharing of divalent lead (Pb²⁺) ions. Experimental spectral data indicate that the doped titanium ions are involved in such glasses in two valences, namely the trivalent and tetravalent states. The predominant trivalent titanium (Ti³⁺) ions are characterized by its purple color and exhibiting two visible absorption bands at about 500–550 and 700–720 nm. The lesser tetravalent titanium (Ti⁴⁺) ions belong to the d⁰ configuration and generally exhibit only an UV absorption band. Spectral data show that gamma irradiation causes noticeable changes in the undoped and TiO₂-doped samples in the UV range while the effects are limited in the visible range. The observed changes in the UV region are attributed to photochemical reactions while TiO₂-doped samples show retardation or shielding toward continuous gamma irradiation together with the sharing of heavy Pb²⁺ ions. IR absorption spectra reveal the vibrations of several phosphate groups including the metaphosphate chains as the main structural building units together with the possible Pb?O vibrations.     

EPR investigation of two types of Syrian's natural zeolites

Two different samples of natural zeolite have been investigated by X-band electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. The observed EPR spectra are typical to those observed for Fe³⁺ and Mn²⁺ ions. The lines, related to the iron, are observed, respectively at g≈4.3 and g≈2. The observed six lines, at g≈2, are the hyperfine structure due to the Mn²⁺ ions. The simulation of the experimental EPR spectra suggests that both of the manganese and the iron are present in more one site. The temperature dependence of the EPR spectra has been also investigated. The nature of the different sites involved in the EPR absorption is discussed.     

Specific Features of the Structural State of Iron Ions in Iron-Containing Composites Irradiated by Fast Electrons

The present paper analyzes the valence-coordination state of iron atoms in polymer composite materials fabricated from polystyrene and iron-ore concentrates – magnetite and hematite – upon exposure to fast electrons with energy of 6.2 MeV and fluence of 10¹⁸ electrons/cm². Changes in the phase content and valence-coordination and magnetic states of iron atoms are established. After irradiation, the hematite phase is transformed into the magnetite phase with a predominance of Fe³⁺ ions with [FeO₄] coordination, and the magnetite phase forms the wüstite-type (FeO) phase in which Fe²⁺ ions are arranged in [FeO₆] coordination.