Domain structure of cellulose triacetate

The topology of the surface of thin films obtained from cellulose triacetate solutions has been studied using electron microscopy. The domain structure of the physical network of macromolecules (percolation cluster) with the maximum size L ≈ 30 nm of regions with a local orientational order has been established. With an increase in the volume fraction Ω of the cluster to the critical value Ω = 0.91, repacking of domains takes place, which is connected with a decrease in the parameter Ω, L doubling bifurcation of the size L, and formation of regions of long-range orientational order: the mesophase of the polymer.     

Equation of state of fluid helium at high temperatures and densities

Hugoniot curves and shock temperatures of gas helium with initial temperature 293 K and three initial pressures 0.6, 1.2, and 5.0 MPa were measured up to 15000 K using a two-stage light-gas gun and transient radiation pyrometer. It was found that the calculated Hugoniot EOS of gas helium at the same initial pressure using Saha equation with Debye-Hückel correction was in good agreement with the experimental data. The curve of the calculated shock wave velocity with the particle velocity of gas helium which is shocked from the initial pressure 5 MPa and temperature 293 K, i.e., theD ≈u relation,D=C ₀+λu (u<10 km/s, λ=1.32) in a low pressure region, is approximately parallel with the fittedD ≈u (λ=1.36) of liquid helium from the experimental data of Nellis et al. Our calculations show that the Hugoniot parameter λ is independent of the initial density p{in0}. TheD≈u curves of gas helium will transfer to another one and approach a limiting value of compression when their temperature elevates to about 18000 K and the ionization degree of the shocked gas helium reaches 10⁻³.     

Equation of state of fluid helium at high temperatures and densities

Helium, hydrogen, and their isotopes are the simplest monoatomic and diatomic molecules. It is relatively easy to describe their properties using the basic principles of quantum mechanics. In condensed matter physics, hydrogen and helium serve as the models for the condensed matter properties at extreme conditions so that both experi- mental and theoretical physicists pay much attention to the study of their properties[1], especially the insulator-metal transition of hydrogen[2]. The aim to st…     

Structural,electrical and optical properties of boron doped ZnO thin films using LSMCD method at room temperature

Zn_1−x B _x O (0≤x≤0.04) thin films were deposited by the liquid source misted chemical vapor deposition (LSMCD) method. The thin films were polycrystalline with grain sizes of 16 nm to 22 nm. The structural, optical, and electrical properties were investigated by X-ray diffraction, UV-visible spectrophotometry, Raman spectroscopy, and Hall effect measurement. Also scanning electron (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) techniques were used in order to determine the morphological and topological characteristics of the films. The optimal result of Zn_1−x B _x O films was obtained at x=0.02, with a low resistivity of ≈10⁻² Ω cm, and a high transmittancy of 85% in the visible light spectrum (300 nm ∼ 800 nm).     

Implantation of periodic structures formed by silver particles into quartz glass

Quartz glass samples with a thin photosensitive AgCl-Ag film, prepared by successive evaporation of AgCl (h _AgCl ≈ 35 nm) and Ag (h _Ag ≈ 8 nm) in vacuum have been investigated. A periodic structure with a period of d = 375 nm formed by Ag particles was obtained in films using a p-polarized laser beam (λ = 532 nm, P = 25 mW) at an angle of incidence of ϕ = 20°. After removing AgCl in a fixing agent, the periodic structure remained on the glass surface. Subsequent irradiation by a CO₂ laser (λ = 10.6 μm, P ≈ 20 W) led to the implantation of this structure into the glass with the conservation of its period d and partial conservation of the related dichroism. The fact of implantation is confirmed by the high mechanical and chemical stability of the structure obtained. A possible implantation mechanism, taking into account the thermionic emission, Ag ionic transport, and the presence of free voids in the quartz glass and defects in its structural network, is discussed.     

Structure and optical properties of carbon films obtained by multipulse pulsed laser deposition

We have obtained carbon thin films on silicon and glass substrates with multipulse pulsed laser irradiation of graphite under vacuum (p ≈ 2.6 Pa) using a high-frequency series of nanosecond laser pulses (τ = 85 ns, λ = 1060 nm) with pulse repetition frequency f ≈ 10–20 kHz and laser power density q ≈ 15–40 MW/cm². We established the optimal laser power density and laser pulse repetition frequency for obtaining amorphous nanostructured diamond-like films.     

Femtosecond pulse crystallization of thin amorphous hydrogenated films on glass substrates using near ultraviolet laser radiation

Femtosecond laser treatments (second harmonic of Ti-sapphire laser, λ ≈ 400 nm wavelength, <30 fs pulse duration) were applied for crystallization of thin hydrogenated amorphous silicon films on glass substrates. The concentration of atomic hydrogen in the films was varied from 10 to ≈35%. The energy densities (laser fluences) for crystallization of the films with thicknesses from 20 to 130 nm were found. Assumedly, non-thermal processes (plasma annealing) take place in phase transition caused ultra-fast pulses. The developed approach can be used for creation of polycrystalline silicon films on non-refractory substrates.     

Electromagnetic properties and shapes of ground states in Pt−Au−Hg region

We present a comprehensive calculation of odd-A isotopes of Pt, Au and Hg in the mass region 177≤A≤195. Two nuclear models have been used. The particle-triaxial rotor model with modified oscillator s.p. potential (PTR-MO) yielded deformation parameters ε₂ and γ as a result of fitting to a wide range of experimental data. Also, mean field calculations based on the Woods-Saxon potential with Strutinsky shell corrections were performed to predict deformation parameters β₂, β₄ and γ form Total Routhian Surfaces (TRS). Subsequent PTR calculation using these deformation parameters and Woods-Saxon s.p. potential (PTR-WS) yielded ground state properties of all nuclei in question in very good agreement with experiment. The deformation parameters ε₂ and β₂ showed the same general trend as a function of neutron number. The fitted parameter γ from (PTR-MO) calculation indicated a smooth change from prolate (N≈100) to oblate shape (N≈115) via triaxial in Pt, Au and Hg. The value of γ extracted from TRS calculations predicts a smooth change in Pt isotopes but much sharper change in Au and Hg nuclei.     

Growth-induced perpendicular anisotropy of grains in Co-Al-O nanogranular ferromagnetic films

This paper reports on the results of the magnetostatic measurements for Co-Al-O nanogranular films over a wide range of concentrations of the ferromagnetic component x. It has been revealed that grains in the films are characterized by the growth-induced anisotropy with easy axes directed perpendicular to the film plane. The maximum field of the single-grain perpendicular anisotropy reaches ∼2.5 kOe for samples in the vicinity of the percolation threshold (x ≈ 61 at % Co). It has been established that the characteristic features of the superparamagnetic behavior of an ensemble of oriented Stoner-Wohlfarth particles are retained for the sample with x ≈ 61 at % Co in the presence of the demagnetization field associated with the net magnetization of the film. The influence of the demagnetization field of the film on the shape of the magnetization reversal curves, the coercivity, and the blocking temperature has been investigated and simulated. The results of the simulation are consistent with the experimental data.     

Jeans-Buneman instability in a dusty plasma

A self consistent formulation of the Jeans instability of a dusty plasma with proper inclusion of charge dynamics is described. It is shown that charge fluctuations significantly affect the Jeans as well as the Buneman mode. For plasma particles (electrons and ions) in local thermal equilibrium, the Jeans lengthλ _J is given byλ _J≈λ _g F(R, ε, β/η), whereλ _g is the Debye length of the charged grains,R is the square of the ratio of the Jeans to the plasma frequency of the grains,ε is the square of the ratio of the Debye length of the grains and the plasma particles andβ/η is the ratio of the attachment to the decay frequency of the electronic charges to the grain surface. The functional form ofF is given in the text. Numerical investigation of the Jeans-Buneman mode for a two and three component plasma shows that the Jeans mode dominates atkλ _D≪1 (wherek is the wave number andλ _D is the Debye length of plasma particles), whereas atkλ _D≫1 only the Buneman mode operates. Charge fluctuations reduce the area of overlap of the two modes. Furthermore, in the absence of gravity, there exists a new, charge fluctuation induced unstable mode in a streaming dusty plasma. Astrophysical applications of the results are discussed.     

Characterization of dip-coated ITO films derived from nanoparticles synthesized by␣low-pressure spray pyrolysis

In₂O₃:Sn (Indium Tin Oxide; ITO) films were prepared from a sol solution with highly crystalline ITO nanoparticles (less than 20 nm in size with 10 at.% Sn) which had been prepared by low-pressure spray pyrolysis (LPSP) in a single step. The ITO sol solution was prepared by dispersing LPSP-prepared ITO nanoparticles into ultra pure water. The nanoparticle ITO film was deposited on a glass substrate using a dip-coating method and then annealed in air at various temperatures. The optical transmittances of the ITO films were measured by UV–Vis spectrometry, and the films were found to have a high transparency to visible light (in the case of a film thickness of 250 nm annealed at 400°C, the transparency was in excess of 95% over the range λ=450–800 nm, with a maximum value near 100% at wavelengths above λ=700 nm). The optical transmittances of the films were influenced by the size of the ITO particle used, the film thickness and the annealing temperature. The ITO films showed a minimum resistivity of 9.5×10⁻² Ω cm, and their resistivity was affected by both the ITO particle size and the annealing temperature used.     

IR reflection and Raman spectra of β-Tl1 ? x Cu x InS2 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.015) single crystals

The IR reflection and Raman spectra of β-Tl_{1 − x} Cu _x InS₂ (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.015) single crystals have been studied in the temperature range 84–300 K. It is shown that partial replacement of thallium by copper atoms leads to a decrease in the frequencies of the corresponding oscillations in the frequency range 40–500 cm⁻¹ and does not induce (at given concentrations) local oscillations. Analysis of the transformation of the IR reflection spectra at T ₂ ≈ 185 K revealed a ferroelectric phase transition. Original Russian Text ? A.N. Georgobiani, A.Kh. Matiyev, C.V. Bulyarski, T.A. Matiyeva, 2009, published in Izvestiya Rossiiskoi Akademii Nauk. Seriya Fizicheskaya, 2009, Vol. 73, No. 1, pp. 138–140.     

Dc and Ac conductivity of La2CuO4+δ

The complex conductivity of La₂CuO_4+δ has been investigated for frequencies 20 Hz≤ν≤4 GHz and temperatures 1.5K≤T≤450 K. Two single crystals with δ≈0 and δ≈0.02 were investigated, using dc (four-probe), reflectometric and contact-free techniques. At high temperatures the dc conductivity is thermally activated with low values of the activation energy. For low temperatures Mott's variable range hopping dominates. The real and imaginary parts of the ac conductivity follow a power-law dependence σ∼v ^s, typical for charge transport by hopping processes. A careful analysis of the temperature dependence of the ac conductivity and of the frequency exponents has been performed. It is not possible to explain all aspects of the ac conductivity in La₂CuO_4+δ by standart hopping models. However, the observed minimum in the temperature dependence of the frequency exponents strongly suggests tunneling of large polarons as dominant transport process.     

Transparent conducting antimony-doped tin oxide films deposited on flexible substrates by r.f. magnetron-sputtering

Transparent conducting antimony-doped tin oxide (SnO₂:Sb) films were deposited on organic substrates by r.f. magnetron-sputtering. Polycrystalline films with a resistivity of ≈ 6.5×10^-3 Ω cm, a carrier concentration of≈ 1.2×10²⁰ cm^-3 and a Hall mobility of ≈ 9.7 cm² v^-1 s^-1 were obtained. The average transmittance of these films reached 85% in the wavelength range of the visible spectrum. Received: 20 April 2001 / Accepted: 23 July 2001 / Published online: 17 October 2001     

Isotope effect in charge transport of LuB12

The galvanomagnetic properties of single-crystal samples with various isotopic boron compositions have been investigated for the first time for the normal state of superconductor LuB₁₂ (T c ≈ 0.44 K). Precision measurements of the resistivity, Hall coefficient, and magnetic susceptibility have been performed over a wide temperature range of 2–300 K in magnetic fields up to 80 kOe. A change of the charge transport regime in this nonmagnetic compound with metallic conduction is shown to occur near T* ≈ 50−70 K. As a result, a sharp peak with significantly different amplitudes for Lu¹⁰B₁₂ and Lu¹¹B₁₂ is recorded in the temperature dependences of the Hall coefficient R _H(T) near T*. A significant (about 10%) difference (in absolute value) of the Hall coefficients R _H for the Lu¹⁰B₁₂ and Lu¹¹B₁₂ compounds at helium and intermediate temperatures has been found and the patterns of behavior of the dependence R _H(H) for T < T* in an external magnetic field H ≤ 80 kOe for Lu¹⁰B₁₂ and Lu¹¹B₁₂ are shown to differ significantly. Analysis of the Curie-Weiss contribution to the magnetic susceptibility χ(T) leads to the conclusion about the formation of magnetic moments μ_eff ≈ (0.13−0.19)μ_B in each unit cell of the fcc structure of LuB₁₂ compounds with various isotopic compositions. The possibility of the realization of an electronic topological 2.5-order transition near T* and the influence of correlation effects in the 5d-band on the formation of a spin polarization near the rare-earth ions in LuB₁₂ is discussed.     

Molecular dynamics investigation of the size effect upon the β → α transformation in Zr nanocrystals

The stability of the β phase in cubic zirconium nanoparticles has been calculated as a function of the size r (r varies in the range from 2.5 to 11.5 nm) by the molecular dynamics method with the many-body interatomic interaction potential obtained within the embedded-atom model. It has been demonstrated that the temperature T _k at which the cubic cluster of body-centered cubic zirconium becomes structurally unstable depends nonlinearly on the particle size. The curve T _k (r) exhibits a pronounced maximum in the range r ≈ 4.3−4.7 nm. It has been established that the mechanism of the structural transition from the body-centered cubic phase to the hexagonal close-packed phase depends substantially on the particle size. For particles with sizes in the range from 2.5 to 5.0 nm, there exists a temperature range in which the transition from the body-centered cubic phase to the hexagonal close-packed phase remains incomplete for a long time. In this case, two phases coexist and the initial particle undergoes a strong deformation along the habit plane.     

Magnetoresistive properties of cold-pressed CrO<Subscript>2</Subscript> powder,prepared by hydrothermal synthesis

The resistive, magnetoresistive and magnetic properties of cold-pressed CrO₂, powder prepared by hydrothermal synthesis from chromic anhydride have been studied. The powder particles (with a mean diameter of about 120 nm) were nearly spherical. The particles stabilized with a β-CrOOH surface layer. The powder compact (with a Curie temperature of about 385 K) revealed nonmetallic temperature behavior of the resistance (with an R(T) dependence close to exponential at T < 20 K). A giant negative magnetoresistance (MR) (∼20% at T ≈ 5K) is found. MR decreased rapidly with an increase in temperature (to 0.3% at T > 200 K). Such MR behavior is shown to be typical of a system of magnetic grains with magnetic (spin-dependent) tunneling.     

Synthesis and physical properties of LaO1-xFxFeAs

We have prepared the newly discovered Fe-based superconducting material LaO_1-xF_xFeAs (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.2) in polycrystalline form and have investigated the samples by means of structural, thermodynamic and transport measurements. Our investigations reveal a non superconducting phase at 0 ≤ x 0.04 which for x = 0 is characterized by a structural transition towards an orthorhombic distortion at T_s ≈ 160 K and antiferromagnetic spin order at T_N ≈ 138 K. Both transitions lead to strong anomalies in various transport properties as well as in magnetization and in specific heat. Remarkably, the transition temperatures are only weakly doping dependent up to x ≈ 0.04. However, the transitions are abruptly suppressed at x ≥ 0.05 in favour of a superconducting phase with a critical temperature T_c 20 K. Upon further increasing the F-doping T_c increases up to a maximum of T_c = 26.8 K at x = 0.1 which is followed by a decrease down to T_c ≈ 10 K at x ≥ 0.15.     

Weak chaos and metastability in a symplectic system of many long-range-coupled standard maps

We introduce, and numerically study, a system of N symplectically and globally coupled standard maps localized in a d=1 lattice array. The global coupling is modulated through a factor r^-α, being r the distance between maps. Thus, interactions are long-range (nonintegrable) when 0≤α≤1, and short-range (integrable) when α>1. We verify that the largest Lyapunov exponent λ_M scales as λ_M ∝ N^-κ(α), where κ(α) is positive when interactions are long-range, yielding weak chaos in the thermodynamic limit N↦∞ (hence λ_M→0). In the short-range case, κ(α) appears to vanish, and the behaviour corresponds to strong chaos. We show that, for certain values of the control parameters of the system, long-lasting metastable states can be present. Their duration t_c scales as t_c ∝N^β(α), where β(α) appears to be numerically in agreement with the following behavior: β>0 for 0 ≤α< 1, and zero for α≥1. These results are consistent with features typically found in nonextensive statistical mechanics. Moreover, they exhibit strong similarity between the present discrete-time system, and the α-XY Hamiltonian ferromagnetic model.     

Magnetic Resonance of Ferritin Crystalline Particles in Tumor Tissue

Lyophilized samples of human tumor tissue exposed and not exposed to radiation therapy were investigated by magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The measurements were taken in the temperature range of 4–280 K on an X-band electron paramagnetic resonance spectrometer. Two types of ferromagnetic resonance signals were detected. The first type signals (g _eff ≈ 2.1 ÷ 2.4) were detected in the spectra of 25% of the samples. The orientational dependence of these signals has been found. The temperature dependences of the first type signals were measured. Specific features were observed near the temperature of 125 K. They are evidently typical for the Verwey phase transition in magnetite. We suppose that the first type signals may belong to arrays or chains of ferritin particles with the crystal core in the form of magnetite. The temperature dependences of magnetic resonance characteristics of ferritin in tumors are differ from those of the same characteristics of ferritin in healthy tissue investigated before. In spectra of irradiated tumors, the second type signals at low fields were detected which may be due to aggregates of different iron particles in cell lysosomes.