Optical diagnostics of physicochemical properties of NiO/Al2O3 nanocomposites upon exposure to different gases and heat

We have studied nanostructural and optical properties of composites of nanostructured nickel oxide films on a substrate from porous aluminum oxide NiO/Al₂O₃ in the UV, visible, and IR spectral ranges on exposure of composites to different gases, vacuum, and heat. We have found that, upon irradiation of NiO/Al₂O₃ composites by laser radiation at a wavelength of 633 nm, they demonstrate a high sensitivity to carbon monoxide CO in the range of the excitonic absorption of nickel oxide. We assume that an increase in the transmission coefficient of the composite in the excitonic absorption band is determined by luminescence that is caused by the oxidation reaction of carbon monoxide. The sensitivity of composites to CO is enhanced with decreasing the size of NiO nanoparticles and after evacuation. The values of the diffuse reflection coefficient at the laser radiation wavelength of 633 nm correlate with the size of nickel oxide nanoparticles. Spectral changes in the range of the fundamental absorption band of NiO that occur in the IR range and in diffuse reflection spectra are related to the appearance of carbon-containing compounds in the composite exposed to CO.     

High performance multilayer La/B4C mirrors with carbon barrier layers

Recent results from manufacturing multilayer La/B₄C mirrors at wavelengths above 6.7 nm with carbon barrier layers are presented. It is shown that maximum reflection R = 58.6% is attained at λ = 6.661 nm.     

Fabrication of Fe/Fe<Subscript>3</Subscript>C-functionalized carbon nanotubes and their electromagnetic and microwave absorbing properties

Fe/Fe₃C-functionalized carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been prepared by the floating catalyst chemical vapor-deposition method. It is demonstrated that the Fe and Fe₃C nanostructures are both encapsulated in the CNTs or decorated on the surface of CNTs. The Fe/Fe₃C content in the composites can easily be adjusted by changing the ferrocene concentration in the preparation. The electromagnetic properties of the CNTs have been evaluated in the frequency range of 2–18 GHz, and the nanocomposites exhibit excellent microwave absorbing performance. The CNT composites with higher Fe/Fe₃C content show enhanced microwave reflection losses. The significant influence of the Fe/Fe₃C nanostructures on the microwave absorption is realized by tuning the characteristic impedance of the nanocomposites. With increasing thickness, the maximum reflection loss peak shifts to lower frequency. The microwave absorbing performance of the composites is mainly caused by dielectric loss, resulting from the continuous CNT networks with excellent electrical conductivity.     

Antireflection properties of germanium–carbon coating on zinc supplied substrate

In this research, germanium–carbon coatings were deposited on ZnS and glass substrates by a RF plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition method using GeH₄ and CH₄ as precursors. ZnS/Ge_1?xC_x double-layer antireflection coating with optical thickness of one quarter wavelength was designed. The samples were characterized by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy and nanoindentation. The coatings exhibited a structure free of pores with a very good adhesion to substrate. Based on the XRD patterns, no diffraction peak was found, so all the coatings mainly had an amorphous structure. The infrared (IR) transmittance spectrum show that the maximum IR transmittance in the band of 1030–1330 cm^?1 was about 84.6%, which is higher than ZnS substrate by 10%. In addition, the reflection of ZnS substrate is about 25%. This system has reduced the reflection from the substrate by 15%.     

Solid Fabry-Perot etalons for X-rays

Solid Fabry-Perot etalons for X-rays have been constructed using sputter deposition techniques, each etalon consisting of two Layered Synthetic Microstructures (LSM) Bragg diffraction structures separated by a carbon spacer. The individual LS mirrors contain fifteen tungsten layers (t_w = 8.5 Å) separated by carbon layers (t_c = 19.1 Å. The thick carbon spacers act as resonant cavities; for the structures reported on here the spacer thicknesses, t_sp, are 496.6 Å and 981 Å. The structures were characterized at grazing incidence in reflection using Cu Kα (λ = 1.5418 Å) radiation. The measured response of the etalons agrees well with calculation. Observed reflection efficiencies for Cu K_α were approximately 50 percent of that calculated. This discrepancy is believed to be the result of the interfacial roughness (～3.25 Å) between component layers and the sensitivity of the etalon response to the divergence of the incident X-ray beam.     

Magnetic phase transitions in TbNi<Subscript>5</Subscript> single crystal: Bulk properties and neutron diffraction studies

The angular dependence of the intensity of CK_α radiation measured from a film of oriented carbon nanotubes shows an increase in the yield of x-ray fluorescence along the growth direction of the nanotubes. The angular distribution of the intensity of scattered x rays is close in magnitude to the angular distribution of the directivity of nanotubes in the film that is determined by analyzing an electron-microscope image. To explain the propagation of radiation along the nanotubes, two mechanisms are proposed on the basis of reflection from inner walls of a tube (channeling) and an anomalous dispersion of CK_α photons in the carbon medium.     

Effect of heat treatment on ZrO2-embedded electrospun carbon fibers used for efficient electromagnetic interference shielding

ZrO₂-embedded carbon fibers were prepared for use as an electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding material by electrospinning and heat treatment methods. Structural changes were observed in the ZrO₂ and in the carbon structures by XRD and Raman spectroscopy, respectively. During heat treatment, XRD analysis results revealed a transition from a monoclinic structure to a tetragonal structure in ZrO₂ and a graphitization in the structural formation of carbon fibers was observed by Raman spectroscopy. It was observed that these structural changes in the ZrO₂ and the carbon fibers improved the real and imaginary permittivities by a factor of more than 3.5. The EMI shielding efficiency (SE) improved along with the permittivity with higher treatment temperatures and greater amounts of embedded ZrO₂; the highest average EMI SE achieved was 31.79 dB in 800-8500 MHz. The heat treatment played an important role in the improvements in the permittivity and in the EMI SE because of the heat-induced structural changes of the ZrO₂-embedded electrospun carbon fibers. We suggest that the EMI shielding of the fibers is primarily due to the absorption of electromagnetic waves, which prevents secondary EMI by reflection of electromagnetic waves.     

The electrochemical preparation and microwave absorption properties of magnetic carbon fibers coated with Fe3O4 films

Electrodeposition was employed to fabricate magnetite (Fe₃O₄) coated carbon fibers (MCCFs). Temperature and fiber surface pretreatment had a significant influence on the composition and morphology of Fe₃O₄ films. Uniform and compact Fe₃O₄ films were fabricated at 75 °C on both nitric acid treated and untreated carbon fibers, while the films prepared at 60 °C were continuous and rough. Microwave measurements of MCCF/paraffin composites (50 wt.% of MCCFs, pretreated carbon fibers as deposition substrates) were carried out in the 2-18 GHz frequency range. MCCFs prepared at 60 °C obtained a much higher loss factor than that prepared at 75 °C. However, the calculation results of reflection loss were very abnormal that MCCFs prepared at 60 °C almost had no absorption property. While MCCFs prepared at 75 °C exhibited a good absorption property and obtained −10 dB and −20 dB refection loss in wide matching thickness ranges (1.0-6.0 mm and 1.7-6.0 mm range, respectively). A secondary attenuation peak could also be observed when the thickness of MCCF/paraffin composite exceeded 4.0 mm. The minimum reflection loss was lower.     

Carbon monoxide sensors based on SnO<Subscript>x</Subscript> nanoparticles

Sensors highly sensitive to CO gas that are based on Ag-doped SnO₂ nanoparticles are shown to be a feasibility. The structure and composition of the respective films versus the SnO₂ nanoparticle size are studied. The electrical parameters of the sensor materials are measured. It is shown that exposure of the nanostructured films to carbon monoxide considerably decreases their resistance and shifts the frequency of a maximum in the impedance curves toward lower values. Specific features of the IR reflection spectra in the range of excitation of carbon and oxygen atom vibrations are revealed.     

Transmission and reflection navigated optical probe with depth-tuned surface corrugations

An optical probe with a single aperture flanked by depth-tuned surface corrugations is presented. It can generate enhanced optical transmission at the exit of a slit and lower reflection at the top side of the compound dielectric/metal structure. The probe is designed and discussed on the basis of enhanced surface plasmon resonance for the purpose of high-resolution inspection use. A multidielectric probe consisting of air/glass/C/Ag/air is put forward. The influence of the thickness of the carbon film on the reduction of reflection is analyzed in detail combined with the relevant funneling effect induced by waveguide mode propagation through a central slit. Our simulation results show that a carbon film with a thickness of 150 nm and a 200-nm Ag film with the designed parabolic corrugations can reach our design target of the enhanced optical transmission and minimum reflection. PACS 02.60.Cb; 02.70.Bf; 07.79.Fc; 42.25.Bs     

Long-wavelength optical phonons in the ZnTe/Zn<Subscript>0.8</Subscript>Cd<Subscript>0.2</Subscript>Te superlattice

The lattice IR reflection spectra of a ZnTe/Zn_0.8Cd_0.2Te superlattice measured at temperatures of 300 and 10 K are analyzed. The ZnTe/Zn_0.8Cd_0.2Te superlattice is grown by molecular-beam epitaxy on a GaAs substrate with a ZnTe buffer layer. It is found that the lattice IR reflection spectra of the studied structure exhibit only one reflection band. Dispersion analysis of the experimental spectrum has revealed the presence of one lattice TO mode close in frequency to the mode of pure ZnTe. This result is explained by a shift in the frequency of the lattice modes of the ZnTe and Zn_0.8Cd_0.2Te layers of the superlattice toward each other. In turn, this shift is caused by internal elastic stresses in the superlattice due to a mismatch between the lattice parameters of the materials of these layers.     

Absorbing properties and structural design of microwave absorbers based on W-type La-doped ferrite and carbon fiber composites

Sol–gel method was used to prepare W-type BaCo₂Fe₁₆O₂₇ hexaferrite and La-doped Ba_0.7La_0.3Co₂Fe₁₆O₂₇ hexaferrite. Electromagnetic parameters of the ferrites and short carbon fiber composites were measured, and reflectivity was calculated according to transmission-line theory in the range 12.4–18 GHz. The results show that reflection loss of the doped ferrite composite is higher as compared to the no doped ferrite composite. Based on the above calculation, double-layer absorbers containing La-doped ferrite and carbon fiber composites were designed, and reflectivity of the double-layer absorbers made of different thickness and composition was calculated. Finally, a kind of structural absorber having excellent absorbing properties was achieved, and the bandwidth of the reflection loss less than −10 dB can reach 5.2 GHz in the range of 12.4–18 GHz.     

Large-scale molecular dynamics simulations of high energy cluster impact on diamond surface

Large-scale molecular dynamics simulations with high acceleration energy on a diamond surface were performed in order to investigate the surface erosion process. Accelerated argon or CO₂ clusters (∼960 atoms, 100 keV/cluster) impacted on the (111) surface of diamond which consisted of more than 1,000,000 carbon atoms. A typical hemispherical crater appeared about 0.7 ps after the impact, and two or three-layered shockwaves were formed and propagated to certain directions, but the crater was immediately filled up with the fluidized hot carbon material due to the collective elastic recovery before the reflection of the shockwave. The impact energy of the cluster was at first transferred mainly as kinetic energy of the diamond surface in a short time, and the potential energy was activated later. The activated carbon and oxygen atoms from the impact cluster stimulated the evaporation from the diamond surface for the CO₂ cluster impact while the evaporation seemed to be suppressed by the argon atoms themselves for the argon cluster impact. Received 22 November 2000     

Infrared vibration spectroscopy of molecular adsorbates on tungsten using reflection inelastic electron scattering

The observation of adsorbate vibrational energies in the range, 30 ?, hv_vib ? 1000 meV, by electron-energy-loss spectroscopy, provides detailed information on the geometry of atomic and molecular complexes. The “surface normal dipole selection rule”, is discussed and illustrated with results obtained for CO and C₂H₂ adsorption on the principal low-index faces of tungsten, viz.: W(100), W(110) and W(111) using a high-resolution electron reflection spectrometer. Specifically, the behaviour of chemisorbedd diatomic carbon monoxide and polyatomic acetylene is compared as a function of coverage and surface crystallography. Comparison is made with the spectral information obtained by reflection infrared spectroscopy and recent ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy studies of the chemisorption binding energies. The energy loss spectra are discussed in terms of current adsorbate models and the possible formation of “distorted rehybridized surface molecular complexes” based on molecular orbital theories of organometallic compounds.     

Experimental investigation of non-linear selective reflection at the interface of Cs atomic vapor and quartz

We present an experimental study of non-linear selective reflection (SR) at a quartz–Cs-vapor interface in a V-type three-level scheme. The non-linear selective reflection at the Cs D₂ resonance line (⁶ S _1/2F=4→⁶ P _3/2) is monitored with and without pumping. The sub-Doppler reflection spectrum is observed and the effect of pumping on the signal of the selective reflection is investigated. The experimental result is in agreement with the theoretical calculation. Received: 16 April 2002 / Revised version: 12 June 2002 / Published online: 25 September 2002 RID="*" ID="*"Corresponding author. Fax: +86-351/701-1500, E-mail: zhaojm@sxu.edu.cn     

Multiple Interfaces Structure Derived from Metal–Organic Frameworks for Excellent Electromagnetic Wave Absorption

Hierarchical yolk–shell nanostructure (NiO/Ni/GN@Air@NiO/Ni/GN) derived from Ni‐based metal–organic frameworks (Ni‐MOFs) is synthesized by solvothermal reactions. After successive carbonization and oxidation treatments, hierarchical NiO/Ni nanocrystals covered with a graphene shell are obtained with the yolk–shell nanostructure intact. The NiO/Ni/GN@Air@NiO/Ni/GN composites are characterized by X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The results indicate that the NiO/Ni/GN@Air@NiO/Ni/GN composites exhibit superior electromagnetic wave absorption properties. A minimum reflection loss (RL_min) of ?34.5 dB is obtained at 17.2 GHz with the thin thickness of 1.7 mm. In addition, the best microwave absorption properties are achieved with a 2.0 mm absorber layer (RL_min = ?22.5 dB, bandwidth of 6.0 GHz). The outstanding absorption ability may arise from the unique yolk–shell structure and nanoporous carbon, which can tune the dielectric of the NiO/Ni/GN@Air@NiO/Ni/GN composites to acquire good impedance matching. Moreover, the interspaces can induce interfacial polarization and multiple reflections.     

Laser surface alloying of plain carbon steels

Deposition and alloying of metallic powders containing WC on a ferritic-pearlitic plain carbon steel have been investigated. Metallic powder was injected into the melted surface layer of the samples under Argon atmosphere during the laser irradiation. The sample surface was previously graphitizing treated to prevent energy loss by reflection. For comparison, irradiated samples, without powder alloying, were also analysed. The coating layer is mainly composed of alloyed α-Fe; γ-austenite and non-magnetic M₃C carbide are also present. Partial dissolution of WC and the preliminary graphitizing treatment are the causes of the rather high carbon concentration in γ-austenite. As it is to be expected this concentration decreases with increasing distance from the external surface of the coating layer.     

Model design on calculations of microwave permeability and permittivity of Fe/SiO2 particles with core/shell structure

Fe/SiO₂ particles with core/shell structure were prepared by coating silica on the surface of a commercial spherical carbonyl iron via the hydrolysis process of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS). The electromagnetic performance of commercial carbonyl iron and as-prepared Fe/SiO₂ particles was studied theoretically and experimentally. As predicted by the theoretical calculation based on the Bruggeman formula and the Landau–Lifshitz–Gilbert (LLG) theory, the insulating surface layer of silica was effective to reduce the permittivity parameters of pure carbonyl iron. The measured results showed good agreement with the theoretical prediction. Although there was a little decrease in the permeability of the Fe/SiO₂ core/shell particles, a better impedance match especially at higher frequency range was obtained when used as a microwave absorber. The reflection loss (RL) curves show that the lowest reflection loss of Fe/Epoxy composite (−20.5 GHz) was obtained corresponding to the frequency of 8.5 GHz when the thickness of the absorber was 3 mm. A different trend was observed in Fe/SiO₂/Epoxy composite. The reflection loss value got lower by decreasing the thickness of absorbers. At the thickness of 2.2 mm, a relative low reflection loss (−17 GHz) corresponding to the frequency of 13.6 GHz was obtained. Compared with the Fe/Epoxy composite, the improvement on shifting the reflection loss peak to higher frequency and on reducing the optimal thickness of absorbers was made by Fe/SiO₂/Epoxy composite.     

Enhanced omni-directional reflection frequency range in Si-based one dimensional photonic crystal with defect

In the present communication, we study omni-directional reflection in one-dimensional photonic crystal (PC) based on Si/SiO₂ multilayered structure. It has been shown numerically that it is possible to enhance the range of omni-directional reflection in one-dimensional photonic crystal appreciably by introducing a defect in the multilayered structure.     

Tunneling of X-ray photons through a thin film under total internal reflection conditions

Tunneling of 0.154-and 0.139-nm x-ray photons through a thin film under total internal reflection conditions has been experimentally demonstrated. The NiSi₂ film 13 nm thick is deposited by magnetron sputtering on a polished Si substrate. A beam with an angular spread of 20″ is directed to the Si/NiSi₂ interface from the inside through the lateral surface of a sample. A peak associated with tunneling of photons from Si to air through the NiSi₂ film is observed at grazing angles of θ₁ > 0.4θ_c, where θ_c is the critical angle of total internal reflection at the Si/NiSi₂ interface. The integral intensity of tunneling peaks that is measured for various θ₁ angles agrees with the calculations.