Preliminary studies of the Raman spectra of \hbox {Ag}_{2}\hbox {Te}\hbox { and }\hbox {Ag}_{5}\hbox {Te}_{3}

The theoretical calculations indicated that the monoclinic low-temperature phase of silver telluride $(\upbeta \hbox {-Ag}_{2}\hbox {Te})$ is a new binary topological insulator with highly anisotropic single Dirac cone surface. We obtained $\upbeta \hbox {-Ag}_{2}\hbox {Te}$ crystal ingots containing few grains by the Bridgman method. We also deposited thin films of tellurium, $\hbox {Ag}_{5}\hbox {Te}_{3}\hbox { and }(\hbox {Te+Ag}_{5}\hbox {Te}_{3})$ by thermal evaporation method. The Raman spectra of $\upbeta \hbox {-Ag}_{2}\hbox {Te}$ , tellurium and $\hbox {Ag}_{5}\hbox {Te}_{3}$ were measured at three excitation wave lengths: 633, 515 and 488 nm. The Raman active modes of $\upbeta \hbox {-Ag}_{2}\hbox {Te}$ , tellurium and $\hbox {Ag}_{5}\hbox {Te}_{3}$ are situated at frequencies below 300  $\hbox {cm}^{-1}$ while vibrations of other phases appear at higher frequencies.     

Modeling of Spin Hamiltonian Parameters for Vanadyl-Doped {\bf\hbox{K}_2\hbox{SO}_4{-}\hbox{Na}_2\hbox{SO}_4{-}\hbox{ZnSO}_4} Glass

A full ligand-field energy matrix diagonalization treatment for 3d ¹ ions in tetragonal symmetry is developed on the basis of the two spin?Corbit coupling parameter model, and the contributions of the spin?Corbit coupling of the ligand ions to the optical and electron paramagnetic resonance spectra are included. Spin Hamiltonian parameters of the tetragonal ${\rm V}^{4+}$ center in $\hbox{K}_2\hbox{SO}_4 {-} \hbox{Na}_2\hbox{SO}_4{-}\hbox{ZnSO}_4$ glass are calculated from the complete energy matrix diagonalization and the perturbation theory methods. The results calculated by both methods are not only close to each other but also in good agreement with the experimental values. Furthermore, the compressed defect structure of the ${\rm (VO_6)^{8-}}$ cluster is discussed.     

Structural, morphological and optical properties of \hbox {In}_{2}\hbox {S}_{3} thin films obtained by SILAR method

$\hbox {In}_{2}\hbox {S}_{3}$ thin films have been elaborated onto glass substrate by SILAR method at room temperature using different immersion time in the solution of cation and anion and fixing the rinsing time. The film composition, morphology and structure were investigated using energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction techniques. Optical properties, such transmission and band gap have been also analyzed. The effects of annealing on the morphological structure thin films are also described. The x-rays diffraction spectra indicated that the formed compounds are $\upbeta $ - $\hbox {In}_{2}\hbox {S}_{3}$ polycrystalline thin films with $\hbox {In}_{6}\hbox {S}_{7 }$ as second phase in sample S1 and sample S2 and no another phase in sample 3. SEM revealed homogeneous and relatively uniform films and EDAX shows sample 3 with S/In=1.44. For sample 1 and sample 2, we noted an increase of band gap when rinsing time increases.     

Analysis and design of an electro-optic 2\times 2 switch using Ti: \hbox {KNbO}_3 as a waveguide based on MZI at 1.3\,\upmu \hbox {m}

This work describes an approach to design a $2\times 2$ optoelectronic switch based on the Mach–Zehnder interferometer with a channel profile of Titanium (Ti) diffused in Potassium niobate ( $\hbox {KNbO}_{3}$ ) at a wavelength of $1.3\,\upmu \hbox {m}$ . The evaluation parameters used are the insertion loss and the extinction ratio. The originality of this work is introducing the $\hbox {KNbO}_{3 }$ crystal as a host while optimizing the Ti strip thickness to provide a remarkable switching performance. Optimization leads to a lower switching voltage of 4 V, an insertion loss of 0.0261 dB and extinction ratio of 29.4 dB. The designed switch has a high switching capability and degree of reliability.     

X-ray spectra and valence states of cations in nanostructured half-doped $$\hbox {La}_{0.5}\hbox {Ca}_{0.5}\hbox {MnO}_{3}$$ manganite

Soft X-ray absorption (XAS) and emission (XES) spectroscopies were applied to determine valence states of manganese ions in nanostructured powder of half-doped \(\hbox {La}_{0.5}\hbox {Ca}_{0.5}\hbox {MnO}_{3}\) manganite obtained by milling in a ball mill. XAS spectra were measured both in surface-sensitivity total electron-yield and in bulk-sensitivity total fluorescence-yield modes. O K\(_{\upalpha }\) XES and O 1s XAS spectra characterized the occupied and unoccupied partial O 2p densities of states are compared with band-structure calculations made using the TB-LMTO-ASA codes. Experimental Mn 2p, Ca 2p, and La 3\(d\) XAS spectra are compared with results of crystal field atomic multiplet calculations. For the nanostructured system of \(\hbox {La}_{0.5}\hbox {Ca}_{0.5}\hbox {MnO}_{3}\), concentrations of Mn\(^{4+}\) ions are found to be increased with increasing the time of milling.     

First-principle calculations of structural,electronic, optical,elastic and thermal properties of $$\hbox {MgXAs}_{2}$$ ($$\hbox {X}=\hbox {Si}, \hbox {Ge}$$X=Si,Ge) compounds

First-principle calculations on the structural, electronic, optical, elastic and thermal properties of the chalcopyrite \(\hbox {MgXAs}_{2}\) (\(\hbox {X}=\hbox {Si}, \hbox {Ge}\)) have been performed within the density functional theory (DFT) using the full-potential linearized augmented plane wave (FP-LAPW) method. The obtained equilibrium structural parameters are in good agreement with the available experimental data and theoretical results. The calculated band structures reveal a direct energy band gap for the interested compounds. The predicted band gaps using the modified Becke–Johnson (mBJ) exchange approximation are in fairly good agreement with the experimental data. The optical constants such as the dielectric function, refractive index, and the extinction coefficient are calculated and analysed. The independent elastic parameters namely, \(C_{11}\), \(C_{12}\), \(C_{13}\), \(C_{33}\), \(C_{44}\) and \(C_{66 }\) are evaluated. The effects of temperature and pressure on some macroscopic properties of \(\hbox {MgSiAs}_{2}\) and \(\hbox {MgGeAs}_{2}\) are predicted using the quasiharmonic Debye model in which the lattice vibrations are taken into account.     

Magnetotransport properties in \text{ Ni }_{81}\text{ Fe }_{19}\text{/Zr } multi-layers

In this work, we present a study of the magneto transport properties in magnetic multilayered structure $\text{ Ni }_{81}\text{ Fe }_{19}\text{/Zr }$ Ni 81 Fe 19 /Zr . The magnetic $(\text{ Ni }_{81}\text{ Fe }_{19})$ ( Ni 81 Fe 19 ) and non magnetic (Zr) layer thickness $(\mathbf{t}_\mathbf{NiFe}, \mathbf{t}_\mathbf{zr})$ ( t NiFe , t zr ) effects on the magneto resistance (MR) are discussed theoretically in the framework of the Johnson–Camley semi classical approach based on the Boltzmann transport equation. A comparison between calculated and measured MR is obtained. The observed MR ratio oscillates for Zr layer thickness with an average period of 7Å. A generally weak $\text{ MR }(\text{ t }_{\mathrm{NiFe}})$ MR ( t NiFe ) ratio for fixed $\mathbf{t}_\mathbf{zr}$ t zr is obtained and it shows a maxima peak of the MR with a value of 1.8 % located at $\mathbf{t}_\mathbf{NiFe}= 80$ t NiFe = 80 Å.     

\mathrm{CO}_{2}^{*} chemiluminescence study at low and elevated pressures

Chemiluminescence experiments have been performed to assess the state of current $\mathrm{CO}_{2}^{*}$ kinetics modeling. The difficulty with modeling $\mathrm{CO}_{2}^{*}$ lies in its broad emission spectrum, making it a challenge to isolate it from background emission of species such as CH^? and CH₂O^?. Experiments were performed in a mixture of 0.0005H₂+0.01N₂O+0.03CO+0.9595Ar in an attempt to isolate $\mathrm{CO}_{2}^{*}$ emission. Temperatures ranged from 1654 K to 2221 K at two average pressures, 1.4 and 10.4 atm. The unique time histories of the various chemiluminescence species in the unconventional mixture employed at these conditions allow for easy identification of the $\mathrm{CO}_{2}^{*}$ concentration. Two different wavelengths to capture $\mathrm{CO}_{2}^{*}$ were used; one optical filter was centered at 415 nm and the other at 458 nm. The use of these two different wavelengths was done to verify that broadband $\mathrm{CO}_{2}^{*}$ was in fact being captured, and not emission from other species such as CH^? and CH₂O^?. As a baseline for time history and peak magnitude comparison, OH^? emission was captured at 307 nm simultaneously with the two $\mathrm{CO}_{2}^{*}$ filters. The results from the two $\mathrm{CO}_{2}^{*}$ filters were consistent with each other, implying that indeed the same species (i.e., $\mathrm{CO}_{2}^{*}$ ) was being measured at both wavelengths. A first-generation kinetics model for $\mathrm{CO}_{2}^{*}$ and CH₂O^? was developed, since no comprehensively validated one exists to date. CH₂O^? and CH^? were ruled out as being present in the experiments at any measurable level, based on calculations and comparisons with the data. Agreement with the $\mathrm{CO}_{2}^{*}$ model was only fair, which necessitates future improvements for a better understanding of $\mathrm{CO}_{2}^{*}$ chemiluminescence as well as the kinetics of the ground state species.     

Isospin mixing \bar{K}N\hbox{-}{\pi}{\Sigma} interaction and \bar{K}NN\hbox{-}{\pi} {\Sigma}N quasi-bound state

A phenomenological isospin-dependent $\bar{K}N\hbox{-}\pi\Sigma$ potential reproducing a medium KEK value of 1s kaonic hydrogen level shift instead of a K ^? p scattering length is constructed. The corresponding three-body $\bar{K}NN\hbox{-}\pi\Sigma N$ calculation using the obtained potential is performed.     

Low-threshold, high SMSR tunable external cavity quantum cascade laser around 4.7\,\upmu \hbox {m}

Room-temperature pulsed and continuous-wave (cw) operation of a tunable external cavity (EC) quantum cascade laser (QCL) at an emitting wavelength of $4.7\,\upmu \hbox {m}$ 4.7 μ m was presented. The effect of different external cavity lengths and grating angles of the EC–QCL system were analyzed numerically. A wide tuning range greater than $131\,\hbox {cm}^{-1}$ 131 cm - 1 was obtained in pulsed mode at room temperature. Without the anti-reflection coating procedure, single-mode cw operation with a side-mode suppression ratio (SMSR) above 20 dB and a wide tuning range greater than $116\, \hbox {cm}^{-1}$ 116 cm - 1 were achieved. Near the center region, SMSR about 30 dB was also realized through designing the external cavity length. Strain-compensation combined with two-phonon resonance in an active region design and the high-reflection coating promised low threshold current density. A record low threshold current density of $0.901\,\hbox {kA/cm}^{2}$ 0.901 kA/cm 2 for an EC–QCL operated in cw mode was realized.     

Rapid communication: $$K_{S}^{0}$$ Production from beryllium target using 120 $$\hbox {GeV}/\hbox {c}$$GeV/c protons beam interactions at the MIPP experiment

We have measured the cross-section for the \(K_{S}^{0}\) production from beryllium target using 120 \(\hbox {GeV}/\hbox {c}\) protons beam interactions at the main injector particle production (MIPP) experiment at Fermilab. The data were collected with target having a thickness of 0.94% of the nuclear interaction length. The \(K_{S}^{0}\) inclusive differential cross-section in bins of momenta is presented covering momentum range from \(0.4\,\hbox {GeV}/\hbox {c}\) to \(30\,\hbox {GeV}/\hbox {c}\). The measured inclusive \(K_{S}^{0}\) production cross-section amounts to \(39.54\pm 1.46\delta _{\mathrm {stat}}\pm 6.97\delta _{\mathrm {syst}}\) mb and the value is compared with the prediction of FLUKA hadron production model.     

Analysis of the \frac{1} {2}^ - and \frac{3} {2}^ - heavy and doubly heavy baryon states with QCD sum rules

In this article, we study the $\frac{1} {2}^ -$ and $\frac{3} {2}^ -$ heavy and doubly heavy baryon states $\Sigma _Q \left( {\frac{1} {2}^ - } \right)$ , $\Xi '_Q \left( {\frac{1} {2}^ - } \right)$ , $\Omega _Q \left( {\frac{1} {2}^ - } \right)$ , $\Xi _{QQ} \left( {\frac{1} {2}^ - } \right)$ , $\Omega _{QQ} \left( {\frac{1} {2}^ - } \right)$ , $\Sigma _Q^* \left( {\frac{3} {2}^ - } \right)$ , $\Xi _Q^* \left( {\frac{3} {2}^ - } \right)$ , $\Omega _Q^* \left( {\frac{3} {2}^ - } \right)$ , $\Xi _{QQ}^* \left( {\frac{3} {2}^ - } \right)$ and $\Omega _{QQ}^* \left( {\frac{3} {2}^ - } \right)$ by subtracting the contributions from the corresponding $\frac{1} {2}^ +$ and $\frac{3} {2}^ +$ heavy and doubly heavy baryon states with the QCD sum rules in a systematic way, and make reasonable predictions for their masses.     

Photodissociation of trapped \mathrm{H}_{2}^{+} ions for REMPD spectroscopy

We study the photodissociation of trapped $\mathrm{H}_{2}^{+}$ ions by 248?nm light from an excimer laser. Our results are in good agreement with calculated populations and photodissociation cross sections of the involved vibrational levels and yield a determination of the ion cloud radius. These data are used to obtain a reliable estimate of the efficiency of the resonance-enhanced multiphoton dissociation (REMPD) scheme in our $\mathrm{H}_{2}^{+}$ vibrational spectroscopy experiment. We go on to estimate the expected signal-to-noise ratio and discuss future improvements of the experimental setup.     

Quasi solid state dye-sensitized solar cells based on polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) electrolytes containing \mathbf{I}^{\mathbf{-}}/\mathbf{I}_{\mathbf{3}}^{\mathbf{-}} redox couple

Quasi solid state dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have been fabricated with electrolytes containing $\text{ I }^{-}/\text{ I }_{3}^{-}$ redox couple using 80 % hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) doped with potassium iodide (KI) and a mixture of potassium iodide and tetrapropyl ammonium iodide ( $\text{ Pr }_{4}\text{ NI }$ ) salts. The quasi solid state gel polymer electrolytes were prepared using 1:1 ethylene carbonate (EC):propylene carbonate (PC) mixture. The solar cells have the structure of ITO/ $\text{ TiO }_{2}$ /N3-Dye/electrolyte/Pt/ITO. The conductivity of the electrolytes has been calculated from the bulk resistance value determined using the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The performance of the DSSCs has been studied by varying the concentration of the doping salts in the electrolyte and incident light intensity. The DSSC fabricated with the KI salt electrolyte containing 9.9 wt% PVA, 39.6 wt% EC, 39.6 wt% PC, 10.9 wt% KI $(+\text{ I }_{2})$ exhibited the best power conversion efficiency of 1.97 %. However, the DSSC with a double-salt electrolyte containing 9.9 wt% PVA: 39.6 wt% EC: 39.6 wt% PC: (6.5 wt% KI: 4.4 wt% $\text{ Pr }_{4}\text{ NI }$ ) ( $+\text{ I }_{2}$ ) exhibited a higher efficiency of 3.27% under $100 \text{ mW/cm }^{2}$ light intensity. The efficiency of this cell increased to 4.59 % under dimmer light of intensity of $54 \text{ mW/cm }^{2}$ .     

Proton-antiproton annihilation into a \Lambda_{c}^{+} \bar{{\Lambda}}_{c}^{-} pair

The process p $ \bar{{p}}$ $ \rightarrow$ $ \Lambda_{c}^{+}$ $ \bar{{\Lambda}}_{c}^{-}$ is investigated within the handbag approach. It is shown to lowest order of perturbative QCD that, under the assumption of restricted parton virtualities and transverse momenta, the dominant dynamical mechanism, characterized by the partonic subprocess u $ \bar{{u}}$ $ \rightarrow$ c $ \bar{{c}}$ , factorizes in the sense that only the subprocess contains highly virtual partons, namely a gluon, while the hadronic matrix elements embody only soft scales and can be parameterized in terms of helicity flip and non-flip generalized parton distributions. Modelling the latter functions by overlaps of light-cone wave functions for the involved baryons we are able to predict cross-sections and spin correlation parameters for the process of interest.     

Diffusion processes of trimers on missing row surfaces: \mathrm{Cu }_{3}/\mathrm{Ag }(110) and \mathrm{Ag }_{3}/\mathrm{Cu }(110)

A semi-empirical potential according to the embedded atom, has been applied to investigate the diffusion of trimers by computing the energy barriers for different mechanisms. Our attention was more focused on the leapfrog process which is likely to occur on missing row surfaces. The activation barriers of this mechanism are calculated using drag method at 0K. These barriers are found to be 0.64 and 0.68 eV for hopping out the channel for $\mathrm{Cu }_{3}/\mathrm{Ag }(110) \mathrm{and Ag }_{3}/\mathrm{Cu }$ (110) respectively. While for hopping down at the other side they are about 0.42 and 0.32 eV. Moreover, a deep metastable position is observed during leapfrog diffusion leading to some spectacular trimer motion. At high temperature and essentially for $\mathrm{Cu }_{3}/\mathrm{Ag }$ (110), we also observed a competition between leapfrog process and concerted jump mechanism with a deformation of trimer geometry. Implications of these findings are briefly discussed.     

Near-infrared downconversion through energy transfer from \mathrm{VO}_{4}^{3-} group to Yb3+ in Yb3+ doped YP0.9V0.1O4

Through the study of photoluminescence spectra, fluorescence decay curves, concentration-dependent luminescence and low temperature luminescence, the energy transfer from isolated $\mathrm{VO}_{4}^{3-}$ group to Yb³⁺ is investigated in Yb³⁺ doped YP_0.9V_0.1O₄. The experimental results show that the energy transfer from $\mathrm{VO}_{4}^{3-}$ group to Yb³⁺ is very efficient. Cooperative energy transfer, through which one high-energy photon absorbed by $\mathrm{VO}_{4}^{3-}$ group is converted to two near-infrared photons emitted by Yb³⁺ ions, is proposed to be the energy transfer process. This efficient ultra-violet to near-infrared downconversion could have potential application in improving the efficiency of silicon-based solar cell.     

Alternative technique for Standard Model estimation of the rare kaon decay branchings \left. {BR(K \to \pi \nu \bar \nu )} \right|_{SM}

We estimate $BR(K \to \pi \nu \bar \nu )$ in the context of the Standard Model by fitting for λ _t≡V _tdV _ts ^* of the “kaon unitarity triangle” relation. To find the vertex of this triangle, we fit data from |? _K|, the CP-violating parameter describing K mixing, and a _ψ,K , the CP-violating asymmetry in B _d ⁰ → J/ψK ⁰ decays, and obtain the values $\left. {BR(K \to \pi \nu \bar \nu )} \right|_{SM} = (7.07 \pm 1.03) \times 10^{ - 11} $ and $\left. {BR(K_L^0 \to \pi ^0 \nu \bar \nu )} \right|_{SM} = (2.60 \pm 0.52) \times 10^{ - 11} $ . Our estimate is independent of the CKM matrix element V _cb and of the ratio of B-mixing frequencies ${{\Delta m_{B_s } } \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {{\Delta m_{B_s } } {\Delta m_{B_d } }}} \right. \kern-0em} {\Delta m_{B_d } }}$ . We also use the constraint estimation of λ _t with additional data from $\Delta m_{B_d } $ and |V _ub|. This combined analysis slightly increases the precision of the rate estimation of $K^ + \to \pi ^ + \nu \bar \nu $ and $K_L^0 \to \pi ^0 \nu \bar \nu $ (by ?10 and ?20%, respectively). The measured value of $BR(K^ + \to \pi ^ + \nu \bar \nu )$ can be compared both to this estimate and to predictions made from ${{\Delta m_{B_s } } \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {{\Delta m_{B_s } } {\Delta m_{B_d } }}} \right. \kern-0em} {\Delta m_{B_d } }}$ .     

Contribution of vector resonances to the \bar{B}_{d}^{0}\to\bar {K}^{*0}\mu^{+}\mu^{-} decay

The fully differential angular distribution for the rare flavor-changing neutral current decay $\bar{B}_{d}^{0} \to\bar{K}^{*0} (\to K^{-} \pi^{+}) \mu^{+}\mu^{-} $ is studied. The emphasis is placed on accurate treatment of the contribution from the processes $\bar{B}_{d}^{0} \to\bar{K}^{*0} (\to K^{-} \pi^{+}) V $ with intermediate vector resonances V=??(770),??(782),?(1020),J/??,??(2S),?? decaying into the ?? ⁺ ?? ^? pair. The dilepton invariant-mass dependence of the branching ratio, longitudinal polarization fraction f _L of the $\bar{K}^{*0}$ meson, and forward?Cbackward asymmetry A _FB is calculated and compared with data from Belle, CDF and LHCb. It is shown that inclusion of the resonance contribution may considerably modify the branching ratio, calculated in the SM without resonances, even in the invariant-mass region far from the so-called charmonia cuts applied in the experimental analyses. This conclusion crucially depends on values of the unknown phases of the B ⁰??K ^?0 J/?? and B ⁰??K ^?0 ??(2S) decay amplitudes with zero helicity.     

Three-loop on-shell charge renormalization without integration:\Lambda _{QED}^{\overline {MS} } to four loops

Using algebraic methods, we find the three-loop relation between the bare and physical couplings of one-flavourD-dimensional QED, in terms of Γ functions and a singleF ₃₂ series, whose expansion nearD=4 is obtained, by wreath-product transformations, to the order required for five-loop calculations. Taking the limitD→4, we find that the \(\overline {MS} \) coupling \(\bar \alpha (\mu )\) satisfies the boundary condition $$\begin{gathered} \frac{{\bar \alpha (m)}}{\pi } = \frac{\alpha }{\pi } + \frac{{15}}{{16}}\frac{{\alpha ^3 }}{{\pi ^3 }} + \left\{ {\frac{{11}}{{96}}\zeta (3) - \frac{1}{3}\pi ^2 \log 2} \right. \hfill \\ \left. { + \frac{{23}}{{72}}\pi ^2 - \frac{{4867}}{{5184}}} \right\}\frac{{\alpha ^4 }}{{\pi ^4 }} + \mathcal{O}(\alpha ^5 ), \hfill \\ \end{gathered} $$ wherem is the physical lepton mass and α is the physical fine structure constant. Combining this new result for the finite part of three-loop on-shell charge renormalization with the recently revised four-loop term in the \(\overline {MS} \) β-function, we obtain $$\begin{gathered} \Lambda _{QED}^{\overline {MS} } \approx \frac{{me^{3\pi /2\alpha } }}{{(3\pi /\alpha )^{9/8} }}\left( {1 - \frac{{175}}{{64}}\frac{\alpha }{\pi } + \left\{ { - \frac{{63}}{{64}}\zeta (3)} \right.} \right. \hfill \\ \left. { + \frac{1}{2}\pi ^2 \log 2 - \frac{{23}}{{48}}\pi ^2 + \frac{{492473}}{{73728}}} \right\}\left. {\frac{{\alpha ^2 }}{{\pi ^2 }}} \right), \hfill \\ \end{gathered} $$ at the four-loop level of one-flavour QED.