In-situ bridging of SnO2 nanowires between the electrodes and their NO2 gas sensing characteristics

A simple and efficient way of making highly sensitive SnO₂ nanowire-based gas sensors without an individual lithography process was studied. The SnO₂ nanowires network was floated upon the Si substrate by separating the Au catalyst layer from the substrate. As the electric current is transported along the networks of the nanowires, not along the surface layer on the substrate, the gas sensitivities could be maximized in this networked and floated structures. The sensitivity was 5-30 when the NO₂ concentration was 1-10 ppm. The response time was ca. 20-60 s.     

Optically pumped submillimeter laser lines from CH2F2 and CD2Cl2 using a12C18O2 CW laser

Thirty-nine new submillimetre laser lines in CH₂F₂ and twelve in CD₂Cl₂ have been obtained in a Fabry-Perot FIR resonator by optically pumping with a CW¹²C¹⁸O₂ laser. The wavelength range obtained for CH₂F₂ is 126m to 1091m and for CD₂Cl₂ 212m to 774m. The wavelength measurements are accurate to within 5.10^–3. The relative polarisations of the pump laser and the FIR laser output were also determined. Tentative assignments of the IR and FIR transitions were made using existing microwave data.     

Air-broadening parameters in the ν3 band of NO2 using a multispectrum fitting technique

Air-broadened linewidths, pressure-induced shift coefficients and their temperature dependences were retrieved for over 1000 transitions in the ν₃ band of ¹⁴N¹⁶O₂ at 6 μm. In addition, precise line center positions and relative intensities were also determined. The results were obtained by fitting simultaneously 27 spectra recorded at high resolution (0.002-0.006 cm⁻¹) with two Fourier transform spectrometers and gas sample temperatures ranging from 206 to 298 K. It was necessary to modify the multispectrum fitting software to accommodate constraints on the retrieved parameters of closely spaced spin-split doublets in order to successfully determine their broadening and shift parameters. The variations of the widths, shifts and their temperature dependences with the quantum numbers were investigated. Subsets of the observed linewidths were reproduced to within 3% using an empirical smoothing function.     

Preparation of WO3 nanoparticles and application to NO2 sensor

WO₃ nanoparticles were prepared by evaporating tungsten filament under a low pressure of oxygen gas, namely, by a gas evaporation method. The crystal structure, morphology, and NO₂ gas sensing properties of WO₃ nanoparticles deposited under various oxygen pressures and annealed at different temperatures were investigated. The particles obtained were identified as monoclinic WO₃. The particle size increased with increasing oxygen pressure and with increasing annealing temperature. The sensitivity increased with decreasing particle size, irrespective of the oxygen pressure during deposition and annealing temperature. The highest sensitivity of 4700 to NO₂ at 1 ppm observed in this study was measured at a relatively low operating temperature of 50 °C; this sensitivity was observed for a sensor made of particles as small as 36 nm.     

Intracavity absorption of CO2 laser radiation by chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) gases

Intracavity absorption method was applied to determine the absorption coefficients of trichlorofluorocarbon CCl₃F (CFC-11), dichlorodifluorocarbon CF₂Cl₂ (CFC-12) and chlorodifluorocarbon CHClF₂ (CFC-22) vs. the pressure in the cell inside the cavity of a tunable CO₂ laser at different spectral lines on branches 9R and 10P.The laser output power was measured vs. the gas pressure at different spectral lines on branches 9R, 9P, 10R and 10P of CO₂ molecule transitions. A strong absorption was observed for lines of 9R and 10P branches, whereas a weak absorption was noticed for lines of 9P and 10R branches.The calculation of absorption coefficients was restricted for 9R and 10P due to the oscillating variation of the output power of CO₂ laser vs. the CFC pressure, which was occurred for the lines of 9P and 10R.On the basis of absorption coefficients, the absorption cross-sections for CFC-12 were calculated and compared with the absorption cross-sections found from the previous experiment (where the cell was located outside the cavity), NIST and HITRAN databases, respectively.The obtained data could be useful for CFC gases detection as pollutants in the atmosphere.     

Porous WO3 from anodized sputtered tungsten thin films for NO2 detection

In this paper, porous WO₃ films were prepared by anodic oxidation of metallic tungsten (W) films deposited on alumina substrates. The structural and morphological properties of the porous WO₃ films were investigated using field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). A large number of cracks appeared on the surface of films after anodization, which makes the films porous. The porous WO₃ sensors achieved their maximum response values to NO₂ at a low operating temperature of 150 °C. The porous WO₃ sensors showed high response values, great stability and fast response-recovery characteristics to different concentration of NO₂ gas due to the high specific surface area and special structural and morphological properties.     

Modeling of the power oscillation observed in single mode intracavity absorption of CO2 laser lines

Single mode intracavity absorption is investigated from an analytical point of view in order to explain the periodical modulation of the power observed in intracavity absorption of CO₂ laser lines by CFC gases. Intracavity absorption is incorporated into the laser rate equations in form of an additional broadband loss. Detuning due to changes in the refractive index with increase in absorber pressure is accounted for by considering the impact of the frequency shift of the oscillating mode on the effective pump rate and the population densities of the laser upper and lower levels. The steady state solution of the rate equations leads to an analytical formula, which fits the measured intracavity absorption curves with only two fit parameters being adjusted to the actual values of the absorption cross section and the mean linear polarizability of the absorber molecule. The formula is applied to analyze the intracavity absorption of the CO₂ 10R lines by CFC-11. The obtained results are in reasonable agreement with the values available in the literature.     

CO2 laser assisted removal of UO2 and ThO2 particulates from metal surface

Pulsed laser assisted removal of uranium dioxide and thorium dioxide particulates from stainless steel surface have been studied using a TEA CO₂ laser. Decontamination efficiency is measured as a function of laser fluence and number of pulses. Threshold fluence for the removal of UO₂ particulates has been found to be lower than that required for the removal ThO₂ particulates. Usage of a ZnSe substrate, that is transparent to the laser wavelength used here, enabled us to decouple the cleaning effect arising out of absorption in the particulates from that in the substrate and has contributed towards understanding the mechanism responsible for cleaning. The experimental observations are also corroborated by simple theoretical calculations.     

NO2分子的光学-光学双色双共振多光子离化谱

以Nd:YAG激光器的二倍频输出光为抽运光，其三倍频输出抽运的光学参量发生/放大器输出光为探测光，利用光学-光学双色双共振多光子离化光谱技术(OODR-MPI),获得了NO₂分子在605—675nm探测光波长范围内的多光子离化激发谱. 通过对NO₂分子离化机理的分析，确定了在此波长区间，NO₂分子经1+3+1双共振多光子过程离化，离化通道为NO₂(X²A₁)hν     

Study of the electron paramagnetic resonance spectra of Zn(antipyrine)2(NO3)2:VO

In this work, a full ligand-field energy matrix (10×10) diagonalization treatment for 3d¹ ions in tetragonal symmetry is developed on the basis of the two-s.o.-coupling-parameter model. Spin Hamiltonian parameters (g factors g_∥, g_⊥ and hyperfine structure constants A_∥, A_⊥) of the tetragonal V⁴⁺ center in Zn(antipyrine)₂(NO₃)₂ are calculated from the complete energy matrix diagonalization method and the perturbation theory method. The calculated results from both methods are not only close to each other but also in good agreement with the experimental values. Furthermore, the compressed defect structure of V⁴⁺ center is discussed.     

Deposition and microstructure characterization of atmospheric plasma-sprayed ZnO coatings for NO2 detection

This work studied the possibility of using a sensor based on plasma-sprayed zinc oxide (ZnO) sensitive layer for NO₂ detection. The atmospheric plasma spray process was employed to deposit ZnO gas sensing layer and the obtained coating structure was characterized by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis. The influences of gas concentration, working temperature, water vapor in testing air on NO₂ sensing performance of the ZnO sensors were studied. ZnO sensors showed a good sensor response and selectivity to NO₂ at an optimal working temperature.     

Effect of γ-Al2O3 substrate on NO2 interaction with supported BaO clusters

BaO oxide is the main storage component of the NO_x storage and reduction catalysts. Herein, the interactions between the NO₂ molecule and the unsupported as well as γ-Al₂O₃ supported BaO clusters have been studied using the first principle density functional theory calculation. Our results indicated that there is a strong synergetic effect involving both the BaO clusters and the surface of the γ-Al₂O₃ substrate toward NO₂ adsorption. The interfacial region between the monodispersed BaO cluster and the substrate surface that allows NO₂ to bond with the cluster and the surface simultaneously was shown to be optimal for NO₂ adsorption.     

Simultaneous three-photon absorption induced ultraviolet upconversion in Pr:Y2SiO5 crystal by femtosecond laser irradiation

Near-infrared to ultraviolet upconversion luminescence was observed in the Pr³⁺:Y₂SiO₅ crystal with 120 fs, 800 nm infrared laser irradiation. The observed emissions at around 270 nm and 305 nm could be assigned to 5d → 4f transitions of Pr³⁺ ions. The relationship between the upconversion luminescence intensity and the pump power of the femtosecond laser reveals that the UV emission belongs to simultaneous three-photon absorption induced upconversion luminescence.     

New CH2F2 FIR laser lines pumped by a tunable WG CO2 laser

8 new large offset FIR laser lines of CH₂F₂ have been discovered by pumping with a high tunability waveguide CW CO₂ laser. Optoacoustic measurements of CH₂F₂ have also been performed and the pump offsets of the new and of previously known lines have been measured and checked. Some assignments are proposed and a few assignments found in literature are checked     

AC-chopper application for CW CO2 laser

A microprocessor-based algorithm was developed to control the power supply to a CO₂ laser using an AC-chopper method. This system was connected directly to a CO₂ laser tube without the need for a dc-dc converter or the storage capacitance of a multilevel circuit. The typical CO₂ laser power supply system had a full-bridge series resonant inverter or voltage multiplier. AC-to-AC converter schemes using zero voltage switching (ZVS) can be used efficiently and economically for low and medium power applications.This paper reports the performance characteristics of a symmetrical AC-chopper technology that can maintain the quality of the ac output of a CO₂ laser tube, regardless of the amount of switching loss. The laser was operated to an output power, maximum system efficiency total gas mixture of 37.2 W, 92%, and CO₂:N₂:He=1:9:15, respectively. The laser system, AC-chopper power supply and its operation were examined.     

Optoacoustic Laser Stark spectroscopy and FIR laser action on CH3Br using a waveguide CO2 laser

The optoacoustic spectrum of CH₃Br around 10 m band lines of a tunable cw waveguide CO₂ laser is investigated. Several new infrared absorptions are observed and most of the correspond ing molecular transitions are assigned. Far infra red laser action is reported by pumping with the same CO₂ laser: pump offsets are given using the Transferred Lambs dip (TLD) technique. A new FIR laser emission is obtained and assigned. An optoacoustic Laser Stark spectroscopy technique is used to investigate off resonance infrared tran sitions.     

The AB2-XA1 electronic transition of NO2: A rovibronic survey covering 14 300-18 000 cm

More than 250 rotationally resolved vibrational bands of the A²B₂-X²A₁ electronic transition of ¹⁵NO₂ have been observed in the 14 300-18 000 cm⁻¹ range. The bands have been recorded in a recently constructed setup designed for high resolution spectroscopy of jet cooled molecules by combining time gated fluorescence spectroscopy and molecular beam techniques. The majority of the observed bands has been rotationally assigned and can be identified as transitions starting from the vibrational ground state or from vibrationally excited (hot band) states. An exceptionally strong band is located at 14 851 cm⁻¹ and studied in more detail as a typical benchmark transition to monitor ¹⁵NO₂ in atmospheric remote sensing experiments. Standard rotational fit routines provide band origins, rotational and spin rotation constants. A subset of 177 vibronic levels of ²B₂ vibronic symmetry has been analyzed in the energy range between 14 300 and 17 250 cm⁻¹, in terms of integrated density and using Next Neighbor Distribution. It is found that the overall statistical properties and polyad structure of ¹⁵NO₂ are comparable to those of ¹⁴NO₂ but that the internal structures of the polyads are completely different. This is a direct consequence of the X²A₁-A²B₂ vibronic mixing.     

Phase-locking of a multi-channel radial array CO2 laser

A theoretical analysis of phase-locking in a multi-channel radial array CO₂ laser is presented. The concepts are based on the theories of injection phase-locking and matrix optics. The mutual optical coupling occurring within the central region is demonstrated by theoretical deduction. Interrelated graphs of the coupling coefficient and the distance between the coupling position and the cavity mirror are calculated by numerical simulation. The results of the analysis are in accord with experimental results.     

An injection-locked single-mode tea CO2 laser for SMM laser pumping

A D₂O laser has been developed for collective Thomson scattering measurements of ion temperature in high temperature plasmas. A pulse duration and a spectral width of a high power D₂O laser has been successfully controlled for this purpose, by using a TEA CO₂ laser injection-locked by an etalon-tuned TEA CO₂ laser as a pump source.     

Influence of the physico-chemical properties of CeO2-ZrO2 mixed oxides on the catalytic oxidation of NO to NO2

Commercial and home-made Ce-Zr catalysts prepared by co-precipitation were characterised by XRD, Raman spectroscopy, N₂ adsorption at −196 °C and XPS, and were tested for NO oxidation to NO₂. Among the different physico-chemical properties characterised, the surface composition seems to be the most relevant one in order to explain the NO oxidation capacity of these Ce-Zr catalysts. As a general trend, Ce-Zr catalysts with a cerium-rich surface, that is, high XPS-measured Ce/Zr atomic surface ratios, are more active than those with a Zr-enriched surface. The decrease in catalytic activity of the Ce-Zr mixed oxided upon calcinations at 800 °C with regard to 500 °C is mainly attributed to the decrease in Ce/Zr surface ratio, that is, to the surface segregation of Zr. The phase composition (cubic or t′′ for Ce-rich compositions) seems not to be a direct effect on the catalytic activity for NO oxidation in the range of compositions tested. However, the formation of a proper solid solution prevents important surface segregation of Zr upon calcinations at high temperature. The effect of the BET surface area in the catalytic activity for NO oxidation of Ce-Zr mixed oxides is minor in comparison with the effect of the Ce/Zr surface ratio.