Dynamics and Cycle of Interstellar H2O and OH Masers

We present an improved radiative pumping model for interstellar H2O and OH masers.This oversomes the defects of former radiative models,and is compatible with astronomical conditions.For the regions of strong H2O and OH formation,it is shown that the rotational population is affected by collisions less than by radiation.A reasonable scheme for both regeneration and destruction of interstellar H2O and OH molecules is investigated.It can close the dynamical cycle of interstellar H2O and OH species,and can give an appropriate interpretation for both interstellar H2O and OH masers.This model has been confirmed by experiments.     

Specific Features of the Local Structure and Transport Properties of ZrO2–Sc2O3–Y2O3 and ZrO2–Sc2O3–Yb2O3 Crystals

Optics and Spectroscopy - The specific features of the local structure of ZrO2–Sc2O3–Y2O3 and ZrO2–Sc2O3–Yb2O3 crystals are revealed by optical spectroscopy using the Eu3+...     

Control of Crystallization Kinetics and Study of the Thermal, Structural and Morphological Properties of an Li2O–B2O3–Al2O3 Vitreous System

A glass matrix with nominal composition 50Li₂O·45B₂O₃·5Al₂O₃ (mol%) was synthesized, and its physical properties were investigated by differential thermal analysis (DTA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The glass transition temperature T _g, the crystallization-onset temperature T _x,, the crystallization peak temperatures T _c1 and T _c2, and the fusion peak temperatures T _m1 and T _m2 were determined from at least two glass matrix phases to be approximately 382, 457, 486, 574, 761, and 787?°C, respectively, at 5?°C/min heating rate. Heat treatments at 450?°C for an increasing sequence of time intervals allowed control over the amount of crystallization. Additional information on the crystallization kinetics for the LBA glass matrix was gathered from AFM images, DTA thermograms, and XRD diffractograms. The latter technique showed that LiBO₂ (ICDD-16568) and Li₃AlB₂O₆ (ICDD-51754) phases are formed in the glass?Cceramic system. Debye?CScherrer analysis of the XRD peaks revealed a competition between the evolutions of crystal phases during heat treatment. Activation energies for crystallization, obtained from theoretical models applied to the DTA data showed that the crystallization is heterogeneous. The AFM images demonstrated that this heterogeneous crystallization starts at the surface of the LBA glass matrix and identified crystal sizes in agreement with the results of the Debye?CScherrer analysis. Our study shows that thermal and structural characterization techniques can be combined with theoretical results drawn from well-tested models to offer a unified view of crystallization in a glass?Cceramics system.     

Optical and IR study of Li2O–CuO–P2O5 glasses

Infrared (IR) and UV spectra of ternary Li₂O–CuO–P₂O₅ glasses in two series Li₂O(65−X)%–CuO(X%)–P₂O₅(35%), X = 20, 30, 40 and Li₂O(55−X)%–CuO(X%)–P₂O₅(45%), X = (10, 20, 30) were studied. Infrared (IR) investigations showed the metaphosphate and pyrophosphate structures and with increase of CuO content in metaphosphate glass, the skeleton of metaphosphate chains is gradually broken into short phosphate groups such as pyrophosphate. IR spectra showed one band at about 1,220 and 1,260 cm⁻¹ for P₂O₅(35%) and P₂O₅(45%) series, respectively, assigned to P=O bonds. For CuO additions ≤20 mol%, the glasses exhibit two bands in the frequency range 780–720 cm⁻¹ which are attributed to the presence of two P–O–P bridges in metaphosphate chain. But for CuO addition ≥30 mol%, the glasses exhibit only a single band at 760 cm⁻¹ which is assigned to the P–O–P linkage in pyrophosphate group. In optical investigations, absorption coefficient versus photon energy showed three regions: low energy side, Urbach absorption, and high energy side. In Urbach’s region, absorption coefficient depends exponentially on the photon energy. At high energy region, optical gap was calculated and investigations showed indirect transition in compounds and decreases in optical gap with increases of copper oxides contents that is because of electronic transitions and increasing of nonbridging oxygen content.     

Photoemission Spectroscopy and Electronic Structures of LiMn2O4

We study the electronic structures of LiMn2O4 by x-ray and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy （XPS, UPS） and resonant photoelectron spectroscopy （RPES）. XPS data suggest that the average oxidation state of Mn ions is 3.55, probably due to the small amount of lithium oxides on the surface. UPS and RPES data imply that Mn ions are in a high spin state, and RPES results show strong Mn3d-O2p hybridization in the LiMn2O4 valence band.     

EPR and Magnetic Susceptibility of Na2O–CuO–P2O5 Glasses

Abstract

(50?x/2)Na₂O–xCuO–(50?x/2)P₂O₅ glasses (x=1, 5, 15, or 30 mol%) have been prepared and characterized by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and magnetic susceptibility measurements. The shape of the Cu²⁺ EPR spectrum depends on the Cu content, and the corresponding computer simulations suggest that the Cu²⁺ ions occupy two different sites in these glasses: one of them is preponderant at low Cu content and the other is preponderant at high content, in which the Cu²⁺–Cu²⁺ interactions are more important. From EPR parameters, it was found that for the site at low content, the covalency of copper ion bonding with the surrounding ligands is appreciable. The magnetic susceptibility data appear to follow the Curie–Weiss law (χ=C/(T?θ_p)) with negative paramagnetic Curie temperature θ_p indicating antiferromagnetic interactions between Cu²⁺ ions that are more significant in the samples with high Cu content, in agreement with EPR results.     

Activation energy and conductivity of glasses in the P2O5–V2O5–Li2O system

The conductivity of glasses in the 50\textP_\text2 \textO_\text5 - x\textV_\text2 \textO_\text5 - ( 50 - x )\textLi_\text2 \textO50{\text{P}}_{\text{2}} {\text{O}}_{\text{5}} - x{\text{V}}_{\text{2}} {\text{O}}_{\text{5}} - \left( {50 - x} \right){\text{Li}}_{\text{2}} {\text{O}} system was studied as a function of temperature and composition. For all compositions, the conductivity variation as a function of temperature followed an Arrhenius type relationship. Isothermal variation of conductivity as a function of composition showed a minimum for a molar ratio x near 20. Probable mechanisms for decrease of conductivity with decrease of vanadium oxide concentration were explained. The minimum in room temperature was attributed to increase of V⁴⁺/V⁵⁺ with decrease of vanadium oxide in specific concentrations of vanadium oxide. Activation energy increased with decrease of V₂O₅ content. This behavior was attributed to increase of average spacing between vanadium ions.     

Characterization and tribological investigation of SiO2 and La2O3 sol–gel films

Thin films of SiO₂ and La₂O₃ were prepared on a glass substrate by a dip-coating process from specially formulated sols. The tribological properties of the resulting thin films sliding against a Si₃N₄ ball were evaluated on a one-way reciprocating friction and wear tester. The morphologies of the unworn and worn surfaces of the films were examined by an atomic force microscope (AFM) and a scanning electron microscope (SEM). La₂O₃ shows the best tribological performance. The coefficient of friction is about 0.1 and the wear life is over 5000 sliding passes both under higher (3 N) and lower load (1 N). The SiO₂ film derived from a specially formulated aqueous solution shows much better performance in resisting wear and reducing friction than the one derived from an ethanol solution. The wear mechanisms of the films are discussed based on SEM observation of the worn surface morphologies. SEM observation of the morphologies of worn surfaces indicates that the worn surface of La₂O₃ is too slight to be observed by SEM. The wear of SiO₂ derived from TEOS solution is the characteristic of delaminating, which is responsible for the abrupt failure of the film. The wear of SiO₂ derived from aqueous solution is the characteristic of fracture. Brittle fracture and severe abrasion dominate the wear of glass substrate.     

Dielectric and Ferroelectric Properties of La-Doped SrBi2Nb2O9 Ceramics

Sr1-xLa2x/3Bi2Nb20O （0 ≤ x ≤0.2） ceramic samples are prepared by the solid-state reaction method. Their structure, dielectric and ferroelectric properties are investigated. The incorporation of La^3＋ improves the den- sification and decreases the grain size of the ceramics without changing the crystal structure. The remanent polarization 2PT increases with increasing La content and reaches a maximum value of 22.8μC/cm^2 at x = 0.125, which is approximately 60% larger than that of pure SrBi2Nb2O9. The Curie temperature keeps almost unchanged at a value of about 440℃. The relationship between doping and the ferroeleetrie and dielectric properties are discussed.     

Crystal structure and properties of FeSr2NdCu2O7+δ

The compound FeSr₂NdCu₂O₇₊ (Fe1212) was successfully synthesized by solid-state reaction. X-ray diffraction data indicate that the sample is of single phase. Rietveld whole-pattern-fitting method was used to refine the crystal structure of samples prepared under different annealing conditions using the tetragonal system with space group P4/mmm. Magnetization measurements indicate that magnetic susceptibility changes with temperature in a Curie-type manner. Resistance measurements indicate that these samples have a semiconductor-like behavior. PACS 61.10.Nz; 74.72.Jt     

Heat Transfer and Hydrodynamic Performance Analysis of a Miniature Tangential Heat Sink Using Al2O3–H2O and TiO2–H2O Nanofluids

In this article, thermal and hydrodynamic performances of a miniature tangential heat sink are investigated experimentally by using Al₂O₃–H₂O and TiO₂–H₂O nanofluids. The effects of flow rate and volume concentration on the thermal performance have been investigated for the Reynolds number range of 210 to 1,100. Experimental results show that the average convective heat transfer coefficient increases 14 and 11% and the bottom temperature of the heat sink decreases 2.2°C and 1.6°C by using Al₂O₃–H₂O and TiO₂–H₂O nanofluid instead of pure distilled water, respectively.     

Rovibrational spectra of the Ar–D2O and Kr–D2O van der Waals complexes in the v2 bend region of D2O

Rovibrational spectra of Ar–D₂O and Kr–D₂O complexes are measured in the v₂ bend region of D₂O monomer using a tunable mid-infrared diode laser spectrometer. One para and two ortho bands for both complexes are identified and then analyzed in terms of a nearly free internal rotor model. Molecular constants for the excited vibrational states, including band-origin, rotational and centrifugal distortion constants, and Coriolis coupling constant, are determined accurately. A comparison of the observed band-origins of Ar–D₂O and Kr–D₂O with the previous results of Ne–D₂O shows regular trends of shift from Kr–D₂O to Ne–D₂O.     

Fabrication and characteristics of N-doped β-Ga2O3 nanowires

Undoped and N-doped  β-Ga₂O₃ nanowires (NWs), using NH₃ as the dopant source, were successfully fabricated by the CVD method on Si substrates. The microstructure, morphology, element composition and carrier concentration of the samples were characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, and EDX. The results revealed that well-aligned undoped NWs were perpendicular to the substrates. Comparing with undoped β-Ga₂O₃ NWs, the morphology of N-doped β-Ga₂O₃ NWs showed a significant change and they were randomly oriented relative to the substrates. As the NH₃ flow was increased, the microstructure of the sample presented a lot of branched-like and trumpet-shaped structures. Simultaneously, a rougher surface has been attained. PL spectrum measurements showed that N-doped β-Ga₂O₃ NWs had ultraviolet (UV), blue and green emission peaks because of the N-doped process. Furthermore, micro-scale undoped β-Ga₂O₃/N-doped β-Ga₂O₃ homojunction structures were fabricated. The I–V property of the fabricated N-doped β-Ga₂O₃ microwire and β-Ga₂O₃/N-doped β-Ga₂O₃ microwire homojunction were compared. I–V results testified that N-doped β-Ga₂O₃ NWs showed p-type conductivity.     

FT-IR Study of the Adsorption of Propane and Propene on V2O5/γ-Al2O3 Catalyst

It has been observed on the oxidized V₂O₅/γ-Al₂O₃ that C₃H₆ form alkoxides which were converted to acetone during the desorption of adsorbate phase at 373 K. C₃H₈ may form π-complexes on the reduced form of the same catalyst. However, the intensities of the bands in the ad-adsorption of C₃H₈ were very weak as compared with the case of C₃H₈ adsorption. Therefore, it was not reasonable to assign these bands clearly as any of the surface type species.     

Structure,dielectric and bioactivity of P2O5–CaO–Na2O–B2O3 bioactive glass

Bioactive phosphate glasses have been widely investigated for bone repair. Phosphate glass system of 47P₂O₅–30.5CaO–(22.5?x)Na₂O–xB₂O₃ has been prepared by melt quenching technique. From the Raman analysis, it is confirmed that phosphate network form metaphosphate structure. Bioactivity of the glass is studied by immersing the prepared glass in simulated body fluid (SBF). All the glasses exhibited bioactivity after soaking in SBF. Addition of B₂O₃ to the glass by replacing the Na₂O produces considerable effect on the dielectric and bioactivity of the glass. Ion dynamics are also analyzed through imaginary modulus and imaginary dielectric permittivity.     

Protonic conduction and diffusion in the hydrous oxides V2O5·nH2O,Nb2O5·nH2O,Ta2O5·nH2O and CeO2·nH2O

Conductivity (ac and dc) measurements are reported for hydrous V₂O₅, Nb₂O₅, Ta₂O₅ and CeO₅ in the range 250<T/K<320. Ambient temperature conductivities increase with water content and (SEM) agglomerate size, the most highly conductive material being Ta₂O₅·3.92 H₂O (α₂₉₈=3×10⁻⁴S cm⁻¹). There is no simple composition dependence of conductivity activation energy. ¹H NMR relaxation time measurements in the range 170<t/K<330 are also reported. The data consistent with chemical exchange between a range of interparticle protonic environments, but there is no simple link with conductivities.     

First laser oscillation and broad tunability of 1 at. % Yb-doped Sc2O3 and Lu2O3 ceramics

We report the first oscillation achieved on 1?at. % Yb-doped Sc2O3 and Lu2O3 ceramics under quasi-CW pumping at 968?nm. With Sc2O3 we measured a maximum output power of 2.2?W with a slope efficiency of 59% at 1040.5?nm. Comparable results are obtained with Lu2O3 at 1032.5?nm, i.e., 1.8?W with a corresponding slope of 45%, while at 1078?nm we measured 1.5?W with 34% of slope efficiency. Finally, we present the range of tunability, which exceeds 41?nm for both samples. To the best of our knowledge, these are the first measurements reported in literature either in terms of laser emission or continuous tunability range achieved with 1?at. % doping level.     

Local electronic structure of Cu2O,CuO and YBa2Cu3O7−δ

Cu 3d and O 2p electronic states of Cu₂O, CuO, and the highT _c compound YBa₂Cu₃O_7– have been probed by means of high resolution x-ray emission spectroscopy (XES). The CuL and OK XES bands are compared in detail with recently reported x-ray photoelectron and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS and UPS) measurements and densities of states obtained by local density functional (LDF) theory. The XES data show that the hybridization between Cu 3d and O 2p states is completely modified in CuO and YBa₂Cu₃O_7–, whered-d correlation energy is large, as compared to LDF predictions. Such is not the case for Cu₂O where agreement between theory and experiment is good.The Cu 3d states are found to be highly localized in YBa₂Cu₃O_7– (though less so than in CuO). The O 2p states lie at lower binding energies than in the simpler oxides and are mainly situated above the Cu 3d states. The respective positions of the centre of gravity of the OK emission bands on an x-ray energy scale indicate that the oxygen sites are less well screened by the O 2p states in the highT _c compound. This provides indirect evidence for the presence ofd-like states at the oxygen sites.     

Study of electrical conductivity and phase transition in Bi2O3–V2O5 system

The solid solutions of bismuth–vanadate were prepared by the conventional solid-state reaction. The sample characterization and the study of phase transition were done by using FT-IR, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and DSC measurements. AC impedance measurements proved that the oxide ion conductivity predominantly arises from the grain and grain boundary contributions as two well-defined semicircles are clearly seen along with an inclined spike. The electrical conductivity of Bi₂O₃–V₂O₅ has been studied at different temperatures for various molar ratios. The isothermal conductivity increases with an increase in the concentration of V₂O₅ due to the vacancy migration phenomenon. It has been found that the conductivity of different compositions of Bi₂O₃–V₂O₅ increases and shows a jump in the temperature range 230–260°C due to the phase transition of BiVO₄ from monoclinic scheelite type to that of tetragonal scheelite type. The endothermic peak in DSC at around 260°C reveals the phase transition, which is also confirmed by the XRD and FT-IR analysis. The XRD patterns confirmed the monoclinic structure of BiVO₄.