Spin relaxation of charged centers in silicon in the presence of photocarriers (Si: Cr+, [Cr+−B−])

Spin relaxation of deep charged centers Cr⁺ and of donor-acceptor pairs (Cr⁺?B^?)⁰ in silicon is studied by nonstationary EPR spectroscopy at liquid-helium temperatures. We observed the effect of an increase in the spin-lattice relaxation rate under band-to-band sample illumination; the magnitude of the effect is proportional to the photoelectron concentration. The spin-dependent carrier trapping is shown to play a dominant role in spin relaxation under illumination for centers of both types. Coupled rate equations describing the interaction of various subsystems with one another and with the bath are solved. A comparison of experimental data with theory yielded the electron trapping cross sections σ_r(Cr⁺)?4.9×10^?12 cm² and σ_r(Cr⁺?B^?)?1.6×10^?12 cm² at T=4.2 K. The results obtained are discussed in terms of the theory of trapping by attractive centers.     

Solid state reduction of chromium (VI) pollution for Al2O3–Cr metal ceramics application

Reduction of chromium (VI) from Na₂CrO₄ through aluminothermic reaction and fabrication of metal-ceramic materials from the reduction products have been investigated in this study. Na₂CrO₄ could be successfully reduced into micrometer-sized Cr particles in a flowing Ar atmosphere in presence of Al powder. The conversion ratio of Na₂CrO₄ to metallic Cr attained 96.16% efficiency. Al₂O₃–Cr metal-ceramic with different Cr content (5 wt%, 10 wt%, 15 wt%, 20 wt%) were further prepared from the reduction product Al₂O₃–Cr composite powder, and aluminum oxide nanopowder via pressure-less sintering. The phase composition, microstructure and mechanical properties of metal-ceramic composites were characterized to ensure the potential of the Al₂O₃–Cr composite powder to form ceramic materials. The highest relative density and bending strength can reach 93.4% and 205 MP, respectively. The results indicated that aluminothermic reduction of chromium (VI) for metal-ceramics application is a potential approach to remove chromium (VI) pollutant from the environment.     

Renormalization group equation and QCD coupling constant in?the?presence of?SU(3) chromo-electric field

We solve the renormalization group equation in QCD in the presence of a SU(3) constant chromo-electric field E ^a with arbitrary color index a=1,2,…,8 and find that the QCD coupling constant α _s depends on two independent Casimir/gauge invariants C ₁=[E ^a E ^a ] and C ₂=[d _abc E ^a E ^b E ^c ]² instead of one gauge invariant C ₁=[E ^a E ^a ]. The β function is derived from the one-loop effective action. This coupling constant may be useful to study hadron formation from color flux tubes/strings at high energy colliders and to study quark–gluon plasma formation at RHIC and LHC.     

What are the relative roles of heating and cooling in generating solar wind temperature anisotropies?

Temperature anisotropy in the solar wind results from a combination of mechanisms of anisotropic heating (e.g., cyclotron-resonant heating and dissipation of kinetic Alfvén waves) and cooling (e.g., Chew-Goldberger-Low double-adiabatic expansion). In contrast, anisotropy-driven instabilities such as the cyclotron, mirror, and firehose instabilities limit the allowable departure of the plasma from isotropy. This study used data from the Faraday cups on the Wind spacecraft to examine scalar temperature and temperature components of protons. Plasma unstable to the mirror or firehose instability was found to be about 3-4 times hotter than stable plasma. Since anisotropy-driven instabilities are not understood to heat the plasma, these results suggest that heating processes are more effective than cooling processes at creating and maintaining proton temperature anisotropy in the solar wind.     

Density functional study of the decomposition pathways of SiH? and GeH? at the Si(100) and Ge(100) surfaces

By means of first-principles calculations we studied the decomposition pathways of SiH? on Ge(100) and of GeH? on Si(100), of interest for the growth of crystalline SiGe alloys and Si/Ge heterostructures by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition. We also investigated H desorption via reaction of two adsorbed SiH?/GeH? species (β? reaction) or via Eley-Rideal abstraction of surface H atoms from the impinging SiH? and GeH? species. The calculated activation energies for the different processes suggest that the rate-limiting step for the growth of Si/Ge systems is still the β? reaction of two SiH? as in the growth of crystalline Si.     

Silica coating of Co–Pt alloy nanoparticles prepared in the presence of poly(vinylpyrrolidone)

This article describes a method for silica coating of Co–Pt alloy nanoparticles prepared in the presence of poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) as a stabilizer. The Co–Pt nanoparticles were prepared in an aqueous solution at 25–80 °C from CoCl₂ (3.0 × 10⁻⁴ M), H₂PtCl₆ (3.0 × 10⁻⁴ M), PVP (0–10 g/L), and NaBH₄ (4.8 × 10⁻³–2.4 × 10⁻² M). The silica coating was performed for the Co–Pt nanoparticle colloid containing the PVP ([Co] = [Pt] = 3.0 × 10⁻⁵ M) at 25 °C in (1/4) (v/v) water/ethanol solution with tetraethoxyorthosilicate (TEOS) (7.2 × 10⁻⁵–7.2 × 10⁻³ M) and ammonia (0.1–1.0 M). Silica particles, which had an average size of 43 nm and contained multiple cores of Co–Pt nanoparticles with a size of ca. 8 nm, were produced at 1.4 × 10⁻³ M TEOS and 0.5 M ammonia after the preparation of Co–Pt nanoparticles at 80 °C, 5 g/L PVP, and 2.4 × 10⁻² M NaBH₄. Their core particles were fcc Co–Pt alloy crystallites. Their saturation magnetization was 2.0-emu/g sample, and their coercive field was 12 Oe.     

Influence of photoexcitation pathways on the initiation of ablation in poly (methyl methacrylate)

Experimental and theoretical studies of laser ablation of polymers, under various processing conditions, have identified many possible photoexcitation pathways and consequently many likely processes responsible for the onset of ablation. We investigate the role of these processes—namely the thermal, mechanical and chemical processes—occurring in a polymeric substrate during UV irradiation. Molecular dynamics simulations with an embedded Monte Carlo-based reaction scheme were used to study ablation of Poly (methyl methacrylate) at 157 nm. Laser-induced heating and chemical decomposition of the polymeric substrate are considered as ablation pathways. For the heating case, the mechanism of ejection is thermally driven limited by the critical number of bonds broken. This fragmentation process is well reproduced by the existing bulk photothermal ablation model. Alternatively, if the photon energy goes toward direct bond breaking, it initiates chemical reactions, polymer unzipping, and formation of gaseous products leading to near complete decomposition, loss of strength and cohesiveness of the top layers of the polymeric substrate. The ejection of small gaseous molecules weakens and hollows out the substrate, facilitating liftoff of larger fragments of material. These larger clusters are thermally ejected and the photochemical ablation process can be described by the two-step model proposed by Kalontarov.     

Insoluble organic matter in chondrites: Archetypal melanin-like PAH-based multifunctionality at the origin of life?

An interdisciplinary review of the chemical literature that points to a unifying scenario for the origin of life, referred to as the Primordial Multifunctional organic Entity (PriME) scenario, is provided herein. In the PriME scenario it is suggested that the Insoluble Organic Matter (IOM) in carbonaceous chondrites, as well as interplanetary dust particles from meteorites and comets may have played an important role in the three most critical processes involved in the origin of life, namely 1) metabolism, via a) the provision and accumulation of molecules that are the building blocks of life, b) catalysis (e.g., by templation), and c) protection of developing life molecules against radiation by excited state deactivation; 2) compartmentalization, via adsorption of compounds on the exposed organic surfaces in fractured meteorites, and 3) replication, via deaggregation, desorption and related physical phenomena. This scenario is based on the hitherto overlooked structural and physicochemical similarities between the IOM and the dark, insoluble, multifunctional melanin polymers found in bacteria and fungi and associated with the ability of these microorganisms to survive extreme conditions, including ionizing radiation. The underlying conceptual link between these two materials is strengthened by the fact that primary precursors of bacterial and fungal melanins (collectively referred to herein as allomelanins) are hydroxylated aromatic compounds like homogentisic acid and 1,8-dihydroxynaphthalene, and that similar hydroxylated aromatic compounds, including hydroxynaphthalenes, figure prominently among possible components of the organic materials on dust grains and ices in the interstellar matter, and may be involved in the formation of IOM in meteorites. Inspired by this rationale, a vis-à-vis review of the properties of IOM from various chondrites and non-nitrogenous allomelanin pigments from bacteria and fungi is provided herein. The unrecognized similarities between these materials may pave the way for a novel scenario at the origin of life, in which IOM-related complex organic polymers delivered to the early Earth are proposed to serve as PriME and were preserved and transformed in those primitive forms of life that shared the ability to synthesize melanin polymers playing an important role in the critical processes underlying the establishment of terrestrial eukaryotes.     

Semiempirical assignment of the electron transitions in manganese(II)-doped II–VI compounds

The electron transitions in manganese(II)-doped II–VI compounds have been assigned by the Angular Overlap Model (AOM). The extracted AOM and electron repulsion parameters are applied to assess the covalency of the respective manganese-ligand bonds. A comparison with Crystal Field Theory (CFT) is made in order to demonstrate the advantages offered by the AOM. The Dq values for Mn(II) in CdS and CdSe were found by interpolation from the Dq vs R⁻⁵_ml relation.     

LEED investigations of the Rh(111)-(2 × 2)-O surface structure: measurements with a video analyser in the presence of some electron beam disordering of the adsorbed layer

A multiple-scattering analysis of LEED intensities has been made for the Rh(111)-(2 × 2)-O surface structure. The measurements were made with a video LEED analyser under conditions where the O layer disorders in 2 min in the incident electron beam. The experimental and calculated intensities were compared with Pendry's reliability index, which was minimised with O atoms adsorbed 1.23 Å above the “expected” hollow sites of three-fold coordination.     

Mössbauer investigation of the reaction of ferrate(VI) with sulfamethoxazole and aniline in alkaline medium

Mechanisms on the oxidation of sulfamethoxazole (SMX) and aniline by ferrate(VI) (Fe^VIO $_{4}{^{2-}}$ , Fe(VI)) in alkaline medium suggested the formation of Fe(VI)-SMX or Fe(VI)-aniline intermediates, respectively. Fe(V) and Fe(IV) as other intermediate iron species have also been proposed in the mechanism. In this paper, rapid freeze Mössbauer spectroscopy was applied in rapidly frozen samples to explore intermediate iron species in the reactions of SMX and aniline with Fe(VI). In both reactions, Fe(VI)-SMX and Fe(VI)-aniline intermediates were not seen in second-minute time scale. Fe(V) and Fe(IV) were also not observed. Fe(III) was the only final species of the reactions.     

Transformation from δ-FeOOH to hematite in the presence of trace Fe(II)

δ-FeOOH, a poorly crystalline iron oxyhydroxide, can transform to the more stable iron oxyhydroxide or oxide. In the present work, the transformation from δ-FeOOH to goethite and hematite in the presence of trace Fe(II) has been investigated. The results show that Fe(II) can catalyze this transformation of δ-FeOOH. Based on experimental results and literature data, it is confirmed that two transformation mechanisms exist in the current system. One is the catalytic dissolution of δ-FeOOH, which leads to the formation of both hematite and goethite. The other is the catalytic solid-state transformation from δ-FeOOH to hematite. Which mechanism predominates depends on the temperature, pH, heating rate, etc. The results reveal that high temperatures (in the range from room temperature (RT) to 100 °C) favor the solid-state transformation as well as the formation of hematite. Given the structural relationships observed between δ-FeOOH and hematite, it is possible that the solid-state transformation from δ-FeOOH to hematite can exist.     

Electronic structure of Ge(111)-(2 × 1) surface in the presence of doping atoms. Ab initio analysis of STM data

We present the result of ab initio modeling of the Ge(111)-(2 × 1) surface electronic structure in the presence of donor doping atom at certain position in the surface bilayer of (2 × 1) reconstruction. We briefly compare these results with the data of experimental low temperature STM investigations. Ab initio calculations demonstrate that doping atom strongly disturbs local electronic structure. The separate state, most probably split off conduction band, appears in the bandgap. Surface LDOS reveals spatial oscillations in vicinity of foreign atom. We also show that the spatial extent of non-negligible inter-atomic interaction between neighboring donor atoms is not less than 70 Å.     

Solutions of the Duffin-Kemmer-Petiau equation in the presence of Hulthn potential in(1+2) dimensions for unity spin particles using the asymptotic iteration method

The relativistic Duffin-Kemmer-Petiau equation in the presence of Hulthn potential in(1+2) dimensions for spin-one particles is studied.Hence,the asymptotic iteration method is used for obtaining energy eigenvalues and eigenfunctions.     

Ab initio electronic structure of the Ge(111)-(2 × 1) surface in the presence of surface vacancy. Application to STM data analysis

We present the results of ab initio modeling of Ge(111)-(2 × 1) surface in the presence of atomic vacancy in surface bilayer. We showed that simple crystal structure defect affects surface electronic structure to the extent comparable with the influence of doping atom. We demonstrated the strong difference of surface LDOS structure above surface defects of different kind. We have proved that spatial oscillations of LDOS exist around individual surface vacancy in the same tunneling bias range as in case of donor doping atom on Ge(111)-(2 × 1) surface.     

Adsorption of Cr(Ⅵ) polluted water by Fe3O4@SiO2-APTMS nanocomposites prepared in the presence of ultrasonic irradiation for sustainable water resources utilization

The research on developing a purification technology for Cr(Ⅵ) polluted water with high efficiency and the low energy consumption is crucial for achieving several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In order to achieve these goals, Fe₃O₄@SiO₂-APTMS nanocomposites were prepared by Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles modified with silica and 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane in the presence of ultrasonic irradiation. The nanocomposites were characterized by TEM, FT-IR, VSM, TGA, BET, XRD, XPS and these analytic results proved that the nanocomposites were successfully prepared. The influential factors of Fe₃O₄@SiO₂-APTMS on Cr(Ⅵ) adsorption have been explored and better experimental conditions have been obtained. The adsorption isotherm conformed to the Freundlich model. Pseudo-second-order kinetic model provided a better correlation for the experimental data compared to other kinetic models. Thermodynamic parameters for adsorption indicated that the adsorption of Cr(Ⅵ) was a spontaneous process. It was speculated that the adsorption mechanism of this adsorbent includes redox, electrostatic adsorption and physical adsorption. In summary, the Fe₃O₄@SiO₂-APTMS nanocomposites were of great significance to human health and the remediation of heavy ion pollution, contributing to achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG-3, SDG-6.     

Electron heating in the measurement of electron temperature by Thomson scattering: are thermal plasmas thermal?

Thomson scattering measurements have yielded electron temperatures T(e) up to 7000 K greater than the ion temperature in 1 bar thermal plasmas. To account for laser heating of electrons, T(e) was measured as a function of laser pulse energy, and an unperturbed T(e) obtained by linear extrapolation to zero pulse energy. It is shown that the absorption of laser energy by the electrons, and the cooling of the electrons by collisions and radiative emission, depend strongly on T(e). Considering all these processes gives T(e) values that are in much closer agreement with the ion temperature.     

Thermal Behavior of the Fluorescence Lines of Ho~(3 ) in Cr,Tm,Ho∶YAG

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