Evaluation of degree of crystallization by optical microscopy and chemical analysis in crystallization of alkaline-earth metal tungstates from solutions in lithium chloride melts

A comparative study of the accuracy of optical microscopy and chemical analysis of residual solutions for evaluation of degree of crystallisation was carried out to ascertain their suitability for kinetics study of CaWO₄ and BaWO₄ crystallisation from LiCl melts (i) by continuous cooling at a constant cooling rate, and (ii) at constant temperature from a supersaturated solution. Chemical analysis of residual solution does not give desirable accuracy for the case (i) for α_t values <0.30, and for the case (ii) for α_t values <0.60. Optical microscopy was more accurate and suitable for both cases.     

Waveguide arrays as plasmonic metamaterials: transmission below cutoff

Since the work of Ebbesen et al. [Nature (London) 391, 667 (1998)], there has been immense interest in the optical properties of subwavelength holes in metal layers. While the enhanced transmission observed is generally associated with surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs), theoretical predictions suggest a similar response with perfectly conducting materials. However, Pendry et al. [Science 305, 847 (2004)] proposed that, if textured on a subwavelength scale, even perfect conductors support surface modes. Here, using microwave radiation incident upon an array of metal waveguides, we observe peaks in the transmissivity below cutoff and confirm the crucial role of these SPP-like modes in the mechanism responsible.     

Characteristics of electrochemically grown dendritic metallic zinc

A simple electrochemical process has been implemented to fabricated fractal structured leaf-like metallic zinc. The fabricated material was structurally characterized using X-ray diffraction that reveals the hexagonal unit cell structure. Also the growth of the structure is anisotropic. Field emission scanning electron microscopic images revealed clearly the leaf-like morphology of the fabricated material is fern like and ∼500 μm in length, ∼50-60 μm wide and the platelets thickness is ∼5 μm. The growth of this structure is diffusion controlled and locally accomplished with the oriented attachment. Raman shift measurement revealed the existence of surface optical phonon modes which is very significant for surface defects.     

Nitric oxide concentration measurements in atmospheric pressure flames using electronic-resonance-enhanced coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering

We report the application of electronic-resonance-enhanced coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (ERE-CARS) for measurements of nitric oxide concentration ([NO]) in three different atmospheric pressure flames. Visible pump (532 nm) and Stokes (591 nm) beams are used to probe the Q-branch of the Raman transition. A significant resonance enhancement is obtained by tuning an ultraviolet probe beam (236 nm) into resonance with specific rotational transitions in the (v’=0, v”=1) vibrational band of the A²Σ⁺–X²Π electronic system of NO. ERE-CARS spectra are recorded at various heights within a hydrogen-air flame producing relatively low concentrations of NO over a Hencken burner. Good agreement is obtained between NO ERE-CARS measurements and the results of flame computations using UNICORN, a two-dimensional flame code. Excellent agreement between measured and calculated NO spectra is also obtained when using a modified version of the Sandia CARSFT code for heavily sooting acetylene-air flames (φ=0.8 to φ=1.6) on the same Hencken burner. Finally, NO concentration profiles are measured using ERE-CARS in a laminar, counter-flow, non-premixed hydrogen-air flame. Spectral scans are recorded by probing the Q₁ (9.5), Q₁ (13.5) and Q₁ (17.5) Raman transitions. The measured shape of the [NO] profile is in good agreement with that predicted using the OPPDIF code, even without correcting for collisional effects. These comparisons between [NO] measurements and predictions establish the utility of ERE-CARS for detection of NO in flames with large temperature and concentration gradients as well as in sooting environments. PACS 07.88.+y; 42.62.Fi; 42.65.Dr     

Weak Galerkin finite element methods combined with Crank-Nicolson scheme for parabolic interface problems

This article is devoted to the a priori error estimates of the fully discrete Crank-Nicolson approximation for the linear parabolic interface problem via weak Galerkin finite element methods (WG-FEM). All the finite element functions are discontinuous for which the usual gradient operator is implemented as distributions in properly defined spaces. Optimal order error estimates in both $L^{\infty}(H^1)$ and $L^{\infty}(L^2)$ norms are established for lowest order WG finite element space $({\cal P}_{k}(K),\;{\cal P}_{k-1}(\partial K),\;\big[{\cal P}_{k-1}(K)\big]^2)$. Finally, we give numerical examples to verify the theoretical results.     

Optimization of Fabry-Perot ring resonator embedding a grating based mirror

We study a triangular arrangement of two flat mirrors and a grating mirror for coupling a \(-1{\mathrm{st}}\) diffracted order light beam into a traveling-wave intra-cavity light recirculation and out-of-cavity output, combining the \(0\,{\mathrm{th}}\) and the repeatedly diffracted secondary \(+1{\mathrm{st}}\) order beams. The thus designed and then optimized grating Fabry-Perot ring cavity demonstrates high output contrast and detection resolution for wavelength, cavity length and incidence angle.     

Nonparaxial effects on the propagation and scattering of a polarized optical pulse

Propagation characteristics of a polarized optical solitary pulse are analyzed by taking into account the effect of nonparaxiality and mutual interaction. To start with, a pair of generalized nonlinear Schrodinger equations is deduced through an operator approach. Stationary solutions of such a system are then analyzed numerically through a boundary value problem in two stages, with and without the nonparaxial effect. In the second stage, the propagating form of the corresponding spatial soliton is studied by an extended split step algorithm ETDRK. The initial profile is considered to be both a one- and two-soliton solution, to visualize the event of scattering and fusion. From this data, we have computed the intensity, root mean square spectral width, and chirp of a single soliton as it propagates. In the case of the two-soliton solution, we observe that for source parameter values, the fusion is more favored than scattering. It is observed that nonparaxiality and the interaction between A(x) and A(y) tends to destroy the periodic behaviors of these parameters. Lastly, we have investigated the modulational instability of the system as function of frequency detuning and nonparaxiality. The form of the gain is discussed as a function of nonparaxiality.     

Directly writing with nanoparticles at the nanoscale using dip-pen nanolithography

Well-defined nanostructures were written with quantum dots and magnetic nanoparticles on gold and mica surfaces using dip-pen nanolithography at room temperature. The structures with both the nanoparticles were characterised by in situ topography measurements, and the quantum dot structures were mapped by fluorescence mapping. It is demonstrated that structures of various kinds such as dots and lines can be prepared using such nanoparticles on suitably prepared surfaces.     

TEM characterization of chemically synthesized copper–gold nanoparticles

Dodecanethiol-capped Cu–Au nanoparticles, synthesized via a successive two-phase (water/toluene) and galvanic-exchange procedure, were characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The size range of the particles is around 1–7 nm. Electron-induced morphological evolution was observed under high resolution (HR) TEM. Cuboctahedral morphology was found to be thermodynamically stable. Electron-induced aggregation of two particles was also observed. Chemical ordering of cuboctahedral particles was studied by atomic-resolution high angle annular dark field (HAADF) imaging in scanning TEM (STEM) mode and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) element mapping using a silicon drift detector (SDD). The particles were found to be Cu–Au mixed, and to be stable in air. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR), which is dependent on local structure and morphology, was investigated by electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS).