Constraint Molecular Dynamics and results on isotopic distributions produced in heavy ion collision — The Sn + Ni systems

The Constraint Molecular Dynamics approach is illustrated together with calculation on different heavy ion collisions. In particular the charge-mass distribution produced in the collision ¹²⁴Sn + ⁶⁴Ni and ¹¹²Sn + ⁵⁸Ni at 35 MeV/nucleon is discussed. By comparing the Y = (N ? Z)/A distributions for fragments produced in central collisions it results that this observable can be sensitive to the dynamic effects induced on the two systems by the different charge/mass ratio.     

Effect of hardness and composition gradients on Barkhausen emission in case hardened steel

The effect of gradients in hardness, structure and composition in the surface layers on magnetic Barkhausen noise (MBN) was investigated in two widely used low alloy steels. One material was case hardened by induction hardening. The other was case carburised. Similar hardness profiles were produced by the two treatments. It was found that the variation in structure and hardness through the case in the induction-hardened steel had a minor effect on the MBN profile. In contrast, the inhomogeneity in the case-carburised material showed up clearly. This took the form of a broadened or two-peak MBN profile. When the surface layer containing the case was removed by etching, the broadened profile was replaced by a profile with a single peak. It is concluded that the shape and position of the MBN profile is significantly affected when a gradient in microstructure is induced by a gradient in carbon content. On the other hand, a gradient in microstructure induced by heat treatment with a constant carbon level has much less affect on the MBN profile for the induction-hardened steel.     

A critical review of the chemical kinetics of SF4, SF5, and S2F10 in the gas phase

The gas phase chemical kinetics of SF₄, SF₅, and S₂F₁₀ are reviewed with particular emphasis on relevance to the general problem of the dielectric breakdown of SF₆. Specific reaction systems treated are SF₄ + F₂, SF₅ + SF₅, and the pyrolysis of S₂F₁₀. Computer modeling calculations were carried out to arrive at the best estimates of rate parameters. Based on the results of these calculations, sets of recommended rate parameters are provided. The major discrepancies and problems in establishing the kinetic data base are described. Thermochemical consequences of different model calculations are given.     

Kinetics of polarization reversal in irradiated thin PZT films

The effect of irradiation with electrons and neutrons and of exposure to synchrotron radiation on cyclic switching of polarization in thin films of lead zirconate titanate Pb(Zr,Ti)O₃ (PZT) was studied. It is shown that variations in the shape of switching currents are due to the generation of a spatially nonuniform bound internal field with account for an increase in the rate of bulk screening caused by irradiation. A correlation between structural variations and the evolution of the switching current measured during and after irradiation is established.     

Fundamental aspects of initiated oxidation of tridecane and polyethylene in solutions

Specific features of the initiated oxidation of polyethylene and its low-molecular-weight analogue tridecane, associated with the occurrence of the process in the short-chain mode, were studied.     

Diffusive motion of iron microcrystals studied by Mössbauer spectroscopy

A new model is presented which explains well the dramatic decrease of the Mössbauer line intensities with raising temperatures for freely dispersed iron microscrystals. In contrast to other theories which consider mainly vibration to be responsible we discuss here the decrease in terms of large amplitude diffusive rotational or translational jumps of the particles. Such diffusive jumps lead — in agreement with the observation — to a strong reduction of the Mössbauer-intensity without broadening the line width in a noticeable way. The typical potential well for a diffusing particle in an equilibrium position is derived quantitatively to be 13 meV. The model might be important also for a new understanding of the dynamics of catalytic clusters either in contact with each other or with larger solid surfaces.Part of this work was supported by the DFG Sonderforschungsbereich 306, Konstanz     

Tunable properties of light propagation in photonic liquid crystal fibers

Tunable properties of light propagation in photonic crystal fibers filled with liquid crystals, called photonic liquid crystal fibers (PLCFs) are presented. The propagation properties of PLCFs strongly depend on contrast between refractive indices of the solid core (pure silica glass) and liquid crystals (LCs) filing the holes of the fiber. Due to relatively strong thermo-optical effect, we can change the refractive index of the LC by changing its temperature. Numerical analysis of light propagation in PLCF, based on two simulation methods, such as finite difference (FD) and multipole method (MM) is presented. The numerical results obtained are in good agreement with our earlier experimental results presented elsewhere [1].     

Nonstoichiometry and low-temperature magnetic properties of FeSi crystals

The results of experimental and theoretical studies of the low-temperature properties of FeSi crystals are presented. The specific features of the magnetic susceptibility are shown to be related to the superparamagnetic behavior of impurity clusters. The thermomagnetic hysteresis phenomena observed are explained using the model of exchange-coupled clusters.     

High resolution X-ray diffraction of GaN grown on Si (1 1 1) by MOVPE

High temperature GaN layers have been grown on Si (1 1 1) substrate by metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy (MOVPE). AlN was used as a buffer layer and studied as a function of thickness and growth temperature. The growth was monitored by in situ laser reflectometry. High resolution X-ray diffraction (HRXRD) revealed that optimized monocrystalline GaN was obtained for a 40 nm AlN grown at 1080 °C. This is in good agreement with the results of morphological study by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and also confirmed by atomic force microscopy (AFM) observations. The best morphology of AlN with columnar structure and lower rms surface roughness is greatly advantageous to the coalescence of the GaN epilayer. Symmetric and asymmetric GaN reflections were combined for twist and stress measurements in monocrystalline GaN. It was found that mosaicity and biaxial tensile stress are still high in 1.7 μm GaN. Curvature radius measurement was also done and correlated to the cracks observations over the GaN surface.     

Quadrupole interactions at 57Fe and 119Sn in 3d-metal antimonides

3d-metal antimonides: Fe_1+x Sb, N_+x Sb, Co_+x Sb and the (Ni_1?y Fe _y )Sb solid solution have been studied by the Mössbauer effect method at ⁵⁷Fe and ¹¹⁹Sn. It was found that the quadrupole interactions at the Fe and Sn nucleus in 3d-metal antimonides are very sensitive to the filling of different crystallographic sites with metal atoms. The metal atoms in trigonal-bipyramidal sites have a strong effect on the quadrupole splitting of ¹¹⁹Sn. They are nearest to anions (Sb or Sn) with the typical axial ratio of c/a = 1.25. The QS(x) dependence of ¹¹⁹ Sn in 3d-metal antimonides in the 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.1 concentration range can be used to determine x – the concentration of transition metal excess relative to the stoichiometric composition.