Evidence for internal resistive barriers in a crystal of the giant dielectric constant material: CaCu3Ti4O12

Complex impedance spectra were obtained on a crystal of CaCu₃Ti₄O₁₂ (CCTO) from 289 to 456 K. As in the case of ceramic CCTO, these spectra can be interpreted as arising from a conducting material containing insulating barriers. This is then further evidence for the existence of planar defects within crystals of CCTO that act as insulating barriers and produce the large dielectric constant through a space charge mechanism.     

The g-values of defects in hydrogenated microcrystalline silicon

The anisotropic g-values of defects in hydrogenated microcrystalline silicon prepared by hot-wire chemical vapour deposition have been measured as a function of crystalline volume fraction at room temperature. The defect has been identified as a silicon-dangling bond existing on the surface of crystalline grain. Their anisotropic g-values are discussed in the light of theoretical calculations by Ishii et al. and Ishii and Shimizu. The defect density is also discussed as a function of crystalline volume fraction.     

Survivability in IP-over-WDM Networks: WDM Lightpath Protection versus IP LSP Protection

This article compares the performance of WDM lightpath protection and IP LSP protection schemes for IP-over-WDM networks. A mathematical formulation of the maximum throughput problem is presented and analytical expressions for recovery time are derived for both schemes. The throughputs and recovery times are analyzed and compared. Results show that the IP LSP protection scheme presents higher throughputs then WDM lightpath protection. The IP LSP protection scheme, providing individual IP LSP protection has, however, scalability problems. This scheme presents high recovery times when a failure affects many lightpaths and many hops are allowed for the primary routes of IP LSPs.     

Closed-form solutions for a rectangular layer with central crack under anti-plane shear stress

We consider the problem of determining the stress distributionin a finite rectangular elastic layer containing a Griffithcrack which is opened by internal shear stress acting alongthe length of the crack. The mode III crack is assumed to belocated in the middle plane of the rectangular layer. The followingtwo problems are considered: (A) the central crack is perpendicularto the two fixed lateral surfaces and parallel to the othertwo stress-free surfaces; (B) all the lateral surfaces of therectangular layer are clamped and the central crack is parallelto the two lateral surfaces. By using Fourier transformations,we reduce the solution of each problem to the solution of dualintegral equations with sine kernels and a weight function whichare solved exactly. Finally, we derive closed-form expressionsfor the stress intensity factor at the tip of the crack andthe numerical values for the stress intensity factor at theedges of the cracks are presented in the form of tables.     

Synthesis, X-ray diffraction study, and ionic conductivity of new AB2O6 pyrochlores

The oxides A(Ti_0.5Te_1.5)O₆ (A = K, Rb, Cs, Tl), A(Ti_0.5W_1.5)O₆ (A = Rb, Cs, Tl), and Cs(B_0.5W_1.5)O₆ (B = Zr, Hf) have been obtained as polycrystalline powders giving X-ray diffraction patterns characteristic of defect cubic pyrochlores, space group (No. 227), Z = 8. The best discrepancy R factors, from 0.0265 for Rb(Ti_0.5Te_1.5)O₆ to 0.0554 for Cs(Zr_0.5W_1.5)O₆, were obtained for the B cations randomly distributed at 16(d), A ions at one quarter of 32(e), and oxygen atoms at 48(f) positions. A linear relationship is observed between the a unit cell parameters and the ionic radii of the A cations, as well as the average ionic radii of the B atoms. The results of electrical resistivity measurements for A(Ti_0.5Te_1.5)O₆ (A = K, Rb, Cs, Tl) are given.     

Determination of trace elements in Brazilian rice grains and in biological reference materials by neutron activation analysis

Instrumental neutron activation analysis was applied to the determination of the elements Na, K, Br, As, Rb, Zn, Co, Fe and Sc in Brazilian rice samples and in biological standards. Hg and Se concentrations were determined by using a simple radiochemical separation. The chemical procedure was carried out by means of distillation of Hg and Se in HBr medium and subsequent precipitation of selenium by sodium metabisulfite and mercury by thioacetamide. The accuracy of the instrumental and radiochemical methods was evaluated by means of analysis of the Reference Materials NBS-Bovine Liver, Bowen's Kale and NBS-Rice Flour.     

Electrohydrodynamic instability in some nematic cyanobiphenyls in an a.c. electric field

Electrohydrodynamic instability in homeotropically oriented nematic samples of 4'-n-octyl-4-cyano-biphenyl and 4'n-alkyloxy-4-cyanobiphenyl, (n = 8.9) have been studied in an a.c. electric field. The domain patterns during the instability in these compounds in a very low frequency a.c. field are very similar to those in a d.c. field. The domain patterns observed at higher frequencies have been identified as 'maltese crosses' or 'crossed isogyres'. The electro-convective 'isotropic' flows near the electrode play an important role in the observed instability.     

Combined supercritical-fluid chromatography/mass spectrometry in the analysis of diuron in plasma using on-line phase-system switching

On-line sample pretreatment by means of the phase-system switching approach is an interesting technique for the analysis of aqueous samples, e.g., plasma, by means of supercritical-fluid chromatography. In order to analyse plasma samples the following analytical procedure is used. The plasma sample is injected on to a short precolumn, which is washed with water and subsequently dried with nitrogen. Next, the solutes are desorbed with the supercritical mobile phase, analysed with packed-column supercritical-fluid chromatography and detected with either a UV detector or a mass spectrometer, equipped with a moving-belt interface. The herbicide diuron is selected as a test compound to study the feasibility of this approach. Using a selective detector the procedure is sufficiently sensitive to detect diuron in plasma, but not appropriate to detect the diuron metabolites in a post-mortem plasma sample. These have been identified with liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry. The detection limit of diuron in plasma using the procedure described is about 30 ng/mL.