A parallel cell‐based DSMC method on unstructured adaptive meshes

A parallel DSMC method based on a cell‐based data structure is developed for the efficient simulation of rarefied gas flows on PC‐clusters. Parallel computation is made by decomposing the computational domain into several subdomains. Dynamic load balancing between processors is achieved based on the number of simulation particles and the number of cells allocated in each subdomain. Adjustment of cell size is also made through mesh adaptation for the improvement of solution accuracy and the efficient usage of meshes. Applications were made for a two‐dimensional supersonic leading‐edge flow, the axi‐symmetric Rothe's nozzle, and the open hollow cylinder flare flow for validation. It was found that the present method is an efficient tool for the simulation of rarefied gas flows on PC‐based parallel machines. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The glow curve structure for the LiF:Mg,Cu,Na,Si TL detector with dopants concentrations and sintering temperatures

The glow curve structures for LiF:Mg,Cu,Na,Si TL detectors with various dopant concentrations and sintering temperatures were investigated for the improvement of the glow curve structure and sensitivity of the TL detector. The dopant concentrations were varied over the following ranges: Mg (0–0.25 mol%), Cu (0–0.07 mol%), Na and Si (0–1.5 mol%). With increasing Cu concentration, the intensity of the main peak was intensified and reached a maximum at a concentration of 0.05 mol%. The high-temperature peak was reduced. The dependency of the main peak intensity on the Mg concentration exhibits a sharp maximum at 0.2 mol%. The intensity of the high-temperature peak tends to rise slightly with increasing Mg concentration. It was found that the optimum concentrations of the dopants in the LiF:Mg,Cu,Na,Si TL material are Mg: 0.2 mol%, Cu: 0.05 mol%, Na and Si: 0.9 mol%. The dependency of the main peak intensity on sintering temperature exhibits a very sharp maximum at 830°C. The high-temperature peak was rapidly reduced after 825°C.     

Perpendicular magnetic anisotropy in single-crystal Co<Subscript>50</Subscript>Pt<Subscript>50</Subscript>/MgO(100) films

The crystal structure and hysteretic magnetic properties of equiatomic single-crystal CoPt films applied on MgO substrates by magnetron sputtering, as well as modification of these properties by thermal annealing, are studied. Heat-treated films of thickness in the range 2<d≤16 nm exhibit perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. A correlation between the crystalline anisotropy constant of the CoPt films and the order parameter of the LI₀ superstructure in these alloys is found. The effect of a single-crystalline MgO substrate on the structure and magnetic properties of equiatomic CoPt films is revealed.     

Radiation-Induced Defects in Lithium Sulfate Crystals

Russian Physics Journal -     

Preparation and characterization of acrylic‐based black particles of poly(methyl methacrylate‐co‐ethylene glycol dimethacrylate) by dispersion polymerization for electrophoretic displays

Ultrafine black particles, ranging in diameter from 1 to 3 μm, were prepared by dispersion polymerization in a methanol/water mixture with vinyl monomers, nonpolymerizable Sudan black B dyes, and fluorescein isothiocyanate labeled charge control additives. Both the ratio of the methanol to the water dispersion medium and the polymeric stabilizer concentration had significant effects on the particle size. The important role of the stabilizer concentration lay in the particle formation step, during which it determined the particle stability and final particle size. These could affect the extent of the aggregation of nuclei by changing the adsorption rate of the stabilizer and the viscosity of the dispersion medium, resulting in smaller particles. The fluorescent‐labeled charge control additives strongly affected the electrophoretic mobility. A small concentration of fluorescent‐labeled charge control additives increased the electrophoretic mobility. However, a further addition reduced the electrophoretic mobility of the polymer particles. The concentration dependence of the fluorescent‐labeled charge control additives on the deposition behavior in the polymer particles was successfully imaged and thereafter quantified by image analysis. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 5608–5616, 2004     

Intramolecular energy transferable (2,2‐diphenylvinyl)phenyl substituted poly(p‐phenylenevinylene) derivative with efficient photoluminescence and electroluminescence

A poly(p‐phenylenevinylene) (PPV) derivative containing a bulky (2,2‐diphenylvinyl)phenyl group in the side chain, EHDVP‐PPV, was synthesized by Gilch route. The reduced tolane‐bisbenzyl (TBB) defects, as well as the structure of the polymer, was confirmed by various spectroscopic methods. The intramolecular energy transfer from the (2,2‐diphenylvinyl)phenyl side group to the PPV backbone was studied by UV‐vis and photoluminescence (PL) of the obtained polymer and model compound. The polymer film showed maximum absorption and emission peaks at 454 and 546 nm, respectively, and high PL efficiency of 57%. A yellow electroluminescence (λ_max = 548 nm) was obtained with intensities of 6479 cd/m² when the light‐emitting diodes of ITO/PEDOT/EHDVP‐PPV/LiF/Al were fabricated. The maximum power efficiency of the devices was 0.729 lm/W with a turn‐on voltage of 3.6 V. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 5636–5646, 2004     

Composite Silica Particles Using a Mixture of Organosilane Monomers

Composite silica particles were synthesized by a two-step (acid-base) process in an aqueous solution with a mixture of organoalkoxysilane monomers. The two-step process separates the hydrolysis and condensation procedures to easily control condensation rate. In this study, the silane monomers used were phenyltrimethoxysilane (PTMS), vinyltrimethoxysilane (VTMS), methyltrimethoxysilane (MTMS), and tetraethyl-orthosilicate (TEOS). The physical properties of the resultant composite particles were investigated with the change in the molar ratio of monomers. The size of the particles increased with increasing the molar ratio of R_aSi(OR)₃/R_bSi(OR)₃ or R_aSi(OR)₃/TEOS (R_a: phenyl; R_b: vinyl, methyl).     

Effect of photoinitiator on photopolymerization of inorganic–organic hybrid polymers (ORMOCER®)

Inorganic–organic hybrid polymers have been developed and tested for evaluation in optical and electrical applications. Although hybrid inorganic–organic polymers can be synthesized by sol–gel chemistry at first, the physical properties of hybrid inorganic–organic polymers are changed during thin film-making processes, that is, photocuring and thermal curing. To investigate the effect of photoinitiator on the material properties during processing, a model system containing methacrylic groups as organically polymerizable units was selected. The conversion of CC double bond of methacrylic groups depending on some kinds of photoinitiator quantities was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. It was confirmed to correlate the degree of CC double bond conversion with the refractive indices. Thermodynamically, the enthalpy of the photopolymerization of hybrid polymer was investigated by UV–DSC. UV–DSC spectra showed the exothermic nature of photopolymerization of ORMOCER® to be in dependence of photoinitiator quantities. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 1979–1986, 2004     

Synthesis and characterization of soluble polyimides containing trifluoromethyl groups in their backbone

A series of polyimides were synthesized from 2,2‐Bis(3,4‐dicarboxyphenyl)hexafluoropropane, 2,2‐bis(3‐amino‐4‐hydroxyphenyl)‐hexafluoropropane, and 4,4′‐oxydianiline by chemical imidization. The effects of the diamine ratios on the properties of the films were evaluated through the study of their thermal, electrical, and morphological properties. All the polymers exhibited better solubility in most of the organic solvents and hence were easily processable. Polyimides with more 2,2‐bis(3‐amino‐4‐hydroxyphenyl)‐hexafluoropropane exhibited better solubility and a low refractive index, which is highly desired for microelectronic applications. The dielectric constant and birefringence were strongly dependent on the fluorine content. With an increase in the fluorine substitution, both the dielectric constant and birefringence decreased. All the polymers exhibited high thermal stability (>400 °C). The absence of crystalline melting in differential scanning calorimetry and broad wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction patterns revealed the amorphous nature of the polymers, which was due to the presence of bulky CF₃ groups and hinged ether linkages of the diamine component. The residual stress values decreased with an increase in the 4,4′‐oxydianiline content, and the results were in agreement with the dielectric constant. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 4303–4312, 2004