Nanophotonics and nanometrology with planar X-ray waveguide-resonator

The mechanism of X-ray waveguide-resonance propagation or the radiation superstream model, which can become the ground of X-ray nanophotonics, is discussed briefly. Some attention is devoted to features consideration of the simplest devices characterized by the waveguide-resonance transportation of X-ray beams. The experimental data showing the user possibilities of a simplest waveguide-resonators application for diffractometry are presented. We discuss the main reasons to improve the metrological characteristics for total reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF) analytical method in case when the target exciting beam is formed by a waveguide-resonator. Some problems appearing during the waveguide-resonator application are formulated.     

Comparison of detection efficiencies of negatively charged gold-alkanethiolate-, gold-sulfur- and gold-clusters in ToF-SIMS

In order to improve quantification of high mass ions, the influence of cluster composition on detection efficiencies has been studied using a TOF-SIMS IV with the extended capability of postaccelerating ions up to 20 keV. In this experimental study, we focus on the comparison of detection efficiencies for three types of negatively charged secondary cluster ions: gold-alkanethiolate-clusters (Au_xM_y), gold-sulfur-clusters (Au_xS_y) and gold-clusters (Au_x). The clusters were sputtered from self-assembled monolayers of hexadecanethiols on gold substrates using 10 keV Ar⁺ primary ions. The detection efficiencies were derived on the basis of a function for the secondary electron yield and a fourth-order approximated Poisson probability distribution for electron propagation and amplification within the microchannel plate.In addition to the well-known dependence of detection efficiencies on ion mass and energy, which has already been studied for positively charged ions, we were able to show a similar behaviour for the investigated negatively charged secondary ions. We have observed major variations among the three types of clusters at similar mass and energy as predicted in a theoretical approach. The observed differences are due to the different composition of the investigated clusters which has a major influence on the kinetic ion induced electron emission within the microchannel plate. For the first time it was possible to experimentally verify these predictions for detection efficiencies.     

Thickness influence on surface morphology and ozone sensing properties of nanostructured ZnO transparent thin films grown by PLD

Transparent zinc oxide (ZnO) thin films with a thickness from 10 to 200 nm were prepared by the PLD technique onto silicon and Corning glass substrates at 350 °C, using an Excimer Laser XeCl (308 nm). Surface investigations carried out by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) revealed a strong influence of thickness on film surface topography. Film roughness (RMS), grain shape and dimensions correlate with film thickness. For the 200 nm thick film, the RMS shows a maximum (13.9 nm) due to the presence of hexagonal shaped nanorods on the surface. XRD measurements proved that the films grown by PLD are c-axis textured. It was demonstrated that the gas sensing characteristics of ZnO films are strongly influenced and may be enhanced significantly by the control of film deposition parameters and surface characteristics, i.e. thickness and RMS, grain shape and dimension.     

Non-destructive analysis of archeological samples by energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence

Summary A non-destructive method is described for the determination of major and minor constituents in archeological specimens by energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence. Homogeneity tests are made by measuring at various sites of the specimen. In the same way, mean values are obtained for inhomogeneous specimen without taking samples. For calibration, powder standards are used. In case of the determination of elements with numbers up to 14 (Si) a vacuum chamber is used and the dimensions of the specimens are limited by the dimensions of that vacuum chamber, whereas for the determination of elements from K up to U specimens of any size, form or weight are suitable.

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Zerstörungsfreie Analyse von archäologischen Proben mit Hilfe der Energie-dispersiven Röntgenfluorescenzanalyse

Zusammenfassung Eine zerstörungsfreie Methode für die Bestimmung von Haupt- und Nebenbestandteilen in archäologischen Proben mit Hilfe der Energie-dispersiven Röntgenfluorescenzanalyse wird beschrieben. Für Homogenitätstests wird an mehreren Stellen der Probe gemessen. In der gleichen Weise werden für inhomogene Proben Mittelwerte erhalten ohne Probenahme. Für die Eichung werden Pulverstandards verwendet. Im Falle der Bestimmung von Elementen mit Ordnungszahlen bis 14 (Si) wird eine Vakuumkammer eingesetzt, und die Dimensionen der Proben sind durch die Dimensionen dieser Vakuumkammer begrenzt, während für die Bestimmung der Elemente K bis U Proben jeder Größe, jeder Form oder jeden Gewichts verwendbar sind.

     

Korrosionstests an magnetischen Schichten und deren Beurteilung mit Hilfe ausgew?hlter oberfl?chenanalytischer Verfahren

Summary Besides functional behaviour of coatings their resistivity against corroding attack is a crucial criterion for quality. The application of special corroding and abrading tests yields after short times predictions about stability of the product in practical use. A number of tests have been applied to thin magnetic storage media. Besides tests of function and visual observations with light- and scanning electron microscopes, AES- and XPS-investigations were applied to discuss corrosion resistivity.     

Electron spin resonance study of γ-irradiated poly(acrylic acid)

Electron spin resonance (ESR) spectra of poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) γ-irradiated in air at room temperature and recorded at room temperature and at liquid-nitrogen temperature have been studied to identify the radiation products. The ESR spectra are composed of eight lines with hyperfine splittings of 23 ± 1 G and 11 ± 1 G. The method of least-squares total curve fitting, employing the Lorentzian line shape function, to the observed spectra enabled the assignment of the spectra. Computed spectra obtained by the superposition of a singlet and the spectra due to chain radicals are considered to give the best fits to the observed ESR spectra. The singlet is assigned to the radicals COOH, and the component 10-line spectra are assigned to the chain radicals CH₃? CH? CH₂ ～ and/or ～ CH₂? CH? CH₂ ～. The observed change in line shape with temperature of the ESR spectra is attributed to the hindered oscillations of the methyl groups about the C_α? C_β bond axis of the chain radicals. The existence of the methyl groups is confirmed by the measurement of infrared absorption.     

Spurenbestimmung von Blei, Cadmium und Mangan in Honigen und Zuckern

Ohne Zusammenfassung

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Trace analysis of lead, cadmium and manganese in honey and sugar

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Wir danken dem Fonds der Chemischen Industrie für finanzielle Unterstützung.     

On a modification of the classical risk process

In this paper, we present the classical risk process with two-step premium function. This means that the gross risk premium rate changes if the insurer’s surplus reaches a certain threshold level. The formula for the infinite-time ruin probability is obtained. The asymptotic behaviour of the ruin probability in the case where the claim size distribution has a light tail is considered as well.