The total acoustic impedance of a prolate spheroid performing transverse oscillatory movements

Using the theory of spheroidal wave functions, the total acoustic impedance is determined for a prolate spheroid performing transverse translational and rotational oscillatory movements. Expressions for the radiation resistance, the added mass, and the added moment of inertia are derived. It is shown that, in the lowfrequency approximation, this mass and moment of inertia reach limiting values identical to hydrodynamic ones. The components of the total acoustic impedance are calculated for spheroids of different relative thicknesses at an arbitrary frequency.     

Effect of purification on the electron structure and field emission characteristics of a carbonaceous material containing single-wall carbon nanotubes

A carbonaceous material containing single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) has been synthesized by arc-discharge evaporation of graphite with a catalytic additive of nickel and cobalt powders. The synthesized SWNTs were purified from an amorphous carbon component (soot) and the catalyst particles by boiling in nitric acid. A comparison of the X-ray fluorescence spectra measured before and after this treatment showed that acid etching significantly decreased the content of soot in the material. The material enriched with SWNTs is characterized by a reduced threshold for the appearance of the field emission current, which is explained by a decrease in the screening effect of soot. The current-voltage characteristics of SWNTs exhibit a hysteresis, which is suggested to be due to the adsorption of molecules and radicals on the surface and at the ends of carbon nanotubes.     

Beam propagation in a randomly inhomogeneous medium

An integrodifferential equation describing the angular distribution of beams is analyzed for a medium with random inhomogeneities. Beams are trapped because inhomogeneities give rise to wave localization at random locations and random times. The expressions obtained for the mean square deviation from the initial direction of beam propagation generalize the “3/2 law.”     

Characteristics of high-power radiating imploding discharge with cold start

A qualitative model of the dynamics of a multiterawatt radiating Z-pinch with cold start and high rate of current rise is proposed. The model is used to analyze discharges with currents I ～ 2–5 MA (with dI/dt > 10¹³ A/s) through uniform or structured plasma-producing loads, including wire arrays. The most important consequence of cold start is that spatially nonuniform plasma production is prolonged to almost the entire current rise time. Under these conditions, the Ampére force begins to play a dominant role in the plasma dynamics before the plasma-producing load is completely transformed into an accelerated plasma. The results of computations of wire-array vaporization are presented. A formula is proposed for estimating the highest attainable velocity of plasma flow into a heterogeneous liner driven by the Ampére force. It is shown that local imbalance between radial motion of the produced plasma and supply of the plasma-producing substance to be ionized leads to axially nonuniform breakthrough of magnetic flux into the liner, which precedes plasma collapse. The magnetic-flux breakthrough gives rise to a chaotic azimuthal-axial plasma structure consisting of radial plasma jets of relatively small diameter, which is called a radial plasma rainstorm. The breaking-through azimuthal magnetic flux obstructs further current flow in the breakthrough region. Analyses of Z-pinch implosion based on the theory of Rayleigh-Taylor instability or the snowplow model are incorrect under the plasma-rainstorm conditions. The processes taking place in a stagnant Z-pinch include conversion of the energy carried by the current-generated magnetic field into turbulent MHD flow of the ion component of the plasma, its convective mixing with magnetic field, heating, energy transfer from ions to electrons, and emission from the plasma. Under typical experimental conditions, emission plays a key role in the energy balance in an imploding pinch. Z-pinch is modeled by an electric-circuit component that has a time-dependent nonlinear impedance and consumes the magnetic energy supplied by a generator through a magnetically insulated transmission line (MITL). The peak power reached in the circuit is comparable to the peak soft X-ray power output emitted by the pinch in terms of magnitude and timing. Optimum matching conditions are formulated for the generator-MITL-pinch circuit.     

Synthesis of ordered Ge-Si heterostructures containing ultrasmall germanium nanoclusters

Different techniques for the fabrication of structures containing ensembles of ultrasmall germanium nanoclusters distributed with a high density over the substrate surface are discussed. How to control the morphology and ordering of these ensembles is also discussed.     

Electromechanical properties of Pb<Subscript>3</Subscript>Ga<Subscript>2</Subscript>Ge<Subscript>4</Subscript>O<Subscript>14</Subscript> piezoelectric crystals grown from solution in a melt

Single crystals of lead gallium germanate Pb₃Ga₂Ge₄O₁₄ are grown from their own solution melts. The propagation of bulk acoustic waves is investigated, and the elastic, piezoelectric, and dielectric constants are calculated. The temperature dependences of the dielectric constants of this compound are analyzed.     

Currently available methods of industrial nanodiamond synthesis

The main theoretical aspects of detonation decomposition of powerful mixed explosives with a negative oxygen balance accompanied by the formation of nanodiamonds (ultrafine-dispersed diamonds, UDDs) are described. The basic UDD synthesis parameters are considered, and the expediency of using trotyl-hexogen alloys is shown. The conditions of diamond phase conservation in the detonation products are specified. Various versions of industrial detonation synthesis of UDDs are considered. The most efficient technology of chemical cleaning of UDDs (with nitric acid at high temperatures and pressures) for producing UDDs with the highest purity is described.

     

Microstructure and mechanical characteristics of nanodiamond-SiC compacts

Superhard nanodiamond-SiC ceramics are prepared by infiltrating liquid Si into porous nanodiamond compacts under pressure. Synthesized samples are 2.2 mm thick and 3–4 mm in diameter. The effect of particle size of dynamically synthesized nanodiamond powders on silicon infiltration and SiC phase formation is studied. It is established that silicon does not penetrate into the pores of nanodiamond powders if the original particle size is smaller than 0.5–1.0 μm. The critical pore size for infiltration is 100–200 nm. A study of the microstructure of the samples showed the presence of the nanometer-and submicron-scale SiC phase. The ultrasound velocities are measured in the prepared compacts, and the elastic moduli are calculated. __________ Translated from Fizika Tverdogo Tela, Vol. 46, No. 4, 2004, pp. 734–736. Original Russian Text Copyright ? 2004 by Ekimov, Gromnitskaya, Mazalov, Pal’, Pichugin, Gierlotka, Palosz, Kozubowski.