Complex Convexity and Vector-Valued Littlewood-Paley Inequalities

Let 2 p > , and let X be a complex Banach space. It is shownthat X is p-uniformly PL-convex if and only if there exists > 0 such that , for all f H^p(X). Applications to embeddings between vector-valued BMOAspaces defined via Poisson integral or Carleson measures areprovided. 2000 Mathematics Subject Classification 46B20, 46L52.     

Separation in distributive congruence lattices

We define separable sets in algebraic lattices. For a finitely generated congruence distributive variety V \mathcal{V} , we show a close connection between non-separable sets in congruence lattices of algebras in V \mathcal{V} and the structure of subdirectly irreducible algebras in V \mathcal{V} . We apply the general results to some lattice varieties.     

Projective algebras

Presented by R. Freese.     

Vaaisible upconversion emission of Er3+-doped and Er3+/Yb3+-codoped LiInO2

Lithium-indium oxide is a high-density (5.9 g·cm⁻³), wide band-gap semiconductor with promising applications for scintillating detection of solar neutrinos as well as for efficient phosphorescence when doped with Er³⁺ or Sm³⁺ ions. In this report, we demonstrate visible upconversion emission of Er³⁺-doped LiInO₂ synthesized by a simple solid-state chemistry procedure and discuss mechanisms responsible for pumping the Er³⁺ ions to upper levels. Intense upconversion emission is observed in the green and red spectral regions under near-infrared excitation, and it is greatly enhanced by co-doping with Yb³⁺ ions. We also examined the upconversion intensity change as a function of temperature, and, consequently, possible applications of this material as a low-temperature sensor.     

Influence of ion bombardment on growth and properties of PLD created DLC films

A hybrid PLD system with ion bombardment of films was developed. Growing DLC films were modified during the laser deposition (10 J?cm^?2) by argon ions with energy in the range from 40 eV to 210 eV and cathode current of 0.15 A and 0.5 A. The content of sp² “graphitic” and sp³ “diamond” bonds was measured using XPS. Sp³ bonds changed from 60 % to 81 %. We found the highest sp³ content for energy of 40 eV. Hardness (and reduced Young’s modulus) were determined by nanoindentation and reached 49 GPa (277 GPa). Film adhesion was studied using the scratch test and was up to 14 N for titanium substrates. Relations among deposition conditions and measured properties are presented.     

Multiscale modeling of submonolayer growth for Fe/Mo (110)

We use a multiscale approach to study a lattice-gas model of submonolayer growth of Fe/Mo (110) by Molecular Beam Epitaxy. To begin with, we construct a two-dimensional lattice-gas model of the Fe/Mo (110) system based on our first-principles calculations of the monomer diffusion barrier and adatom-adatom interactions. The model is investigated by equilibrium Monte Carlo (MC) simulations to compute the diffusion coefficients of Fe islands of different sizes. These diffusion coefficients are used as input to the coarse-grained kinetic rate equation (KRE) approach. We also evaluate effects of the range of Fe-Fe interaction, restriction of interaction to third nearest neighbors allowed to develop feasible atomistic kinetic Monte Carlo (KMC) model. We calculate time evolution of the island size distributions by both KMC and KRE methods and find good agreement between the two methods.     

Surface State‐Induced Anomalous Negative Thermal Quenching of Multiferroic BiFeO3 Nanowires

Wide‐bandgap semiconductor nanowires with surface defect emission centers have the potential to be used as sensitive thermometers and optical probes. Here, we show that the green luminescence of multiferroic BiFeO₃ (BFO) nanowires shows an anomalous negative thermal quenching (NTQ) with increasing temperatures. The release of trapped carriers from localized surface defect states is suggested as the possible mechanism for the increased green luminescence which was experimentally observed at elevated temperatures. A reasonable interpretation of the photoluminescence (PL) processes in BFO nanowires is achieved, and the activation energies of the PL quenching and thermal hopping are deduced. Negative thermal quenching of BFO nanowires provides a new strategy for optical thermometry at higher temperatures.     

Geometry of the numerical range of matrices

Some techniques for the study of the algebraic curve C(A) which generates the numerical range W(A) of an n×n matrix A as its convex hull are developed. These enable one to give an explicit point equation of C(A) and a formula for the curvature of C(A) at a boundary point of W(A). Applied to the case of a nonnegative matrix A, a simple relation is found between the curvature of the function Φ(A)=p((1?α)A+ αA^T) (pbeingthePerronroot) at $\text{α=}\text{1}\text{2}$ and the curvature of W(A) at the Perron root of $\text{1}\text{2}\text{(A+A}{}^{\mathrm{T}}\text{)}$. A connection with 2-dimensional pencils of Hermitian matrices is mentioned and a conjecture formulated.     

TiO2 thick films supported on reticulated macroporous Al2O3 foams and their photoactivity in phenol mineralization

TiO₂ thick films deposited on macroporous reticulated Al₂O₃ foams with pore size of 10 ppi and 15 ppi were prepared using dip coating from slurries of Aeroxide^® P25 nanopowder and precipitated titania. All prepared films have sufficiently good adhesion to the surface of the substrate also in case of strongly cracked films. No measurable release of deposited TiO₂ after repeated photocatalytic cycles was observed. The photocatalytic activity was characterized as the rate of mineralization of aqueous phenol solution under irradiation of UVA light by TOC technique. The best activity was obtained with Aeroxide^® P25 coated Al₂O₃ foam with the pore size of 10 ppi, annealed at 600 °C. The optimal annealing temperature for preparation of films from precipitated titania could be determined at 700 °C. Films prepared by sol-gel deposition technique were considerably thinner compared to coatings made of suspensions and their photocatalytic activity was significantly smaller.