Nuclear pumping of a carbon monoxide laser

It is shown that plasma-chemical processes involving ionized and excited particles can make the main contribution to the pumping of energy into vibrations of carbon monoxide molecules. It is noted that the use of helium as a buffer gas in the active laser medium is not optimal. The employment of argon instead of helium permits a 1.5-fold increase in the efficiency of the pumping of energy into carbon monoxide molecules and an order-of-magnitude decrease in the threshold energy for pumping the active medium. Zh. Tekh. Fiz. 68, 80–85 (July 1998)     

Choosing an adequate mathematical model in problems with high pulsed energy deposition

The problems of choosing the optimal mathematical model for a prescribed range of parameters of a pulsed action are discussed. A preliminary analysis performed by similarity and dimensional-analysis methods using interpolation equations of state of the matter shows that the complete system of equations of gasdynamics can be simplified by dropping individual terms which are not important in a given parameter range. The results of an analysis are presented in the form of nomograms, which also make it possible to identify the class of fast and energy-intensive gasdynamic processes more accurately than at an intuitive level. Zh. Tekh. Fiz. 68, 44–47 (May 1998)     

Thermal effects and anomalies in the low-temperature plasticity of crystals

This paper discusses theoretically the mechanism that causes the temperature dependences of the yield point and yield stress, along with their rate coefficients, to deviate from behavior characteristic of thermally activated plastic strain at low temperatures (<30 K). At this time the existence of such deviations, e.g., anomalous decreases in the values of these characteristics in this temperature range, is explained by arguing that the process whereby dislocations overcome local barriers has inertia. It is shown that the observed anomalies can be caused by the development of thermal instability in the plastic strain at low temperatures. In contrast to inertia-related effects, thermal effects allow us to explain the plasticity of crystals at low temperatures without contradiction and within the framework of a single mechanism, including the unstable, discontinuous character of plastic strain that is characteristic of these temperatures. Fiz. Tverd. Tela (St. Petersburg) 40, 684–689 (April 1998)     

Excitons in ZnP2 crystals in the electric field of a Schottky barrier

A study is made of the effect of electric fields on the exciton states of β-ZnP₂ crystals (T=77 K) in structures with Schottky barriers formed by depositing semitransparent electrically-conducting InSnO₂ films on the crystal surface. The observed changes in the exciton optical reflection spectra when an electrical potential is applied to a barrier are explained by the shift and broadening of the exciton level caused by the Stark effect. The experimental data are compared with calculations based on a theory of exciton optical reflection from planar spatially nonuniform structures. Fiz. Tverd. Tela (St. Petersburg) 40, 884–886 (May 1998)     

Magnetic properties of an amorphous microconductor in the microwave range

The frequency dispersion of the magnetic permeability is taken into account in a calculation of the impedance of an amorphous microconductor. Possible methods of measuring the magnetic parameters are analyzed, and the main characteristics of an amorphous microconductor in the microwave range are described. Zh. Tekh. Fiz. 68, 136–137 (January 1998)     

The effect of fluctuations of a classical exterior medium on tunneling nonradiative processes in molecules

We examine nonradiative transitions in molecules with allowance for the effect of a classical polar exterior medium on tunneling charge transport. The approach allows for the vibrational frequencies of a molecule in the electron transition. In the case of slow fluctuations, the theory predicts a low-temperature (non-Arrhenius) increase in the tunneling nonradiative transition rate, and the results agree qualitatively with the experimental data. When the fluctuations of the exterior medium are rapid, at certain values of the molecular parameters the tunneling decay rate is found to decrease with increasing temperature because the conditions needed for resonant tunneling are violated. Zh. éksp. Teor. Fiz. 114, 1944–1953 (December 1998)     

Thickness of a silica-tethered poly(ethylene oxide) layer measured by spin labeling

EPR spectroscopy of labeled poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) grafted on silica has been used to characterize the conformation and local dynamics of the chains. Grafted molecules of MW 2000 with grafting ratios of 0.045, 0.057, 0.126, and 0.42 molecules/nm² were in contact with benzene. The mobility of the label was compared with that observed for solution of PEO from very diluted to highly concentrated and even bulk PEO. Thus, the concentration inside the grafted layer could be evaluated and also the thickness, which evolves rather linearly with the grafting ratio. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Investigation of surface topography, morphology and structure of amorphous carbon films by AFM and TEM

Morphology and structure of amorphous carbon films deposited with a pulsed arc source (LASER-ARC) have been studied using microscopical methods (SEM, TEM and AFM), electron diffraction and spectroscopical investigation (EELS). The parameters of the arc source and the deposition conditions (substrate temperature) influence morphology and structure of deposited amorphous carbon films. Especially the incorporation and growth of particles, embedded in the film have been investigated. By particle analysis using an optical microscope a majority of particles that is smaller than 500 nm has been determined. The morphology has been also demonstrated similar by AFM and TEM images. Their number and size of particles is strongly influenced by the deposition temperature. The structure of amorphous film is characterized by the EELS-spectra, but the particle structure was not detectable.     

A shape model for the twisting power of chiral solutes in nematics

The twisting power of chiral probes in nematics is interpreted in terms of a shape model, in which the surface elements of the solute molecules tend to align with the local director. The theoretical treatment is based on a previous approach, suitable for relating order parameters in nematics to molecular shape, and leads to the definition of a molecular pseudo-tensor whose orientational average determines the pitch and handedness of the helical macrostructures. Results of numerical calculations performed for distorted biphenyl and binaphthyl molecules are in agreement with the experimental results.