Sub- and superluminal propagation of intense pulses in media with saturated and reverse absorption

We develop models for the propagation of intense pulses in solid state media which can have either saturated absorption or reverse absorption. We model subluminal propagation in ruby and superluminal propagation in alexandrite as three and four level systems, respectively, coupled to Maxwell's equations. We present results well beyond the traditional pump-probe approach and explain the experiments of Bigelow et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 90, 113903 (2003)]Science 301, 200 (2003)]] on solid state materials.     

Atomic absorbers for controlling pulse propagation in resonators

We consider pulse propagation through a Fabry-Perot cavity with silver mirrors that contain macroscopic samples of resonant absorbers. We show that the pulse velocity can be tuned from subluminal to superluminal in a strongly coupled atom-cavity system. We delineate the effects of the interplay of cavity and absorbers. We demonstrate the saturation effects of pulse advancement with increasing mirror thickness and atomic damping.     

Effect of ZnO/CdO on the structure and electrical conductivity in Li2O·MO·Bi2O3·B2O3 glasses (M=Zn, Cd)

Studies of structural and electrical properties have been carried out on a number of glasses with wide ranging compositions in the glass systems Li₂O·MO·Bi₂O₃·B₂O₃ (where M=Zn or Cd), in order to understand the effect of transition metal (TM) ions on the structure of these glasses. The density and molar volume measurements have also been made to understand the structural changes occurring in these glasses. The dc conductivity measured in the temperature range 423-623 K obeys Arrhenius law. It increases with increase in Li₂O/MO ratio. The results of infrared spectra indicate that TM ions (Zn²⁺ or Cd²⁺) behave as network former in the present system. Boron exists in both tri- and tetra-hedral units in these glasses and no boroxol ring formation takes place in the glass structure. Values of theoretical optical basicity have also been reported.     

Effect of manganese stress on the mineral content of the leaves of wheat seedlings by use of X-ray fluorescence excited by synchrotron radiation

The present study describes the potential of the synchrotron radiation based X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy technique for the rapid, sensitive, user friendly and simultaneous monitoring of the changes in the elemental profile of the wheat seedlings stressed by excess manganese (Mn). For this, X-ray fluorescence spectra of the leaves of the control and Mn treated wheat seedlings have been recorded by synchrotron radiation X-ray of energy 15?keV. The analyses of the recorded spectra show the presence of elements chlorine, potassium, calcium, manganese, iron, copper, nickel, and zinc. A calibration-free approach, PyMca has been used for the quantitative estimation of the detected elements in the leaves of the control and Mn treated wheat seedlings. The excess supply of Mn to wheat seedlings results in the accumulation of manganese in the leaves of the seedlings. The accumulation of manganese in wheat seedlings negatively affects the uptake and translocation of calcium, potassium, and iron while it has stimulating effect on the uptake of copper and zinc.     

Preparation,characterization, and performance study of beeswax/expanded graphite composite as thermal storage material

In this study, beeswax as a new energy storage material and its composite with expanded graphite were prepared and characterized for their surface and thermal properties. Surface characterization showed no chemical interaction between beeswax and expanded graphite. The thermal conductivity of the composite was improved with 117% enhancement. The thermal performance of beeswax and its composite as a heat storage material was studied in a rectangular shell-and-tube thermal storage unit. The melting point of the composite remained almost same as that of beeswax; however, the melting time was reduced considerably, from 540 to 360 min with inlet water at 80°C and a 2-lpm flow rate.     

EFFECT OF FLAME SUPPORT LAYER GEOMETRY AND MATERIALS ON THE RADIANT EFFICIENCY OF GAS RADIANT BURNERS

Parallel rods / tubes flame support layers were used to study variations in geometry and materials on radiant burner performance. An increased density of rods increased the efficiency, as more surface area was provided to extract the heat of combustion. This effect was attenuated far fraction closed areas above 0·33 because of increased interference of direct base-to-load radiation. Thinner rods (with fraction closed area constant), having a lower thermal conduction resistance, fostered higher efficiency. Greater distances between the base and rods decreased efficiency due to air entrainment. This functioned to cool the base, increasing the range of combustion intensities where a portion of combustion lifted from the burner base. Isolation of radiating materials from conducting to the burner housing resulted in a ～ 5% upward shift in efficiency. Low to high efficiency was measured for alumina, mullite, and oxidized stainless steel rods, respectively; this was related directly to the emittances of the materials used. SiC and MoSi₂ coatings on alumina rods resulted in burners which were as efficient as one with stainless steel rods. A burner designed as a restricted band spectral emitter was not as efficient in its high-emission range as a more graybody emitter under the same combustion intensity; the higher-temperature spectral emitter discouraged extraction of sensible heat from the combustion product stream.     

Study of inverse a.c. Josephson effect in Y–Ba–Cu–O and Y–8a–Sr–Cu–O

Microwave induced d.c. voltage due to inverse a.c. Josephson effect has been observed across bulk samples of Y-Ba-Cu-O and Y-Ba-Sr-Cu-O. The d.c. voltage is found to vary with microwave power, frequency and also with small external magnetic fields. Although the resistivity curve of Y-Ba-Cu-O does not show any appreciable resistance drop around 230 K, the microwave induced d.c. voltage due to the inverse a.c. Josephson effect has been found to exist upto 230 K. The resistivity behaviour of Y-Ba-Sr-Cu-O shows a sharp resistivity drop above 230 K. In this sample the inverse Josephson effect is found to exist upto +26 °C, indicating the presence of a phase having a superconducting onset around this temperature.     

High temperature enthalpy increment and thermodynamic functions of U2Ti

This study investigated thermodynamic properties of uranium–titanium alloy to determine its suitability for storage of hydrogen isotopes. The enthalpy increments of U₂Ti were measured using a high temperature inverse drop calorimeter in the temperature range of 299–1,169 K. Temperature dependence of the molar enthalpy increment and molar heat capacity is expressed in the form $ H^\circ_{\text{m}} (T) - H^\circ_{\text{m}} (298.15\,{\text{K}})({\text{J }}\,{\text{mol}}^{ - 1} ) = 23.236(T/{\text{K}}) + 53.292 \times 10^{ - 3} (T/{\text{K}})^{2} - 21.294 \times 10^{5} ({\text{K}}/T) - 4523 $ and $ C^\circ_{\text{p,m}} ({\text{J}}\,{\text{K}}^{ - 1} \,{\text{g}}^{ - 1} ) = 23.236 + 10.6584 \times 10^{ - 2} (T/{\text{K}}) + 21.294 \times 10^{5} ({\text{K}}/T)^{2} (300 \le T/{\text{K}} \le 900) $ , respectively. A set of self consistent thermodynamic functions such as entropy, Gibbs energy function, heat capacity, and Gibbs energy and enthalpy values for U₂Ti have been computed using data obtained in this study and required data from the literature.     

Regiospecific Functionalization of Cyclic Allenes with Catecholeorane

Reaction of diborane¹ and disiamylborane² with cyclic allenes, resulted in the formation of a mixture of products resulting from the addition of boron at the central carbon as well as terminal carbon. Fish has reported that addition of 4, 4, 6-trimethyl-1, 3, 2-dioxaborinane to 1, 3-disubstituted allenes takes place at the central carbon atom preferentially when the hydroboration was done at 130° for 35–50 h in a sealed tube.³ The reactivity and stability of catecholborane at high temperatures which is known to provide greater stearic