Passive Q-switching of the diode-pumped Er:YAG laser cavity with the Q-switch based on the Fe<Superscript>2+</Superscript>:ZnSe crystal

Repetitive-pulse generation of the diode-pumped Er:YAG laser (λ = 2.94 μm) in the free mode and in the mode of cavity passive Q-switching was achieved using a Q-switch based on the Fe²⁺:ZnSe crystal. When using pump pulses 3 ms long, the pulse-average output power of the Er:YAG laser in the free generation mode was 0.5W. In the passive Q-switching mode, giant pulses 180 ns long with an energy of 3 μJ were obtained.     

Mechanisms and absolute quantum yield of upconversion luminescence of fluoride phosphors

Mechanisms of upconversion luminescence(UCL) of SrF_2:Er phosphors corresponding to the ~4G_(11∕2)→~4I_(15∕2),~2H_(9∕2)→~4I_(15∕2),~4F_(5∕2)→~4I_(15∕2),~4F_(7∕2)→~4I_(15∕2),~2H_(11∕2)→~4I_(15∕2),~4S_(3∕2)→~4I_(15∕2),~4F_(9∕2)→~4I_(15∕2), and ~4I_(9∕2)→~4I_(15∕2) transitions upon excitation of the ~4I_(11∕2) level of Er~(3+)ions were investigated. Energy transfer upconversion processes are responsible for the populating of the ~2H_(9∕2),~2H_(11∕2),~4S_(3∕2), and ~4F_(9∕2) levels. Cooperative process is the dominant mechanism of luminescence from ~4S_(3∕2) and ~4F_(9∕2) levels for SrF_2:Er with high concentrations of Er~(3+)ions. The UCL from ~4G_(11∕2) and ~4F_(5∕2) is explained by excited-state absorption. Cross-relaxation processes take part in the population of ~4F_(9∕2) and ~4I_(9∕2) levels. For quantifying material performance, the Er~(3+)-concentration dependence of UCL and the absolute quantum yields of SrF_2:Er were studied. The most intensive visible luminescence was obtained for SrF_2:Er(14.2%) with 0.28% maximum quantum yield.     

Preparation of thin surface layers by grafting of PEO

We have developed a two‐stage process to graft poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) onto a silica surface. In the first stage the adsorption of an anchor reactive polymer to the surface is carried out, and in the second stage the grafting of compatibilizing macromolecular tails is performed via the reactions of functional groups of the polymer anchored. Random copolymers of styrene and maleic anhydride (SM) were chosen as reactive anchoring polymers. The kinetics of adsorption of SM from dilute solutions onto the silica surface as well as the grafting of PEO to SM macromolecules adsorbed was experimentally investigated by null ellipsometry. A model of the structure at the surface is proposed.     

X-Ray Topographic Investigation of Silicon Single Crystals Heavily Doped with Sb

Heavily Sb doped silicon crystals grown by Czochralski method were investigated using X-rays methods. It is shown that growth striation contrast is caused by inhomogeneous Sb distribution. While approaching the lower part of crystals their volume is being contaminated by dispersive particles of noncontrolled impurities that results in decrease of anomalously transmitted X-rays and weakening of the contrast in topographical growth striation image. In the canal connected with the facet effect crystal structure is less damaged by foreign inclusions.     

Colloidal systems containing free radical‐forming particles and composites on their basis

Controlled surface activity and reactivity of new carbon‐chain functional surface‐active oligoperoxides (FSAP) and derived metal complexes (OMC) with side and end di‐tertiary and tert‐alkyl (aryl) peroxidic, respectively, and other active functional groups cause the possibility of their tailored utilization as emulsifiers, surface‐active initiators and modifiers of the phase boundaries of liquid, solid and mixed phases in different colloidal systems in a wide temperature range. New materials can be developed such as water and hydrocarbon polymer dispersions, artificial water dispersions of unsaturated polyesters and alkyd resins, polymer/polymeric blends, active glass and carbon fibers, dispersed fillers, reinfourced and filled polymer composites with the definite special properties. Methods for the obtaining and the application of these materials are described.     

Peroxide-containing compatibilizer for polypropylene blends with other polymers

An approach to synthesize interfacial active peroxide graft copolymers, so called precompatibilizers, which are suitable for the universal compatibilization of one special polymer with a number of other polymers, has been presented. As example, this approach is illustrated by the reactive fusion of a random peroxide copolymer (VO) with polypropylene (PP) resulting in a VOgPP precompatibilizer. A mathematical model of the process of the VOgPP synthesis and the conduction of a full-factorial experiment have allowed both the optimization of the synthesis conditions and the prediction of its proceeding. During blending PP with other polymers VOgPP localizes across the blend interphases and initiates radical processes leading to the in situ formation of final compatibilizer macromolecules, which are efficient just for the blends where they are formed. The universality of the precompatibilizer concept is demonstrated in PP blends of the thermoplastic/thermoplastic type (with polystyrene and polyethylene) and of the thermoplastic/thermoset type (with unsaturated polyester resin).     

Polypropylene surface peroxidation with heterofunctional polyperoxides

Method of polyolefin surface activation via covalent grafting of polyperoxide nanolayer by free radical mechanism has been presented. The features of such the nanolayer formation under the thermoprocessing conditions, i.e.: formation of 3D crosslinked network in polyperoxide bulk; and its grafting with complete coating of polyolefin surface, -- is considered. The method provides an availability of uniformly placed peroxide groups of one type over the polyolefin surface activated, which may further be utilized for the tailored modification of polymer surfaces using the “grafting to” and “grafting from” techniques in that time when it is necessary.     

Polypropylene/polyperoxide interaction in the melt phase

This paper deals with the effect of polyperoxide on the properties and characteristics of PP. Interaction of PP with polyperoxide was carried out by their mixing in melt phase applying co‐rotating twin screw machine. The analysis of melting/crystallisation processes was performed using DSC. Influence of polyperoxide concentration and mixing condition (temperature, residence time) on PP properties was investigated via determination of PP molecular weight. Mechanism of the PP degradation and decomposition of peroxide groups was judged by thermogravimetric analysis, FT‐IR‐, and NMR‐spectroscopy. It was observed that decomposition of peroxide groups brings about degradation of polypropylene. However, simultaneously some part of short, chains of PP are grafted onto macrochain of the polyperoxide decomposed.