Resonance ionization spectroscopy for trace analysis and fundamental research

Resonance ionization spectroscopy (RIS) and its combination with mass spectrometry (RIMS) have grown to become powerful techniques, which offer high sensitivity as well as elemental and isotopic selectivity. The principles of RIS and RIMS are introduced; they primarily concern the analysis of the optical spectra for the choice of efficient excitation schemes and the suitable design of the experimental apparatus. Recent applications span from studies of short-lived isotopes at on-line mass separators to a wide variety of trace analysis applications for radioactive isotopes, which can range from measurements of solar neutrino flux to environmental assessment.On leave from Pacific Northwest Laboratory, Richland, USA     

Calibration of depth profiles of microparticles measured with plasma-based secondary neutral mass spectrometry

A gravimetric method is presented for the easy determination of sputter erosion rates for powders, applicable also to non-conducting materials. Measurements of the erosion rates of 22 powders gave an average value of 0.4 nm/s ±50% for bombardment with 400 eV Ar⁺ at 1 mA/cm². The validity of the data has been demonstrated with technical pigments and outdoor aerosol particles.     

ARXPS-analysis and morphology of sputtered nanocrystalline TiC/SiC coatings

ARXPS (angle resolved X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy) measurements are used to obtain informations about surfaces and grain boundaries. Data acquired from nanocrystalline carbidic hard coatings have been employed to establish structural models. Magnetron-sputtered coatings of TiC, SiC and TiC/SiC were examined. In such coatings, partly defective TiC nanocrystallites are surrounded by interfacial carbide. This excess carbon shows a binding state similar to that of doped graphite or fullerenes. X-ray amorphous SiC is found in the residue. On top of sputtered SiC coatings, less oxide and graphite is found as compared to TiC/SiC or TiC coatings.     

Liquid crystalline hexa-amides and side chain polysiloxanes of azacrown [18]-N6

The hexa-4-dodecyloxybenzoyl derivative 1 of azacrown [18]-N₆ was originally reported to have a 'tubular' mesophase on the basis of its large central ring and 6-fold symmetry. Starting in the mesophase, annealing of 1 under a cover slip results in formation of a new crystalline phase that melts directly to an isotropic liquid at the temperature previously observed for the mesophase to isotropic transition. Thus the phase behaviour of 1 is kinetically controlled. The analogous hexa-3,4-bisdodecyloxybenzoyl derivative 2 of azacrown [18]-N₆ has no kinetic limitations to its phase changes and has an enantiotropic columnar liquid crystalline phase. We have synthesized side chain copolysiloxanes with a (CH₂)₁₁ spacer and 75-84 per cent by weight of the same 4-dodecyloxybenzoyl-[18]-N₆ mesogen. The polysiloxanes also display a liquid crystalline phase.     

Octahedral metallo-mesogens of chromium, molybdenum and tungsten with 1,4,7-trisubstituted 1,4,7-triazacyclononane and three carbonyl groups as ligands

Liquid crystalline complexes with chromium, molybdenum and with tungsten as metallic centres are reported. 1,4,7-Trisubstituted 1,4,7-triazacyclononane and three carbonyl groups are coordinated in an octahedral geometry. The observed mesophases are characterized as disordered rectangular columnar of a pyramidic type.     

Kinetic model for hydrocarbon-assisted particulate boron combustion

A kinetic model is presented to describe the high temperature (1800 K < T < 3000 K) surface oxidation of particulate boron in a hydrocarbon combustion environment. The model includes a homogeneous gas-phase B/O/H/C oxidation mechanism consisting of 19 chemical species and 58 forward and reverse elementary reactions, multi-component gas-phase diffusion, and a heterogeneous surface oxidation mechanism consisting of ‘elementary’ adsorption and desorption reaction steps. Thermochemical and kinetic parameters for the surface reactions are estimated from available experimental data and/or elementary transition state arguments. The kinetic processes are treated using a generalized kinetics code, with embedded sensitivity analysis, for the combustion of a one-dimensional (particle radius), spherical particle. Model results are presented for the oxidation of a 200 μm boron particle in a JP-4/air mixture at ambient temperatures of 1400 K and 2000 K. These results include temperature and gas-phase species profiles as a function of radial distance and particle burning rates. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Spin-relaxation and magnetoresistance in FM/SC/FM tunnel junctions

The effect of spin relaxation on tunnel magnetoresistance (TMR) in a ferromagnet/superconductor/ferromagnet (FM/SC/FM) double tunnel junction is theoretically studied. The spin accumulation in SC is determined by balancing of the spin-injection rate and the spin-relaxation rate. In the superconducting state, the spin-relaxation time τ_s becomes longer with decreasing temperature, resulting in a rapid increase of TMR. The TMR of FM/SC/FM junctions provides a useful probe to extract information about spin-relaxation in superconductors.     

On estimating pressure build-up in severely accelerated,shocked flow

A new approach to the calculation of the high pressures characterizing the flow field in front of a piston undergoing severe acceleration over the short term is presented. In contrast with previous approaches where the computational domain is altered but which stop short of transforming velocities, here the problem is solved in an accelerating non-Euclidean co-ordinate system where the piston is stationary. The method is applied to a study of the problem of premature sabot separation. Through use of Harten's second-order-accurate TVD scheme, flow simulations are performed for both 1D and 3D axisymmetric geometries. The simple 1D model gives pressure profiles surprisingly close to those of the more physical 3D model.     

The effects of flow split ratio and flow rate in manifolds

This paper reports a combined experimental and numerical investigation of three-dimensional steady turbulent flows in inlet manifolds of square cross-section. Predictions and measurements of the flows were carried out using computational fluid dynamics and laser Doppler anemometry techniques respectively. The flow structure was characterized in detail and the effects of flow split ratio and inlet flow rate were studied. These were found to cause significant variations in the size and shape of recirculation regions in the branches, and in the turbulence levels. It was then found that there is a significant difference between the flow rates through different branches. The performance of the code was assessed through a comparison between predictions and measurements. The comparison demonstrates that all important features of the flow are well represented by the predictions.