Microstructural evolution of decagonal quasicrystal in the undercooled Al72Ni12Co16 alloy melts

The microstructure evolution of decagonal quasicrystals in Al₇₂Ni₁₂Co₁₆ alloy was investigated by the electromagnetic melting and cyclic superheating method. Single-phase decagonal quasicrystals have been obtained when the undercoolings were larger than 60 K. The decagonal quasicrystals formed at various undercoolings show different microstructural morphologies. Furthermore, grain refinement was found near the undercooling of 120 K. Based on current thermodynamic and dendrite growth theories, a dimensionless superheating parameter was adopted to explain the effect of processing conditions on the microstructure of Al₇₂Ni₁₂Co₁₆ alloy. The result indicate that the fine equiaxied microstructure of decagonal quasicrystal (D-phase) formed near on undercooling of 120 K originates from the break-up of dendrites.     

<Superscript>6</Superscript>He + <Superscript>6</Superscript>He Clustering of <Superscript>12</Superscript>Be in a Microscopic Algebraic Approach

The norm kernel of the A=12 system composed of two ⁶He clusters, and the L=0 basis functions (in the SU(3) and angular momentum-coupled schemes) are analytically obtained in the Fock-Bargmann space. The norm kernel has a diagonal form in the former basis, but the asymptotic conditions are naturally defined in the latter one. The system is a good illustration for the method of projection of the norm kernel to the basis functions in the presence of SU(3) degeneracy that was proposed by the authors. The coupled-channel problem is considered in the algebraic version of the resonating-group method, with the multiple decay thresholds being properly accounted for. The structure of the ground state of ¹²Be obtained in the approximation of zero-range nuclear force is compared with the shell-model predictions. In the continuum part of the spectrum, the S-matrix is constructed, the asymptotic normalization coefficients are deduced and their energy dependence is analyzed.     

Computation of triple differential cross-sections with the inclusion of exchange effects in atomic K-shell ionization by relativistic electrons for symmetric geometry

The triple differential cross-section for K-shell ionization of silver and copper atoms by relativistic electrons have been computed in the coplanar symmetric geometry with the inclusion of exchange effects following the multiple scattering theory of Das and Seal [1] multiplied by suitable spinors. Present computed results are marginally improved in some cases from the previous computed results [2]. Present results are compared with measured values [3] and with previous computation results [2]. Some other theoretical computational results are also presented here for comparison.      

On a Modification of the Scintillation Method

We solve the problem of diffraction of fluctuating radiation by an optically thin irregular layer (phase screen) with developed turbulent structure. It is shown that in the case of diffraction of radiation with saturated fluctuations and a narrow-band frequency spectrum by a weakly turbulent moving phase screen, the measured frequency spectrum of intensity fluctuations in the observation plane allows one to obtain information on the form of the spectrum of irregularities of an optically thin irregular layer in a wide size range significantly exceeding the size of the first Fresnel zone. Similarly to the well-known phase method of diagnostics of randomly irregular media, the conventional scintillation method modified in such a way yields undistorted information on the form of the irregularity spectrum. However, in contrast to the phase method, it also allows one to obtain data on the drift velocity of irregularities in the studied irregular layer.     

Polarization locking and nonparaxial spatial solitons in media with electronic Kerr nonlinearity

The polarization structure of nonparaxial spatial solitons in a transparent medium with the electronic mechanism of Kerr nonlinearity is studied theoretically. It is demonstrated analytically in the weak nonparaxiality approximation that the regime of polarization locking, in which all the field components have the same propagation constant, is the only stable regime. Estimates of the rate of transition of the initial metastable regime of rotation of the polarization ellipse to the regime of polarization locking are presented. Based on a numerical solution of the nonlinear Maxwell equations, the presence of the nonparaxial regime of polarization locking is confirmed and the main characteristics of the corresponding spatial solitons are obtained.     

Content and Methodological Provision of the Basic Course of Analytical Chemistry

Russian standards in training conventional graduates and bachelors are considered. These standards determine the status and volume of analytical chemistry courses at different higher educational institutions. An analysis of the educational standards, standard curricula, and the aims of teaching analytical chemistry suggests the advisability of changing the content of the course, particularly at industrial (branch) higher educational institutions. The provision of the analytical chemistry course with special literature (manuals, textbooks), equipment, and computer software is considered.     

Comparative analysis of heterogeneous solid and soft materials by adsorption, NMR and thermally stimulated depolarisation current methods

Structural characterisation of such bio-objects as fibrinogen solution, yeast cells, wheat seeds and bone tissues has been done using two versions of cryoporometry based on the integral Gibbs-Thomson (IGT) equation for freezing point depression of pore liquids and the measurements by ¹H NMR spectroscopy (180-200 < T < 273 K) and the thermally stimulated depolarisation current (TSDC) method (90 < T < 273 K) of structured water. The IGT equation was solved using a self-consisting regularization procedure including the maximum entropy principle applied to the distribution function of pore size (PSD). Both methods give clear pictures of changes in the structural characteristics caused, e.g., by hydration and swelling of wheat seeds and yeast cells, coagulation and interaction of fibrinogen with solid nanoparticles in the aqueous media, and the human bone tissue disease.     

Glass transitions and mixed phases in block SBS

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) does not allow for easy determination of the glass‐transition temperature (T_g) of the polystyrene (PS) block in styrene–butadiene–styrene (SBS) block copolymers. Modulated DSC (MDSC), which deconvolutes the standard DSC signal into reversing and nonreversing signals, was used to determine the (T_g) of both the polybutadiene (PB) and PS blocks in SBS. The T_g of the PB block was sharp, at ?92 °C, but that for the PS blocks was extremely broad, from ?60 to 125 °C with a maximum at 68 °C because of blending with PB. PS blocks were found only to exist in a mixed PS–PB phase. This concurred with the results from dynamic mechanical analysis. Annealing did not allow for a segregation of the PS blocks into a pure phase, but allowed for the segregation of the mixed phase into two mixed phases, one that was PB‐rich and the other that was PS‐rich. It is concluded that three phases coexist in SBS: PB, PB‐rich, and PS‐rich phases. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 43: 276–279, 2005     

Interfacial structure and electrical properties of LaAlO3 gate dielectric films on Si by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition

LaAlO₃ (LAO) gate dielectric films were deposited on Si substrates by low-pressure metalorganic chemical vapor deposition. The interfacial structure and composition distribution were investigated by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), secondary-ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS), and Auger-electron spectroscopy (AES). HRTEM confirms that there exists an interfacial layer between LAO and Si in most samples. AES, SIMS, and XPS analyses indicate that the interfacial layer is compositionally graded La–Al silicate and the Al element is severely deficient close to the Si surface. Electrical properties of LAO films were evaluated. No evident difference in electrical properties between samples with and without native SiO₂ layers was observed. The electrical properties are discussed in terms of LAO growth mechanisms, in relation to the interfacial structure. PACS 73.40.Qv; 81.15.Gh; 77.55.+f; 68.35.-p     

Finite element modal solutions of planar photonic crystal fibers with rectangular air-holes

Modal solutions of planar photonic crystal waveguides with rectangular air-holes are presented by using a rigorous full-vectorial finite element-based approach. The effective indices, mode field profiles, spot-sizes, power confinements, modal hybridness, beat lengths and group velocity dispersions are shown for the fundamental and higher order modes of the quasi-TE and TM polarizations.