Performance evaluation of self-breakdown-based single-gap plasma cathode electron gun

This paper presents the experimental studies on self-breakdown-based single-gap plasma cathode electron (PCE) gun (5–20 kV/50–160 A) in argon, gas atmosphere and its performance evaluation based on particle-in-cell (PIC) simulation code ‘OOPIC-Pro’. The PCE-Gun works in conducting phase (low energy, high current) of pseudospark discharge. It produces intense electron beam, which can propagate more than 200 mm in the drift space region without external magnetic field. The profile of this beam in the drift space region at different breakdown conditions (i.e., gas pressures and applied voltages) has been studied and the experimental results are compared with simulated values. It is demonstrated that ～30% beam current is lost during the propagation possibly due to space charge neutralization and collisions with neutral particles and walls.     

Neutrino and dark matter physics with sub-keV germanium detectors

Germanium detectors with sub-keV sensitivities open a window to study neutrino physics to search for light weakly interacting massive particle (WIMP) dark matter. We summarize the recent results on spin-independent couplings of light WIMPs from the TEXONO experiment at the Kuo-Sheng Reactor Neutrino Laboratory. Highlights of the physics motivation, our R&D programme, as well as the status and plans are presented.     

Coherent nonlinear electromagnetic response in twisted bilayer and few-layer graphene

The phenomenon of Rabi oscillations far from resonance is described in bilayer and few-layer graphene. These oscillations in the population and polarization at the Dirac point in n-layer graphene are seen in the nth harmonic term in the external driving frequency. The underlying reason behind these oscillations is attributable to the pseudospin degree of freedom possessed by all these systems. Conventional Rabi oscillations, which occur only near resonance, are seen in multiple harmonics in multilayer graphene. However, the experimentally measurable current density exhibits anomalous behaviour only in the first harmonic in all the graphene systems. A fully numerical solution of the optical Bloch equations is in complete agreement with the analytical results, thereby justifying the approximation schemes used in the latter. The same phenomena are also described in twisted bilayer graphene with and without an electric potential difference between the layers. It is found that the anomalous Rabi frequency is strongly dependent on twist angle for weak applied fields – a feature absent in single-layer graphene, whereas the conventional Rabi frequency is relatively independent of the twist angle.     

Presence of Jahn-Teller distortions in a novel six-coordinate Ag(II) complex: temperature dependent EPR,optical and magnetic susceptibility measurements

Single-crystal variable temperature EPR, optical and polycrystalline magnetic susceptibility studies have been made on a novel six-coordinate Ag(II) complex. Temperature dependent EPR studies on pure single crystals of this compound reveal that dynamic Jahn-Teller distortion operates above 230 K, between 230 K and 120K static Jahn-Teller distortion sets in and below 110 K there is evidence of exchange interaction. Crystal g values were obtained by least-squares fitting with the data obtained from the orientation dependent EPR spectra of the undiluted single crystal of this complex at 300 K and 77 K. From an optical study the Jahn-Teller stabilization energy is found to be ～2250cm^?1. Comparison of Abs_max values for other silver(II) compounds enables us to conclude that the formal geometry of this complex is a tetragonally distorted octahedral. Infrared spectra of this complex were also recorded over a wide range of temperature. Magnetic susceptibility measurements over a wide range of temperature on the powder sample of this compound reveal that the complex is antiferromagnetically coupled in the temperature range 5–40 K with 2J = 0.906cm^?1, and above 40K it is ferromagnetically coupled with 2J = +7.4cm^?1. The effective magnetic moment (μ_eff) of this complex has been compared with that of a series of other silver(II) complexes available in the literature. Finally, the spectral and magnetic data of this complex have been compared with those of a corresponding isostructural and isomorphous copper(II) complex.     

Phonon dispersions in graphene sheet and single-walled carbon nanotubes

In the present research paper, phonons in graphene sheet have been calculated by constructing a dynamical matrix using the force constants derived from the second-generation reactive empirical bond order potential by Brenner and co-workers. Our results are comparable to inelastic X-ray scattering as well as first principle calculations. At Γ point, for graphene, the optical modes (degenerate) lie near 1685 cm^???1. The frequency regimes are easily distinguishable. The low-frequency (ω→ 0) modes are derived from acoustic branches of the sheet. The radial modes can be identified with ω→ 584 cm^???1. High-frequency regime is above 1200 cm^???1 (i.e. ZO mode) and consists of TO and LO modes. The phonons in a nanotube can be derived from zone folding method using phonons of a single layer of the hexagonal sheet. The present work aims to explore the agreement between theory and experiment. A better knowledge of the phonon dispersion of graphene is highly desirable to model and understand the properties of carbon nanotubes. The development and production of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) for possible applications need reliable and quick analytical characterization. Our results may serve as an accurate tool for the spectroscopic determination of the tube radii and chiralities.     

A new temperature-dependent equation of state of solids

In the present paper, a temperature-dependent equation of state (EOS) of solids is discussed which is found to be applicable in high-pressure and high-temperature range. Present equation of state has been applied in 18 solids. The calculated data are found in very good agreement with the data available from other sources.     

Terahertz radiation source using a high-power industrial electron linear accelerator

High-power (～ 100 kW) industrial electron linear accelerators (linacs) are used for irradiations, e.g., for pasteurization of food products, disinfection of medical waste, etc. We propose that high-power electron beam from such an industrial linac can first pass through an undulator to generate useful terahertz (THz) radiation, and the spent electron beam coming out of the undulator can still be used for the intended industrial applications. This will enhance the utilization of a high-power industrial linac. We have performed calculation of spontaneous emission in the undulator to show that for typical parameters, continuous terahertz radiation having power of the order of μW can be produced, which may be useful for many scientific applications such as multispectral imaging of biological samples, chemical samples etc.