Fringe field quantification in an LDV probe volume by use of a magnified image

The magnified cross-section of the LDV probe volume fringe field created on a far screen (image plane) with an imaging lens is examined both analytically and experimentally. It is shown that measurements of the image plane fringe field can be used to quantitatively determine the fringe field existing within the probe volume. Because the fringe spacing in the magnified image is more accessible experimentally, both longitudinal- and lateral-coordinate variations in fringe spacing can be determined, permitting a complete mapping of the fringe field. The detailed knowledge of the fringe field thus obtained allows beam quality, alignment, and fringe uniformity to be evaluated with greater precision than is possible with other techniques.The authors would like to acknowledge C. F. Edwards and R. L. Schmitt for the loan of the beam profiler and for many helpful discussions. This work was performed at the Combustion Research Facility, Sandia National Laboratories, and was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Industrial Technologies, Advanced Industrial Concepts Division.     

Spectropolarised ray-tracing simulations in densely packed particulate medium

Light scattering from particulate medium is simulated using the Monte Carlo ray-tracing technique. The medium is modelled as a randomly packed medium of ellipsoidal grains with stochastically rough surfaces, with an optional thin coating. Optical properties are modelled using a wavelength-dependent complex refractive index and taking Fresnelian reflections and refractions from the interfaces. The size and shape of the grains are assumed to be large and smooth enough for geometric optics to apply reasonably well.The ray-tracing technique uses parallel, weighted rays for computing simultaneously over a wide wavelength spectrum and a small roughness range, and scaling to obtain a large range of sizes and absorbities simultaneously. Polarisation is fully accounted for. The multiobservation technique is effectively used at each scattering point. The scattering from thinner sample layers is also received as a subresult.Simulations are run for a set of model samples to study the effects and sensitivities regarding the values of certain parameters. It has been found that the size and composition of the grains affect the scattering in a unique and invertible way. The shape of the grain causes similar significant effects that must certainly be taken into account if any accuracy is required, although inverting for the shape is difficult without further constraints. The packing density has a small but observable effect. Polarisation can be used to study the composition of low-albedo objects.     

Calorimeter energy calibration using the energy conservation law

A new calorimeter energy calibration method was developed for the proposed ILC detectors. The method uses the center-of-mass energy of the accelerator as the reference. It has been shown that using the energy conservation law it is possible to make ECAL and HCAL cross calibration to reach a good energy resolution for the simple calorimeter energy sum.      

Asymptotic estimation of states of linear nonautonomous systems with scalar output

For a linear nonautonomous system with one output, the existence conditions for an identifier that estimates the current state with exponential rate are established. An algorithm for constructing such an identifier is described and its dependence on small perturbations of coefficients is studied.     

Nano-electrochemical detection of hydrogen or protons using palladium nanoparticles: distinguishing surface and bulk hydrogen.

The benefits of using nanoparticle-modified electrodes are exemplified through the electrochemical detection of protons and/or hydrogen. It is shown that a palladium-nanoparticle-modified boron-doped diamond allows voltammetric information relating to the relative roles played by the surface and the bulk metal to be obtained for the proton-hydrogen system at palladium surfaces which is not accessible using palladium macroelectrodes or microelectrodes.     

Transport properties of polyphenylquinoxalines

The correlation between chemical structure and gas transport properties is considered for a new class of membrane materials based on structurally similar polyphenylquinoxalines that are characterized by different numbers of flexible-O-ether bonds in the repeating unit and different chain rigidities. Permeability, diffusion, and solubility coefficients have been estimated for the gases H₂, He, O₂, N₂, CO, CO₂, and CH₄; separation factors for various gas pairs have been determined. For the materials with a similar level of cohesive energy density, which characterizes interchain interactions, permeability decreases with a decrease in chain rigidity, whereas selectivity of gas separation increases.     

Surface distortions of the magnetic structure of a uniaxial antiferromagnet: The “magnetic field-roughness” phase diagram

Magnetic-structure distortions induced by an external magnetic field near a rough surface of a uniaxial collinear antiferromagnet are analyzed using mathematical modeling. The “magnetic field-roughness” phase diagram of these distortions is constructed. It is demonstrated that, under specific conditions, the presence of atomic steps leads to the formation of domains in the surface layer of the antiferromagnet. In the case of a strong roughness, there arise static vortices at the surface and a 90° domain wall aligned parallel to the surface of the antiferromagnet.     

Structure of (Ba0.7Sr0.3)TiO3 films prepared by chemical solution deposition during crystallization on a sublayer

Barium strontium titanate (BST) films on Si-SiO₂-Ti-Pt substrates are prepared by chemical solution deposition upon crystallization on a sublayer. The structure of the BST films is investigated using transmission electron microscopy, high-resolution electron microscopy, and x-ray diffraction analysis.     

Nonlinear-optical and micro-Raman diagnostics of thin films and nanostructures of ABO3 ferroelectrics

Ferroelectric composite two-dimensional ferroelectric/aluminum oxide nanostructures were studied. A porous aluminum oxide matrix was used as a template into which a ferroelectric precursor was introduced, followed by annealing. The prepared nanostructures were studied using optical second harmonic generation and micro-Raman scattering.     

Metallic films forming on the surface of alkali-halide crystals during thermal diffusion of intracrystalline immpurities

It was detected for the first time that films consisting of a transition-metal-based structure form (via thermal diffusion of intracrystalline impurities) on the surface of alkali-halide (LiF, NaF) crystals activated by transition metals Co, Ni, or Mn. The thickness, density, and composition of the films are shown to be different, depending on the heat treatment conditions. The crystals were annealed at temperatures varying from 473 to 1073 K in vacuum and air. The surface structures forming upon annealing in vacuum exhibit magnetic properties. The films were studied by optical, x-ray fluorescence, and electron spectroscopy to reveal the mechanisms of transition-metal film formation during thermal annealing.