A study of KαL1 X‐ray satellite spectrum of the elements 27 ≤ Z ≤ 31 by photon excitation

K _α X‐ray satellite spectra of Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Ga generated by photon excitation are analyzed using a wavelength dispersion spectrometer. Spectra of Ni, Cu, Zn, and Ga are studied for the first time using a LiF420 crystal. Spectrum of Co was studied with LiF200 crystal in second order. K_αL¹ X‐ray satellite energies and relative intensities are measured. The energy shifts relative to diagram line are computed and are compared with theoretical and semi‐empirical values. Dependence of energy shifts and relative intensities on Z and mode of excitation is analyzed.     

Quantum Dynamical Behavior of the Morse Oscillator: the Wigner Function Approach

We explore the quantum dynamical behavior of the Morse oscillator in the phase space using the Wigner function. For an initial wave packet excited with Gaussian probability distribution, we calculate the associated Wigner function and compute its time evolution. By calculating the marginal probabilities, we study the formation of quantum carpets both in the position space and in the momentum space. In addition, in view of these probabilities, we present the time evolution of the position and momentum expectation values. The structure of quantum carpets and the time-evolved expectation values mimic the emergence of quantum revivals and fractional revivals.     

Thermal engineering of lead-free nanostructured CH<Subscript>3</Subscript>NH<Subscript>3</Subscript>SnCl<Subscript>3</Subscript> perovskite material for thin-film solar cell

Perovskite solar cell is a kind of revolutionary investigation in the field of renewable energy which is capable of mitigates the deficiencies of silicon solar cell and its uprising efficiency can bring blessing to society. The presence of lead (Pb) in perovskite solar cell can make worst and negative impact on environment and is not desirable for our society. In this paper, general plans are anticipated by replacement of Pb with tin (Sn) in open atmosphere to fabricate the CH₃NH₃SnCl₃ photovoltaic cells in chlorine (Cl)-rich environment. Excess uses of Cl has positive influences on morphological growth of the film and it also suppresses the oxidation tendency of tin (Sn) with existing oxygen in atmosphere and maintains same chemical atmosphere as bulk. Various characterization tools like X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope (SEM) have been used to study the effect of annealing temperature on crystal stricture, phase formation, impurities, and morphologies of the film. Finally, photovoltaic performance was reported using the solar simulator under 1.5 sun illumination.

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The gas response enhancement from ZnO film for H2 gas detection

ZnO thin films were prepared by thermal oxidation of Zn metal at 400 °C for 30 and 60 min. The XRD results showed that the Zn metal was completely converted to ZnO with a polycrystalline structure. The sensors had a maximum response to H₂ at 400 °C and showed stable behavior for detecting H₂ gases in the range of 40 to 160 ppm. The film oxidized for 60 min in oxygen flow exhibited higher response than that of the 30 min oxidation which was approximately 4000 for 160 ppm H₂ gas concentration. The sensing mechanism was modeled according to the oxygen-vacancy model.     

Effect of annealing on electrical resistivity of rf-magnetron sputtered nanostructured SnO2 thin films

Tin oxide (SnO₂) thin films were deposited by radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering on clean corning glass substrates. These films were then annealed for 15 min at various temperatures in the range of 100-500°C. The films were investigated by studying their structural and electrical properties. X-ray diffraction (XRD) results suggested that the deposited SnO₂ films were formed by nanoparticles with average particle size in the range of 23-28 nm. XRD patterns of annealed films showed the formation of small amount of SnO phase in the matrix of SnO₂. The initial surface RMS roughness measured with atomic force microscopy (AFM) was 25.76 nm which reduces to 17.72 nm with annealing. Electrical resistivity was measured as a function of annealing temperature and found to lie between 1.25 and 1.38 mΩ cm. RMS roughness and resistivity show almost opposite trend with annealing.     

Fast implementation of matched-filter-based automatic alignment image processing

Video images of laser beams imprinted with distinguishable features are used for alignment of 192 laser beams at the National Ignition Facility (NIF). Algorithms for determining the position of these beams enable control systems to perform the task of alignment. Real world beam images suffer from intensity fluctuation or other distortions, making algorithms susceptible to higher position measurement variability. Using matched filtering to identify beam positions results in greater stability of position measurement compared to centroiding techniques. However, this gain is achieved at the expense of extra processing time. This work explores the use of FPGAs to accelerate these computations. Results indicate a performance improvement of 20 times for an FPGA over a 3 GHz Pentium 4 processor.     

Laser cutting of thick sheet metals: Residual stress analysis

Laser cutting of tailored blanks from a thick mild steel sheet is considered. Temperature and stress field in the cutting sections are modeled using the finite element method. The residual stress developed in the cutting section is determined using the X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique and is compared with the predictions. The structural and morphological changes in the cut section are examined using the optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It is found that temperature and von Mises stress increase sharply in the cutting section, particularly in the direction normal to the cutting direction. The residual stress remains high in the region close to the cutting section.     

FT‐Raman and FTIR spectroscopic characterization of biogenic carbonates from Philippine venus seashell and Porites sp. coral

Some seashells of the Philippine venus species and sea coral of Porites sp. were studied by means of FT‐Raman, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Far‐FTIR spectroscopic methods. The Raman spectra show that both Porites sp. and P. venus are of aragonite‐structured CaCO₃. Detailed spectral analysis, however, reveals some small differences, due to differences in the crystallite size or habit and to different minor element contents. IR spectra show that Porites sp. contains also some small quantities of calcite‐structured carbonates. The ν₂ band (shoulder) of calcite at 875.7 cm⁻¹ is present in the IR spectrum. The separation of the two ν₂ bands (856.4 cm⁻¹ for aragonite and 875.7 cm⁻¹ for calcite) suggests the absence of solid solution of the two polymorphic phases of CaCO₃. Spectroscopic results were confirmed also by X‐ray powder diffraction measurements. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Stationary and high-frequency pulsed electron paramagnetic resonance of a calcified atherosclerotic plaque

New possibilities of applying high-frequency electron paramagnetic resonance in medicine are demonstrated on an example of the investigation of a calcified atherosclerotic plaque. After the irradiation of the atherosclerotic plaque by x rays, a new type of paramagnetic centers—organomineral radicals—is detected. The spectral and relaxation characteristics of these radicals depend on the calcification degree of the atherosclerotic plaque and can be used for diagnostics.