Application of mid-infrared cavity-ringdown spectroscopy to trace explosives vapor detection using a broadly tunable (6–8 μm) optical parametric oscillator

A novel instrument, based on cavity-ringdown spectroscopy (CRDS), has been developed for trace gas detection. The new instrument utilizes a widely tunable optical parametric oscillator (OPO), which incorporates a zinc–germanium–phosphide (ZGP) crystal that is pumped at 2.8 μm by a 25-Hz Er,Cr:YSGG laser. The resultant mid-IR beam profile is nearly Gaussian, with energies exceeding 200 μJ/pulse between 6 and 8 μm, corresponding to a quantum conversion efficiency of approximately 35%. Vapor-phase mid-infrared spectra of common explosives (TNT, TATP, RDX, PETN and Tetryl) were acquired using the CRDS technique. Parts-per-billion concentration levels were readily detected with no sample preconcentration. A collection/flash-heating sequence was implemented in order to enhance detection limits for ambient air sampling. Detection limits as low as 75 ppt for TNT are expected, with similar concentration levels for the other explosives. Received: 1 April 2002 / Revised version: 13 June 2002 / Published online: 12 September 2002 RID="*" ID="*"Corresponding author. Fax: +1-408/524-0551, E-mail: mtodd@picarro.com     

Preparation of Nanocrystalline Indium Antimonide Through β-Hydride Elimination from New Indium-Antimony Single-Source Precursors

The 1:1 mole ratio reaction of t-Bu₃In with Sb(SiMe₃)₃ results in the formation of the Lewis acid-base adduct t-Bu₃In Sb(SiMe₃)₃ (1), while the dimeric compound [t-Bu₂InSb(SiMe₃)₂]₂ (2) is isolated from the 1:1 reaction of t-Bu₂InCl with Sb(SiMe₃)₃. Both the 2:1 reactions of t-Bu₂InCl with Sb(SiMe₃)₃ and t-Bu₂InCl with 2 result in the formation of the mixed-bridge compound (3), however, ¹H NMR studies suggest that this compound is unstable in solution. Thermolysis of 1, 2, and t-Bu₃Ga Sb(SiMe₃)₃ (4) results in the formation of nanocrystalline InSb or GaSb through a -hydride elimination pathway.     

Lithium nickel oxide Li(Ni0.75Al0.17Co0.08)O2 as cathode material for lithium ion batteries

Al- and Co-substituted lithium nickel oxide of the nominal composition Li(Ni_0.75Al_0.17Co_0.08)O₂ was synthesised by a coprecipitation technique and by several solid state routes. Rietveld analysis of XRD profiles and galvanostatic cycling in glass cells were performed for structural and electrochemical characterisation. Depending on the reactivity of the respective precursor, there is in each case a minimal synthesis temperature, at which a single phase of the R layered structure could be obtained. The coprecipitation technique and solid state routes using pre-substituted nickel hydroxide are suitable for the synthesis of single phase Al- and Co-substituted lithium nickel oxide, even at rather low synthesis temperatures. The electrochemical performance of lithium nickel oxide Li(Ni_0.75Al_0.17Co_0.08)O₂ synthesised in air is poor due to an enhanced lithium nickel disorder. Synthesis in oxygen atmosphere seems to be required. Paper presented at the 6th Euroconference on Solid State Ionics, Cetraro, Calabria, Italy, Sept. 12–19, 1999.     

The asymptotic validity of invariant procedures for the repeated measures model and multivariate linear model

Fairly general sufficient conditions are given to guarantee that invariant tests about means in the multivariate linear model and the repeated measures model have the correct asymptotic size when the normal assumption under which the tests are derived is relaxed. These conditions are the same as Huber's condition which guarantees asymptotic validity of the size of the F-test for the univariate linear model.     

On the interaction of the morphological structure and the LC behaviour of LC side group block copolymers

The interaction between morphological structure and phase behaviour of a LC side group block copolymer has been investigated using DSC, TEM and small angle X-ray diffraction. All samples of Polystyrene-block-2-(3-cholesteryloxycarbonyloxy)ethyl methacrylate (PS-b-PChEMA) show a phase separation between the two blocks. It was found that in the case of those samples where the liquid crystalline sub-phase is not continuous (spheres), only a nematic phase is seen, whereas in all samples in which there is a continuous liquid crystalline sub-phase, the smectic A phase of the homopolymer is formed. On the other hand, the block copolymer seems to stabilize the LC phase; no dependency of the clearing temperatures on the molecular weight of the LC blocks has been observed.     

The role of excited species in ultraviolet-laser materials ablation III. Non-stationary ablation of organic polymers

The role of non-stationary effects in nano-second ultraviolet (UV) excimer-laser ablation of organic polymers is discussed. The model includes reversible changes in absorption related to darkening and bleaching effects. Comparison of calculations and experimental data for polyimide demonstrates that the photophysical model describes the ablation kinetics quite well.