Effects of B and P content on structural and magnetic properties of cast iron based amorphous alloys

Mössbauer spectroscopy, DSC and magnetic measurements have been used to study the influence of B and P on structural; magnetic properties and thermal stability of cast iron based alloys. Results reveal that addition of B and P affects appreciably: (1) the crystallization temperature and supercooled liquid region ranging between 690–781 and 53–81 K respectively; (2) the spin texture, disorder and (3) the obtained magnetization parameters. Coercive field values range between 10.09 and 16.37 A/m, with lowest value of 10.09 A/m obtained for Ci_87.82B_12.17. Saturation induction (B _s) values vary between 1.32 and 1.85 T. Highest B _s value of 1.85 T is obtained for the Ci_95.65B_4.32 alloy which is at the edge of glass forming ability, with only 4.32 at.% of boron was added to the cast iron composition. Losses (at 50 Hz and 0.32 kA/m) for the studied samples range between 0.43 and 0.82 W/kg. Lowest losses of 0.43 W/kg was obtained for the Ci_91.3P_4.35B_4.35 alloy. Phosphorous and boron additions, helps in the bulk glass forming ability, suggesting perspective applications of these cheap cast iron based soft magnetic alloys as a substitute of the conventional materials.     

Modelling laser cleaning of low-absorbing substrates: the effect of near-field focussing

A three-dimensional model for laser cleaning of spherical, transparent particles on low-absorbing substrates has been developed. It takes into account near-field focussing of the laser radiation by the particles. The intensity distribution under a particle was found using Mie theory together with the geometrical optics approximation. This permits the estimation of the beam width at the substrate surface and the focal distance of the radiation coming from the spherical particle. These parameters are used to find the distribution of intensity within the low-absorbing substrate from the formula for a focussed Gaussian beam. This is in contrast with most other models of laser cleaning, which assume that all absorption occurs at the surface of the substrate. The energy criterion was used to calculate the threshold fluence. The model predicts threshold fluences of the order of 10³ J/cm² for silica spheres having a diameter of the order of a micron on silica substrates, assuming adhesion by van der Waals force. As this is well above the damage threshold for silica, it effectively predicts that laser cleaning of silica spheres from silica will be impossible. For glass slides the threshold fluence is predicted to be a factor of 10^-4 times smaller than that for silica slides (about 0.1 J/cm²). This is due to the much higher absorption of glass compared to that of silica at 248 nm. PACS 42.62.Cf; 81.65.Cf     

Evolution of disturbance daily variation (DS) and interplanetary plasma parameters

The evolution of DS during the storms of February 7 and February 16, 1967 and October 31, 1968 is studied. It is shown that DS usually evolves as a morning maximum and a dusk minimum but not necessarily simultaneously. Also, the maxima and minima may shift to other LT sectors too. DS continues to be high even in the recovery phase and generally ends up as anoon-time decrease. DS seems to be related with solar wind parameters N and V but not with interplanetary magnetic field.     

A calculation of Z0 → 2 gluinos

We report the results of a one-loop calculation of $\text{Z}{}^0\text{→}\text{gg}$, where $\text{g}$ is a gluino, the proposed supersymmetric partner of a gluon. Depending on the masses of the scalar quarks and of the top quark, the branching ratio for the decay is in the 10^?5 to 10^?4 range for gluino mass below about 40 GeV. The signature for gluinos should allow detection in this range.     

Optical microscopy imaging and image-analysis issues in laser cleaning

In earlier work we characterised single-pulse laser cleaning of medium-density (areal coverage 10–20%) alumina particles from glass surfaces with three different lasers. The method of measuring particle-removal efficiency involves optical microscopy imaging (digital) and subsequent image analysis of the area covered by, and/or the number of, particles before and after the single-pulse laser cleaning treatment. The sample-preparation technique used leads to both single particles and agglomerates on the surface. The issues of depth of focus in the imaging and grey-scale thresholding in the image analysis of such samples, with a range of particle and agglomerate sizes, has been systematically investigated. A protocol for optimum imaging and illumination of such samples is described herein. It has been developed based on the results of a systematic investigation of the effect of the image focal plane position relative to the surface also described herein. The image analysis to quantify the particles on the surface involves a judgement of the best threshold grey-scale level in the image to define the boundary between particles and background substrate. A quantitative appraisal of the impact on the laser cleaning efficiency results of a threshold grey-scale level that is set too high or too low, and how these results compare with those obtained for the best-judgement threshold grey-scale level, has been completed. PACS 81.65.Cf; 42.62.Cf; 42.70.Ce     

Tribological durability of silane monolayers on silicon

We report the frictional performance and long-term tribological stability of various alkyl silane monolayer films on silicon by using pin-on-disk tribometry at ambient conditions. We show that the durability of monolayers derived from n-alkyltrichlorosilanes on silicon increases exponentially with the chain length of the silane precursor, which we relate to the cohesive energy of these monolayers through molecular dynamics simulations. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was used to show that tribological damage consisted of the loss of molecular components that could be partially replaced upon exposure to a solution containing perfluorinated silane precursors. For monolayers derived from n-octadecyltrichlorosilane, a critical load was identified to be approximately 250 mN (200 MPa), above which failure of films occurred within 100 cycles of testing. Monolayers with hydroxyl surfaces exhibited reduced stabilities due to stronger tip-surface interactions. Monolayers with the capability for cross-linking exhibited much greater stabilities than monolayers where cross-linking was limited or prevented. Collectively, these results demonstrate that the mechanical durability of monolayers when subjected to a tribological load is greatly enhanced by maximizing dispersional interactions and cross-linking and minimizing tip-surface interactions.     

Optogalvanic signals generated in a neon positive column discharge by resonant chopped CW radiation at 588.2 nm

The optogalvanic line profile for the 1s₅?2p₂ transition (Paschen notation) in a neon positive column discharge has shown a change in sign as a function of dye laser power for a pressure of 1.5 Torr and small currents (2–20 mA). Rate equation analysis suggests this may be due to the increase in the 1s₃ metastable density.     

Characterisation of selected hypnotic drugs and their metabolites using electrospray ionisation with ion trap mass spectrometry and with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry and their determination by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionisation-ion trap mass spectrometry

The electrospray ionisation-ion trap mass spectrometry (ESI-MSⁿ) of selected hypnotic drugs, i.e. zopiclone, zolpidem, flunitrazepam and their metabolites have been investigated. Sequential product ion fragmentation experiments (MSⁿ) have been performed in order to elucidate the degradation pathways for the [M+H]⁺ ions and their predominant fragment ions. These MSⁿ experiments show certain characteristic fragmentations in that functional groups are generally cleaved from the ring systems as neutral molecules such as H₂O, CO, CO₂, NO₂, amines and HF. When an aromatic entity is present in a drug molecule together with a nitrogen-containing saturated ring structure as with zopiclone and its N-desmethyl metabolite fragmentation initially occurs at the latter ring with the former being resistant to fragmentation. The structures of fragment ions proposed for ESI-MSⁿ can be supported by electrospray ionisation-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (ESI-QTOF-MS).These molecules can be identified and determined in mixtures at low ng/ml concentrations by the application of liquid chromatography (LC)-ESI-MSⁿ which can be used for their analysis in saliva samples.This paper includes a tabulation of mass losses/signals at low m/z values for these hypnotic drugs and many others in recent publications which will be of value in the characterisation of drug metabolites of unknown structure and also natural product pharmaceuticals isolated from plants, etc.     

Nickel‐Catalyzed 1,2‐Diarylation of Alkenyl Carboxylates: A Gateway to 1,2,3‐Trifunctionalized Building Blocks

A nickel‐catalyzed conjunctive cross‐coupling of alkenyl carboxylic acids, aryl iodides, and aryl/alkenyl boronic esters is reported. The reaction delivers the desired 1,2‐diarylated and 1,2‐arylalkenylated products with excellent regiocontrol. To demonstrate the synthetic utility of the method, a representative product is prepared on gram scale and then diversified to eight 1,2,3‐trifunctionalized building blocks using two‐electron and one‐electron logic. Using this method, three routes toward bioactive molecules are improved in terms of yield and/or step count. This method represents the first example of catalytic 1,2‐diarylation of an alkene directed by a native carboxylate group.