Yttrium aluminate crystals for slabs

The methods of growing YAG:Nd crystals with a flat interface and YAP:Nd crystals with a sharp conical interface are described. The form of the interface was controlled by the He and H₂O content in the reducing atmosphere composed mainly of Ar and H₂ as well as by axial temperature gradient above the melt level. The crystals of 120–180 mm in length were machined to the high-quality slabs.     

Nd3+ near UV and visible fluorescence in YAP:Nd

The present paper summarizes detailed investigations of Nd³⁺ fluorescence spectra in YAP:Nd laser crystal in the broad spectral range of 370–1100 nm at liquid nitrogen temperature. Especially, Nd³⁺ near UV and visible fluorescence spectra were studied for the first time in this crystal. The Nd³⁺ near UV and visible fluorescence spectra of this crystal consist of many narrow lines (up to 50). The Nd³⁺ near UV and visible fluorescence lines arise mainly from⁴D_3/2 and²P_3/2 Nd³⁺ terms (transitions from⁴D_3/2,²P_3/2 to lower lying Nd³⁺ levels are responsible for their appearance). At room temperature the fluorescence spectra consist of broad bands with narrow lines (mainly⁴D_3/2⁴F_3/2,⁴F_5/2 and²H_9/2 transitions).     

Non-steady state homogeneous nucleation in glass-forming systems: Dimensionless kinetic equation

The kinetic equation of the classical homogeneous nucleation theory is rewritten in dimensionless form and it is shown that the numerical computation of the dimensionless kinetic equation is approximately 20 times faster in comparison with the original kinetic equation. The results are compared with known analytical results and with previous numerical results in the case of the constant and variable temperature for the model Li₂O.2 SiO₂ melt. It is shown, e.g., that under non-isothermal conditions the nucleation rate is greater than the quasistationary nucleation rate and the cluster distribution function is greater than the corresponding quasiequilibrium cluster distribution function.     

First observation of B(s)(0) → J/ψη and B(s)(0) → J/ψη'

We report first observations of B(s)(0) → J/ψη and B(s)(0) → J/ψη'. The results are obtained from 121.4 fb(-1) of data collected at the Υ(5S) resonance with the Belle detector at the KEKB e+ e- collider. We obtain the branching fractions B(B(s)(0) → J/ψη)=[5.10±0.50(stat)±0.25(syst)(-0.79)(+1.14)(N(B(s)(*) B(s)(*))]×10(-4), and B(B(s)(0) → J/ψη')=[3.71±0.61(stat)±0.18(syst)(-0.57)(+0.83)(N(B(s)(*) B(s)(*))]×10(-4). The ratio of the two branching fractions is measured to be (B(B(s) → J/ψη'))/(B(B(s) → J/ψη))=0.73±0.14(stat)±0.02(syst).     

Numerical study of optical properties of InGaN multi-quantum-well laser diodes with polarization-matched AlInGaN barrier layers

The optical properties of InGaN multi-quantum-well laser diodes with different polarization-matched AlInGaN barrier layers have been investigated numerically by employing an advanced device simulation program. The use of quaternary polarization-matched AlInGaN barrier layers enhances the electron–hole wave function overlap due to the compensation of polarization charges between InGaN quantum well and AlInGaN barrier layer. According to the simulation results, it is found that, among the polarization-matched quantum-well structures under study, lower threshold current and higher slope efficiency can be achieved simultaneously when the aluminum composition in AlInGaN barrier layers is about 10–15%. The optimal polarization-matched InGaN/AlInGaN laser diode shows lower threshold current and higher slope efficiency compared to conventional InGaN/InGaN laser diodes.     

Property changes of electroplated Cu/Co alloys and multilayers by organic additives

We investigated the change of magnetic properties of the electroplated Cu/Co alloys and multilayers caused by organic additives and high temperature annealing. When plated with a pure Cu/Co electrolyte, the alloy contained ∼25% of Cu and ∼75% of Co. The alloy was made of hcp-Co, fcc-Co and Cu(1 1 1) and was super-paramagnetic at room temperature. As we add a few organic additives in the plating electrolyte, the hcp-Co of the films disappeared. The organic additives contained in the electrolytes changed paramagnetic Cu/Co multilayers to ferromagnets. High-temperature thermal annealing increased coercivity due to the growth of the Co grains.     

Comment on “Entanglement of two interacting bosons in a two-dimensional isotropic harmonic trap” [Phys. Lett. A 373 (2009) 3833]

The correct form of the Schmidt decomposition of the stationary wave functions for a system of two interacting particles trapped in a two-dimensional harmonic potential is given.     

Leptoquark mechanism of neutrino masses within the grand unification framework

We demonstrate the viability of the one-loop neutrino mass mechanism within the framework of grand unification when the loop particles comprise scalar leptoquarks (LQs) and quarks of the matching electric charge. This mechanism can be implemented in both supersymmetric and non-supersymmetric models and requires the presence of at least one LQ pair. The appropriate pairs for the neutrino mass generation via the up-type and down-type quark loops are \(S_3\)–\(R_2\) and \(S_{1,\,3}\)–\(\tilde{R}_2\), respectively. We consider two distinct regimes for the LQ masses in our analysis. The first regime calls for very heavy LQs in the loop. It can be naturally realized with the \(S_{1,\,3}\)–\(\tilde{R}_2\) scenarios when the LQ masses are roughly between \(10^{12}\) and \(5 \times 10^{13}\) GeV. These lower and upper bounds originate from experimental limits on partial proton decay lifetimes and perturbativity constraints, respectively. Second regime corresponds to the collider accessible LQs in the neutrino mass loop. That option is viable for the \(S_3\)–\(\tilde{R}_2\) scenario in the models of unification that we discuss. If one furthermore assumes the presence of the type II see-saw mechanism there is an additional contribution from the \(S_3\)–\(R_2\) scenario that needs to be taken into account beside the type II see-saw contribution itself. We provide a complete list of renormalizable operators that yield necessary mixing of all aforementioned LQ pairs using the language of SU(5). We furthermore discuss several possible embeddings of this mechanism in SU(5) and SO(10) gauge groups.     

Surface status and size influences of nickel nanoparticles on sulfur compound adsorption

Metallic nickel nanoparticles were incorporated on mesoporous silica to remove sulfur compounds in diesel selectively. In the first method, nickel nanoparticles were formed on mesoporous silica SBA-15 by impregnation and subsequent reduction of nickel nitrate. The sulfur adsorption capacity was strongly dependent on the nickel loading and the average nickel particle size. In the second method, nickel nanoparticles were synthesized in solution in the presence of a capping agent and then incorporated in mesoporous silica MCF by sonication. Although these particles maintain their sizes on the MCF surface after heat treatment, capping agent remaining on the Ni particle surface might interfere the adsorption of sulfur compounds.