Kinetics of polarization reversal in irradiated thin PZT films

The effect of irradiation with electrons and neutrons and of exposure to synchrotron radiation on cyclic switching of polarization in thin films of lead zirconate titanate Pb(Zr,Ti)O₃ (PZT) was studied. It is shown that variations in the shape of switching currents are due to the generation of a spatially nonuniform bound internal field with account for an increase in the rate of bulk screening caused by irradiation. A correlation between structural variations and the evolution of the switching current measured during and after irradiation is established.     

Phasing of three vircators simulated in terms of coupled van der Pol oscillators

Phase synchronization in a system of three virtual-cathode microwave oscillators (vircators) simulated by coupled van der Pol oscillators is studied. The phasing dynamics of the vircators is visualized with the phase portraits of the system in the triangular coordinates. Different phasing conditions are found.     

Theoretical photoelectronic spectra of molybdenum, tungsten, and rhenium disilicides

Photoelectronic spectra of volume samples of molybdenum, tungsten, and rhenium disilicides are theoretically investigated as functions of the excitation energy (hv = 12–1486 eV) by the method of linearized attached plane waves. The main contribution to the spectrum at low (hv = 12–52 eV) and very high (hv = 1486 eV) excitation energies is given by the metal d-states, while the contribution of the Si p-states is dominant at intermediate excitation energies. An analysis of the calculated results demonstrates that the main peak of the photoelectronic spectra is displaced by 0.2 eV toward the bottom of the valence band when going from MoSi₂ to WSi₂; it is displaced by 0.3 eV when going from WSi₂ to ReSi_1.75. __________ Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Fizika, No. 7, pp. 75–80, July, 2006.     

Composition and structure of low-molecular-weight products of thermal oxidative degradation of atactic polypropylene

The composition and structure of low-molecular-weight products of thermal oxidative degradation of atactic polypropylene were studied.     

Recovered-voltage phenomenon and prospects for its use for assessment of the condition of polymers

A general theory of the phenomenon of recovered voltage in polymers was considered on the basis of representation of an actual poling process by a discrete set of Debye relaxators. Examples of numerical solution of the direct and inverse problems are given. A correlation expression between intentionally aged polymer specimens and recovered-voltage curves was proposed for use in the assessment of the material state of a polymer under actual service conditions. It was shown that it is sufficient to restrict consideration to three relaxation processes in analysis of the phenomenon.     

Photoluminescence activity of Yang and Secco etched multicrystalline silicon material

Ultraviolet and blue-green photoluminescence (PL) was investigated on multicrystalline silicon (mc-Si) samples chemically etched by Secco and Yang solutions. The samples were characterized by dislocation density (10⁵-10⁶ cm⁻²). The form of etched pits is triangular with Yang etch and like a honeycomb with Secco etch as observed with a scanning electron microscope (SEM). These textures of mc-Si wafers give a PL activity similar to that obtained with nanostructures of porous silicon (PS) as reported in the literature. The ultraviolet PL spectra observed with Yang etch shift to the blue-green spectrum range when applying Secco etch. In our experiments we have observed 3-5 μm diameter macro pores separated by a high density of nanowalls. These observations suggest that the origin of the PL activity are quantum dots resulting from the silicon nanocrystallites obtained after few minutes of chemical etching.     

Analysis of concentration patterns in volcanic rocks: Insights into dynamics of highly explosive volcanic eruptions

In this contribution we present new data resulting from the analysis of concentration patterns of mixed juvenile fragments ejected by a highly explosive volcanic eruption that occurred on Salina Island (Aeolian Islands, Italy) and our aim is to identify the fluid-dynamic regime characterizing the magma mixing process. Concentration patterns are studied by calculating the power spectrum of concentration variability along transects crossing the magma mixing structures. Results indicate that the slope of power spectrum has an average value of about −5/3, according to Kolmogorov law of turbulence, and suggest that the magma mixing process, in the studied conditions, can be approximated by considering the passive scalar mixing hypothesis in homogeneous isotropic turbulent flow. These results represent a first step towards a better understanding of magma mixing processes associated to highly explosive volcanic eruptions and this first step is taken by studying concentration patterns in volcanic rocks by coupling petrological and non-linear dynamics methods.     

Dirac constraint analysis and symplectic structure of anti-self-dual Yang-Mills equations

We present the explicit form of the symplectic structure of anti-self-dual Yang-Mills (ASDYM) equations in Yang’s J- and K-gauges in order to establish the bi-Hamiltonian structure of this completely integrable system. Dirac’s theory of constraints is applied to the degenerate Lagrangians that yield the ASDYM equations. The constraints are second class as in the case of all completely integrable systems which stands in sharp contrast to the situation in full Yang-Mills theory. We construct the Dirac brackets and the symplectic 2-forms for both J- and K-gauges. The covariant symplectic structure of ASDYM equations is obtained using the Witten-Zuckerman formalism. We show that the appropriate component of the Witten-Zuckerman closed and conserved 2-form vector density reduces to the symplectic 2-form obtained from Dirac’s theory. Finally, we present the Bäcklund transformation between the J- and K-gauges in order to apply Magri’s theorem to the respective two Hamiltonian structures.     

Coupled perpendicular magnetization in Fe/Cu/Fe trilayers

Ultrathin epitaxial Fe films on Cu(1 0 0) with perpendicular magnetization have been used as templates for the preparation of FCC Fe/Cu/Fe trilayers. The magnetic anisotropy and the coupling of these films have been studied by in-situ magneto optical Kerr effect measurements and Kerr microscopy. The magnetic coupling of both Fe layers is found to be dominated by magnetostatic interaction. Adsorbate-induced spin reorientation in the top layer also causes spin reorientation in the bottom layer. The governing role of the Fe-vacuum interface for the magnetism of the whole trilayer is demonstrated.