Ion synthesis and laser annealing of Cu nanoparticles in Al2O3

Al₂O₃ samples with Cu nanoparticles, synthesised by ion implantation at 40 keV with a dose of 1×10¹⁷ ion/cm² and a current density from 2.5 to 12.5 μA/cm², were annealed using ten pulses from a KrF excimer laser with a single pulse fluence of 0.3 J/cm². The copper depth distribution, formation and modification of metal nanoparticles under the ion implantation and laser treatment were studied by Rutherford backscattering (RBS), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis, atomic force microscopy (AFM) and optical spectroscopy. It was found that laser annealing leads to a reduction in the nanoparticle size without diffusion of metal atoms into the bulk. The change in particle size and the possibility for oxidation of the copper particles are examined in the framework of Mie theory. Calculations presented show that under excimer laser treatment, Cu nanoparticles are more likely to be reduced in size than to undergo oxidation. Received: 19 April 2001 / Accepted: 7 November 2001 / Published online: 23 January 2002     

Combined confocal and magnetic resonance microscopy

Confocal fluorescence optical microscopy and magnetic resonance microscopy are each used to study live cells in a minimally invasive way. Both techniques provide complementary information. Therefore, by examining cells simultaneously with both methodologies, more detailed information is obtained than is possible with each microscope individually. In this paper two configurations of a combined confocal and magnetic resonance microscope are described. The first configuration is capable of studying large single cells or three-dimensional cell agglomerates, whereas the second configuration is designed for the investigation of monolayers of mammalian cells. In both cases the sample compartment is part of a temperature regulated perfusion system. Images obtained with the combined system are shown forXenopus laevis oocytes, model JB6 tumor spheroids, and a single layer of Chinese hamster ovary cells. Finally, potential applications of the combined microscope are discussed.     

Growth of masking as a measure of response growth in hearing-impaired listeners

Growth-of-masking functions were obtained from 19 normal and 5 hearing-impaired listeners using a simultaneous-masking paradigm. When masker and probe frequency are identical, the slope of masking approximates 1.0 for both normal-hearing and impaired listeners. For masker frequencies less than or greater than probe frequency, the slopes for impaired listeners are shallower than those of normals. These findings are consistent with previously reported physiological data (single-fiber rate versus level and AP masking functions) for animals with induced cochlear lesions. Results are discussed in terms of a potential masking technique to estimate the growth of response in normal and impaired ears.     

Enhancing molecular formation in a Rb-MOT

In this paper, we report observation of an enhancement of the ground state molecule Rb₂ formation in a Rb magneto-optical trap due to a photoassociation laser. Such an enhancement effect is due to flux enhancement of atomic pairs at short internuclear distances. Our experimental observations consist in the measurement of the molecular formation rate constant due to a probe laser as a function of the trap laser intensity. The results are compared with a simple semi-classical model, showing good agreement. We conclude that the production of cold Rb₂ may be enhanced using appropriate laser parameters; this may be useful for future experiments involving production and trapping of ultracold ground state molecules.     

On the model of divacancies in germanium

A model of a divacancy which explains a number of experimental facts for Ge exposed to a flow of accelerated electrons at temperature T=77 K is proposed. The model explains the absence of photoconduction associated with photoexcitation of infrared absorption bands at 0.44 and 0.52 eV corresponding to divacancies; the difference in the values of activation energy for divacancy energy levels determined by optical and electrical methods; and the existence of the limiting position of the Fermi level in the forbidden gap in the case of irradiation with large radiation fluxes.     

Transformations in optics: Novel perspectives,approaches, applications and implementations

This paper summarizes a set of novel techniques for obtaining optical transformations, which are useful tools for signal processing. Then the paper focuses on deriving several interesting discrete transformations. The discussed transforms include continuous fractional transformations, hybrid transforms and discrete transform kernels.     

Polarization experiments with the SPIN setup at the ITEP synchrotron

New experimental data on the spin-rotation parameters A and R measured for elastic π ^± p scattering in the resonance region and on the asymmetry in pC scattering at primary momenta in the range 1.35–2.02 GeV/c, as well as in quasielastic proton scattering on nuclei in the same momentum range, are summarized. All these data were recently obtained by using the proton synchrotron installed at the Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Physics (ITEP, Moscow). The spectrum and features of seven isospin-3/2 baryon resonances that form a peak in the total cross section at a c.m. energy of 1.9 GeV are analyzed on the basis of new data on the parameters A and R, and the results of this analysis are presented. The experiments surveyed in this article were performed by a collaboration of researchers from ITEP and the Petersburg Nuclear Physics Institute (PNPI, Gatchina), the ITEP-PNPI collaboration.     

Elastic and Thermophysical Properties of Poly(Vinyl Chloride) and Chlorinated Polyethylene Blends

The results of experimental and theoretical investigations of elastic and thermophysical properties of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) and chlorinated polyethylene (CPE) blends are presented. Eight types of specimens with different ratios of weight contents of PVC and CPE (PVC/CPE = 100/0, 90/10, 80/20, 60/40, 40/60, 20/80, 10/90, and 0/100) were tested. The effect of blend composition on the elastic constants (tensile and shear modulus) is discussed. The data on the thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity, and heat capacity of the blends investigated are also presented.     

Endogenous phosphorus excretion by sheep fed hydrolyzed sugarcane bagasse, lucerne hay and citrus pulp

Summary The objective of this study was to determine endogenous phosphorus excretion in sheep fed with different diets. Sixteen male growing sheep, received a basic diet with: 42% hydrolyzed sugarcane bagasse (HSB), 45% lucerne hay (LH) plus 14% hydrolyzed sugarcane bagasse, and 30% citrus pulp (CTP) plus 40% hydrolyzed sugarcane bagasse. A dose of 7.7 MBq ³²P was injected into the left jugular vein of each animal. The P endogenous fecal losses were: 1.69, 2.50, 2.33 and 1.45 g/animal for treatments HSB, LH, and CTP respectively (P>0.05). The type of diet influenced slight endogenous P excretion but altered excretion of P in urine. Endogenous P excreted in feces (P_F) comes mainly from saliva and represents an important loss of P. The estimation of net requirements of phosphorus (P) for ruminants includes endogenous losses, which is also essential for calculating true absorption of this mineral. Physical structure of the feed may influence endogenous losses, altering the metabolism of P and also the demand of this mineral, therefore being important to know how different feeds affect endogenous P losses.