Quantitative measurement of tip-sample forces by dynamic force spectroscopy in ambient conditions

We introduce a dynamic force spectroscopy technique enabling the quantitative measurement of conservative and dissipative tip-sample forces in ambient conditions. In difference to the commonly detected force-vs-distance curves dynamic force microscopy allows to measure the full range of tip-sample forces without hysteresis effects caused by a jump-to-contact. The approach is based on the specific behavior of a self-driven cantilever (frequency-modulation technique). Experimental applications on different samples (Fischer-sample, silicon wafer) are presented.     

Monitoring of safety features,fissile material accumulation and concentration in nuclear reprocessing by active and passive neutron counting techniques

The application, the advantage and limits of neutron monitoring techniques, such as Hf-monitors, fissile material accumulation and concentration monitors are being discussed. The active neutron counting technique applied to emptied pulsed extraction columns containing Hf-sieve plates allows conclusive answers as to the position of the plates in the columns. Pu-accumulations on Hf-sieve plates in pulsed extraction columns can be estimated within a factor of two, whereby the detection limit is about equal to or less than 1 g Pu/plate. Fissile material concentration changes of 1.1 g/l can be detected in the case of²³⁵U in solution and of 0.4 Pu/l if a²³⁹Pu/²⁴⁰Pu ratio of 4 to 1 is assumed.     

Spectroscopic investigation of the chromium-doped LiNbGeO5 laser crystal

Polarized absorption and emission spectra, and temperature dependences of the fluorescence lifetimes and intensities for the chromium-doped LiNbGeO₅ laser crystal are presented. Crystal symmetry and comparison with the infrared fluorescence properties of the Cr-doped Mg₂SiO₄ and Y₃Al₅O₁₂ laser crystals seem to identify the active center as a Cr⁴⁺ ion in a tetrahedral site.     

Local-moment and itinerant antiferromagnetism in the heavy-fermion system Ce(Cu1−xNix)2Ge2

Elastic and inelastic neutron-scattering studies on the system Ce(Cu_1?xNi_x)₂Ge₂ are reported. These measurements are complemented by measurements of the magnetic susceptibility, high-field magnetization, heat capacity, thermal expansion, electrical resistivity and thermopower. The results reveal an interesting T-x phase diagram consisting of two different antiferromagnetic phases for x < 0.2 and 0.2 < x < 0.75, respectively, and a heavy-Fermi-liquid regime at higher Ni concentrations. The experimental results are interpreted in terms of an alloying-induced transition from local-moment to itinerant heavy-fermion magnetism. Fingerprints of this latter phase are a strongly reduced ordered moment and a short incommensurate ordering wave vector, in accord with theoretical predictions. A surprisingly good agreement between theory and experiment is found for x > 0.5. Further experimental evidence for different types of antiferromagnetic ordering derives from a line-shape analysis of the quasielastic neutron-scattering intensity, from magnetization and thermopower experiments.