Reaction field model with free volume for the NMR chemical shift of129Xe dissolved in organic solvents

The temperature dependence of the NMR chemical shift of¹²⁹Xe dissolved in liquid alkanes is examined in the context of the reaction field model. An essential feature of the theory is the inclusion of the temperature dependence of the density of thesolvent. The theory of free volume for liquids is incorporated into the reaction field model to account for this temperature dependence. Comparison of the theory with previously reported measurements indicates the sensitivity of the¹²⁹Xe chemical shift to the free volume of liquids. Incorporation of free volume improves the agreement between measurement and theory for branched alkane solvents, and resolves the origin of the 62 ppm intercept in the plot of reaction field as a function of¹²⁹Xe chemical shift for the n-alkanes.     

NATA: 50 years experience with accreditation

 Laboratory accreditation is becoming increasingly accepted around the world as a means of identifying technically competent laboratories. It is also being used as a mechanism for the acceptance of test data both nationally and internationally. The concept and mechanisms of accreditation have been developed over the past 50 years. The first national laboratory accreditation system appeared in Australia in 1947. This organisation, known as the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA), has since taken a leading role in developing accreditation practices that are now used world-wide in evaluating testing, measurement and calibration laboratories. This paper examines the development of the world's first and largest laboratory accreditation system, and looks at the difficulties and triumphs in gaining acceptance and recognition by government and industry of the benefits of laboratory accreditation. Received: 24 June 1996 Accepted: 25 June 1996     

Exchange interactions of excitons localized at opposite interfaces in type-II GaAs/AlAs superlattices: Optically detected magnetic resonance and level anticrossing

Two types of excitons, localized at opposite interfaces and characterized by different magnitudes of the exchange interactions at the same radiation energies, are simultaneously in type-II GaAs/AlAs superlattices. It is shown that the additional long-wavelength luminescence line in superlattices grown with growth interruptions after the GaAs layers is due to the recombination of an exciton localized at an inverted interface in regions where the quantum-well width is increased by one monolayer. Pis’ma Zh. éksp. Teor. Fiz. 64, No. 10, 701–706 (25 November 1996)     

SrZrO3-based proton conducting materials with La additions

The behaviour of La-containing strontium zirconate based ceramics is revised. La additions contribute to improve the sinterability of these materials, but transport properties are also affected. Sr_1−xLa_xZrO_3+δ show some unusual changes in transport properties when samples are exposed to H₂-containing atmospheres and then reoxidized. Nevertheless, the transport properties of (Sr,La)(Zr,Y)O_3−δ, are still mainly dependent on Y additions, at least for cases when the fraction of Y exceeds the fraction of La. In addition, lanthanum causes significant changes in lattice parameters. A combination of conductivity measurements in different atmospheres, ion blocking experiments, and emf measurements has been used to demonstrate that electron hole conductivity increases with temperature, and the protonic contribution drops. The transport properties at temperatures lower than about 800 °C might be affected by structural changes. Paper presented at the 2nd Euroconference on Solid State Ionics, Funchal, Madeira, Portugal, Sept. 10–16, 1995