Thickness influence on surface morphology and ozone sensing properties of nanostructured ZnO transparent thin films grown by PLD

Transparent zinc oxide (ZnO) thin films with a thickness from 10 to 200 nm were prepared by the PLD technique onto silicon and Corning glass substrates at 350 °C, using an Excimer Laser XeCl (308 nm). Surface investigations carried out by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) revealed a strong influence of thickness on film surface topography. Film roughness (RMS), grain shape and dimensions correlate with film thickness. For the 200 nm thick film, the RMS shows a maximum (13.9 nm) due to the presence of hexagonal shaped nanorods on the surface. XRD measurements proved that the films grown by PLD are c-axis textured. It was demonstrated that the gas sensing characteristics of ZnO films are strongly influenced and may be enhanced significantly by the control of film deposition parameters and surface characteristics, i.e. thickness and RMS, grain shape and dimension.     

UV–visible emission in Tb–Yb codoped tellurite glass on 980-nm excitation

UV–visible upconversion emission from terbium in a Tb–Yb codoped tellurite glass has been observed on 980-nm excitation. The ultraviolet and violet upconversion emissions involve three photons and the blue, green, yellow, and red emissions arise due to two incident photons. The mechanism involved in these emissions is discussed. The effects of doping concentration and of the sample temperature on the upconversion emissions have also been studied. PACS 74.25.Gz; 42.70.Hj; 73.61.Jc; 76.30.Kg; 42.70.Ce     

On the delay time of the net signal from a set of quasi-monochromatic transmitters

The waveform of the net signal from a set of closely spaced acoustic or electromagnetic transmitters generating identical (up to phase and amplitude factor) quasi-monochromatic signals is considered. If the partial signals are sufficiently long, the waveform of the envelope of the net signal from the set of transmitters turns out to be close to that of the partial signal envelope up to delay. The delay does not necessarily coincide with the time it takes for an optical (or acoustic) signal to travel the distance from the transmitter to the point of observation. At different sites of the space, the delay time may be real or complex. Its real part may be positive or negative and exceed, or be shorter than, the optical (acoustic) delay time. The delay strongly depends on the position of the point of observation (i.e., on whether it is located near a dark or bright interference fringe) and, in the case of short-wave signals, may vary considerably even at a slight displacement of the point of observation.     

Effect of errors on the efficiency of local active sound absorbers

Effect of errors of different origin on the efficiency of sound absorption by a local active absorber is investigated. Degradation of the efficiency of absorption because of the errors is shown to be minimal in the case when the controller does not detect the field of the secondary radiator. Estimates of admissible errors are presented. Several active absorber configurations in which the radiator does not affect the receiver are considered.     

Thermodynamic study of a series lithium β-diketonates

Thermal behaviour of a series of lithium β-diketonates: Li(dpm) (dpm=dipivaloylmethanate (2,2,6,6-tetramethylheptane-3,5- dionate)), Li(pta) (pta=pivaloyltrifluoracetonate (2,2-dimethyl-6,6,6-trifluoro-3,5-hexanedionate)), Li(tfa) (tfa=trifluoracetylacetonate (1,1,1-trifluoro-2,4-pentandionate)), Li(hfa) (hfa=hexafluoracetylacetonate (1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoro-2,4-pentandionate)) has been investigated. Gas phase composition of these complexes has been established. Temperature dependences of vapor pressure of lithium compounds were obtained by static and dynamic methods, and thermodynamic parameters were calculated. Dependence of compound volatility on ligand structure is shown. For Li(dpm) detailed investigation has been done by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).     

Criteria for assessing the leveling effect of agents used for batch dyeing of synthetic fibrous materials

Various methods for assessing the performance of levelers in batch dyeing of synthetic fibrous materials were analyzed. Criteria most suitable for technological and scientific applications were chosen.     

Changes in the supramolecular structure of heat-resistant polyimide fibers in the course of thermal treatment

Changes in the supramolecular structure of heat-resistant fibers based on polyimide PM were studied by X-ray diffraction analysis and NMR spectroscopy.