Loop quantum gravity and black hole entropy quantization

Using the spin networks and the asymptotic quasinormal mode frequencies of black holes given by loop quantum gravity, the minimum horizon area gap is obtained. Then the quantum area spectrum of black holes is derived and the black hole entropy is a realized quantization. The results show that the black hole entropy given by loop quantum gravity is in full accord with the Bekenstein-Hawking entropy with a suitable Immirzi. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 10773002)     

A facile method to synthesize nitrogen and fluorine co-doped TiO2 nanoparticles by pyrolysis of (NH4)2TiF6

The nitrogen and fluorine co-doped TiO₂ (N-F-TiO₂) nanoparticles of anatase crystalline structure were prepared by a facile method of (NH₄)₂TiF₆ pyrolysis, and characterized by thermogravimetry-differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and ultraviolet visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy etc. With the increase of calcination temperature, (NH₄)₂TiF₆ decomposed into TiOF₂ and NH₄TiOF₃ at first, and then formed anatase-type TiO₂ with thin sheet morphology. H₃BO₃ as oxygen source can promote the formation of anatase TiO₂, but decrease the F content in the N-F-TiO₂ materials due to the formation of volatile BF₃ during the precursor decomposition. The photocatalytic activity of the obtained N-F-TiO₂ samples was evaluated by the methylene blue degradation under visible light, and all the samples exhibited much higher photocatalytic activity than P25. Moreover, the merits and disadvantages of this proposed method to prepare doped TiO₂ are discussed.     

Interfaces between Al2O3 and beta-Ni(1-x)Al(x) alloys: complex structures and Ab initio thermodynamics

A methodology to study the structural stability of binary alloy/Al2O3 interfaces is developed by expanding the conventional ab initio thermodynamics to include the dependence on alloy composition. Results on beta-Ni(1-x)Al(x)/Al2O3 interfaces predict the existence of two types of stable interfaces. The stable interface at equilibrium with Al-rich or strictly 1:1 alloy contains an Al2-terminated Al2O3 surface and continues with NiAl layers, and the interface at equilibrium with Ni-rich alloy has Al accumulation but continues with a Ni-rich and then NiAl layers. Works of separation for the two interfaces are close to each other.     

Host dependent frequency upconversion of Er-doped oxyfluoride germanate glasses

Er³⁺-doped oxyfluoride germanate glasses have been synthesized by the conventional melting and quenching method. The Judd-Ofelt intensity parameters were calculated based on the Judd-Ofelt theory and absorption spectra measurements. With the substitution of PbF₂ for PbO, the Ω₂ parameter decreases, while the Ω₆ parameter increases. These change trends indicate that fluoride anions come to coordinate erbium cations and the covalency of the Er-O bond decreases. Structural and thermal stability properties were obtained by Raman spectra and differential thermal analysis, indicating that PbF₂ plays an important role in the formation of glass network and has an important influence on the maximum phonon energy and thermal stability of host glasses. Intense green and red emissions centered at 525, 546, and 657 nm, corresponding to the transitions ²H_11/2→⁴I_15/2, ⁴S_3/2→⁴I_15/2, and ⁴F_9/2→⁴I_15/2, respectively, were simultaneously observed at room temperature. With increasing PbF₂ content, the intensity of red (657 nm) emissions increases significantly, while that of the green (525 and 546 nm) emission increases slightly. The results indicate that PbF₂ has more influence on the red (657 nm) emission than the green (525 and 546 nm) emissions in oxyfluoride germanate glasses. The possible upconversion luminescence mechanisms have also been estimated and discussed.     

Control of Quantum Echo and Bell State Swapping of Two Atomic Qubits in the Two-Mode Vacuum Field Environment

We investigate quantum echo control and Bell state swapping for two atomic qubits (TAQs) coupling to two-mode vacuum cavity field (TMVCF) environment via two-photon resonance. We discuss the effect of initial entanglement factor ?? and relative coupling strength R=g₁/g₂ on quantum state fidelity of TAQs, and analyze the relation between three kinds of quantum entanglement(C(ρ_a),C(ρ_f),S(ρ_a)) and quantum state fidelity, then reveal physical essence of quantum echo of TAQs. It is shown that in the identical coupling case R=1, periodic quantum echo of TAQs with π cycle is always produced, and the value of fidelity can be controlled by choosing appropriate ?? and atom-filed interaction time. In the non-identical coupling case R≠1, quantum echoes with periods of π, 2π and 4π can be formed respectively by adjusting R. The characteristics of quantum echo results from the non-Markovianity of TMVCF environment, and then we propose Bell state swapping scheme between TAQs and two-mode cavity field.     

Effect of temperature-dependent surface heat transfer coefficient on the maximum surface stress in ceramics during quenching

We study the difference in the maximum stress on a cylinder surface σ_max using the measured surface heat transfer coefficient h_m instead of its average value h_a during quenching. In the quenching temperatures of 200, 300, 400, 500, 600 and 800°C, the maximum surface stress σ_mmax calculated by h_m is always smaller than σ_amax calculated by h_a, except in the case of 800°C; while the time to reach σ_max calculated by h_m (f_mmax) is always earlier than that by h_a (f_amax). It is inconsistent with the traditional view that σ_max increases with increasing Biot number and the time to reach σ_max decreases with increasing Biot number. Other temperature-dependent properties also have a small effect on the trend of their mutual ratios with quenching temperatures. Such a difference between the two maximum surface stresses is caused by the dramatic variation of h_m with temperature, which needs to be considered in engineering analysis.     

Molecular hydrogen storage in Al-doped bulk graphite with wider layer distances

Molecular hydrogen storage at room temperature in Al-doped bulk graphite with wider layer distances was studied using density functional theory calculation. Hydrogen storage capacity of 3.48 wt% or volume density of 51 kg/m³ was predicted at T=300 K and P=0.1 GPa with adsorption energy E_b=?0.264 eV/H₂. This is close to the target of volume density 62 kg/m³ and satisfies the requirement of immobilization hydrogen with binding strength of 0.2–0.7 eV/H₂ at ambient temperature and modest pressure for commercial applications specified by the U.S. Department of Energy.     

Experimental study of whistle noise generated by insert edge and oil separator model of refrigeration cycle

The compressed air experiments are conducted to investigate the whistle noise radiated from the oil separator component of refrigerant cycle system. Two types of insert edge and a height-adjustable oil separator model are adopted. The acoustic characteristic of flow through plain top insert edge is more likely to be broadband. Flow through ramp top insert edge would induce whistle peaks at Mach number higher than 0.1197 and the oil separator model works like an acoustic amplifier. Moreover, the Strouhal number jumps are captured inside oil separator model and two mechanisms are presented to clarify the phenomena. First, the whistle noise at Modes A1, A3, B1 and B3 is regarded as coupling of shear layer instability with resonance acoustic modes of oil separator model. Second, the whistle noise at Modes A2 and B2 is regarded to be the feedback loop of flow-acoustic interaction in fluctuated shear layer and defined as jet-cavity interaction tones.     

Low temperature fired Ni-Cu-Zn ferrite with Bi4Ti3O12

The Ni-Cu-Zn ferrites with different contents of Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂ ceramics (1-8 wt%) as sintering additives were prepared by the usual ceramic technology and sintered at 900 °C to adapt to the low temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) technology. The magnetic and dielectric properties of the ferrite can be effectively improved with the effect of an appropriate amount of Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂. For all samples, the ferrite sintered with 2 wt% Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂ has relatively high density (98.8%) and permeability, while the ferrite with 8 wt% Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂ has relatively good dielectric properties in a wide frequency range. The influences of Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂ addition on microstructure, magnetic and dielectric properties of the ferrite have been discussed.     

Immobilization of silver nanoparticles on silica microspheres

The silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) have been immobilized onto silica microspheres through the adsorption and subsequent reduction of Ag⁺ ions on the surfaces of the silica microspheres. The neat silica microspheres that acted as the core materials were prepared through sol–gel processing; their surfaces were then functionalized using 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane (MPTMS). The major aims of this study were to immobilize differently sized Ag particles onto the silica microspheres and to understand the mechanism of formation of the Ag nano-coatings through the self-assembly/adsorption behavior of Ag NPs/Ag⁺ ions on the silica spheres. The obtained Ag NP/silica microsphere conglomerates were characterized by field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). Their electromagnetic wave shielding effectiveness were also tested and studied. The average particle size of the obtained Ag NPs on the silica microsphere was found that could be controllable (from 2.9 to 51.5 nm) by adjusting the ratio of MPTMS/TEOS and the amount of AgNO₃.