A simple technique for the alignment of a ring resonator

A simple technique for the alignment of a ring resonator is presented. The positional and the directional alignments are obtained by the movements of independent mirrors. The effects of alignment inaccuracies on the performance of a ring resonator are discussed.     

Electrical and compositional properties of TaSi2 films

Tantalum silicide (TaSi₂) thin films were sputter deposited on p- and n-type silicon substrates using ultrapure TaSi₂ targets. The TaSi₂/Si samples were annealed in nitrogen or forming gas or oxygen containing steam at temperatures in the range of 400–900°C. The sheet resistances of TaSi₂/Si were measured by four-point probe before and after anneal. The structure of these films was investigated using x-ray diffraction (XRD) methods. It has been found that the sheet resistance decreases with the increase in annealing temperature and also with the increase in film thickness. X-ray diffraction patterns show changes in the morphological structure of the films. Oxidation characteristics of the film have been investigated in the temperature range of 400–900°C in oxygen containing steam ambient. The oxidation time ranged from 0.5 to 1.5 h. No oxide formation of the tantalum silicide films was observed in this investigation. This has been attributed to the high purity of TaSi₂ sputter targets used in the preparation of the films.     

Sulfuric acid immobilized on silica: an efficient reusable catalyst for the synthesis of O-isopropylidene sugar derivatives

Sulfuric acid immobilized on silica proved to be an efficient catalyst for the synthesis of O-isopropylidene sugar derivatives from reducing sugars. The method is very simple and economic for large-scale synthesis in which the catalyst is recovered and reused several times. Reactions with d-glucose, d-galactose, d-mannose, l-rhamnose, l-arabinose, d-xylose and l-sorbose led to the formation of the corresponding thermodynamically stable di-O- and/or mono-O-isopropylidene derivatives in good to excellent yields.     

Spectrophotometric determination of vanadium and niobium: Xylenol orange as a chromogenic reagent

Summary The formation of red coloured chelates of vanadium(V) and niobium(V) with xylenol orange (DCAC) having _max at 490 nm (at p_H 5.0) and 530 nm (at p_H 5.5) have been reported. The colour formation has been applied to the spectrophotometric determination of metal ions. The colour has been found to be stable between p_H 3.5–6.5 and 2.0–7.0 respectively. The sensitivity of the reagent is 0.051g/cm² of vanadium and 0.093g/cm² of niobium. Maximum colour intensity has been found for Nb-DCAC chelate at p_H 5.5 whereas no appreciable change has been found for V-DCAC chelate between p_H 4.5 and 6.5.

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Zusammenfassung Über die Bildung rot gefärbter Chelate von Vanadin und Niob mit Xylenolorange wurde berichtet. Deren Absorptionsmaxima liegen bei 490 nm (p_H 5,0) bzw. bei 530 nm (p_H 5,5). Die Farbreaktion wurde für die Bestimmung der beiden Metalle verwendet. Die Farbe ist zwischen p_H 3,5 und 6,5 bzw. zwischen p_H 2,0 und 7,0 stabil. Die Empfindlichkeit für Vanadin beträgt 0,051g/cm², für Niob 0,093g/cm². Die Farbe des Niobchelates erreicht bei p_H 5,5 ein Maximum, während die des Vanadinchelates zwischen p_H 4,5 und 6,5 keine wesentlichen Änderungen erkennen läßt.

     

Effect of the Gouy phase on the coherent phase control of chemical reactions

We show how the spatial phase of a focused laser beam may be used as a tool for controlling the branching ratio of a chemical reaction. Guoy discovered [Acad. Sci., Paris, C. R. 110, 1250 (1890)] that when an electromagnetic wave passes through a focus its phase increases by pi. In a coherent control scheme involving the absorption of n photons of frequency omega(m) and m photons of frequency omega(n), the overall phase shift produced by the Gouy phase is (n-m)pi. At any given point in space, this phase shift is identical for all reaction products. Nevertheless, if the yields for different reaction channels have different intensity dependencies, the Gouy phase produces a net phase lag between the products that varies with the axial coordinate of the laser focus. We obtain here analytical and numerical values of this phase as the laser focus is scanned across the diameter of the molecular beam, taking into account the Rayleigh range and astigmatism of the laser beam and saturation of the transition. We also show that the modulation depth of the interference pattern may be increased by optimizing the relative intensities of the two fields.     

Spectroscopic signatures of nitrogen-substituted zeolites

Nanoporous acid catalysts such as zeolites form the backbone of catalytic technologies for refining petroleum. With the promise of a biomass economy, new catalyst systems will have to be discovered, making shape-selective base catalysts especially important because of the high oxygen content in biomass-derived feedstocks. Strongly basic zeolites are attractive candidates, but such materials are notoriously difficult to make due to the strong inherent acidity of aluminosilicates. Several research groups have endeavored to produce strongly basic zeolites by treating zeolites with amines, but to date there is no compelling evidence that nitrogen is incorporated into zeolite frameworks. In this communication, we detail synthesis, NMR spectroscopy, and quantum mechanical calculations showing that nitrogen adds onto both surface and interior sites while preserving the framework structure of zeolites. This finding is crucial for the rational design of new biomass-refinement catalysts, allowing 50 years of zeolite science to be brought to bear on the catalytic synthesis of biofuels.     

Isotopic characteristics of a few selected structurally controlled geothermal systems of the Western Ghats,India

The Western Ghats is the most potential area of India in terms of geothermal energy exploitation and they are characterized by numerous faults. These faults acts as conduit for the deeper circulation of the geothermal water of meteoric origin and are controlling the geothermal systems of this region. The stable isotopic composition (δ¹⁸O and δ²H) of a few selected geothermal springs and non-thermal groundwater were monitored to identify their recharge sources. Tritium in geothermal water and groundwater were also measured to evaluate their transit time and the mixing processes governing within the geothermal systems. The temperature of hot springs varies from 56 to 71 °C. The stable isotope result shows that geothermal springs have absence of magmatic component and rainwater is their recharge source. It was also established that geothermal water has not undergone much fractionation because of rock–water interaction. Tritium content of the geothermal springs are low indicate deeper circulation and longer residence time of the thermal water. Lower tritium also shows insignificant mixing with non-thermal ground water.