Structural and electrical characterization of SxSe100−x thin films

Thin films of samples of the glassy S_xSe_100−x system with 0 ≤ x ≤ 7.28 have been prepared by thermal evaporation technique at room temperature (300 K). X-ray investigations show that the structure of pure selenium (Se) does change seriously by the addition of small amount of sulphur S ≤7.28%. The lattice parameters were determined as a function of sulphur content. Results of differential thermal analysis (DTA) of the glassy compositions of the system S_xSe_100−x were discussed. The characteristic temperatures (T_g, T_c and T_m) were evaluated. Dark electrical resistivities, ρ, of S_xSe_100−x thin films with different thicknesses from 100 to 500 nm, were measured in the temperature range from 300 to 423 K. Two distinct linear parts with different activation energies were observed. The variation of electrical resistivity of examined compositions has been discussed as a function of the film thickness, temperature and the sulphur content. The application of Mott model for the phonon assisted hopping of small polarons gave the same two activation energies obtained from the resistivity temperature calculations.     

Thickness dependence of the magnetic anisotropy of Fe layers separated by Al

Magnetic multilayers of ⁵⁷Fe with nominal thickness, T _nom, between 0.4 and 1.0 nm separated by 3.0 nm Al spacer layers were prepared by alternate deposition of the constituents in high vacuum. The samples were investigated at 4.2 K in external magnetic field. A fraction of Fe atoms corresponding to about 0.3 nm equivalent Fe-thickness was found to mix into the Al spacer. The extremely strong magnetic anisotropy observed for T _nom < 0.8 nm is attributed to Fe layers of approximately two atomic planes thick. The anisotropy decreases considerably after the building up of the third Fe atomic layer starts at T _nom = 0.8 nm, but full saturation was not achieved even for T _nom = 1 nm and 3 T magnetic field applied perpendicularly to the sample plane.     

Influence of chemistry and hot rolling conditions on high permeability non-grain oriented silicon steel

This paper discusses the influence of chemical composition on the final electromagnetic properties in higher permeability material. Furthermore, the effect of the hot rolling practice and the end of austenite transformation temperature range on the hot band microstructure is described. The magnetic polarization J₅₀₀₀ better than 1.7 T, using hot rolling conditions 40 mm transfer bar thickness, finish mill entry temperature 1000 °C, and finishing temperature 800–840 °C and after decarburization heat treatment and grain growth treatment, was obtained.     

Formation and magnetic properties of Co–Fe-based bulk metallic glasses with supercooled liquid region

A new Co–Fe-based ferromagnetic bulk metallic glass (BMG) was synthesized by copper mould casting method. The thermal stability and crystallization processes were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The soft magnetic behavior was studied by DC magnetic measurements. The high glass formation ability was interpreted in terms of the effective suppression of nucleation and growth of the intermetallic compounds which appear in the multicomponent system during solidification. The high thermal stability indicates that the new Co–Fe-based BMG could be used as high-temperature magnetic material. The low coercivity which was as low as 8 A/m for the as-cast sample was found in the Co–Fe-based metallic glass cylinder with a diameter of 1.5 mm.     

Asymptotic properties of constrained Markov Decision Processes

We present in this paper several asymptotic properties of constrained Markov Decision Processes (MDPs) with a countable state space. We treat both the discounted and the expected average cost, with unbounded cost. We are interested in (1) the convergence of finite horizon MDPs to the infinite horizon MDP, (2) convergence of MDPs with a truncated state space to the problem with infinite state space, (3) convergence of MDPs as the discount factor goes to a limit. In all these cases we establish the convergence of optimal values and policies. Moreover, based on the optimal policy for the limiting problem, we construct policies which are almost optimal for the other (approximating) problems. Based on the convergence of MDPs with a truncated state space to the problem with infinite state space, we show that an optimal stationary policy exists such that the number of randomisations it uses is less or equal to the number of constraints plus one. We finally apply the results to a dynamic scheduling problem.This work was partially supported by the Chateaubriand fellowship from the French embassy in Israel and by the European Grant BRA-QMIPS of CEC DG XIII     

Image guide couplers with dielectric coupling elements and radiation reduction

Directional couplers in image guide technique for millimeter-wave circuits are discussed, and steps to improve their properties are demonstrated. The simple two-line-9 dB coupler with periodical coupling is compared to a design with an intermediate dielectric coupling element to reduce the frequency dependence. Radiation from the waveguide bends can be reduced significantly by inserting absorber materials at critical points. Experimental results for a-3 dB coupler are also given.     

INFLUENCE OF COMPOSITIONAL HETEROGENEITY ON MORPHOLOGY AND PROPERTIES OF SEGMENTED COPOLYMERS

Polyethylene terephthalate(PET)/polycaprolactone(PCL) segmented copolymers with different hard segment contents and a blend of two of them were studied by using DSC, WAXS, TEM and IR techniques and dynamic mechanical, stress-strain and isothermal crystallization measurements. Emphasis was laid on the studies of influence of compositional heterogeneity on the morphology and properties of these segmented copolymers. It was found that the solution cast specimens of the more heterogeneous sample exhibit better segregation of segments, high crystallinity and melting temperature. They have higher thermal stability of mechanical properties at small deformations. However, they are less stable against large deformations and may become softer than the more homogeneous ones.     

NBR/ORGANOMODIFIED BENTONITE INTERCALATED HYBRIDS AND THEIR EFFECTS ON THE TOUGHNESS OF PVC

Hybrids of intercalative nitrile-butadiene rubber/organomodified bentonite (NBR/OMB) were prepared by thelatex intercalation technique. Investigation of their mechanical properties and the microstructore of NBR/OMB showed thatthe organomodified bentonite is an effective toughener for NBR. Transmission electronic microscopy (TEM) and X-rnydiffraction (XRD) tests showed that the NBR macromolecule could be intercalated into the galleries of bentonite.Incorporation of NBR/OMB hybrids as tougheners into poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) results in a substantial increase in theimpact strength of PVC, but little decrease in its tensile strength and flexural strength, compared to the unmodified PVC.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of a new one-dimensional system with end-to-end single dicyanamide bridges between nickel(II) centres

The complex [Ni(tn)₂{N(CN)₂}]ClO₄ (tn=trimethylenediamine) has been synthesized and the structure has been determined. The complex forms a one-dimensional chain structure via the bidentate bridging ligand dicyanamide. A two-dimensional networks is formed via interchain hydrogen bond interactions.