Methods in carbon K-edge NEXAFS: Experiment and analysis

Near-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy (NEXAFS) is widely used to probe the chemistry and structure of surface layers. Moreover, using ultra-high brilliance polarised synchrotron light sources, it is possible to determine the molecular alignment of ultra-thin surface films. However, the quantitative analysis of NEXAFS data is complicated by many experimental factors and, historically, the essential methods of calibration, normalisation and artefact removal are presented in the literature in a somewhat fragmented manner, thus hindering their integrated implementation as well as their further development. This paper outlines a unified, systematic approach to the collection and quantitative analysis of NEXAFS data with a particular focus upon carbon K-edge spectra. As a consequence, we show that current methods neglect several important aspects of the data analysis process, which we address with a combination of novel and adapted techniques. We discuss multiple approaches in solving the issues commonly encountered in the analysis of NEXAFS data, revealing the inherent assumptions of each approach and providing guidelines for assessing their appropriateness in a broad range of experimental situations.     

合肥同步辐射软X射线显微术研究

合肥国家同步辐射实验室首期建设的光束线之一用于软Ｘ射线显微成像研究。实验站现已装置初型的扫描透射Ｘ射线显微镜，并正在进行亲一代的扫描显微建设，同时还使同步辐射光进行接触软Ｘ射线呈微成像研究，并对选取的一些生物样品进行了成像试验。本文介绍了合肥同步辐射光源上软Ｘ射线显微术实验线站的建设及完成的一些实验结果。     

Effect of a thermal radiation field on the γ-luminescence of alkali-silicate glass

We revealed the changes in the γ-luminescence spectra under the influence of a thermal radiation field on high-purity alkali-silicate glasses (I) and those with addition of Fe³⁺ ions (II). We explain the obtained results within the framework of the L-model of edge absorption and electron-hole recombination processes. Samarkand State University, 15, Universitetskii Bul., Samarkand, 703004, Republic of Uzbekistan. Translated from Zhurnal Prikladnoi Spektroskopii, Vol. 65, No. 3, pp. 453–455, May–June, 1998.     

Gamma radiation effects on an amine antioxidant added in an ethylene-propylene copolymer

The aim of this work was to compare the gamma radiation induced effects on samples of an ethylene-propylene copolymer antioxidant free with samples loaded with an antioxidant characterised by the presence of an -NH functional group. The employed techniques were Electron Spin Resonance spectroscopy (ESR) and High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Stable radicals R---NO° due to the interaction of free radicals produced in the irradiated polymer with the antioxidant have been observed by ESR at room temperature. The time evolution of the ESR signals following the irradiation was examined at different doses. The amount of antioxidant not involved in the oxidation reactions has been determined using HPLC.     

NFZ-10工业辐照电子直线加速器

研制的电子直线加速器ＮＦＺ－１０的辐照加工能力相当于３０ＰＢｑ的６０Ｃｏ源，电子束能量为４～１２ＭｅＶ，平均束功率为３ｋＷ，扫描宽度为１ｍ，能量不稳定度≤±０．５％，束流不稳定度≤±０．６％，扫描不均匀度≤±２．５％。ＮＦＺ－１０加速器已被用于辐照各种电力半导体器件，一年多来运行稳定可靠并获得较好的经济效益。     

The effect of UV light on the thermooxidative stability of linear low density polyethylene films crosslinked by ionizing radiation

The effect of ultraviolet (UV) light on the thermooxidative stability of Linear Low Density Polyethylene(LLDPE) films was studied. LLDPE was stabilized with phenolic type antioxidant known as Irganox 1010, hindered amine light stabilizer known as Chimmasorb 944 and phenolic type gamma stabilizer. The influence of these additives on the thermooxidative stability of gamma and UV irradiated LLDPE were investigated by isothermal Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC). The oxidation induction time (OIT) experiments indicate that antirad free LLDPE films which contains antioxidant and UV stabilizer are more sensitive to gamma and UV radiation. On the other hand, films which contain antirad and irradiated to different doses of γ-radiation demonstrated improved thermooxidative stability.     

Hydrogen cycling induced diffraction peak broadening in C14 and C15 Laves phases

The diffraction peak broadening induced by hydrogen absorption-desorption cycling has been analyzed in four different Laves phase compounds with the C14 and C15 structures. The broadening is due to strain most probably originating from dislocations generated at the interface between the α and β hydride phases in connection with the cell volume difference between the two phases. It has been shown that it is strongly compound dependent. In the case of the C14 structure, the broadening is large and isotropic, and the latter can be related to the isotropy of the elastic constants of the metallic phase. The broadening is less for the compounds with the C15 structure, which can be related to a possibly softer lattice. Better ageing properties after long-term cycling are predicted for this crystal structure.     

Radiation effects in the transient hot-wire technique

The transient hot-wire technique is widely used for absolute measurements of the thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity of fluids. It is well established that fluid radiation effects significantly influence these measurements, especially those for the thermal diffusivity. Corrections for radiation effects are based on the models developed and deviations of the measured data from the ideal line source model. In this paper, the effect of fluid radiation on the measurements of the thermal conductivity of n-pentane is presented. For comparison, the influence of thermal radiation effect on measurement of transparent fluids, such as argon is also shown. The difference between the influence of natural convection and thermal radiation is also demonstrated.     

Quantitative surface analysis by Auger and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy

Recent developments in quantitative surface analysis by Auger (AES) and x-ray photoelectron (XPS) spectroscopies are reviewed and problems relating to a more accurate quantitative interpretation of AES/XPS experimental data are discussed. Special attention is paid to consideration of elementary physical processes involved and influence of multiple scattering effects on signal line intensities. In particular, the major features of core-shell ionization by electron impact, Auger transitions and photoionization are considered qualitatively and rigorous approaches used to calculate the respective transition probabilities are analysed. It is shown that, in amorphous and polycrystalline targets, incoherent scattering of primary and signal Auger and photoelectrons can be described by solving analytically a kinetic equation with appropriate boundary conditions. The analytical results for the angular and energy distribution, the mean escape depth, and the escape probability as a function of depth of origin of signal electrons as well as that for the backscattering factor in AES are in good agreement with the corresponding Mote Carlo simulation data. Methods for inelastic background subtraction, surface composition determination and depth-profile reconstructions by angle-resolved AES/XPS are discussed. Examples of novel techniques based on x-ray induced photoemission are considered.     

A photometric detector driven by beta radiation

It was recently found that typical Chromatographic carrier gases such as argon or nitrogen could be used in a modified flame photometric detector for general or selective determination of eluted molecules. The detector was powered not by a flame but by a radioactively stimulated, mild discharge. The luminescence arose from the second positive system of nitrogen (in argon), and various emissions from aroyl-containing molecules (in nitrogen).This study describes experiments that take away not only the flame but also the discharge: The energy that produces the luminescence is derived solely from the beta decay of⁶³Ni. Because of this low power input, the sensitivity of the present beta-driven photometric detector (-PD) is limited to about 25 ppm of nitrogen (in argon), and to about 5 pg/s for benzaldehyde and other well-responding aroyl compounds (in nitrogen). In accordance with mechanisms postulated earlier, other types of molecules do not produce significant responses in the absence of an electrical field.Material taken from doctoral thesis