A novel deposition method to grow ZnO nanorods: Spray pyrolysis

ZnO layers were deposited by chemical spray pyrolysis (CSP) using zinc chloride aqueous solutions onto indium tin oxide (ITO) glass substrates at growth temperatures in the region of 400–580 C. The layers were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and low-temperature () photoluminescence (PL) measurements. The flat film of ZnO obtained at 400 C evolves to a structured layer by raising the temperature up to 500 C. Deposition around 550 C and above results in a layer comprising well-shaped hexagonal ZnO nanorods with diameter of 100–150 nm and length of up to 1 micron. XRD shows strong c-axis orientation of ZnO being in accordance with the SEM study. Deposition of nanorods was successful using ITO with grain size around 100 nm, whereas on fine-grained ITO (grain size < 50 nm) with smooth surface fat crystals with diameter up to 400 nm and length of about 300 nm were formed. Sharp near band edge (NBE) emission peaks centered at 3.360 and 3.356 eV dominated the PL spectra of ZnO at , originating from the exciton transition bound to neutral donors. PL and XRD results suggest that ZnO rods prepared by spray pyrolysis are of high optical and crystalline quality.     

A primer of simple theories

 We present a self-contained exposition of the basic aspects of simple theories while developing the fundamentals of forking calculus. We expound also the deeper aspects of S. Shelah's 1980 paper Simple unstable theories. The concept of weak dividing has been replaced with that of forking. The exposition is from a contemporary perspective and takes into account contributions due to S. Buechler, E. Hrushovski, B. Kim, O. Lessmann, S. Shelah and A. Pillay. Received: 12 November 1999 / Revised version: 1 June 2001 / Published online: 12 July 2002     

Dependence relation in pregeometries

The aim of this paper is to set a foundation to separate geometric model theory from model theory. Our goal is to explore the possibility to extend results from geometric model theory to non first order logic (e.g. ). We introduce a dependence relation between subsets of a pregeometry and show that it satisfies all the formal properties that forking satisfies in simple first order theories. This happens when one is trying to lift forking to nonelementary classes, in contexts where there exist pregeometries but not necessarily a well-behaved dependence relation (see for example [HySh]). We use these to reproduce S. Buechler's characterization of local modularity in general. These results are used by Lessmann to prove an abstract group configuration theorem in [Le2]. Received February 2, 1999; accepted in final form April 30, 2000.     

Uniqueness of limit models in classes with amalgamation

We prove the following main theorem: Let be an abstract elementary class satisfying the joint embedding and the amalgamation properties with no maximal models of cardinality μ. Let μ be a cardinal above the the Löwenheim‐Skolem number of the class. If is μ‐Galois‐stable, has no μ‐Vaughtian Pairs, does not have long splitting chains, and satisfies locality of splitting, then any two ‐limits over M, for , are isomorphic over M.     

On learning and energy-entropy dependence in recurrent and nonrecurrent signed networks

Learning of patterns by neural networks obeying general rules of sensory transduction and of converting membrane potentials to spiking frequencies is considered. Any finite number of cellsA can sample a pattern playing on any finite number of cells without causing irrevocable sampling bias ifA = orA =. Total energy transfer from inputs ofA to outputs of depends on the entropy of the input distribution. Pattern completion on recall trials can occur without destroying perfect memory even ifA = by choosing the signal thresholds sufficiently large. The mathematical results are global limit and oscillation theorems for a class of nonlinear functional-differential systems.The preparation of this work was supported in part by the National Science Foundation (GP 9003), the Office of Naval Research (N00014-67-A-024-OQ16), and the A.P. Sloan Foundation.     

Cu2ZnSnSe4 formation and reaction enthalpies in molten NaI starting from binary chalcogenides

The present study deals with chemical reactions and enthalpies during the synthesis of Cu₂ZnSnSe₄ (CZTSe) from CuSe, SnSe, and ZnSe in molten NaI as flux material in closed degassed ampoules. Differential thermal analysis (DTA) at heating rates 5 °C min^?1 and cooling rates 10 °C min^?1 were used for the determination of temperatures of phase transitions and/or chemical reactions. XRD and Raman analyses confirmed that the formation of CZTSe starts already at 380 °C after the melting of Se that deliberates from the transformation of CuSe to Cu_1.8Se, and the CZTSe formation process impedes to a great extent due to the presence of solid NaI. After the melting of NaI, the formation of CZTSe is completed. For the determination of enthalpy values, the calibration with pure NaI was performed. The thermal effects and enthalpies were compared with the available known thermodynamical values. The specific enthalpy of exothermic Cu₂ZnSnSe₄ formation at 661 °C in NaI ?36 ± 3 kJ mol^?1 was determined experimentally for the first time. Ternary compound Na₂SnSe₃ was formed during the synthesis process. NaI·2H₂O, if present in NaI, was found to be a critical issue in the synthesis process of CZTSe monograin powders in molten NaI—it gave rise to the formation of oxygen-containing by-products Na₂SeO₄ and Na₂Cu(OH)₄. The complete dehydration of NaI·2H₂O at T ≤ 70 °C in vacuum is necessary to avoid the formation of oxygen-containing compounds.     

Cu2ZnSnSe4 films by selenization of Sn–Zn–Cu sequential films

This paper deals with the formation of Cu₂ZnSnSe₄ (CZTS) in the process of selenization of metal precursor layers in elemental selenium vapour. Metallic precursors were sequentially evaported from Sn, Zn and Cu sources. Precursor Sn–Zn–Cu films have a “mesa-like” structure and consist mainly of Cu₅Zn₈ and Cu₆Sn₅ phases. It was confirmed that the formation of different binary copper selenides is the dominating process of selenization in elemental Se vapour at temperatures up to 300 °C. The formation of kesterite CZTS films begins at 300 °C and dominates at higher temperatures, always resulting in multiphase films that consist of high-quality Cu₂ZnSnSe₄ crystals and of a separate phase of ZnSe.     

Spiking threshold and overarousal effects in serial learning

Possible dependencies of serial learning data on physiological parameters such as spiking thresholds, arousal level, and decay rate of potentials are considered in a rigorous learning model. Influence of these parameters on the invertedU in learning, skewing of the bowed curve, primacy vs. recency, associational span, distribution of remote associations, and growth of associations is studied. A smooth variation of parameters leads from phenomena characteristic of normal subjects to abnormal phenomena, which can be interpreted in terms of increased response interference and consequent poor paying attention in the presence of overarousal. The study involves a type of biological many-body problem including dynamical time-reversals due to macroscopically nonlocal interactions.Supported in part by the A. P. Sloan Foundation (71609), the NSF (GP-13778), and the ONR (N00014-67-A-0204-00-0051).Supported in part by the ONR 4102 (02).