Quantitative electron probe microanalysis for the characterization of thin carbon-boron layers in fusion devices

Summary The first wall of the fusion device TEXTOR at the Forschungszentrum Jülich has been coated in situ with an amorphous hydrogen rich carbon/boron film (a-C/B:H) which reduces plasma impurities caused by the plasma surface interaction. The results of the coating process of the 35 m² large inner wall surface have been controlled by a recently developed modification of the quantitative electron probe microanalysis, which has been applied to 12 samples from specified positions inside the tokamak. The quantification itself is based on a Monte Carlo simulation of electron trajectories providing very accurate results for X-ray intensities emitted by elements present in the electron bombarded sample. The Monte Carlo results are used in the present work to calibrate the measured X-ray intensities emitted by boron and carbon from the a-C/B:H layers deposited on pure silicon substrates. As a result the total deposited mass of the layer per area unit as well as the composition of the layers (except hydrogen) could be determined very accurately. The relative errors were less than 7%. The limit of detectability were found to be in the range of one monolayer for boron as well as for carbon.     

Surface polarity of cellulose derivates observed by coumarin 151 and 153 as solvatochromic and fluorochromic probes

Solvent‐dependent ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) absorption and Stokes shifts including strong hydrogen‐bond‐donating (HBD) solvents such as 2,2,2‐trifluoroethanol and 1,1,1,3,3,3‐hexafluoro‐2‐propanol of two coumarine dyes (Co 151 and Co 153) were analyzed with multiple‐square analyses of linear solvation energy relationships and the Kamlet–Taft solvent parameter set to α (HBD capacity), β (hydrogen‐bond‐accepting capacity), and π* (dipolarity/polarizability). The UV–vis absorption and emission spectra of Co 151 and Co 153 were measured when adsorbed on various polysaccharides such as different cellulose batches, carboxymethylcelluloses with different degrees of substitution, and chitine. As a result of this evaluation, Co 153 is recommended as an alternative UV–vis probe for evaluating the dipolarity/polarizability of cellulose and cellulose derivates. Multiple adsorption of Co 153 on Linters cellulose took place indicating a wide‐surface polarity distribution, which makes the determination of a rigid polarity parameter questionable. Thus, fluorescence measurements of adsorbed Co 153 are suitable to detect inhomogenities on a surface but not for the determination of empirical polarity parameters. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 41: 1210–1218, 2003     

Branched chain discotics Phase structure and orientation behaviour

Studies show that branching the side chains of hexakis(acoyloxy)-benzenes (HAB) and -cyclohexanes (HAChx) does not modify the structure of the discotic mesophase formed. Shear fields appear to act on entire columns, not on individual discs, thereby causing alignment of columns in the shear direction. X-ray diffraction patterns of samples at temperatures between 30°C and 40°C above the clearing temperature provide evidence for the presence of mesophase order.     

Stereoelectronic control of exo/endo rate ratios in the solvolysis of 2-norbornyl p-toluenesulfonates

The variable exo/endo rate ratios observed in the solvolysis of 6-exo-substituted exo- and endo-2-norbornyl p-toluenesulfonates are due to differential transmission of polar effects in the transition state for ionization.     

The Nature of the vibronic intensity borrowing mechanism in the 1B3u(n)1Ag(X) transition of pyrazine

The transition intensities of the S₀S₁ gas phase absorption spectra of pyrazine-d₀ and -d₄ were carefully measured. A discussion of the various aspects of vibronic intensity borrowing for this unique case is presented using our new experimental results.     

Design,synthesis, and evaluation of 6-carboxyalkyl and 6-phosphonoxyalkyl derivatives of 7-oxo-8-ribitylaminolumazines as inhibitors of riboflavin synthase and lumazine synthase

A series of 6-carboxyalkyl and 6-phosphonoxyalkyl derivatives of 7-oxo-8-D-ribityllumazine were synthesized as inhibitors of both Escherichia coli riboflavin synthase and Bacillus subtilis lumazine synthase. The compounds were designed to bind to both the ribitylpurine binding site and the phosphate binding site of lumazine synthase. In the carboxyalkyl series, maximum activity against both enzymes was observed with the 3'-carboxypropyl compound 22. Lengthening or shortening the chain linking the carboxyl group to the lumazine by one carbon resulted in decreased activity. In the phosphonoxyalkyl series, the 3'-phosphonoxypropyl compound 33 was more potent than the 4'-phosphonoxybutyl derivative 39 against lumazine synthase, but it was less potent against riboflavin synthase. Molecular modeling suggested that the terminal carboxyl group of 6-(3'-carboxypropyl)-7-oxo-8-D-ribityllumazine (22) may bind to the side chains of Arg127 and Lys135 of the enzyme. A hypothetical molecular model was also constructed for the binding of 6-(2'-carboxyethyl)-7-oxolumazine (15) in the active site of E. coli riboflavin synthase, which demonstrated that the active site could readily accommodate two molecules of the inhibitor.     

Thermal density fluctuations in amorphous polymers as revealed by small angle X-ray diffraction

Summary Thermal density fluctuations in amorphous polymethyl methacrylate, polycarbonate and polyethylene terephthalate were studied by means of small angle X-ray scattering. The measurements were performed in a temperature range from 20 °C up to about 50 °C above the glass transition temperatureT _g of the individual sample.AboveT _g the experimental values of the fluctuations are proportional to the isothermal compressibility and the temperature of the sample as predicted by the fluctuation theory for a system in thermodynamic equilibrium.At temperatures belowT _g this relation is no longer correct. The experimentally determined fluctuations are now proportional to the compressibility of the sample in the equilibrium state atT _g and to the actual temperature of the glassy sample. By considering a statistical ensemble with exchange of energy, particles and order between the systems of the ensemble an equation can be derived for the fluctuations of the number of particles per given volume which predicts the observed behaviour. The order parameter takes into account the fact that the properties of the glassy state depend on the way by which the state was produced.

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Zusammenfassung Es wurden thermische Dichtefluktuationen in amorphem Polymethylmethacrylat, Polycarbonat und Polyäthylenterephthalat mit Hilfe der Röntgenkleinwinkelstreuung untersucht. Die Messungen erstrecken sich über einen Temperaturbereich von 20 °C bis zu etwa 50 °C oberhalb der GlastemperaturT _g der jeweiligen Probe.In Übereinstimmung mit den Ergebnissen der Fluktuationstheorie sind die Fluktuationen oberhalb vonT _g proportional zur isothermen Kompressibilität und zur Temperatur der Probe.Unterhalb der Glastemperatur ist diese Beziehung nicht mehr erfüllt. Hier ist die Fluktuation proportional zur Kompressibilität der Probe im Gleichgewichtszustand beiT _g und zur Temperatur. Auf der Basis einer statistischen Gesamtheit mit der Austauschmöglichkeit von Energie, Partikel und Ordnung zwischen den Systemen der Gesamtheit kann eine Beziehung für die Dichtefluktuation abgeleitet werden, die mit den experimentellen Ergebnissen übereinstimmt. Der zusätzliche Ordnungsparameter berücksichtigt die Tatsache, daß die Eigenschaften im Glaszustand wegabhängig sind.

     

Bestimmung von Nichtmetallen in Metallen

Zusammenfassung Unter der Beschränkung auf die Nichtmetallspuren in den technisch wichtigen Metallen und Legierungen wird ein allgemeiner Überblick gegeben.Aus der Vielzahl der Analysenmethoden werden die in breiterem Umfang anwendbare Verbrennung für die Bestimmung von Kohlenstoff und Schwefel und die Heißextraktion für die Bestimmung von Wasserstoff, Sauerstoff und Stickstoff näher behandelt.Für die Bestimmung von Wasserstoff und Sauerstoff in Aluminium und Kupfer und für den Kohlenstoffgehalt der Nichteisenmetalle wird der heutige Wissensstand gegeben.Über Untersuchungen zur Probenhomogenität von AKP für Sauerstoff in Metallen und über eine Methode zur Herstellung von entsprechenden Primärstandards wird berichtet.Betrachtungen zur Frage von Aufwand und Nutzen analytischer Arbeit werden angestellt.

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Summary A general summary is given with a limitation to non-metal traces in metals and alloys of technical interest.From the great number of analytical methods those applicable on a larger scale, i.e. combustion-determination of carbon and sulphur — and vacuum fusion—determination of hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen — are dealt with more closely.For the determination of hydrogen and oxygen in aluminium and copper as well as for the carbon contents of non-ferrous metals the present state of knowledge is described.Furthermore, investigations concerning homogenity of AKP-standard-samples for analysing the oxygen-contents in metals and a method for setting up respective primary standards are described.Finally, the problematic relation between expenses and usefulness of analytical work is discussed.