μSR studies of heavy fermion systems

We have performed both zero field and high transverse field measurements at dilution refrigerator temperatures on a number of heavy electron systems, examining the superconducting and magnetic properties of these interesting materials. Among the materials studied to date are UBe₁₃, URu₂Si₂ and U₆Fe. The magnetic field penetration depth in the superconducting state of UBe₁₃ is greater than 10000 Å, as no increase in the transverse field relaxation rate is observed belowT _c . A sharp increase in the precession frequency is seen, starting atT _c . This frequency shift shows little temperature dependence at low temperature; we found no clear evidence for unconventional superconductivity in this material. Zero field measurements in URu₂Si₂ show the weak antiferromagnetic transition at 17.5 K. Finally, we we found no clear evidence for unconventional superconductivity in this material. Zero field measurements in URu₂Si₂ show the weak antiferromagnetic transition at 17.5 K. Finally, we have observed relaxation in high transverse field due to the formation of a flux lattice in U₆Fe, a material where the electron effective mass is rather lighter than in other heavy fermion systems. The relaxation exhibits a sharp onset atT _c=3.9 K, and is flat at low temperatures as expected for a conventional superconductor.     

Quantitative measurements of Ge surface segregation during SiGe alloy growth

Ge segregation during the growth of Si_{1 − x}Ge_x alloys (x = 5, 10, 20, and 40%) was studied using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The alloys were grown in thicknesses up to 20.0 nm at 500°C to measure quantitatively the amount of segregated surface Ge. The length of alloy needed to reach steady-state growth edge was found to decrease with increasing alloy concentration (4.8, 2.8, 2.4, and 2.0 nm, respectively). It was found that each alloy had a complete monolayer of Ge on the surface and an increasing amount of segregated Ge in the second layer (20, 55, 80, and 95%, respectively) during steady-state growth. An increase in the temperature of alloy growth (400–750°C) resulted in an increase in the leading edge of alloy growth but did not change the amount of segregated Ge during steady-state growth. We propose that film stress is responsible for the amount of Ge segregation.     

Multicomponent dynamical nucleation theory and sensitivity analysis

Vapor to liquid multicomponent nucleation is a dynamical process governed by a delicate interplay between condensation and evaporation. Since the population of the vapor phase is dominated by monomers at reasonable supersaturations, the formation of clusters is governed by monomer association and dissociation reactions. Although there is no intrinsic barrier in the interaction potential along the minimum energy path for the association process, the formation of a cluster is impeded by a free energy barrier. Dynamical nucleation theory provides a framework in which equilibrium evaporation rate constants can be calculated and the corresponding condensation rate constants determined from detailed balance. The nucleation rate can then be obtained by solving the kinetic equations. The rate constants governing the multistep kinetics of multicomponent nucleation including sensitivity analysis and the potential influence of contaminants will be presented and discussed.     

Detailed large-signal dynamic modelling of DFB laser structures and comparison with experiment

This paper describes the first general large-signal dynamic multiple-mode laser model that incorporates all the main mechanisms known to influence the dynamic behaviour of DFB laser structures with the exception of thermal effects: longitudinal mode spatial hole burning, carrier transport effects, nonlinear gain, and laser and submount parasitics. The time evolution of the output power and wavelength of all modes is predicted, and full spectra can be plotted as a function of time. The model has been extended to include an approximation to the effects of propagation down dispersive fibre, thereby allowing the simulation of filtered received eye diagrams. Detailed comparison of the model with the experimental performance of 2×/8 DFB lasers has shown good agreement, allowing the performance to be optimized, particularly with respect to longitudinal hole burning and carrier transport. The model is also applied to gain-switched operation of 2×/8 DFB structures, fast pulsing of three-section /4 DFB lasers, and the dynamic behaviour of complex coupling coefficient DFB laser structures.     

Polymers for catalytic cation radical chemistry

Cation radical polymers which have cation radical functions at up to 5% of the poly(styrene) monomer sites have been prepared, and their effectiveness in catalyzing the cation radical Diels-Alder reaction is demonstrated.