Determination of lanthanum in large steel samples by the neutron activation method

In view of the inhomogeneous distribution of lanthanum in steel, large samples should be used for the determination of this element. The method elaborated consists in the preparation of an average samople by dissolving 50 g steel and analysing an aliquot of the obtained solution corresponding to 0.5 g of steel. In order to reduce the activity of the sample, iron and some other elements are separated from the steel solution by electrolysis prior to irradiation. The amount of lanthanum contamination introduced during the pre-irradiation treatment of the sample is relatively low (10^?10–10^?9 g) if the treatment is carried out under suitable conditions. The post-irradiation treatment consists in the separation of²⁴Na by shaking the sample solution with Sb₂O₅. The¹⁴⁰La-activity is measured by means of a γ-spectrometer (1.6 MeV photopeak).     

Room temperature emission from the Pr3+ 1 S 0-level in PrF3

PrF₃ as well as PrF₃-LiF and PrF₃-MgF₂ mixtures were investigated by means of high-energetic excitation with synchrotron radiation. In the PrF₃ emission spectrum bands due to the intra-configurational 4f²4f² transitions originating from the ¹S₀ level of the Pr³⁺ ion have been identified. The emission from the ³P₀ multiplet is very weak due to non-radiative decay by cross-relaxation processes. Therefore, PrF₃ is not an efficient direct cascade emitter. In the PrF₃ excitation spectra in the ultraviolet/vacuum-ultraviolet spectral range, the ³H₄¹S₀ transition at 46858 cm^-1 as well as broad bands due to the inter-configurational 4f²4f5d transitions are observed. By comparison with data of Pr³⁺ doped YF₃, the branching ratios of the emission transitions for PrF₃ from the ¹S₀ were determined; these are 0.008, 0.075, 0.262, 0.023 and 0.629 for transitions ¹S₀³H₄, ³F₄, ¹G₄, ¹D₂ and ¹I₆, respectively. For the polycrystalline PrF₃-LiF and PrF₃-MgF₂ samples investigated by us, the measured emission and excitation spectra are nearly identical to those of PrF₃. For polycrystalline PrF₃-KMgF₃ the observed spectra are superpositions of the PrF₃ and Pr³⁺:KMgF₃ spectra. PACS 42.70.-a; 78.55.-m; 78.55.Hx     

Spectroscopic characterisation of LaGaO3:Er3+ crystals

LaGaO₃ crystals doped with Er³⁺ ions were grown by the Czochralski method and their optical properties were examined. The Er³⁺ energy levels have been determined from the low-temperature absorption and emission spectra. The results of Judd–Ofelt analysis are presented and compared with experimental data. The emission cross sections are determined for the ⁴ I _13/2→⁴ I _15/2 (1.55 μm) and ⁴ I _11/2→⁴ I _13/2 (2.85 μm) transitions of erbium. Received: 6 December 1999 / Revised version: 10 February 2000 / Published online: 27 April 2000     

Laser oscillation of Er3+:YVO4 and Er3+, Yb3+:YVO4 crystals in the spectral range around 1.6 μm

Laser oscillation around 1.6 μm was realised at room temperature for low-doped Er:YVO₄ crystals (0.5 at % and 1 at %) as well as for Er(1 at %), Yb(5 at %):YVO₄ crystal in continuous-wave mode. The maximum slope of the input–output curve was about 19% (vs. absorbed power) for Er(0.5 at %):YVO₄. The laser oscillation was discretely tunable in the spectral range between 1531 and 1604 nm. Received: 24. August 2000 / Published online: 8 November 2000     

The search for internal isotopic tracers in metallurgical materials

In a search for internal isotopic tracers in metallurgical materials a group of elements has been chosen which can be determined by the neutron activation method with the higher sensitivity. A method has been developed for the determination of W, As, Au, La, In, Sc, Re and Ir in metallurgical materials. The separation of the elements was carried out using extraction and precipitation. The determination of the elements was carried out in samples of chamotte brick and washed ores. The limits of the determination of the elements are of the order of 10⁻¹¹ g for Au, 10⁻¹⁰ g for In and La and 10⁻⁹ g for As, W, Sc, Re and Ir. The large scatter of the results indicates the inhomogeneity of the materials analyzed.     

Imidazol(in)ium‐2‐Carboxylates as Efficient Precursors to N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Complexes of Copper and Silver

Copper and silver N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes were prepared through a simple, base‐free protocol involving the decomposition of corresponding imidazol(in)ium‐2‐carboxylates under thermolytic conditions and a subsequent reaction of the in situ generated carbenes with copper(I) or silver(I) chloride, respectively. The desired NHC metal complexes were isolated with good yields after simple crystallization.     

Spectroscopic characterization of a Tm3+:SrGdGa3O7 crystal

3 O₇ crystal have been recorded at room temperature and at approximately 8 K. Room-temperature luminescence lifetimes of ¹D₂, ¹G₄, ³H₄, and ³F₄ states have been measured for Tm concentration ranging from [%at.]0.5 to [%at.]9. Based upon these data the crystal field splitting of luminescent states has been derived and radiative transitions rates have been evaluated. Strong self-quenching of luminescence originating in the ¹G₄ and ³H₄ states has been found in this activator–host combination. Peak emission cross section of the potential laser transition at 1800 nm was determined to be 3.9×10^-21 cm² and the gain coefficient versus wavelength was estimated and discussed. Received: 14 April 1998/Revised version: 10 August 1998     

Investigation of the single crystal growing process of neodymium-doped YAG garnets using radiotracers

Radioisotopic methods of investigation of Nd behaviour during pulling of single crystals of YAG-type garnets were applied. For the investigation of homogeneity of Nd distribution an autoradiographic method was used, and for the determination of Nd contents in single crystals and Nd effective partition ratios — techniques of radiotracers and gamma spectrometry. The conclusions from this work can find technological application.     

Gold as an Additional Tracer of Refractories in the Search for Sources of Exogenic Inclusions in Steel

Refractory bricks labelled with lanthanum or gold were used to determine the origin and quantity of exogenic inclusions in steel. After the melting process the steel samples were activated in the reactor and measured by means of a gamma-ray spectrometer. Steel samples, labelled refrctory bricks as well as both gold and lanthanum solutions were activated to be used as reference samples. Performances and evaluation of the experiments are described.