Photoluminescence and excitation features of Nd<Superscript>3+</Superscript> ions in (La<Subscript>0.97</Subscript>Nd<Subscript>0.03</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>S<Subscript>3</Subscript> · 2Ga<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> glasses

A combined study of the spectral photoluminescence distribution and excitation spectra of photoluminescence in La₂S₃ · 2Ga₂O₃ and (La_0.97Nd_0.03)₂S₃ · 2Ga₂O₃ glasses, along with the study of the transmission spectra of these glasses, was carried out. The radiative channel was ascertained to be the main channel for the energy transfer from the host matrix to the Nd³⁺ ions upon excitation of the glasses with light at a wavelength of the fundamental absorption band. Oxygen centers with the level E _c -2.0 eV act as sensitizing agents. The structural disordering of the glass host increases the variance in the magnitude of splitting of the multiplet levels from the 4f electronic states of the Nd³⁺ ion. This promotes nonradiative relaxation of the electrons from excited states to the laser ⁴F_3/2 level. The (La_0.97Nd_0.03)₂S₃ · 2Ga₂O₃ glasses can be considered as promising laser materials for obtaining the stimulated emission of radiation of Nd³⁺ ions under an optical pump in the range of the fundamental absorption band of the glass.     

Optical properties of (CuInSe<Subscript>2</Subscript>)<Subscript>1 − <Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>(2MnSe)<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript> alloys

The transmittance spectra of (CuInSe₂)_{1 − x} (2MnSe) _x alloy crystals grown by the Bridgman method are studied in the temperature range from 10 to 300 K. For these materials, the band gap and its temperature dependence are determined. It is shown that the band gap decreases with increasing temperature. The dependences of the band gap of the (CuInSe₂)_{1 − x} (2MnSe) _x alloys on the composition parameter x are plotted.     

Synthesis and Transport Properties of In<Subscript>4</Subscript>(Se<Subscript>1−<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Te<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>

Polycrystalline samples of In₄(Se_1−x Te _x )₃ were synthesized by using a melting–quenching–annealing process. The thermoelectric performance of the samples was evaluated by measuring the transport properties from 290 K to 650 K after sintering using the spark plasma sintering (SPS) technique. The results indicate that Te substitution can effectively reduce the thermal conductivity while maintaining good electrical transport properties. In₄Te₃ shows the lowest thermal conductivity of all compositions tested.     

Catalyst-Free Direct Vapor-Phase Growth of Hexagonal ZnO Nanowires on <Emphasis>α</Emphasis>-Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>

The evolution of ZnO nanowires has been studied under supersaturation of Zn metal species with and without a ZnO thin-film buffer layer on α-Al₂O₃ deposited by the pulsed laser ablation technique. The nanowires had diameters in the range of 30 nm to 50 nm and lengths in the range of 5 μm to 10 μm with clear hexagonal shape and [000[`1]] [000\bar{1}] , [10[`1]1] [10\bar{1}1] , and [10[`1]0] [10\bar{1}0] facets. X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements indicated crystalline properties for the ZnO nanostructures grown on pulsed laser deposition (PLD) ZnO nucleation layers. The optical properties were analyzed by photoluminescence (PL) and cathodoluminescence (CL) measurements. The ZnO nanowires were found to emit strong ultraviolet (UV) light at 386 nm and weak green emission as observed by PL measurements. The stoichiometry of Zn and O was found to be close to 1 by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements. The process-dependent growth properties of ZnO nanostructures can be harnessed for future development of nanoelectronic components including optically pumped lasers, optical modulators, detectors, electron emitters, and gas sensors.     

Structure and Properties of Nanostructured YBa<Subscript>2</Subscript>Cu<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>7–δ</Subscript>, BiFeO<Subscript>3</Subscript>, and Fe<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>

The development of new nanostructured materials based on YBa₂Cu₃O_7–δ, BiFeO₃, and Fe₃O₄ compounds is considered. The structure, morphology, and properties of these materials are studied. The possibilities of fabricating YBa₂Cu₃O_7–δ ceramics with given densities from nanopowders in a single stage by an energy efficient method and growing superconducting films of the same composition on a silicon substrate (on a SiO₂ layer) are demonstrated. The technique for fabricating BiFeO₃ nanopowder, making it possible to obtain nanostructured ceramics without additional accompanied phases commonly forming during BiFeO₃ synthesis is developed. Two methods of the single-stage synthesis of Fe₃O₄ nanopowder are presented: burning of nitrate-organic precursors and the electrochemical three-electrode method in which one of the electrodes, i.e., an anode containing scrap iron and slurry, is used as an expendable material.     

On the band gap of Cu<Subscript>2</Subscript>ZnSn(S<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Se<Subscript>1–<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>)<Subscript>4</Subscript> alloys

The transmittance spectra of single-crystal Cu₂ZnSnS₄ and Cu₂ZnSnSe₄ compounds and Cu₂ZnSn(S _x Se_1–x )₄ alloys grown by chemical vapor-transport reactions are studied in the region of the fundamental absorption edge. From the experimental spectra, the band gap of the compounds and their alloys is determined. The dependences of the band gap on the composition parameter x of the alloy are constructed. It is established that the band gap nonlinearly varies with x and can be described as a quadratic dependence.     

Thermoelectric Properties of (Na<Subscript>1−<Emphasis Type="Italic">y</Emphasis></Subscript>M<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">y</Emphasis></Subscript>)<Subscript>1.4</Subscript>Co<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> (M = Sr,Li)

Oxide thermoelectric materials (Na_1−y M _y )_1.4Co₂O₄ (M = Sr, Li; y = 0 to 0.4) were prepared by a sol–gel method. The influence of doping on the thermoelectric properties was investigated, and the phase composition was characterized by x-ray diffraction. Experimental results showed that the main crystalline phase of the undoped and Sr/Li-doped samples was γ-Na_1.4Co₂O₄. The thermoelectric properties of Na_1.4Co₂O₄ can be improved slightly by doping with Sr. Doping with Li improves the thermoelectric properties of Na_1.4Co₂O₄. For a doping fraction of y = 0.1, the electrical conductivity of (Na_1−y Li _y )_1.4Co₂O₄ at 288 K achieves its maximum value of 301.19 (Ω mm)⁻¹. The Seebeck coefficient and power factor of (Na_1−y Li _y )_1.4Co₂O₄ at 288 K achieve their maximum values of 172.28 μV K⁻¹ and 7.44 mW m⁻¹ K⁻² at a doping fraction of y = 0.4.     

Preparation and Thermoelectric Properties of Ag<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>In<Subscript>0.5−<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Pb<Subscript>5</Subscript>Sn<Subscript>4</Subscript>Te<Subscript>10</Subscript>

A series of compounds with composition Ag_0.5In_0.5−x Pb₅Sn₄Te₁₀ (x = 0.05 to 0.20) were prepared by slowly cooling the melts of the corresponding elements, and the effect of In content on the thermoelectric transport properties of these compounds has been investigated. Results indicate that the compounds’ electronic structure is sensitive to In content, and that the carrier concentration of these compounds at room temperature increases from 4.86 × 10¹⁸ cm⁻³ to 3.85 × 10²¹ cm⁻³ as x increases from 0.05 to 0.20. For these compounds, electrical conductivity decreases and Seebeck coefficient increases with increasing In content. Ag_0.05In_0.03Pb_0.5Sn_0.4Te₁₀ shows very low lattice thermal conductivity, and has a maximum dimensionless figure of merit ZT of 1.2 at 800 K.     

Analysis of the magnetic properties of (La<Subscript>1 − <Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Sr<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>)<Subscript>0.93</Subscript>MnO<Subscript>3</Subscript> manganites at high temperatures

For the first time, the Faraday method is used to measure the temperature dependence of paramagnetic susceptibility χ(T) of (La_{1 ? x} Sr _x )_0.93MnO₃ (x = 0.2, 0.25, or 0.3) manganites in the temperature interval 60–850°C. It is demonstrated that the dependences have two kinks and three linear sections. The kink of curve χ^?1(T) is related to polymorphic transformations (Q′ → Q* and Q* → R) that take place in the crystal lattices of the samples. The main magnetic characteristics of the samples are determined with the least-squares processing of curve χ^?1. Is is demonstrated that dependence χ^?1(T) obeys the Curie-Weiss law. The energy state of the magnetoactive manganese atom in the Q′-and Q*-phase samples is close to the energy state of a free Mn²⁺ ion. In the R phase, this state is close to the state of a free Mn³⁺ ion.     

Growth of (InSb)<Subscript>1 − <Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>(Sn<Subscript>2</Subscript>)<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript> films on GaAs substrates by liquid-phase epitaxy

The possibility of growing single-crystal substitutional (InSb)_{1 − x} (Sn₂) _x alloy (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.05) on the GaAs substrate by liquid-phase epitaxy from the In solution melt is established. The X-ray diffraction patterns and spectral and current-voltage characteristics of obtained n-GaAs-p-(InSb)_{1 − x} (Sn₂) _x heterostructures are studied at different temperatures. The lattice parameters of the (InSb)_{1 − x} (Sn₂) _x alloy are determined. It is found that the forward portion of the current-voltage characteristic of such structures at low voltages (up to 0.7 V) is described by the exponential dependence I = I ₀exp(qV/ckT), and at high voltages (V > 0.9 V), there is a portion of sublinear increase in the current with the voltage V ≈ V ₀exp(Jad). The experimental results are interpreted based on the injection depletion theory. It is shown that the product of mobility of majority carriers by the concentration of deep-level impurities increases as the temperature increases.     

The Power Factor of Bi<Subscript>2−<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Tl<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Se<Subscript>3</Subscript> Single Crystals

Single crystals of the ternary system Bi_2−x Tl _x Se₃ (nominally x = 0.0 to 0.1) were prepared using the Bridgman technique. Samples with varying content of Tl were characterized by measurement of lattice parameters, electrical conductivity σ _⊥c, Hall coefficient R _H(B║c), and Seebeck coefficient S(ΔT⊥c). The measurements indicate that incorporation of Tl into Bi₂Se₃ lowers the concentration of free electrons and enhances their mobility. This effect is explained within the framework of the point defects in the crystal lattice, with formation of substitutional defects of thallium in place of bismuth (Tl_Bi) and a decrease in the concentration of selenium vacancies (V_Se ^{+ 2} V_{\rm{Se}}^{ + 2} ). The temperature dependence of the power factor σS ² of the samples is also discussed. As a consequence of the thallium doping we observe a significant increase of the power factor compared with the parent Bi₂Se₃.     

High-Temperature Transport Properties of Yb<Subscript>4−<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Sm<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Sb<Subscript>3</Subscript>

Polycrystalline L₄Sb₃ (L = La, Ce, Sm, and Yb) and Yb_4−x Sm _x Sb₃, which crystallizes in the anti-Th₃P₄ structure type (I-43d no. 220), were synthesized via high-temperature reaction. Structural and chemical characterization were performed by x-ray diffraction and electronic microscopy with energy-dispersive x-ray analysis. Pucks were densified by spark plasma sintering. Transport property measurements showed that these compounds are n-type with low Seebeck coefficients, except for Yb₄Sb₃, which shows semimetallic behavior with hole conduction above 523 K. By partially substituting Yb by a trivalent rare earth we successfully improved the thermoelectric figure of merit of Yb₄Sb₃ up to 0.7 at 1273 K.     

Magnetic Properties of Fe<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Mn<Subscript>1−<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>In<Subscript>2</Subscript>S<Subscript>4</Subscript> Alloy Single Crystals

This study concerns the magnetic properties of single crystals of Fe _x Mn_{1 − x} In₂S₄ alloys. The basically antiferromagnetic character of indirect exchange interactions between Fe²⁺ and Mn²⁺ cations is established. As the concentration of Fe²⁺ cations is increased, the magnetic ordering temperature increases from ∼12 K (x = 0) to ∼22 K (x = 1). Short-range-order ferromagnetic correlations are observed. The basic magnetic phase state of the alloys is the spin glass state, with the freezing temperature increasing from ∼5 K (x = 0) to ∼12 K (x = 1). As the external magnetic field is increased, the magnetic ordering temperature slightly decreases. The most probable causes and mechanisms of formation of the magnetic state of the alloys are discussed.     

Non-fragile <Emphasis Type="Italic">H</Emphasis><Subscript>2</Subscript> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">H</Emphasis><Subscript>∞</Subscript> filter designs for polytopic two-dimensional systems in Roesser model

This paper is concerned with the problem of non-fragile H ₂ and H _∞ filter designs for two-dimensional (2-D) discrete systems in Roesser model with polytopic uncertainties. The filters to be designed are assumed to be with additive norm-bounded coefficient variations which reflect the imprecision in filter implementation. The complicated filter design problem is successfully tackled by using the slack variable technique and imposing a structural restriction on the slack matrix. Explicit expressions of the non-fragile H ₂ and H _∞ filters are given in terms of solutions to a set of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs). An illustrative example is provided to demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed method.     

The binding energy of excitons and <Emphasis Type="Italic">X</Emphasis><Superscript>+</Superscript> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">X</Emphasis><Superscript>−</Superscript> trions in one-dimensional systems

The exciton and trion states in semiconductor quantum wires are treated by the variational method. Simple trial functions provide an adequate precision of the calculation over a wide region of wire radii, with an arbitrary relation between the effective masses of charge carriers. The precision of the results obtained by the variational method is checked by numerical diagonalization of the Hamiltonian of excitons and positively and negatively charged trions. The asymptotic behavior of the binding energies of excitons and trions in narrow quantum wires is established in the analytical form. The structure of the excited X ⁺ trion states is analyzed in the context of the adiabatic approximation.     

Optical properties of AgGa<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>In<Subscript>1 − <Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Se<Subscript>2</Subscript> alloys

Coarse-grained crystals of AgGaSe₂ and AgInSe₂ ternary compounds and their alloys are grown by planar crystallization of the melts. For the crystals produced in this way, the transmittance spectra near the fundamental absorption edge are studied. From the experimental spectra, the band gap (E _g) and its variation with composition are determined. It is established that E _g is a nonlinear function of the composition parameter x. The dependence E _g (x) is calculated theoretically in the context of the Van Vechten-Bergstresser model and Hill-Richardson pseudopotential model.     

Precise Control of Na Content in the Layered Cobaltate <Emphasis Type="Italic">γ</Emphasis>-Na<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>CoO<Subscript>2</Subscript>

We have developed a preparation method for precisely controlling the Na content x of a γ-Na_0.7CoO₂ precursor by a halogen oxidation technique in the range 0.50 ≤ x ≤ 0.70. The Na content of the precursor was reduced in a concentration-controlled I₂-CH₃CN solution. The magnetic susceptibility of γ-Na _x CoO₂ shows Curie–Weiss (CW)-type paramagnetism (x ≈ 0.70) or Pauli-type paramagnetism (x ≈ 0.50). The boundary of the CW and Pauli paramagnetic phases was identified at x ≈ 0.61. The content and temperature for a disorder–order transition from the γ phase to a \(\sqrt{7}a_0 \times \sqrt{7}a_0\) superstructure were accurately elucidated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurement. A phase transition for the 0.52 ≤ x ≤ 0.54 sample was observed at 250 K by DSC measurements. The heat absorption of the 0.52 ≤ x ≤ 0.54 samples was of the same order of magnitude as that of the transition from the γ phase to the \(\sqrt{7}a_0 \times \sqrt{7}a_0\) phase.     

Improved Thermoelectric Performance and Mechanical Properties of Nanostructured Melt-Spun <Emphasis Type="Italic">β</Emphasis>-Zn<Subscript>4</Subscript>Sb<Subscript>3</Subscript>

β-Zn₄Sb₃ is one of the most important thermoelectric materials in the intermediate temperature range, but poor mechanical properties limit its commercial application. In this work we adopted a melt-spinning (MS) technique followed by a quick spark plasma sintering (SPS) procedure to fabricate nanostructured β-Zn₄Sb₃ bulk material with good thermoelectric performance and mechanical properties. The nanostructure had a significant influence on the thermoelectric transport properties and mechanical strength. Compared with the sample prepared by the traditional melting method (M-ingot), the Seebeck coefficient of the MS-SPS samples was significantly higher and the thermal conductivity was remarkably lower. In spite of the lower electrical conductivity, the σ/κ ratio increased in the high temperature range, leading to great improvement in the thermoelectric figure of merit (ZT). The maximum ZT value of 1.16 was obtained at 700 K for the MS-SPS-40 sample. Compared with the M-ingot sample, it was 47% higher at the same temperature. Moreover, the average compressive strength of the MS-SPS-40 sample reached 337.9 MPa, which is 130% higher than that of the M-ingot sample. β-Zn₄Sb₃ with such high mechanical strength has great potential for commercial application.     

New CMOS process using a thermal-oxide mask for making <Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis><Superscript>−</Superscript>- and <Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis><Superscript>−</Superscript>-Wells

A new manufacturing process is proposed and evaluated for CMOS memory circuits that is designed to decrease labor input and to increase yield. It essentially uses thermal silicon dioxide instead of silicon nitride as the material of the mask for n ^?- and p ^?-wells, and employs an improved doping procedure for the wells. The new process is shown to decrease considerably the residual stress and defect density in the wafer. Its advantages over the standard process are supported by a two-dimensional computer simulation with Silvaco’s SSUPREM4.