Electron Spin Coherence of Phosphorus Donors in Isotopically Purified 29Si

We investigate spin coherence time of electrons bound to phosphorus donors in silicon single crystals, employing a pulsed electron paramagnetic resonance technique. The samples were isotopically controlled so that they may possess different concentrations (about 5% and 100%) of ²⁹Si, which is the only non-zero-spin (spin-1/2) stable isotope of Si. Both ²⁹Si-concentration dependence and orientation dependence of the electron spin coherence time demonstrate that the decoherence is caused by spectral diffusion due to mutual flip-flops of the environmental nuclear spins. The detail analysis of spin echo decay curves enables the unique assignment of the host sites responsible for electron spin echo envelope modulation.     

High-purity silicon isotopes <Superscript>28</Superscript>Si, <Superscript>29</Superscript>Si,and <Superscript>30</Superscript>Si

The current status of the problem of obtaining high-purity silicon isotopes ²⁸Si, ²⁹Si, and ³⁰Si is analyzed. The scheme of obtaining monoisotopic silicon includes the stages of isotope separation in the form SiF₄, synthesis and deep purification of isotopically enriched silane, obtaining polycrystalline silicon-28,-29, and-30, and growing monocrystals. The basic problems and methods of their solution in the synthesis and deep purification of silane and obtaining poly-and monocrystals of isotopically enriched silicon are discussed. Data characterizing the achieved level of chemical and isotopic purity of high-purity monocrystals of silicon-28 with a main isotope content of more than 99.99% and silicon-29 and silicon-30 with isotopic purity higher than 99% are presented. In monocrystalline ²⁸Si, the boron content was 4.5 × 10¹³, the phosphorus content was 5 × 10¹¹, the carbon and oxygen contents were <1 × 10¹⁶ at/cm³, and the specific resistance was 800 Ω cm. The results of investigation of heat capacity, heat conduction, photoluminescence, and electron paramagnetic resonance spectra for monoisotopic silicon-28 are presented. The heat conduction of monoisotopic silicon is increased considerably owing to the reduced photon scattering on isotopic inhomogeneities. In the region of 20–30 K, the heat conduction of silicon-28 with an isotopic purity of 99.98% is higher by a factor of 8 than the heat conduction of natural silicon. Investigations of photoluminescence spectra in the magnetic field in the low-temperature region demonstrated the capability of optical detection of nuclear spin states of a phosphorus admixture in high-purity silicon-28. p ]Topical questions for further investigations and possible fields of practical application of high-purity isotopically enriched silicon are discussed.     

Structural studies of geopolymers by <Superscript>29</Superscript>Si and <Superscript>27</Superscript>Al MAS-NMR

A systematic study of geopolymers by ²⁹Si and ²⁷Al MAS NMR has been carried out in an attempt to understand polymer structural details. ²⁷Al MAS NMR data shows that transient aluminium species are formed during the reaction of metakaolin with NaOH. Interaction of silicate anions with the aluminium sites of metakaolin was evident during the synthesis of geopolymers as observed from low field shift of ²⁹Si MAS NMR resonance lines of silicate centres. As the reaction progresses, the coordination of aluminium (IV, V and VI) in metakaolin changes almost completely to IV. ²⁹Si MAS NMR of selected compositions of the ternary system of sodium silicate, metakaolin and aqueous alkali reveals that geopolymerisation occurs in a distinct compositional region. At high alkalinity [> 30% (mol/mol) overall Na²O content], connectivity of silicate anions is reduced, consistent with poor polymerisation. At low alkalinity [<10% (mol/mol) overall Na²O content], a clear ²⁹Si NMR resonance line due to unconverted metakaolin is observed. NMR spectra were recorded from a series of samples with a fixed Na²O content (20 mol%) and varied SiO²/Al²O³ ratio to observe aluminium substitution in the cross-linked silicon tetrahedra of polymer network. Aluminium insertion into the silicate network is confirmed from the observed ²⁹Si NMR shift as a function of Si/Al ratio. The identification of the presence or absence of metakaolin in the cured geopolymer product is not possible even by ²⁹Si NMR as the signal from metakaolin is indistinguishable from a broad ²⁹Si NMR peak consisting of many resonance lines from the network of cross-linked silicon/aluminium tetrahedra. In an attempt to identify metakaolin signal, we prepared geopolymers with higher SiO²/Al²O³ molar ratios. Since aluminium substitutions in the silicate tetrahedral network are decreased, this results in better-resolved ²⁹Si NMR lines. The ²⁹Si NMR signal due to metakaolin is then distinguishable in the spectra of cured products in a series of samples with 3 to 11 mol% metakaolin. These results indicate that a geopolymer structure is a network of silicon/aluminium tetrahedra with some presence of unreacted metakaolin. The silicon/aluminium tetrahedra might have connectivity ranging from 1 to 4.     

Preparation of single-crystal <Superscript>29</Superscript>Si

A process has been developed for the preparation of single-crystal ²⁹Si from ²⁹Si-enriched silane. A silicon single crystal has been grown with a ²⁹Si content over 99.9 at %. The oxygen and carbon concentrations in the crystal are under 1 × 10¹⁶ cm⁻³, and its resistivity exceeds 1 kΩ cm.     

Luminescence studies on Eu<Superscript>2+</Superscript> and Tb<Superscript>3+</Superscript> doped Ca<Subscript>2</Subscript>MgSi<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>7</Subscript> phosphors

Eu²⁺ and Tb³⁺ doped Ca₂MgSi₂O₇ phosphors were synthesized by conventional solid-state reaction. The phase formation was confirmed by X-ray powder diffraction technique and refined lattice parameters were calculated by rietveld refinement process using Celref v3. The photoluminescence (PL) excitation and emission spectra were investigated. The phosphors exhibited broaden green emitting luminescence peaking at 520 nm when excited at 374 nm source. Morphological studies were carried out using Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of the sample with optimum PL emission. The dependence of photoluminescence intensity on co-dopant concentration and the kinetic parameters were also reported. Time resolved fluorescence spectroscopy (TRFS) is used to investigate the decay in luminescence signals with respect to time. The sample proved to be a good long lasting material, which makes it useful in emergency signs, textile printing, textile exit sign boards and electronic instrument dial pads etc.     

Synthesis and characterization of aluminum diboride products using <Superscript>27</Superscript>Al, <Superscript>11</Superscript>B NMR and ab initio studies

Understanding different bonding environments in various metal borides provides insight into their structures and physical properties. Polycrystalline aluminum diboride (AlB₂) samples have been synthesized and compared both with a commercial sample and with the literature. One issue that arose is the relative ease with which boron-rich and aluminum deficient phases of aluminum borides can be presented in AlB₂. Here, we report ²⁷Al, ¹¹B nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and first-principles calculations on AlB₂ in order to shed light on these different bonding environments at the atomic level and compare the structural and electronic properties of the products of different preparations. Along with the aforementioned, the present study also takes an in-depth look at the nature of the ¹¹B and ²⁷Al nuclear spin–lattice relaxation recovery data for the AlB₂ and other superhard materials. The nuclear spin–lattice relaxation has been measured for a static sample and with magic-angle spinning. The combination of NMR and band structure calculations highlights the synthetic challenges with superhard materials.     

Electron spin coherence exceeding seconds in high-purity silicon

Silicon is one of the most promising semiconductor materials for spin-based information processing devices. Its advanced fabrication technology facilitates the transition from individual devices to large-scale processors, and the availability of a (28)Si form with no magnetic nuclei overcomes a primary source of spin decoherence in many other materials. Nevertheless, the coherence lifetimes of electron spins in the solid state have typically remained several orders of magnitude lower than that achieved in isolated high-vacuum systems such as trapped ions. Here we examine electron spin coherence of donors in pure (28)Si material (residual (29)Si concentration <50 ppm) with donor densities of 10(14)-10(15) cm(-3). We elucidate three mechanisms for spin decoherence, active at different temperatures, and extract a coherence lifetime T(2) up to 2 s. In this regime, we find the electron spin is sensitive to interactions with other donor electron spins separated by ~200 nm. A magnetic field gradient suppresses such interactions, producing an extrapolated electron spin T(2) of 10 s at 1.8 K. These coherence lifetimes are without peer in the solid state and comparable to high-vacuum qubits, making electron spins of donors in silicon ideal components of quantum computers, or quantum memories for systems such as superconducting qubits.     

Effect of Si addition on the precipitation of Al<Superscript>2</Superscript>Cu-phase in Al-Cu-Si thin films

The effects of Si addition and of deposition temperature on the precipitation processes of Al²Cu (θ) and Si particles in Al-Cu-Si alloy films were studied with in-situ hot stage transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Deposition of an Al-1.5Cu-1.5Si (wt%) film at 305∘C, in the three-phase, Al(α)-Al²Cu-Si region resulted in formation of fine, uniformly distributed spherical θ -phase particles due to the coprecipitation of the θ and Si phase particles during deposition. For deposition in the two-phase, Al(α)-Si region (435∘C), fine θ -phase particles precipitated during wafer cooldown, while coarse Si nodules formed at the sublayer interface during deposition. In-situ heat treatment of the film revealed that excess Si existed in a supersaturated Al matrix. Si addition decreased film susceptibility to corrosion induced by the θ -phase precipitates, since extensive Cu segregation can be reduced by coprecipitation at 305∘C and the Al matrix supersaturated with Si reduced galvanic action with respect to the θ -phase precipitate.     

Sources of Carbon Impurities in the Preparation of High-Purity Monoisotopic <Superscript>28</Superscript>Si by a Hydride Method

This paper examines sources of carbon impurities in polycrystalline monoisotopic ²⁸Si prepared by a hydride method. Analytical data on the concentrations of carbon-containing impurities in volatile silicon compounds (²⁸SiH₄ and ²⁸SiH₄), process gases (Ar and H₂), and polycrystalline ²⁸Si are used to identify the major sources of carbon in the polycrystalline ²⁸Si prepared by the hydride method. These are the starting ²⁸SiH₄ and calcium hydride used in ²⁸SiH₄ conversion into ²⁸SiH₄. The rate of carbon intake into polycrystalline silicon from the apparatus material during the monosilane pyrolysis process does not exceed 9 × 10¹¹ cm^–2 h^–1. Polycrystalline silicon has been precipitated from monosilane with different concentrations of hydrocarbon impurities. At hydrocarbon concentrations in the range 10^–4 to 10^–3 mol %, the carbon concentration in the monosilane correlates with that in the silicon obtained from it. High-purity monosilane has been used to prepare polycrystalline ²⁸Si samples with concentrations of carbon impurities in the range (0.8–2.3) × 10¹⁵ cm^–3. Based on calculations of the carbon impurity distribution along the length of a zone-refined ingot, we examine the effect of the initial carbon concentration in the starting polycrystal on the yield of single-crystal monoisotopic ²⁸Si. Requirements are formulated for the carbon concentration in polycrystalline ²⁸Si which ensure a high yield of single crystals with parameters suitable for metrological applications.     

Eu<Superscript>2+</Superscript> and Gd<Superscript>3+</Superscript> Distributions in Fluorohafnate Glasses Studied by Electron Paramagnetic Resonance

We have studied electron paramagnetic resonance spectra of europium- and gadolinium-activated ZBLAN-type fluorohafnate glasses, using the composition 58HfF₄ · 20BaF₂ · 2LaF₃ · 3AlF₃ · 17NaF as an example. The ratio of the concentration of free Eu²⁺ and Gd³⁺ ions to that of ions in clusters has been quantitatively evaluated for the first time. The percentage of free ions has been shown to increase significantly with decreasing activator concentration. At activator concentrations of 1.25 mol % EuF₂ and 1 mol % GdF₃, the activator ions predominantly form clusters and only a small fraction of Eu²⁺ and Gd³⁺ are present as individual ions, whereas at 0.1 mol % EuF₂ the concentration of free ions is comparable to that of ions in the clusters.     

Recovery of <Superscript>131</Superscript>I and <Superscript>137</Superscript>Cs from a solution simulating NPP trap waters

Sorption of ¹³¹I and ¹³⁷Cs from a solution simulating NPP trap waters on various inorganic and organic sorbents was studied. The highest degree of ¹³¹I recovery (>99%) can be attained with Fizkhimin granulated sorbents based on coarsely porous silica gel containing Ag and Ni in 1: 4 ratio, with K _d for ¹³¹I exceeding 10⁵ ml g⁻¹ at V/m = 10³ ml g⁻¹ and contract time of the solid and liquid phases of 120 min. Elevation of the solution temperature to 40°C does not affect the degree of ¹³¹I and ¹³⁷Cs recovery. The degree of ¹³⁷Cs recovery in all the experiments did not exceed 35%. The degree of ¹³¹I recovery by coprecipitation with AgCl and Ag₄[Fe(CN)₆] was about ∼96% and only 65%, respectively.     

Synthesis,characterization and formation mechanism of monodispersed Gd<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript>S:Eu<Superscript>3+</Superscript> nanocrystals

Monodispersed Gd₂O₂S:Eu³⁺ nanostructures with tunable morphologies have been selectively fabricated by solvothermal method in the presence of stable inorganic precursors avoiding metalorganic precursors. The size and morphology of the products were controlled successfully by adjusting the reaction conditions. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), selected-area electron diffraction (SAED) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The corresponding UV absorption and photoluminescence excitation spectra show a significant blue-shift confirming the quantum confinement effect. A possible growth mechanism for the formation of monodispersed Gd₂O₂S:Eu³⁺ nanocrystals has been proposed. The luminescence mechanism and the size dependence of their fluorescence properties are also discussed.     

Behavior of Microamounts of <Superscript>22</Superscript>Na, <Superscript>85</Superscript>Sr, <Superscript>137</Superscript>Cs,and <Superscript>152</Superscript>Eu in Sorption and Coprecipitation on Mixed Potassium Neodymium Ferrocyanide from Solutions

Sorption of ⁸⁵Sr, ¹³⁷Cs, ²²Na, and ¹⁵²Eu on solid mixed potassium neodymium ferrocyanide KNd[Fe(CN)₆]·4H₂O from neutral, acidic, and alkaline media and also coprecipitation of these radionuclides with KNd[Fe(CN)₆]·4H₂O in its formation from a homogeneous solution were studied. It was found that ⁸⁵Sr and ²²Na do not noticeably coprecipitate with solid KNd[Fe(CN)₆]·4H₂O and are not sorbed by this substance. In aqueous medium, depending on the cesium concentration in solution, from 80 to 98% of ¹³⁷Cs coprecipitates with solid KNd[Fe(CN)₆]·4H₂O. In this case, the distribution coefficient K_d depends on both the cesium concentration in solution and solution pH. Within 30 min of contact of the solid and liquid phases, the degree of recovery of ¹³⁷Cs from aqueous solution with KNd[Fe(CN)₆]·4H₂O is approximately 95.0% of the initial amount. ¹⁵²Eu coprecipitates with solid KNd[Fe(CN)₆]·4H₂O during its formation from a homogeneous solution to 98–99.9%. The degree of recovery of ¹⁵²Eu from aqueous solution with KNd[Fe(CN)₆]·4H₂O precipitate within 60 min of contact of the solid and liquid phases is 70.3% of the initial amount.     

<Superscript>59</Superscript>Co NMR at Pulsed High Magnetic Fields

We report the ⁵⁹Co-NMR observation by spin-echo method at pulsed high magnetic fields up to 48 T. The 22 mm bore-resistive coil magnet with an inductance of 7.59 mH has a total time duration of 50 ms. After discharging the capacitor bank, NMR signals were observed near the maximum field. By repeatedly pulsing the RF sequence around the maximum field, spin echoes at different fields were recorded to give the NMR spectrum.     

Green synthesis of white-light-emitting ZnSe:Eu<Superscript>2+</Superscript>, Mn<Superscript>2+</Superscript> quantum dots in an aqueous solution

High-quality ZnSe:Eu, Mn quantum dots (QDs) with white light emitting were synthesized via a green preparation method in an aqueous solution using thioglycolic acid as a stabilizing agent. The composition of the QDs could be flexibly controlled by varying the amount of Eu or Mn cation. The effects of reflux time and Eu²⁺ ion dopant concentration on the luminescence properties were systematically investigated. The obtained QDs were characterized by photoluminescence spectrometry, X-ray powder diffraction, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The proposed method formed cubic ZnSe:Mn²⁺, Eu²⁺ QDs with the maximum emission peak at 460 and 580 nm. In the optimal condition, the quantum yields of ZnSe:Mn²⁺, Eu²⁺ QDs could reach 27.68%. The CIE color coordinates were (0.328, 0.334), which agreed with those of pure white light (0.33, 0.33). The results verified that the ZnSe:Mn²⁺, Eu²⁺ QDs exhibited potential in light-emitting diode applications.     

Effect of coactivation with Dy<Superscript>3+</Superscript> and Yb<Superscript>3+</Superscript> ions on the efficiency of energy storage in Lu<Subscript>2</Subscript>SiO<Subscript>5</Subscript>:Ce<Superscript>3+</Superscript> crystals

Cerium-activated lutetium oxyorthosilicate Lu₂SiO₅:Ce³⁺ (LSO:Ce) and coactivated LSO:Ce,Dy and LSO:Ce,Yb crystals have been synthesized by the sol-gel technique. It is shown that the introduction of coactivator (Yb and Dy) ions influences the energy storage in LSO:Ce, thus making it possible to control the afterglow and thermoluminescence in these crystals. The observed effect is related to the electron properties of coactivator ions (donor against acceptor), which determine the recharge of electron traps in LSO crystals.     

EPR and photoluminescence properties of combustion-synthesized ZnAl<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>:Cr<Superscript>3+</Superscript> phosphors

An efficient red emitting ZnAl₂O₄:Cr³⁺ powder phosphor material was prepared at furnace temperatures as low as 500 °C by using the combustion method. The prepared powders were analyzed by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy techniques. The optical properties were studied using photoluminescence technique. The EPR spectra exhibit an intense resonance signal at g = 3.74 which is attributed to Cr³⁺–Cr³⁺ pairs, and the weak resonance signal of at g = 1.97 is attributed to Cr³⁺ single ion transition. The spin population (N) has been evaluated as a function of temperature. The excitation spectrum exhibits two broad bands in the visible region which are characteristic of Cr³⁺ ions in octahedral symmetry and the emission spectrum exhibits zero-phonon line frequencies along with vibronic frequencies. The crystal field parameter (Dq) and Racah parameters (B and C) have been evaluated and discussed.     

Evidence for Magnon BEC in Superfluid <Superscript>3</Superscript>He-A

The phenomenon of phase-coherent precession of magnetization in superfluid ³He and the related effects of spin superfluidity are based on the true Bose-Einstein condensation of magnons. Several different states of coherent precession have been observed in ³He-B: homogeneously precessing domain (HPD); persistent signal formed by Q-balls at very low temperatures; coherent precession with fractional magnetization; and two new modes of coherent precession in compressed aerogel. Here we present evidence of magnons Bose-Einstein condensation in ³He-A in a compressed aerogel.     

Pulsed cathodoluminescence of single-crystalline and pressed CaF<Subscript>2</Subscript>:Yb<Superscript>2+</Superscript>,Yb<Superscript>3+</Superscript>

We have studied the pulsed cathodoluminescence spectra and kinetics of CaF₂:Yb²⁺,Yb³⁺ (3 mol % YbF₃) single crystals and pressed samples under excitation with nanosecond electron pulses and determined the characteristic times and intensities of nanosecond and microsecond emission decay components at temperatures from 15 to 300 K. The results demonstrate that deformation pressing in vacuum at 1150°C followed by annealing in a CF₄ atmosphere at 1180°C has an insignificant effect on the emissive properties of CaF₂:Yb²⁺,Yb³⁺.     

Studies of Fe-doped SiO<Superscript>2</Superscript>/TiO<Superscript>2</Superscript> composite nanoparticles prepared by sol-gel-hydrothermal method

Fe-doped SiO²/TiO² composite nanoparticles were directly prepared by sol-gel-hydrothermal process, and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscope (TEM), thermal gravimetry (TG), X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS). It was found that the Fe^{3 +} was well dispersed in solid solution of SiO²/TiO² composite nanoparticles that was about 10 nm with spherical morphology and rich silica layer external surface. It could effectively offer broadband shield for both UVB (290–320 nm) and UVA (320–400 nm). The results of Photodecomposition of methylene blue showed that the photoactivity of Fe-doped SiO²/TiO² composite was minimized due to the addition of iron ion.