Single-crystal growth and characterization of Cu2O and CuO

We have prepared a large number of crystals of cuprous oxide (Cu2O) by various procedures. Photoluminescence spectra of these crystals were studied to examine the concentration of defects, especially copper vacancy VCu to seek favourable conditions for growing Cu2O crystal. High-quality single crystals of Cu2O were prepared by the floating-zone melting method in air. Several synthetic crystals (specimens FA, FZ and GZ) and also a natural crystal were studied by X-ray analysis, inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy analysis, optical absorption, photoluminescence, photoconductivity and cyclotron resonance absorption, photoluminescence, photoconductivity and cyclotron resonance absorption to characterize their optical and electrical qualities. The best values of mobility and scattering time of photocarriers at T = 4.2 K are estimated to be h1.8 × 105 cm2 V–1 s–1 and h60 ps for positive holes, and 1.3 × 105 cm2 V–1 s–1 and 70 ps for electrons in Cu2O. Further, we report preliminary experimental results on transport property of crystals also of cupric oxide (CuO) purified by the floating-zone melting method.     

Electrical transport properties of low-stage AsF5-intercalated graphite

The in-plane resistivity of stage 1 and stage 2 AsF₅-graphite intercalation compounds was measured using a contactless r.f. eddy current technique from 1.6 to 290 K. The magnetoresistance of a stage 1 compound was similarly measured from 4.2 K to 290 K. The low temperature stage 2 resistivity data show a well-defined intermediate T ² region in addition to the usual T high temperature region, in qualitative agreement with the Kukkonen theory and indicative of a small, elongated cylindrical Fermi surface. Stage 2 resistivity data also show, for the first time in a graphite-acceptor compound, an apparent low temperature phase transition at 21 K. Magnetoresistance data were used to determine a stage 1 carrier concentration of 9×10²⁰ holes cm^–3. Resistive anomalies were observed at 200 K and 220 K for stage 1 and stage 2 compounds, respectively.     

Relaxations in semicrystalline polyethyleneterephthalate using thermally stimulated currents

Relaxation processes at temperatures above 20 °C in semicrystalline polyethylene-terephthalate have been studied using thermally stimulated depolarization currents (TSDC). The discharge curve shows three relaxation peaks (c, c and *) whose positions and intensities depend on the polarization conditions and the crystallinity. Relaxations c and c are heteropolar, while * may be homopolar or heteropolar according to the polarization temperature used. The effect of the crystallinity on these relaxations has been analysed by the thermal steps stimulation (TSS) method applied to an amorphous sample. Results show that c is fundamentally a dipolar relaxation associated with the amorphous interlamellar zone. The relaxation c is associated with the release of a free charge trapped in the amorphous regions, and * is a Maxwell–Wagner–Sillars relaxation associated with crystalline – amorphous interphases. For polarization temperatures above 150 °C, two relaxations are observed only as a consequence of overlapping C and * relaxations. © 1998 Chapman & Hall     

Thermodynamic investigations of liquid Bi-Na and Sn-Na alloys by coulometric titration using β″-alumina

The following double galvanic cell was assembled and the thermodynamic properties of liquid Bi-Na and Sn-Na alloys, and the ion selectivity of -alumina during coulometric titration, were investigated. Mo, Na(I)¦-alumina¦M-Na(I), Mo [I] M-Na(I)¦-alumina¦Au + Au₂Na, Mo [II] (M = Bi or Sn) where M-Na(1) and Au + Au₂Na were used as the common electrode and reference electrode, respectively. Sodium was coulometrically titrated through the -alumina electrolyte of cell I both ways, and the EMFs were measured. It was found that no ion-exchange reaction occurs between the liquid alloys and the -alumina, and only Na was transferred in the -alumina during coulometric titrations. The thermodynamic properties of liquid Sn-Na and Bi-Na alloys were found to be in agreement with the literature.     

The influence of ageing on the stability of β-γ/γ′ derived microstructures in Ni-Al-Cr-(Co) alloys

Multiphase Ni-Al-(Fe)-(Cr)-(Co)-based intermetallics with (B2)- (A1)/(L1₂), - or - microstructures can exhibit significant room-temperature tensile ductility. In the case of Ni-Al-Cr-based alloys, microstructural development is complicated by the precipitation of -Cr, which can supplant the -phase during ageing of three-phase -/ microstructures. An investigation of the stability, during ageing, of cast Ni-Al-Cr-(Co) alloys with microstructures derived from -/ is reported. In the as-cast condition, the materials investigated consisted of a dendritic matrix containing L1₀ type martensite and interdendritic /. Extensive intra- and interdendritic -Cr precipitation was also observed. The stability during ageing of the interdendritic / microstructure is also considered and transformation of the L1₀ martensite is examined.     

Beta spectrum studies with cryogenic micro-calorimeters

Low energy beta spectra are studied with sources encapsulated in a superconducting Sn absorber. An NTD germanium thermistor measures the temperature transient (5 msec) caused by individual beta decays, and the total energy not given to the neutrino is determined with a resolution of 0.5 keV (FWHM) and a threshold of 5 keV. The response function is determined from the mono-energetic electron capture and internal conversion source¹⁰⁹ Cd, both separately and simultaneously with the beta spectrum. The endpoint of the unique first-forbidden decay¹⁰⁷ Pd ¹⁰⁷ Ag+e ^–+ _e is found to be37.5±0.1 keV. High statistics results are compared to the unique first-forbidden shape and the atomic exchange correction. The latter is seen for the first time. Preliminary results of a search for heavy neutrino admixtures are0.15±0.33%.     

Temperature dependence of high strain-rate impact fracture behaviour in highly filled polymeric composite and plasticized thermoplastic propellants

The effect of temperature and strain-rate on the fracture behaviour during high strain-rate ( 10³ sec^–1) impact of two highly filled polymeric composite propellants (containing segmented polyurethanes based on hydroxy-term inated polybutadiene (HTPB) or glycidyl azide polymer (GAP) filled with ammonium perchlorate (AP) particles) and a plasticized thermoplastic (cast double base (CDB) nitrocellulose-nitroglycerine) propellant have been examined over a wide temperature range encompassing the ittle-ductile transition. In the elastic region of the loaddisplacement curve, the yield stress and fracture toughness is highest for GAP/AP and lowest for HTPB/AP. In the elastic and post-yield ductile regions CDB is more fracture-resistant than GAP/AP and HTPB/AP over the temperature range –20 to 50° C, but below –40° C, where both CDB and GAP/AP are brittle, GAP/AP is more fracture-resistant than CDB (as observed in the elastic region). Although all the propellants are known to develop small cracks in the elastic and post-yield ductile regions of the load-displacement curve, the overall fracture behaviour is largely governed by viscoelastic properties (because the cracks close up in compression). The good mechanical properties of CDB, above the brittle-ductile transition temperature, can be attributed to the presence of a large-transition loss peak. In the composites, the fracture behaviour is also influenced to a lesser extent by the degree of filler-binder interactions. Dynamic mechanical analysis indicates that GAP/AP has a slightly higher degree of filler-binder interactions than HTPB/AP. A temperature-strain rate reduction has been obtained for the yield stress and the composite curve can be expressed by the equation _y =K ₁ +K ₂ log (ea _T ) whereK ₁ andK ₂ are constants anda _T is a shift factor.K ₂ is a material constant which reflects the temperature and strain-rate sensitivity.     

A note on the solution of a differential equation arising in boundary-layer theory

Summary The differential equation f + ff + f² = 0 (where dashes denote differentiation with respect to the independent variable ) subject to the boundary conditions f(0)=0, f()=0 and either f(0)=1 or f(0)=–1 is considered. It is shown that by using pf as dependent variable and =C–f (where C=f()) as independent variable and then expanding in powers of , a very good approximation to the solution can be obtained using only a few terms in the expansion.     

Heating of “thin” bodies in liquid media

Heating of thin (Bi0.25) bodies in liquid media is examined, taking into account crystallization and fusion at the body-medium interface.     

An induced interaction model for arbitrarily polarized Fermi systems

A model for calculating the interactions in arbitrarily spin-polarized Fermi systems is presented. Starting from the four-point vertex functions, the induced part of the interactions is deduced by explicitly treating the one-particle, one-hole irreducible diagrams and using some general crossing symmetry relations. Extrapolation away from the Fermi surface is carried out by replacing the particle-hole phase space by Lindhard functions in the crossed channel; consequently, calculation of the necessary - phase space function is presented. The longitudinal spin-density and density responses for polarized systems are obtained by diagrammatic means. A possible way of treating the direct part of the interactions using Born approximation is also discussed. Finally, the limits of the model for zero and full polarization are given.     

Single-Mode As–S Glass Fibers

Single-mode As–S glass fibers with a core diameter from 3 to 20 m and a clad diameter of 125 m are prepared by the double-crucible method. The cutoff wavelength of the fibers is 0.9–6 m. The lowest transmission losses in the fibers at 2.2–2.3 m are 100 dB/km, and their mean bending strength is 800–1000 MPa.     

Anisotropic spin diffusion and multiple spin echoes in3He-4He solutions

We propose a ₁-t₁-₂ pulse-NMR experiment to detect the spin-diffusion anisotropy, =D-D, in degenerate spin-polarized³He-⁴He mixtures, where D and dare the transverse and longitudinal spin diffusion coefficients. In such an experiment the nonlinearity of the dynamics produces multiple spin echoes (MSE). At the ³He concentration x₃ 4% the spinrotation parameter vanishes (M 0), so that the nonlinearity of the equations of motion is entirely due to the anisotropy. In this situation, detection of MSE amounts to observation of D. For slight anisotropy, i.e. D/D 0.25, we use a perturbation scheme similiar to that developed by Einzel et al. (in that case, for small M and small demagnetizing field) to calculate the second and third echo heights. For larger anisotropy we numerically calculate the echo heights. We find that for D/D = 0.5 the heights are 2 % of the first echo, and should be detectable. The (₁, ₂) tip-angle dependence of the D echoes is different from that of the M and demagnetization echoes, and furthermore, they occur at right angles to these echoes (in spin space). Thus, even when small spin-rotation and demagnetization effects are present, the ₁-t₁-₂ experiment provides a sensitive means of detecting the anisotropy.     

Growth of Gray Tin Crystals

A method is proposed for growing large -Sn single crystals without their disintegration as a result of the phase transition. -Sn crystals are prepared by freezing the closed system water–Sn–seed in such a way that the pressure exerted by the expanding ice minimizes the amount of -Sn nuclei and reduces the growth rate.     

The analysis of scientometric matrices for policy implications

A method is explained for analysing matrices of statistics where each element should be approximately proportional to some column coefficient and also to some row coefficient. Using U. S. patent data as an example it is shown that entries are usually proportional to country size and patent category size. Deviations from proportionality expectations when tabulated often suggest policy implications.     

Hall-Effect in LuNi2B2C and YNi2B2C Borocarbides in Normal and Superconducting Mixed States

It was shown that the Hall resistivity _xy for LuNi ₂ B ₂ C and YNi ₂ B ₂ C is negative in the normal and mixed states and has no sign reversal below T _c . In the mixed state the scaling relation _{xy xx} (_xx is the longitudinal resistivity) was found for both compounds with 2.0. In the normal state a distinct nonlinearity in the _xy(H) dependence, accompanied by a large magnetoresistance, was found below 40 K only for LuNi ₂ B ₂ C. The difference in the behaviour of Lu- and Y-based borocarbides seems to be connected with the difference in the Fermi surfaces of these compounds.     

Microstructural changes during ageing of Cu-2.5 wt% Ti

Microstructural changes in Cu-2.5wt % Ti during ageing at 573 and 773 K have been studied by transmission electron microscopy. Ageing times ranged from 60 sec to 200 h. Ordering of the precipitates was observed after very short ageing treatments at 773 K, and coarsening according tot ^1/3 was also observed from very early times. The particles were observed to become increasingly aligned into rod-like groups along 10 0 as ageing progressed. These results permit a new interpretation of the strengthening mechanisms in this alloy.     

Influence of Microstructure on the Strength and Cyclic Crack Resistance of Cast Irons

We study the influence of microstructure of high-strength cast irons of ferritic, ferritic-pearlitic, and pearlitic classes on the characteristics of strength and cyclic crack resistance and establish the relationship between the characteristics of strength and cyclic crack resistance and the chemical composition and microstructural parameters of the matrix and graphite inclusions of high-strength cast irons. Indeed, the ultimate strength _u = 750–850 MPa, fatigue threshold K _th = 8–10 MPa , and cyclic fracture toughness K _fc = 50–60 MPa are guaranteed by the pearlitic matrix and the following parameters of the graphite phase: the content of graphite f _p 10%, the degree of its spheroidization of about 95%, the size of globules d _gl 20–50 m, and the distance between them 40–70 m, obtained in high-strength cast irons containing (wt.%): 3.2–3.5 C, 1.9–2.5 Si, 0.35–0.4 Mn, and 0.05 Mg.     

Soft magnetic properties of NiFeTa thin films for biasing film applications in magnetoresistive elements

The effects of Ta addition on the magnetic properties of permalloy thin films have been investigated. The alloy compositions on a weight basis are (Ni₈₁Fe₁₉)_1-x Ta _x with 0 x 0.105, and the films are sputtered onto a glass substrate at between room temperature and 300 C. The saturation magnetization and anisotropic magnetic field decrease with increasing Ta content. The saturation magnetization is 0.75 T at 5 wt % Ta. The coercivity remains constant at 125 Am^-1. The electrical resistivity increases linearly with increasing Ta content, then saturates at approximately 7.5 wt% Ta. The saturation resistivity is approximately 1.00 m. The magnetoresistivity ratio (/) decreases with increasing Ta content, mainly due to increased electrical resistivity (). The magnetostriction changes from negative to positive with increasing Ta content and reaches nearly zero at 2 wt% Ta. The NiFeTa films containing 5–6 wt% Ta have potential for use as the soft-biasing film in magnetoresistive elements.     

Self-assembled germanium islands grown on (0 0 1) silicon substrates by low-pressure chemical vapor deposition

The time evolution of self-assembled Ge islands, during low-pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD) of Ge on Si at 650 °C using high growth rates, has been investigated by atomic force microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and Rutherford backscattering spectrometry. We have found three different island structures. The smallest islands are lens-shaped and characterized by a rather narrow size distribution, 4 nm high and 20 nm wide. Next to form are a distinct population of larger multifaceted dome-shaped islands, up to 25 nm high and 80–150 nm wide. Finally, the largest islands that form are square-based truncated pyramids with a very narrow size distribution, 50 nm high and 250 nm wide. The pyramidal islands normally seen in the intermediate size range (150 nm) are not observed. The small lens-shaped islands appear to be defect free, while some of the multifaceted islands as well as all the large truncated pyramids contain misfit dislocations. The existence of multifaceted islands, in the size range where pyramids have previously been reported and of truncated pyramids in the size range where multifaceted dome-shaped islands have previously been reported, is attributed to the high growth rate used. Furthermore, under the growth conditions used, the truncated-pyramid-shaped islands are characterized by a very narrow size distribution.     

Half-solitons in superfluid3He-A: Novel π/2-quanta of phase slippage

Core structures of nontopological solitons between inequivalent vacua in superfluid³He-A are considered. We analyze the symmetries of these A-A interfaces, and compute their hard-core structures in the Ginzburg-Landau regime. We discuss both domain walls where the orbital anisotropy l-vector is flipped (l–l), and those with the same l(x=–) and l(x=+) asymptotics. In particular, we find new classes of A-A boundaries: these novel /2-solitons, which can occur in the absence of a change in the asymptotic l-vector field, constitute the elementary quanta of phase slippage in superfluid³He-A. We ascribe these half-solitons to a new topological scenario for the flaring-out of vorticity in the extended (k, r)-space. Edges of such walls serve to provide vortices with 1/4 quantum of circulation in³He-A. In analogy with the B-B domain walls in superfluid³He-B, solitons of pure phase slippage by —with a normal core—prove unstable in³He-A; they either fission into a pair of ordinary l-solitons—domain walls with superfluid cores both flipping the orbital anisotropy axis (i.e., l–ll), or form a bound pair of walls, each of which constitutes an l-soliton with a phase shift of /2. Our investigation of the superfluid A-A vacuum interfaces may prove useful in a broader context since the A-A boundaries exemplify the possible domain walls relevant for the Higgs-field solitons (cosmic domain walls) within the Weinberg-Salam model.