Acousto-optic interaction in alpha-BaB(2)O(4)and Li(2)B(4)O(7) crystals

Experimental studies and analysis of acousto-optic diffraction in alpha-BaB(2)O(4) and Li(2)B(4)O(7) crystals are given. Ultrasonic wave velocity, elastic compliance and stiffness coefficients, and piezo-optic and photoelastic coefficients of alpha-BaB(2)O(4) and Li(2)B(4)O(7) crystals are determined. The acousto-optic figure of merit has been estimated for different possible geometries of acousto-optic interaction. It is shown that the acousto-optic figures of merit for alpha-BaB(2)O(4) crystals reach the value M(2)=(270 +/- 70) x 10(-15) s(3)/kg for the case of interaction with the slowest ultrasonic wave. The directions of propagation and polarization of those acoustic waves are obtained on the basis of construction of acoustic slowness surfaces. The acousto-optic diffraction is experimentally studied for alpha-BaB(2)O(4) and Li(2)B(4)O(7) crystals.     

Stabilization of Ferromagnetic Order in La(0.7)Sr(0.3)MnO(3)-SrRuO(3) Superlattices

The study of spatially confined complex oxides is of wide interest, since correlated electrons at interfaces might form exotic phases. Here La(0.7)Sr(0.3)MnO(3)/SrRuO(3) superlattices with coherently grown interfaces were studied by structural techniques, magnetization, and magnetotransport measurements. Magnetization measurements showed that ferromagnetic order in ultrathin La(0.7)Sr(0.3)MnO(3) layers is stabilized in the superlattices down to layer thicknesses of at least two unit cells. This stabilization is destroyed, if the ferromagnetic layers are separated by two unit cell thick SrTiO(3) layers. The resistivity of the superlattices showed metallic behavior and was dominated by the conducting SrRuO(3) layers, the off-diagonal resistivity showed an anomalous Hall effect from both SrRuO(3) and La(0.7)Sr(0.3)MnO(3) layers. This shows that the La(0.7)Sr(0.3)MnO(3) layers are not only ferromagnetic but also highly conducting; probably a conducting hole gas is induced at the interfaces that stabilizes the ferromagnetic order. This result opens up an alternative route for the fabrication of two-dimensional systems with long-range ferromagnetic order.     

An SANS Study of Decomposition Kinetics in Amorphous Cu_(12.5)Ni_(10)Zr_(41)Ti_(14)Be_(22.5)

Phase decomposition in amorphous Cu12.5Ni10Zr411Ti14Be22.5 alloy as annealed in the super-cooled liquid range was studied by applying small angle neutron scattering (SANS). As annealed between 600 K and 700 K, the alloy was observed to decompose into two new amorphous phases,with the second phase precipitates embedded in the matrix of the first. Long time annealing of the alloy results in crystallization in addition to evolution of the decomposed microstructure.The kinetic diagram of the decomposition and crystallization for this alloy is given. The second phase precipitates have several nanometers in size and occupy a quite low volume fraction. The decomposition of the supercooled liquid in overall temperature range exhibits the features of spinodal reaction.     

Resistive-switching behavior in polycrystalline CaCu(3)Ti(4)O(12) nanorods

Highly aligned CaCu(3)Ti(4)O(12) nanorod arrays were grown on Si/SiO(2)/Ti/Pt substrates by radio-frequency sputtering at a low deposition temperature of 300 °C and room temperature. Structural and morphological studies have shown that the nanostructures have a polycrystalline nature and are oriented perpendicular to the substrate. The high density of grain boundaries in the nanorods is responsible for the nonlinear current behavior observed in these arrays. The current-voltage (I-V) characteristics observed in nanorods were attributed to the resistive memory phenomenon. The electrical resistance of microcapacitors composed of CaCu(3)Ti(4)O(12) nanorods could be reversibly switched between two stable resistance states by varying the applied electric field. In order to explain this switching mechanism, a model based on the increase/decrease of electrical conduction controlled by grain boundary polarization has been proposed.     

La0.5Y0.5Ni4.8Mn0.1Al0.1和La0.5Y0.5Ni4.8Al0.2合金的储氢性能研究

针对两种新型稀土型储氢合金La0.5Y0.5Ni4.8Mn0.1Al0.1和La0.5Y0.5Ni4.8Al0.2的储氢特性进行研究分析。实验表明,相同温度下,La0.5Y0.5Ni4.8Mn0.1Al0.1和La0.5Y0.5Ni4.8Al0.2合金的PCT曲线基本重合,且都具有优良的吸氢动力学性能;相比之下,后者的滞后系数要小于前者,吸氢量较大,吸氢速率也较快,故其储氢性能较优。300次吸放氢循环实验结果表明,La0.5Y0.5Ni4.8Al0.2合金的吸氢动力学性能虽然略有下降,但抗粉化性能较好。     

Dy0.6Tb0.3Pr0.1(Fe0.95Mn0.05)x取向晶体的结构与磁致伸缩

采用Ｃｚｏｃｈｒａｌｓｋｉ方法生长了Ｄｙ０．６Ｔｂ０．３Ｐｒ０．１（Ｆｅ０．９５Ｍｎ０．０５）ｘ（１．８５≤ｘ≤１．９５）取向合金。所有合金主相为立方Ｌａｖｅｓ相结构,择优取向不完整择优取向的方向与Ｘ的大小有关。研究了沿着这些样品的生长方向的磁致伸缩性能以及磁致伸缩性能与压力之间的关系。     

Thermal Stability of Amorphous Hydride Mg_(50)Ni_(50)H_(54) and Mg_(30)Ni_(70)H_(45)

The thermal stability of amorphous ternary hydrides Mg_(50)Ni_(50)H_(54) and Mg_(30)Ni_(70)H_(45) and their corre-sponding amorphous binary alloys Mg_(50)Ni_(50) and Mg_(30)Ni_(70) were studied with X-ray diffraction(XRD) and differential scanning calorimetry(DSC). Samples of the amorphous alloys were preparedby mechanical alloying and the amorphous hydrides were obtained by charging the alloys with gas-eous hydrogen at 3.0 MPa and 423 K. It was found that the amorphous hydrides released most oftheir hydrogen before the crystallization of the essentially hydrogen depleted amorphous alloy. Thecrystallization temperature of amorphous Mg_(50)Ni_(50)H_(54) elevated and that of amorphousMg_(30)Ni_(70)H_(45) did not change in relation to the original binary amorphous alloy. This is very excep-tional for amorphous hydrides. The reason for the effects of hydrogen absorption/desorption on thecrystallization of amorphous alloys was discussed.     

Positron Annihilation Study on the Microstructural Stability in Rapidly Solidified Al_(92.3)Fe_(4.3)V_(0.7)Si_(1.7)Mm_(1.0) Alloy

Rapidly solidified Al92.3Fe4.3V0.7Si1.7Mm1.0 alloy has been studied by positron lifetime spectroscopy and the variations on the intedecial defects with the annealing temperature were revealed by an analysis of the lifetime results. The intedece characteristics derived from the positron-lifetime results could be used to give a satisfactory interpretation of the dependence of mechanical properties on the annealing temperature     

Pressure-induced preferential growth of nanocrystals in amorphous Nd(9)Fe(85)B(6)

Control over the growth and crystallographic orientation of nanocrystals in amorphous alloys is of particular importance for the development of advanced nanocrystalline materials. In the present study, Nd(2)Fe(14)B nanocrystals with a strong crystallographic texture along the [410] direction have been produced in Nd-lean amorphous Nd(9)Fe(85)B(6) under a high pressure of 6?GPa at 923?K. This is attributed to the high pressure inducing the preferential growth of Nd(2)Fe(14)B nanocrystals in the alloy. The present study demonstrates the potential application of high-pressure technology in controlling nanocrystalline orientation in amorphous alloys.     

(How) Do (Firms in) Clusters Create Knowledge?

The literature on clusters and cluster building has been rapidly growing both in academic and policy-making circles. Central to this interest and body of work has been the assumption that location in clusters helps firms to exchange, acquire and generate new knowledge. Since knowledge is increasingly believed to be the basis of firm competitiveness clustered firms and industries will outperform others. This paper sets out to examine the evidence for propositions regarding the knowledge-enhancing qualities of clusters by reviewing the literature with the expressed intention of examining whether such claims in fact rest upon rigorous and verifiable empirical findings. In order to do this we extract from the theoretical literature on clusters three hypothetical arguments for the knowledge creating and competitiveness generating power of clusters: knowledge in clusters is created through various forms of local inter-organizational collaborative interaction; knowledge in clusters is created through increased competition and intensified rivalry; knowledge in clusters is created through spillover following from the local mobility and sociability of individuals. The paper goes on to assess and evaluate the number and rigour of empirical cases supporting these types of argument.     

Low-field magnetoresistance effect in core-shell structured La(0.7) Sr(0.3) CoO(3) nanoparticles

Core-shell structured La(0.7) Sr(0.3) CoO(3) nanoparticles are synthesized and their magnetic and magneto-transport properties are investigated. In these core-shell La(0.7) Sr(0.3) CoO(3) nanoparticles, the cores are single-crystalline and ferromagnetic, whereas the shells are noncrystalline and predominantly paramagnetic. Moreover, the insulating-like shells can serve as a good spin tunneling barrier. Therefore, in such a special core-shell structure, the spin-polarized interparticle tunneling is improved due to the existence of shells, which thus induces an enhanced low-field magnetoresistance effect.     

Reduction of neptunium(V) and uranium(VI) with iron(II) in bicarbonate solutions

Reaction of Np(VI) compounds with Fe(II) in bicarbonate solutions was studied. Reaction of Np(V) with Fe(II) in the presence of phthalate ions was briefly considered. Iron(II) compounds reduce Np(V) compounds in solutions saturated with Ar or CO₂ at any concentrations of bicarbonate ion. At [Na(K)HCO₃] > 0.86 M, Np(V) is reduced during mixing the reactants and recording the spectra. The reaction of Fe(II) with Np(V) in dilute bicarbonate solutions is substantially slower, probably owing to a sharp decrease in the solubility of the Np(V) carbonate complexes. The solubility of the Np(V) compounds increases after saturation of the dilute bicarbonate solutions with CO₂. However, in this case reduction remains slow. Uranium(VI) carbonate complexes are reduced with Fe(II) compounds in dilute bicarbonate solutions. The reaction products formed at elevated temperatures are UO₂ and FeOOH.     

Phase Relationship in (Dy_(0.65)Tb_(0.25)Pr_(0.1))Fe_x Alloys (1.6≤x≤2.1)

The microstructure and phase relationship of (Dy0.65Tb0.25Pr0.1)Fex alloys in the composition range of 1.6≤x≤2.1 were investigated using optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction , DTA and EPMA techniques. The variations of microstructure and lattice parameter with the iron content,the effect of heat treatment on the microstructure and the phase relationship have been studied.The phase relationship in the vicinity of the Laves phase is proposed     

Zr65Al7.5Ni10Cu15Co2.5合金的玻璃转变温度

根据Ｚｒ６５Ａｌ７。５Ｎｉ１０Ｃｕ１５Ｃｏ２。５合金的纳米晶，晶体，液体和玻璃比热的测量结果，研究了合金的玻璃转变温度与全金的热力学函数，动力学参数以及加热速度的关系。结果表明，非晶态合金玻璃转变所需转变激活能很小，玻璃转变温度实际上是由于加热速度引起的不同状态的玻璃与液体的热力学平衡温度。     

Nanomechanical characterization of one-step combustion-synthesized Al(4)B(2)O(9) and Al(18)B(4)O(33) nanowires

Two kinds of aluminum borate nanowires, Al(4)B(2)O(9) and Al(18)B(4)O(33), were successfully synthesized by a one-step combustion method through control of the Al:B atomic ratio and synthesis temperature. Both nanowires are single crystalline but have distinguishing growth habits. Nanoindentation tests were performed directly on individual nanowires to reveal their mechanical properties. A 70% reduction in elastic modulus was found in Al(18)B(4)O(33) nanowires compared with their bulk counterpart. Al(18)B(4)O(33) nanowires exhibited higher hardness and elastic modulus than Al(4)B(2)O(9) nanowires.     

Natural Passivity of Amorphous Fe_(40)Ni_(40)P_(14)B_6 and Fe_(54.6)Ni_(38)Si_(4.1)B_(2.3)V_1 Alloys

The natural passive films forrned on Fe_(40)Ni_(40)P_(14)B_6 and Fe_(54.6)Ni_(38)Si_(4.1)B_(2.3)V_1 amorphous alloys long-term exposed in air have been studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Auger electron (including Ar+ ion depth profiling) spectroscopy (AES). The following aspects have been investigated: (1) chemical states of the elements in the films. binding energies and the chemical shifts measured by XPSf (2) structure and composition of the films fand (3) thickness of the passive films determined by AES depth profiling and XPS analysis.     

Stress-Induced Martensitic Transformation of Zr_(50)Cu_(25)Ni_(10)Co_(15) Nanocrystals Embedded in an Amorphous Matrix

The stress induced martensitic phase transformation of spherical ZrCu nanocrystals embedded in an amorphous matrix was studied in this paper. Microstructural observations revealed that the martensitic transformation of the nanocrystal was hindered by the surrounding amorphous coating. The existence of two-step transformation from the austenite phase(B2) to the base structure martensite(B19') and finally to the most stable superstructure martensite(Cm) was also demonstrated. The Cm martensite with(021) type I twinning symmetrically accommodation was surrounded by the B19' martensite with dislocation morphologies.     

Coprecipitation of neptunium(IV) and plutonium(IV) with hydrolyzed iron(III) in carbonate solutions

In regeneration of Np(IV)-and Pu(IV)-containing recycled solvent by treatment with aqueous sodium carbonate contaminated with iron, some portion of Np(IV) and Pu(IV) coprecipitates with hydrolyzed iron. The degree of coprecipitation of Np and Pu depends on both the iron and sodium carbonate concentrations. The presence of n-dibutyl hydrogen phosphate in the recycled solvent before its regeneration does not noticeably affect the coprecipitation of Np and Pu. The possible mechanisms of coprecipitation of actinides with hydrolyzed iron in carbonate solutions are discussed.