Use of a transverse nanosecond discharge at the prebreakdown electron ionization multiplication stage for selective excitation of neon atoms

An investigation is made of the characteristics of a transverse nanosecond discharge in Ne/SF₆ and He/Ne/SF₆ mixtures at the prebreakdown electron ionization multiplication stage. The conditions needed to obtain a stable transverse discharge with ultraviolet spark preionization are studied as well as the spectral and temporal characteristics of the plasma radiation. It is shown that this transverse discharge burning regime may be promising for the selective excitation of neon atoms which may be used to develop an electric-discharge, λ=585.3 nm, Ne(3s–3p) plasma laser. Pis’ma Zh. Tekh. Fiz. 24, 85–90 (January 12, 1998)     

Emissive characteristics of mesa-stripe lasers (λ=3.0–3.6 μm) made from InGaAsSb/InAsSbP double heterostructures

The directional patterns, current-voltage characteristics, and spectral characteristics of mesastripe lasers with InGaAsSb active layers, emitting at λ=3.0–3.6 μm (77 K) and having threshold currents ≥15 mA (j _th≥200 A/cm²), are investigated. The maximum output power is 1.4 mW (λ∼3.3 μm), the differential quantum efficiency ∼3%(τ=5–30 μs, f=500 Hz) for lasing in a longitudinal mode with beam divergences ΔΘ∥∼15° and ΔΘ ⊥ ∼30°. The relationship of the differential quantum efficiency to the order of the spatial mode of the lasing is demonstrated. A single-mode, current-tunable (−30 cm⁻¹/A) laser is used to measure the transmission of methane in the region of the ν ₃ absorption band. Pis’ma Zh. Tekh. Fiz. 24, 40–45 (June 26, 1998)     

Effective HF(DF) lasers pumped by nonchain chemical reaction initiated by self-sustained discharge

We have studied the regimes of electric-discharge nonchain HF(DF) lasers using inductive and capacitive energy stores and determined optimum excitation conditions. On this basis, discharge-initiated HF and DF lasers have been created, which are characterized by a high specific energy output, high internal efficiency (∼10 and ∼7% of the electric input energy, respectively), and good technical efficiency (∼6 and ∼5% of the total stored energy, respectively).     

AlGaAsSb lasers emitting in the 1.6 μm region

AlGaAsSb lasers with different Al concentrations in the active and confinement regions are fabricated and investigated. The structures lase in the region ∼1.6 μm. The AlGaAsSb solid solution in the active region is a direct-gap material with a small energy separation (∼56 meV) between the direct-gap Γ minimum and the indirect-gap L minimum of the conduction band. The lasers have a single-mode spectrum with a predominant longitudinal mode in the spatial distribution of the emission. The lasers operate at room temperature in a pulsed mode. Pis’ma Zh. Tekh. Fiz. 25, 35–41 (May 26, 1999)     

Production of high-current electron beams in an explosive-emission diode at gas pressures ∼ 10− 2–10−1 torr

Data on production of electron beams with ∼200 keV electrons and above ∼100 A beam current in a diode with an explosive-emission cathode at background gas pressures ∼10⁻²−10⁻¹ torr are presented. Discharge regimes with high-voltage stage duration up to 500–800 ns at 10⁻² torr and 80 ns at 10⁻¹ torr have been obtained. The duration of the electron beam behind a 50 μm thick titanium foil was equal to 200 and 400 ns, respectively, and was limited by the transmittance of the foil. Pis’ma Zh. Tekh. Fiz. 24, 88–92 (January 26, 1998)     

Characteristics of a submicrosecond transverse discharge in mixtures of helium with N2 and CO molecules and xenon atoms

An investigation is made of the electrical and optical characteristics of a moderate-pressure transverse discharge in typical active media of infrared CO lasers. The discharge was ignited in a system of unprofiled “ grid-plane” electrodes with automatic ultraviolet preionization by a corona discharge and had a 2×3 cm aperture. The pulse repetition frequency was 1–10 Hz, the current pulse length was ≤0.5 μs, and the pressure of the working mixtures was 10–100 kPa. Studies were made of the transverse discharge current voltage pulses, and also the spectral and temporal characteristics of the plasma radiation in N₂:CO, He:N₂:CO, and He: N₂:CO:Xe mixtures in the ultraviolet and visible ranges. Pis’ma Zh. Tekh. Fiz. 23, 71–76 (October 12, 1997)     

Formation of nanoscale tungsten oxide structures and colouration characteristics

In this work, pH dependent evolution of tungsten oxide (WO₃) nanostructures is being reported along with physical characteristics. The synthesis was carried out via an inexpensive solvothermal cum chemical reduction route, with sodium tungstate (Na₂WO₄) and cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (C₁₉H₄₂NBr) as main reactants. The X-ray diffraction, together with transmission electron microscopic studies have revealed formation of regular polyhedral nanocrystalline structures and fractals as one goes from higher pH (= 5·5) to lower pH (= 2) values. The average crystallite size, as calculated through Williamson–Hall plots, was varied within 2·8–6·8 nm for different pH samples. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy reveals in-plane bending vibration δ (W–OH), observable at ∼1630 cm^− 1 and strong stretching ν (W–O–W) located at ∼814 cm^− 1. Raman spectroscopy has divulged WO₃ Raman active optical phonon modes positioned at ∼717 and 805 cm^− 1. The thermochromic and photochromic properties of the nanoscale WO₃ sample prepared at pH = 5·5, are also highlighted.     

Low-temperature nitriding of titanium in low-energy electron beam excited plasma

The effect of an electron beam and the related plasma on the structure, phase state, and microhardness of the surface of titanium has been studied in a broad range of beam currents (0.1–2.5 A), electron energies (0.1–1 keV), and gas pressures (0.01–1 Pa). This range was ensured by the grid stabilization of emissive properties of the plasma electron source, which formed a wide (∼40 cm²) electron beam in a space charge layer between the beam-excited plasma and the grid bounding the plasma cathode. The sample temperature (350–900°C) was determined by the electron beam parameters. The plasma density was additionally controlled by changing the gas (N₂ or Ar-N₂ mixture) pressure. It is established that, during the low-temperature nitriding process in low-energy electron beam plasma, the ion sputtering significantly affects the microhardness of a processed surface and the rate of growth of the hardened layer thickness. The possibility of nitriding at a low (−50 V) or floating potential of the sample eliminates the development of a surface relief and allows the process to be carried out in deep and narrow slits.     

Structure and properties of diffusion bonded transition joints between commercially pure titanium and type 304 stainless steel using a nickel interlayer

The solid-state diffusion bonding was carried out between commercially pure titanium and Type 304 stainless steel using nickel as an interlayer in the temperature range of 800–900 °C for 9 ks under 3 MPa load in vacuum. The transition joints thus formed were characterized in the optical and scanning electron microscopes. The inter-diffusion of the chemical species across the diffusion interfaces were evaluated by electron probe microanalysis. TiNi₃, TiNi and Ti₂Ni are formed at the nickel–titanium (Ni–Ti) interface; however, the stainless steel–nickel (SS–Ni) diffusion interface is free from intermetallic compounds up to 850 °C temperature. At 900 °C, the Ni–Ti interface exhibits the presence of α-β Ti discrete islands in the matrix of Ti₂Ni and λ + χ + α-Fe, λ + FeTi and λ + FeTi + β-Ti phase mixtures occur at the SS–Ni interface. The occurrence of different intermetallics are confirmed by the x-ray diffraction technique. The maximum tensile strength of ∼276 MPa and shear strength of ∼209 MPa along with 7.3% elongation were obtained for the diffusion couple processed at 850 °C. At the 900 °C joining temperature, the formation of Fe–Ti base intermetallics reduces the bond strength. Evaluation of the fracture surfaces using scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy demonstrates that failure takes place through Ni–Ti interface up to 850 °C and through the SS–Ni interface of the joint when processed at 900 °C.     

Membrane oscillations in the channel of a steady-state plasma thruster

Extremely strong low-frequency oscillations (∼35 kHz) predicted earlier were observed experimentally in the channel of a steady-state plasma thruster. These oscillations are mainly caused by fluctuations of the electron temperature and affect the ion beam divergence. Pis’ma Zh. Tekh. Fiz. 25, 64–68 (June 12, 1999)     

Formation of magnetic nanosize gratings in the illumination of thin-film Fe-Cr mixtures by interfering laser beams

The conditions for formation of nanosize gratings (∼100 nm) of ferromagnetic stripes in the illumination of thin-film (10–15 nm) paramagnetic Fe-Cr mixtures by interfering beams from an excimer laser are investigated. The ferromagnetic ordering arises as a result of the thermally stimulated clustering of Fe atoms. The gratings are formed in a certain energy interval of the laser radiation. The width of this interval depends substantially on both the interference period and the illumination time τ _i. For τ _i=10 ns there exists an energy interval in which gratings with periods as small as 300 nm are formed. Pis’ma Zh. Tekh. Fiz. 24, 13–20 (June 26, 1998)     

Structure of a picosecond electron beam inside a vacuum diode

The structure of a picosecond (∼150 ps) electron beam in the cathode-anode gap of a vacuum diode is determined. The electron beam is modeled in the form of flat quasiparticles with a definite charge density which follow one after another in equal time intervals. It is shown that the expansion of concentric layers of the beam under the action of the electric and magnetic self-fields strongly depends on the current strength. The experimental confirmation of the computed estimates is illustrated by recording the structure of the electron beam at the anode using a film which is sensitive to electron radiation. Pis’ma Zh. Tekh. Fiz. 25, 39–45 (September 26, 1999)     

Plasma parameters of an electron cyclotron resonance discharge in a magnetic mirror in a quasi-gasdynamic confinement regime

An experimental investigation is made of x-ray bremsstrahlung in the 2–10 keV range of a pulsed discharge under electron cyclotron resonance conditions in a straight magnetic mirror system pumped by a high-power millimeter radiation beam. The plasma temperature and density were determined from the spectrum and intensity of the x-rays. The results indicate that a quasi-gasdynamic plasma confinement regime is achieved. Pis’ma Zh. Tekh. Fiz. 25, 90–93 (July 26, 1999)     

Formation of optoelectronic structures based on InAsSb/InAsSbP solid solutions

An etchant having the composition HCl/CrO₃ /HF/H₂O is proposed for fabricating optoelectronic devices (lasers, light-emitting diodes, and photodiodes) based on InAs solid solutions for the 3–5 μm spectral range. It is shown that the proposed etchant ensures isotropic rates of etching of InAs and GaInAsSb, InAsSPbP, and InAsSb solid solutions of varying composition. An example is given of the use of this etchant to produce high-power light-emitting diodes for the 3.3 μm spectral range. Pis’ma Zh. Tekh. Fiz. 24, 27–33 (August 12, 1998)     

Formation of ArCl(B) molecules in a transverse volume discharge

Results of optimizing a λ=175 nm ArCl(B-X) emitter pumped by a transverse volume discharge are presented. The formation of ArCl(B) molecules was investigated in a plasma formed by mixtures of rare gases with HCl and Cl₂ molecules. It is shown that the Cl₂ molecule is the most efficient chlorine carrier and that neon at pressures ≥ 50 kPa is the most efficient buffer gas. Pis’ma Zh. Tekh. Fiz. 25, 29–33 (June 12, 1999)     

Magnetoresistance of nanobridges of lanthanum-strontium manganite

Nanobridges are fabricated from lanthanum-strontium anganite deposited on Si₃N₄ membranes perforated by a focused ion beam. The magnetoresistance is ≈9% in fields of ∼ kOe. Nonlinearity of the current-voltage characteristic of the bridges is observed, and it is found that the maximum of the resistance is shifted to lower temperatures from that of a control film sample of composition La_0.8Sr_0.2MnO₃. Pis’ma Zh. Tekh. Fiz. 25, 42–50 (May 26, 1999)     

In situ examination of the chemical etching of SiO2-Si structures using an atomic force microscope

First results are reported of in situ visualization of the chemical etching of P⁺-ion implanted SiO₂-Si structures in an aqueous HF solution using an atomic force microscope. The rates of SiO₂ etching were determined and the kinetics of the photostimulated chemical etching of Si were investigated. Pis’ma Zh. Tekh. Fiz. 24, 81–86 (November 12, 1998)     

Giant change in the optical absorption of an La0.35Pr0.35Ca0.3MnO3 film near a metal-insulator transition and its possible application

The absorption spectra of a single-crystal La_0.35Pr_0.35Ca_0.3MnO₃ film were studied in the spectral range 0.1–1.6 eV at temperatures between 80 and 295 K. The metal-insulator transition in the temperature range 160–180K was accompanied by an abrupt increase in the intensity of the transmitted light by a factor of ∼400. An applied magnetic field of 0.8 T causes a 55% relative change in the intensity near the transition. The prospects for using these effects to create magnetically controlled optical devices are considered. Pis’ma Zh. Tekh. Fiz. 25, 6–13 (July 26, 1999)     

Possible use of two-dimensional Bragg structures in an FEL amplifier powered by a sheet electron beam

It is shown that two-dimensional doubly-periodic Bragg structures can be used effectively in the amplification schemes of free electron lasers powered by sheet relativistic electron beams. The presence of such a structure ensures spatial coherence of radiation from different parts of the electron beam when the input signal propagates across the electron flux. Theoretical analysis shows that the gain in the regenerative scheme can reach 50 dB. Pis’ma Zh. Tekh. Fiz. 25, 87–95 (October 12, 1999)     

Ti:Al2O3 laser pumped by radiation from a copper-vapor laser

A scheme enabling spatial matching of copper-vapor laser radiation, which pumps a mode of an Al₂O₃:Ti laser cavity, has been developed and implemented. It is shown that copper vapor lasers as pump sources for titanium-sapphire lasers are fully capable of competing with conventional pump sources. Pis’ma Zh. Tekh. Fiz. 25, 6–11 (September 26, 1999)