Nb3Al AND Nb3(Al,Ge) SUPERCONDUCTING TAPES BY LASER BEAM ANNEALING

Nb₃Al AND Nb₃(Al,Ge) tapes with excellent superconducting properties have been fabricated using high energy density laser beam irradiation, irradiations were carried out continuously on Nb-25at%AI and Nb-20at%Al -5at%Ge tapes prepared by powder metallurgical processing. With the high power density and short irradiation time, the tape could be heated and cooled much faster than a tape heat treated by conventional methods. The results were fine structure and large critical current density J_c values at high magnetic fields. J_c at 23 Tesla was over 10⁴ A/cm². This value was much greater than that obtained from a commercial Nb₃Sn superconductor. New continuous irradiation systems have been developed for scale-up development. Nb₃Al tapes 10 m in length were successfully fabricated. There was some scatter in J_c along the tape length. Small coil tests in magnetic fields indicated that the tape had excellent stability against a flux jump and mechanical strain.     

Enhancement of Er I13/2 population in Y2O3 by energy transfer to Ce

We report measurements of the energy transfer between Er³⁺ and Ce³⁺ in Y₂O₃. The transition between the Er^{3+ 4}I_11/2 and ⁴I_13/2 excited states can be stimulated by energy transfer to Ce³⁺, augmenting the population in the ⁴I_13/2 state at the expense of that in the ⁴I_11/2 state. Experiments were performed on Y₂O₃ planar waveguides doped with 0.2 at.% erbium and 0–0.42 at.% cerium by ion implantation. From measurements of Er³⁺ decay rates as a function of cerium concentration we derive an energy transfer rate constant of 1.3×10⁻¹⁸ cm³/s. The efficiency of the energy transfer amounts to 0.47 at 0.42 at.% cerium. The energy transfer rate constant measured in Y₂O₃ is two times smaller for Er³⁺→Ce³⁺ than that for Er³⁺→Eu³⁺ in the same material.     

Long lasting phosphorescence of Sr4Al14O25:Eu,Dy thin films by magnetron sputtering

This paper reports the preparation process and the long lasting phosphorescence of the Sr₄Al₁₄O₂₅:Eu²⁺,Dy³⁺ thin films obtained by magnetron sputtering. Phosphorescence was achieved by annealing the films in reducing atmosphere. Sr₄Al₁₄O₂₅ thin film was obtained when the films were treated at 1200 °C, while SrAl₂O₄ was generated as the intermediate phase during the annealing process. Sr₄Al₁₄O₂₅:Eu²⁺,Dy³⁺ film generated an emission at 485 nm, and SrAl₂O₄:Eu²⁺,Dy³⁺ film showed an emission peaking at 515 nm. Afterglow characteristics were observed for both films, and Sr₄Al₁₄O₂₅:Eu²⁺,Dy³⁺ film showed a better afterglow property than the SrAl₂O₄:Eu²⁺,Dy³⁺ film due to a deeper trap level and a higher trap concentration formed in the thin films.     

Characterization of fluorine-doped silicon dioxide film by Raman spectroscopy

We have measured Raman spectra of fluorine-doped SiO₂ (SiOF) films and quartz glass. From a comparison between Raman spectra of the SiO₂ film and quartz glass, it has been found that the SiO₂ film is under compressive stress and that it has more threefold ring defects than quartz glass. Raman bands from threefold and fourfold ring defects in SiOF films become week as the fluorine/oxygen (F/O) ratio increases and as the stress decreases. The decrease of intensities of these Raman bands shows that ring defects in SiOF films decrease as the F/O ratio increases and as the stress decreases. The triply degenerated ω₄ mode at 460 cm⁻¹ becomes sharp as the F/O ratio increases and as the stress decreases. Furthermore, the peak-frequency of ω₁ mode around 820 cm⁻¹ decreases with a decrease of stresses whereas that of ω₃ mode around 1065 cm⁻¹ increases. These results can be well understood in terms of a decrease of O-Si-O bonding angle caused by relaxation of stresses.     

Sputtered Ta2O5 antireflection coatings for silicon solar cells

Ta₂O₅ thin films were deposited onto monocrystalline silicon surfaces by magnetron reactive sputtering. When the Ta₂O₅ films are employed as antireflection coatings, the reflectance of the original silicon surface diminishes from about 30% to approximately 3%. At the same time, a very low absorption coefficient (less than 10³ cm^-1) for the Ta₂O₅ films below their fundamental absorption edge (hv < 4.2 eV) is obtained from reflectance and transmittance spectra of Ta₂O₅ deposited onto quartz substrates. Finally, the technique of reactive sputtering is considered from the point of view of preparing antireflection coatings for solar cells.     

Y3+掺杂Li4Ti5O12负极材料的电荷输运特性及电化学性能研究

以Li₂CO₃与锐钛矿型TiO₂为原料,六水合硝酸钇（Y（NO₃）₃·6H₂O）为钇源,采用球磨辅助固相法合成了Li₄Ti_5-xY_xO₁₂（x=0,0.05,0.10,0.15,0.20）负极材料。通过X射线衍射分析（XRD）、扫描电镜（SEM）、能谱仪（EDS）与X射线光电子能谱（XPS）分别对材料的物相与形貌进行表征分析,并利用电化学工作站对材料的电化学性能与电荷输运特性进行测试。结果表明,Y³⁺掺杂没有影响尖晶石型Li₄Ti₅O₁₂（LTO）材料的尖晶石结构,x=0.15时,Li₄Ti_4.85Y_0.15O₁₂样品的离子与电子电导率分别为2.68×10^-7 S·cm^-1和1.49×10^-9 S·cm^-1,比本征材料提升了1个数量级,表现出良好的电荷输运特性。电化学测试表明,Li₄Ti_4.85Y_0.15O₁₂样品在0.1 C倍率首次放电比容量可达171 mAh·g^-1,且在10 C与20 C高倍率下仍然拥有102 mAh·g^-1和79 mAh·g^-1的较高比容量,循环200周次后容量保持率分别为92.6%和89.1%,表现出良好的倍率特性。     

An aqueous ZnCl2/Fe(bpy)3Cl2 flow battery with mild electrolyte

The kinetics of electrode reaction was investigated by cyclic voltammetry, and cyclic voltammograms show that the reversibility of the Fe(bpy)₃²⁺/Fe(bpy)₃³⁺ electrode reaction is better than that of the Zn/Zn²⁺ electrode reaction on the graphite disc. However, the Fe(bpy)₃²⁺ ion diffusion in electrolyte is subject to greater resistance than that of the Zn²⁺ ion one. The stability of the Fe(bpy)₃Cl₂ solution was investigated by UV–vis spectroscopy, and the performance of a mild redox flow battery employing ZnCl₂ and Fe(bpy)₃Cl₂ in the NaCl aqueous solution with various membranes as the separator was also investigated. It was found that the Celgard 3501 membrane cannot effectively prevent Fe(bpy)₃²⁺ ions from leaking into anolyte, leading to the rapid failure of the flow battery. Although the Nafion 115 membrane can be polluted by Fe(bpy)₃²⁺ ions, it is not invalidated. The Nafion 115 membrane shows good selectivity, which can avoid Fe(bpy)₃²⁺ ions from leakage into anolyte. The ZnCl₂/Fe(bpy)₃Cl₂ flow battery with the Nafion 115 membrane exhibits the capacity retention of 80% after 200 cycles.     

Pt Content Dependence of the Switching Field Distributions of CoPtCr-SiO2 Perpendicular Media Characterized by Subtracting the Effect of Thermal Agitation

The switching field distributions (SFD) of CoPtCr-SiO₂ perpendicular media as a function of Pt content were characterized by subtracting the effect of thermal agitation, and discussed in relation to the microstructure. DC demagnetizing (DCD) magnetization curves and minor dc demagnetizing (M-DCD) magnetization curves were measured at applied field sweep rates of ~10 Oe/s and ~10⁸ Oe/s. We estimated the width of SFD, DeltaSFD, from the difference between the DCD and M-DCD curves, and defined them as DeltaH_r/H_r (at ~ 10 Oe/s) and DeltaH_r ^P/H_r ^P (at ~10⁸ Oe/s). The values of DeltaSFD characterized by subtracting the effect of thermal agitation, DeltaH ₀/H₀, were nearly half those of DeltaH_r /H_r for 10-nm-thick media. DeltaH₀/H₀ was about 0.10 at 10 at%Pt content, and increased as the Pt content increased, reaching 0.17 at 30 at%Pt content. The increase in DeltaH₀/H₀ was probably caused by an increase in the stacking fault density and the formation of fcc layers in the hcp CoPtCr lattice. A simple calculation based on the coherent switching of magnetization revealed that the c-axis distribution results in DeltaH ₀/H₀ of about 0.08, independent of Pt content. These results suggest that the DeltaSFD due to the grain-to-grain anisotropy field variation was small, only 0.02-0.03     

一步水热合成Sm3+-SrTiO3/TiO2复合纳米纤维及可见光催化性能

以电纺TiO₂纳米纤维为基体和反应物,通过一步水热法,将SrTiO₃原位构筑在TiO₂纳米纤维表面的同时将稀土Sm³⁺掺入SrTiO₃中,合成了Sm³⁺-SrTiO₃/TiO₂复合纳米纤维光催化材料.利用XRD、XPS、FESEM和HRTEM等测试手段对样品进行了表征.以罗丹明B和对氯苯酚模拟有机污染物进行光催化降解.结果表明：稀土Sm³⁺掺杂进入SrTiO₃晶格取代Sr²⁺,在SrTiO₃禁带内形成杂质能级,拓宽了光谱响应范围;同时在SrTiO₃晶格内引入了缺陷位,成为电子的捕获中心,降低了载流子的复合几率;而SrTiO₃与TiO₂复合形成异质结,进一步提高了光生电子-空穴的分离程度,Sm³⁺-SrTiO₃/TiO₂复合纳米纤维表现出良好的可见光催化活性。     

Optimization of spectroscopic properties of Yb-doped refractory sesquioxides: cubic Y2O3, Lu2O3 and monoclinic Gd2O3

Absorption and emission spectra are given for Yb³⁺-doped Y₂O₃, Lu₂O₃ and Gd₂O₃ at room temperature. Y₂O₃ and Lu₂O₃ as close cubic matrices, show Yb³⁺ similar spectra different of Yb³⁺ in Gd₂O₃ monoclinic structure. Here, we use a new method to study and optimize the main spectroscopic properties with only one concentration gradient sample. Finally, assignments of Yb³⁺ Stark levels and Raman vibrations in Y₂O₃, Lu₂O₃ and Gd₂O₃ single crystal are given.     

Insertion/extraction reactions of lithium with LiV2O4

Lithium has been inserted into, and extracted from, the spinel Li_1.0V₂O₄ both electrochemically and chemically. Electrochemical and structural data show that in the system Li_1+xV₂O₄, for 0 < x ≤ 0.5, Li⁺ ions are inserted into the interstitial octahedral sites of the A_tet[B₂]_octX₄ spinel structure. At x ≈ 0.5, Li⁺ ions in the tetrahedral A-sites are displaced into the remaining octahedral sites to yield, at x = 1, a rocksalt phase Li₂V₂O₄; the [B₂]X₄ framework is unperturbed by the lithiation process. This framework also remains intact when Li⁺ ions are removed from Li_1.0V₂O₄ to a composition Li_0.67V₂O₄. Further extraction of lithium from the structure is accompanied by migration of some vanadium ions from the B-sites to the interstitial octahedral sites of the spinel structure. This process reduces the crystal symmetry from cubic to trigonal symmetry. In Li_0.27V₂O₄ the structure resembles that of Li_0.22VO₂, obtained by delithiation of layered LiVO₂, in which the vanadium cations are distributed in a 2:1 ratio between alternate cubic-close-packed oxygen layers; in the LiV₂O₄ spinel this ratio is 3:1.     

In situ co-precipitation synthesis and photoluminescence of YxGd1−xVO4:Tm microcrystalline phosphors by hybrid precursors

Y_xGd_1−xVO₄:Tm³⁺ (5 mol%) phosphors were prepared by in situ co-precipitation technology with the different content ratio of Y/Gd (x = 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.8, respectively). During the process, rare earth coordination polymers with o-hydroxylbenzoate were used as precursors, composing with polyethylene glycol (PEG) as dispersing media. After heat-treatment of the resulting multicomponent hybrid precursors at 900 °C, the samples were obtained. SEM indicated the particles present good crystalline state, whose crystalline grain sizes were about 0.2–2 μm. Under the excitation of 257 nm, all the materials show the characteristic emission of Tm³⁺ which is the strong blue emission centered at 475 nm originating from ¹G₄ → ³H₆ of Tm³⁺. Besides this, concentration quenching appears in the system of YVO₄:Tm³⁺ and GdVO₄:Tm³⁺. And when x reaches 0.5, the system of Y_xGd_1−xVO₄:Tm³⁺ shows the strongest blue emission.     

SrTiO3/TiO2 heterostructure nanowires with enhanced electron--hole separation for efficient photocatalytic activity

Heterostructure is an effective strategy to facilitate the charge carrier separation and promote the photocatalytic performance. In this paper, uniform SrTiO₃ nanocubes were in-situ grown on TiO₂ nanowires to construct heterojunctions. The composites were prepared by a facile alkaline hydrothermal method and an in-situ deposition method. The obtained SrTiO₃/TiO₂ exhibits much better photocatalytic activity than those of pure TiO₂ nanowires and commercial TiO₂ (P25) evaluated by photocatalytic water splitting and decomposition of Rhodamine B (RB). The hydrogen generation rate of SrTiO₃/TiO₂ nanowires could reach 111.26 mmol·g⁻¹·h⁻¹ at room temperature, much better than those of pure TiO₂ nanowires (44.18 mmol·g⁻¹·h⁻¹) and P25 (35.77 mmol·g⁻¹·h⁻¹). The RB decomposition rate of SrTiO₃/TiO₂ is 7.2 times of P25 and 2.4 times of pure TiO₂ nanowires. The photocatalytic activity increases initially and then decreases with the rising content of SrTiO₃, suggesting an optimum SrTiO₃/TiO₂ ratio that can further enhance the catalytic activity. The improved photocatalytic activity of SrTiO₃/TiO₂ is principally attributed to the enhanced charge separation deriving from the SrTiO₃/TiO₂ heterojunction.     

Influence of rare-earth oxides on structure and crystallization properties of Bi2O3–B2O3 glass

Bi₂O₃·B₂O₃ glasses doped with rare-earth oxides (RE₂O₃) (RE³⁺ = La³⁺, Pr³⁺, Sm³⁺, Gd³⁺, Er³⁺ and Yb³⁺) were prepared by the melting–quenching method. The relationships between composition and properties were demonstrated by IR, DSC, XRD and SEM analysis. The results show that the network structure resembles that of undoped Bi₂O₃·B₂O₃ glass, composing of [BO₃], [BO₄] and [BiO₆] units. RE₂O₃ stabilizes the glass structure as a modifier. Transition temperature (T_g) increases linearly with cationic field strength (CFS) of RE³⁺. La₂O₃, Pr₂O₃, Sm₂O₃ and Gd₂O₃ are benefit to promote the formation of BiBO₃ crystal. When Er₂O₃ and Yb₂O₃ are introduced, respectively, the main crystal phase changes to Bi₆B₁₀O₂₄. Transparent surface crystallized samples are obtained by reheating at 460–540 °C for 5 h. In this case, needle like BiBO₃ crystal or rare-earth-doped BiBO₃ crystal (Pr_xBi_1−xBO₃ and Gd_xBi_1−xBO₃) are observed, which is promising for non-linear optical application.     

The luminescence of doped and undoped BaLn2(MoO4)4 (Ln = La,Gd)

The luminescence of nominally pure BaLn₂(MoO₄)₄ (Ln = La,Gd) is reported. Below 300 K molybdate emission is observed. The following activators were investigated: Eu³⁺, Tb³⁺, Pb²⁺ and Bi³⁺. The two lanthanide ions show their characteristic emission, the two s² configuration ions give an emission in which the host-lattice group as well as the activator is involved. The luminescence properties of these compositions are discussed and compared with those of related materials.     

Sol–gel synthesis and luminescence of unexpected microrod crystalline Ca5La5(SiO4)3(PO4)3O2:Dy phosphors employing different silicate sources

Ca₅La₅(SiO₄)₃(PO₄)₃O₂ doped with Dy³⁺ were synthesized by sol–gel technology with hybrid precursor employed four different silicate sources, 3-aminopropyl-trimethoxysilane (APMS), 3-aminopropyl-triethoxysilane (APES), 3-aminopropyl-methyl-diethoxysilane (APMES) and tetraethoxysilane (TEOS), respectively. The SEM diagraphs show that there exist some novel unexpected morphological structures of microrod owing to the crosslinking reagents than TEOS as silicate source for their amphipathy template effect. X-ray pictures confirm that Ca₅La₅(SiO₄)₃(PO₄)₃O₂:Dy³⁺ compound is formed by a pure apatitic phase. The Dy³⁺ ions could emit white light in Ca₅La₅(SiO₄)₃(PO₄)₃O₂ compound, and the ratio of Y/B is 1.1, when the Dy³⁺ doped concentration is 1.0 mol%.     

New transparent conducting MgIn2O4---Zn2In2O5 thin films prepared by magnetron sputtering

New materials for a transparent conducting oxide film are demonstrated. Highly transparent Zn₂In₂O₅ films with a resistivity of 3.9 × 10⁻⁴ Ω cm were prepared on substrates at room temperature using a pseudobinary compound powder target composed of ZnO (50 mol.%) and In₂O₃ (50 mol.%) by r.f. magnetron sputtering. MgIn₂O₄---Zn₂In₂O₅ films were prepared using MgIn₂O₄ targets with a ZnO content of 0–100 wt.%. The resistivity of the deposited films gradually decreased from 2 × 10⁻³ to 3.9 × 10⁻⁴ Ω cm as the Zn/(Mg + Zn) atomic ratio introduced into the films was increased. The greatest transparency was obtained in a MgIn₂O₄ film. The optical absorption edge of the films decreased as the Zn/(Mg + Zn) atomic ratio was increased, corresponding to the bandgap energy of their materials. It was found that the resistance of the undoped Zn₂In₂O₅ films was more stable than either the undoped MgIn₂O₄, ZnO or In₂O₃ films in oxidizing environments at high temperatures.     

Optical properties and energy transfer among Nd in Nd:Ca2Al2SiO7 crystals for diode pumped lasers

The energy levels of neodymium in the Nd³⁺:Ca₂Al₂SiO₇ (CAS) laser material with gehlenite structure are reported. As the Nd³⁺:Ca₂Al₂SiO₇ compound presents a broad absorption around 806 nm, it is a good candidate for diode pumped laser. The ⁴F_3/2→⁴I_9/2 and ⁴F_3/2→⁴I11/2 emission have been recorded and the fluorescence branching ratios calculated from the Judd-Ofelt analysis are 0.41 and 0.47 respectively. The emission cross section at 1.06 μm (⁴F_3/2→⁴I11/2 transition) is 5 × 10^-20 cm². The decay profiles of the Nd³⁺ emission have been analyzed for several Nd³⁺ concentrations using the kinetic microparameters related to the cross relaxation ( and R₀≈6 Å) and the energy migration probabilities ( ). In the Nd:CAS laser material, the optimal concentration corresponding to the maximum of the fluorescence intensity is determined to be around 2.7 × 10²⁰ Nd³⁺ ions cm^-3. The Nd³⁺-Nd³⁺ interactions are not very strong in this material as the optical concentration value is two times higher than in the Nd:YAG laser material.     

SCE-SiO_2/PES-MBAE复合材料微观形貌及性能

为研究增韧双马来酰亚胺方法及其对性能的影响,首先利用超临界乙醇处理纳米SiO2(SCE-SiO2),改善其表面活性;然后以4,4’-二氨基二苯甲烷双马来酰亚胺(MBMI)、3,3’-二烯丙基双酚A(BBA)、双酚A双烯丙基醚(BBE)为原料合成了MBMI-BBA-BBE(MBAE)复合材料基体,并利用原位聚合法和溶胶-凝胶法将SCESiO2和聚醚砜(PES)加入MBAE基体中制备了SCE-SiO2/PES-MBAE多相复合材料;最后采用SEM观察了SCESiO2/PES-MBAE复合材料断面形貌。SCE-SiO2的FTIR分析结果表明:在3 434cm-1处的Si—OH的吸收峰消失,出现了3 310cm-1处的乙醇分子间—OH的吸收峰、2 984cm-1处的甲基和亚甲基的吸收峰,证明纳米粒子可能以某种形式结合了乙醇分子,改善了表面性能。PES以"蜂窝"状分散相的形式存在于基体中,断裂方式由脆性断裂向韧性断裂转变,SCE-SiO2和PES对材料均有增韧作用,PES的增韧效果更明显,二者之间具有协同作用,当SCE-SiO2含量为2wt%、PES含量为4wt%时,多相复合材料的冲击强度和弯曲强度分别为15.02kJ/m2和130.47MPa,较MBAE树脂分别提高了57.3%和35.8%。介电性能测试表明:SCE-SiO2和PES的引入均会导致SCE-SiO2/PES-MBAE复合材料的介电常数和损耗略有上升,但二者之间的协同作用可以抑制PES组分所带来的负面影响。     

CO2/OsO4 lasers as frequency standards in the29 THz range

The CO₂ lasers, frequency stabilized on OsO₄ transitions around 29 THz, are successfully used as secondary references for visible frequency synthesis and also for high-accuracy spectroscopy in the infrared domain. The BNM-LPTF CO₂/OsO₄ frequency standards exhibit high metrological performances: a long term reproducibility of ±10 Hz (1σ=2×10^-13) and a stability σ_y=6.6×10^-14/√τ with a Flicker plateau of 4×10^-15 (Δν/ν=0.1) for 300 s to 10³ s averaging times. These results and a preliminary study of the main effects which can induce frequency shifts are reported