Performance Measurement of the 8-Input SQUIDs for TES Frequency Domain Multiplexing

We report on performance of 8-input superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) for multiplexing transition-edge sensor signals by using frequency-domain multiplexing. We found the typical critical current and the flux noise to be 17–19 μA and 0.7–1.1 μ , respectively. We also measured the crosstalk current between the input coils of the SQUIDs, and found that the mutual inductance was consistent with the design value, 800 pH. We confirmed that the cross talk current due to the mutual inductance was reduced by the flux-locked-loop (FLL) feedback, and its reduction rate was consistent with 1/(1+ℒ), where ℒ is the FLL feedback gain. We also show the result of 2-channel DC-driven TES signals readout using the 8-input SQUIDs.      

TEM study of Mg-Zn precipitates in Mg-Zn-Y alloys

The precipitates in Mg-Zn-Y alloys in the as-cast state with nominal atomic composition of Mg₉₆Zn₁Y₃, Mg₉₆Zn₂Y₂ and Mg₉₇Zn₁Y₂ were studied by means of TEM as well as XRD techniques. The results show that there is a phase separation of Zn on the nanometer scale in these alloys. Two kinds of nano-sized precipitates were found, namely MgZn and MgZn₂. TEM observation shows that MgZn precipitates are distributed in both the Mg matrix and in Mg₂₄Y₅ grains, which is the typical precipitate in Mg-Zn-Y alloys. There is an inherent crystallographic relationship between MgZn and Mg₂₄Y₅ precipitates: // , // . The size of MgZn₂ precipitates is much smaller than that of MgZn precipitates. They are distributed only in Mg₂₄Y₅ grains, not in the Mg matrix. It is suggested that the nano-sized precipitates, MgZn and MgZn₂, can improve the mechanical properties of the Mg-Zn-Y alloys studied.     

Effect of O2 on copper-water vapor interaction near critical point

A significant weight loss of copper plate was observed after copper-water vapor interaction near critical point. This leads to the acceleration of the ceramic layer formation on SUS surface during granite-water vapor interaction in the presence of copper. In this paper, we have determined the chemical state of copper at which the mass transfer takes place through reaction with H₂ and O₂+N₂ gas mixture at the different O₂ amount. Obtained results indicate that the weight loss of copper plate occurs at Cu₂O (+1) state due to a complex processes. The morphology of copper species on the surface of mesh and granite suggests that the Cu₂O was dissolved in water vapor and recrystallized on the surface of mesh and granite. Copper species were characterized by X-ray diffraction(XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) equipped with an energy dispersive X-ray (EDX).     

CO2 reduction using hydrothermal method for the selective formation of organic compounds

The reduction of CO₂ under hydrothermal conditions has been investigated. In typical experiment, Fe-powder, Ni-powder, solvent, and CO₂ have been reacted in a batch-type micro autoclave under hydrothermal conditions for several hours. Methane, formic acid, and hydrogen were generated after treatment in water. With the rise of Ni amount, the methane yield increased while hydrogen and formic acid decreased. It is supposed that Ni has acted as a hydrogenation catalyst. In basic solution, CO₂ was converted to formic acid selectively at 300°C involved with trace of methane. Considering the reduction characteristics of formic acid, the reaction pathway has been discussed. In experiments with the mixture of Fe and Fe₃O₄, trace of methanol was detected at the experiments with less amount of metallic Fe. It is inferred that the control on the effect of reductant is indispensable for oxygenated organic compound formation. Experiment on the effect of water has been conducted using hydrogen. Ethane yield increased with the amount of water, while there was no drastic change in the yield of methane. From these results, it is supposed that the steam reforming reaction of methane was involved in the reduction of CO₂, and effected on the C–C bond formation.     

Internal stress behavior of the short ceramic fiber reinforced aluminum alloy under tensile deformation

The in situ measurement of phase stress under tensile deformation on an A6061 alloy reinforced with SiC whiskers (Al/SiCw MMC: Metal Matrix Composite) was performed using the X-ray diffraction technique. In order to raise a preciseness of measurements, we applied a profile fitting technique to separate the nearby located diffraction peak. Tensile deformation on elastic to plastic range was applied by four points bending device and discussed internal stress behavior in the short ceramic fiber reinforced MMC. Phase stress in Al matrix was increased linearly up to 2800×10⁻⁶ in strain and then saturated immediately. On the other hand phase stress in SiC whiskers shows an unstable stress behavior. It was decreased at first because of the Poisson's effect from Al matrix but reversed over 500×10⁻⁶ applied strain. The measured phase stress behavior in elastic region agreed with the calculations using micromechanics based on Eshelby/Mori–Tanaka model except for this unstable internal stress region. The macro stress behavior in plastic region was extremely small than that of the tensile test results. It supposed that the mechanism of strength is not so much the fiber reinforcing as the dispersion strengthening like the Orowan mechanism. Regarding the fatigue property, ΔK_th of the Al/SiC MMC, this was lower than that of the A6061 alloy. On the Al/SiCw MMC specimen, many micro void formations were observed around the fatigue crack tip even under the ΔK_th of A6061. It was considered that these were caused by the high gradient of residual stress on composite process and the unstable stress behavior in low ΔK region.     

Near-infrared combination and overtone bands of CH in CHX3, CHX(2)-CHX2, and CHX(2)-CX(2)-CHX2

In the present report we studied spectral characteristics of the near-infrared combination and overtone bands of CH vibrations of a CH sequence. The near-infrared bands of the CH in CHX3 (X, halogen), which were interpreted in terms of the CH stretching and CH deformation fundamentals without any ambiguity, typically showed how the frequency and intensity of a combination or an overtone depend on the vibrational excited state. In the CH-C-CH of CHX2CX2CHX2, the vibrations of one CH are isolated from those of the other CH, and the combination and overtone bands were similarly interpreted as those of the CH, although each of the combination bands was split into two because of non-degeneracy of the CH deformation. In the CH-CH of CHX2CHX2, the CH deformations only have coupled modes. The first combination showed four narrowly separate bands, which were reasonably interpreted on the basis of the CH stretching and the coupled CH deformation modes. We demonstrated that the first combination of coupled modes as well as the combination of up to, at least, the third order of isolated modes have the nature of the characteristic bands.     

Evaluation of counterions for electrospray ionization mass spectral analysis of a highly sulfated carbohydrate,sucrose octasulfate

A systematic approach was used to evaluate the electrospray ionization mass spectral (ESI-MS) analysis of sucrose octasulfate (SOS), an important pharmaceutical agent. SOS represents a model for other suffated carbohydrates, such as heparin and glycosaminoglycan-derived oligosaccharides that also are highly sulfated and pose difficult analytical problems. A survey of ammonium counterions showed that 1 degree, 2 degrees, and 3 degrees ammonium salts of SOS gave substantial fragmentation as a result of sulfate loss. In contrast, quaternary ammonium and phosphonium salts gave excellent ESI spectra, particularly in the positive ion mode. This represents the first report of the ESI-MS analysis of sulfated carbohydrates in the positive ion mode.     

Microassembly of semiconductor three-dimensional photonic crystals

Electronic devices and their highly integrated components formed from semiconductor crystals contain complex three-dimensional (3D) arrangements of elements and wiring. Photonic crystals, being analogous to semiconductor crystals, are expected to require a 3D structure to form successful optoelectronic devices. Here, we report a novel fabrication technology for a semiconductor 3D photonic crystal by uniting integrated circuit processing technology with micromanipulation. Four- to twenty-layered (five periods) crystals, including one with a controlled defect, for infrared wavelengths of 3-4.5 microm, were integrated at predetermined positions on a chip (structural error <50 nm). Numerical calculations revealed that a transmission peak observed at the upper frequency edge of the bandgap originated from the excitation of a resonant guided mode in the defective layers. Despite their importance, detailed discussions on the defective modes of 3D photonic crystals for such short wavelengths have not been reported before. This technology offers great potential for the production of optical wavelength photonic crystal devices.