Gap symmetry and intrinsic intraplane pinning of untwinned YBa2Cu3O7 single crystals

The interplane (cb) and intraplane (ab) anisotropy of untwinned YBa₂ Cu₃0₇ single crystals has been investigated by means of the torque magnetometry. To extract the reversible and irreversible components, the torque was measured as a function of increasing angle as well as decreasing angle. The interplane irreversible torque _irr shows two-fold peaks at _c =90 ° and270 ° (of half width11 ° at77 K) due to the well-known intrinsic interplane pinning. A novel intrinsic pinning has been discovered in the intraplane irreversible torque, i.e., _irr shows four-fold peaks of half width20° at77 K when _a =0 °, 90 °, 180 ° and270 °. We argue that the intrinsic intraplane pinning comes from the four-fold nature of the gap parameter.     

Adsorption isotherms of pigments from alkali-refined vegetable oils with clay minerals

Adsorption isotherms of pigments from alkali-refined oils (rapeseed, soybean, wheatgerm, safflower, corn, cottonseed and sunflower) were measured to investigate the applicability of the Langmuir and Freundlich equations and to elucidate the adsorption characteristics of pigments on sepiolites and standard activated clay. The Freundlich equation was more applicable to the experimental adsorption isotherms. The equilibrium amount adsorbed, acidity, pore size distribution and inflection of the Freundlich isotherms could be explained by assuming that pigments were adsorbed on the stronger acid sites in smaller pores at low concentration, and then in the larger ones when the concentration increased. The amount adsorbed increased with a rise in adsorption temperatures from 70 to 110°C, and the heat of adsorption was below 10 kcal/mol. The results indicate that pigments were physically adsorbed on the acid sites activated at higher adsorption temperatures.     

Illumination control system for adaptive dynamic range control

Abstract— We have developed an illumination control system for adaptive dynamic range control. This system satisfies several performance requirements for image quality and reliability. A projection system using the illumination control system can reproduce images with optimum brightness for each image.     

Optically stimulated luminescence in Cu-doped sodium chloride single crystal for a high-quality X-ray imaging sensor

An intense optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) has been observed, for the first time, in X-irradiated copper-doped sodium chloride (NaCl:Cu) single crystals. The intensity of the OSL peak at 353 nm is proportional to the optical density of the F centres that are created by X-ray irradiation. This suggests that NaCl:Cu is useful as a material for a two-dimensional X-ray imaging sensor in computed radiography utilizing the OSL phenomenon. A possible reaction responsible for the 353 nm OSL peak is also proposed, based on the recombination of Cu²⁺ ions with electrons released from the F centres.     

Subendocardial myocardial ischemia as assessed with myocardial contrast echocardiography in patients with ischemic heart diseases

Myocardial contrast echocardiography was used to characterize changes in the regional and transmural myocardial blood flow distribution that were provoked by rapid atrial pacing stress in patients with coronary artery diseases. In patients with coronary organic stenosis, a decrease in the myocardial contrast-enhancement in the subendocardial half after rapid atrial pacing was associated with stress-induced chest pain and electrocardiographic ST-T changes. The decrease in the myocardial contrast-enhancement in the subendocardial half after rapid atrial pacing was not observed in patients without coronary stenosis or after coronary angioplasty. Thus, the finding was considered to reflect myocardial ischemia. Pacing-induced decreases in myocardial contrast-enhancement were observed in some patients with old myocardial infarction and significant resting coronary collaterals. In these patients, myocardial ischemia was considered to have developed at rapid pacing because collateral function was good enough to perfuse the infarct myocardium at rest, but was not good enough to prevent myocardial ischemia at stress. Thus, myocardial contrast echocardiography seems to be particularly useful in assessing myocardial ischemia at stress due to coronary stenosis in patients with angina pectoris and due to poor dynamic collateral function in patients with old myocardial infarction.     

Shorter-wavelength lithography utilizing MRS-type negative resists

New negative photoresists, called MRS-type resists, are successfully applied to deep-UV 1:1 projection printing and 365 nm 10:1 reduction projection printing. The MRS-type resists are characterized by intense absorption of exposure light and absence of swelling in aqueous developer solutions. They resolve steep profile submicron images in a 1.0 μ thick film. They are not adversely affected by reflected light from water surfaces. In order to use MRS-type resists with broader development latitude, optimizing the extent of light absorption is important because the resist profiles strongly depend on development conditions due to increasing solubility towards the resist bottom.     

Intense white photoluminescence in ZnO thin film formed by anodization

Intense white photoluminescence (PL) at room temperature has been observed in ZnO thin films formed by anodization at 26? C. The PL depends on the preparation conditions of the films. The PL is attributed to radiative recombination between localized electrons and holes in gap states which are formed by native defects in the films. We suggest that the anodized ZnO films might be useful for optoelectronic devices, since the low temperature anodization process used is inexpensive and fast.     

The stability of zinc oxide transparent electrodes fabricated by R.F. magnetron sputtering

The stability of the electrical, optical and mechanical properties of sputtered zinc oxide (ZnO) thin films with resistivities from 10^?2 to 10^?4 ωcm were investigated. No significant changes in these properties are observed for ZnO films exposed to air at room temperature for 10 months. A change in the electrical resistance of the ZnO films with temperature up to 400 °C is observed in various ambients such as vacuum, inert gases and air. After heat treatment in these ambients at 400 °C, the resistivity of the films increased by one to ten orders of magnitude. The increased resistivity can be returned to the resistivity of the virgin state, within one order of magnitude, by heat treatment in a hydrogen ambient at temperatures near 400 °C. For practical use of ZnO films at high temperatures, the increase in the resistivity might become a disadvantage for ZnO transparent electrodes fabricated by r.f. magnetron sputtering.