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At least 19 records

Rechargeable solid state neutron detector and visible radiation indicator

A radiation detection device, including: a support structure; and a chalcopyrite crystal coupled to the support structure; wherein, when the chalcopyrite crystal is exposed to radiation, a visible spectrum of the chalcopyrite crystal changes from an initial color to a modified color. The visible spectrum of the chalcopyrite crystal is changed back from the modified color to the initial color by annealing the chalcopyrite crystal at an elevated temperature below a melting point of the chalcopyrite crystal over time. The chalcopyrite crystal is optionally a .sup.6LiInSe.sub.2 crystal. The radiation is comprised of neutrons that decrease the .sup.6Li concentration of the chalcopyrite crystal via a .sup.6Li(n,.alpha.) reaction. The initial color is yellow and the modified color is one of orange and red. The annealing temperature is between about 450 degrees C. and about 650 degrees C. and the annealing time is between about 12 hrs and about 36 hrs.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Fe doped TiO{sub 2} photocatalyst for the removal of As(III) under visible radiation and its potential application on the treatment of As-contaminated groundwater

Highlights: • Incorporation of Fe in TiO{sub 2} lattice extended absorption to visible light region. • TiO{sub 2}–Fe 1.0 in anatase crystalline form was synthesized by sol–gel method. • TiO{sub 2}–Fe 1.0 showed the highest photocatalytic activity for As(III) oxidation. • TiO{sub 2}–Fe 1.0 had the highest adsorption capacity for the removal of generated As(V). • TiO{sub 2}–Fe is a promising material on the treatment of As contaminated groundwater. - Abstract: The Fe doped TiO{sub 2} catalyst was evaluated under visible radiation for As(III) removal. The TiO{sub 2}–Fe was synthesized by sol–gel technique at 0.0, 1.0, 2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 wt% iron doping concentrations. The semiconductors were characterized by X-ray diffraction, diffuse reflectance UV–vis, Raman spectroscopy, nitrogen physisorption, SEM–EDS and potentiometric titration for point of zero charge determination. The photocatalytic oxidation of As(III) was assessed in aqueous suspension contained 5 mg L{sup −1} As(III) at pH 7 with 0.25 g L{sup −1} catalyst loading. The incorporation of iron ions in TiO{sub 2} lattice extended the absorption to visible light region and create surface oxygen vacancies which favor photocatalytic oxidation reaction of As(III) using a small doping amount of Fe (1.0 wt%) in TiO{sub 2} powder. Additionally, TiO{sub 2}–Fe 1.0 showed the highest adsorption capacity for As(V) removal compared to sol–gel TiO{sub 2} and P25 indicating that this catalyst is a promising material for As contaminated groundwater treatment.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Morphology and Current Transport in a Thin-Film Polycrystalline Au–Zn{sub x}Cd{sub 1–x}S–Mo Structure with Wide Photosensitivity Range in the Ultraviolet and Visible Radiation Spectral Region

Studies are carried out on the morphology of the surface and photovoltaic characteristics of a thinfilm Au–Zn{sub x}Cd{sub 1–x}S–Mo structural injection photodetector with a wide photosensitivity range in the ultraviolet and visible radiation spectral regions. The composition of Zn{sub x}Cd{sub 1–x}S film in the Au–Zn{sub x}Cd{sub 1–x}S–Mo structure with a wide photosensitivity spectrum in the ultraviolet and visible spectrum, where x on the surface varies from 0.22 to 0.24, is studied. The mechanism of current transport is investigated, and the main electrophysical parameters of the semiconducting materials are determined. The use of Zn{sub x}Cd{sub 1–x}S film with a variable band gap in the thin-film heterojunction solar cells, where they are used as the buffer layer, will provide an opportunity to increase the photosensitivity of the structure in the short-wave region of the radiation spectrum, increase the value of the built-in potential, short-circuit current and value of the open-circuit voltage of the structure.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Response of Surface Ultraviolet and Visible Radiation to Stratospheric SO 2 Injections

Climate modification by stratospheric SO 2 injections, to form sulfate aerosols, may alter the spectral and angular distributions of the solar ultraviolet and visible radiation that reach the Earth’s surface, with potential consequences to environmental photobiology and photochemistry. We used modeling results from the CESM1(WACCM) stratospheric aerosol geoengineering large ensemble (GLENS) project, following the RCP8.5 emission scenario, and one geoengineering experiment with SO 2 injections in the stratosphere, designed to keep surface temperatures at 2020 levels. Zonally and monthly averaged vertical profiles of O 3 , SO 2 , and sulfate aerosols, at 30 N and 70 N, served as input into a radiative transfer model, to compute biologically active irradiances for DNA damage ( i DNA ), UV index (UVI), photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), and two key tropospheric photodissociation coefficients ( j O1D for O 3 + hν (λ < 330 nm) → O( 1 D) + O 2 ; and j NO2 for NO 2 + hν (λ < 420 nm) → O( 3 P) + NO). We show that the geoengineering scenario is accompanied by substantial reductions in UV radiation. For example, comparing March 2080 to March 2020, i DNA decreased by 25% to 29% in the subtropics (30 N) and by 26% to 33% in the polar regions (70 N); UVI decreased by 19% to 20% at 30 N and 23% to 26% at 70 N; and j O1D decreased by 22% to 24% at 30 N and 35% to 40% at 70 N, with comparable contributions from sulfate scattering and stratospheric O 3 recovery. Different responses were found for processes that depend on longer UV and visible wavelengths, as these are minimally affected by ozone; PAR and j NO2 were only slightly lower (9–12%) at 30 N, but much lower at 70 N (35–40%). Similar reductions were estimated for other months (June, September, and December). Large increases in the PAR diffuse-direct ratio occurred in agreement with previous studies. Absorption by SO 2 gas had a small (~1%) effect on j O1D , i DNA , and UVI, and no effect on j NO2 and PAR.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Variable waveband infrared imager

A waveband imager includes an imaging pixel that utilizes photon tunneling with a thermally actuated bimorph structure to convert infrared radiation to visible radiation. Infrared radiation passes through a transparent substrate and is absorbed by a bimorph structure formed with a pixel plate. The absorption generates heat which deflects the bimorph structure and pixel plate towards the substrate and into an evanescent electric field generated by light propagating through the substrate. Penetration of the bimorph structure and pixel plate into the evanescent electric field allows a portion of the visible wavelengths propagating through the substrate to tunnel through the substrate, bimorph structure, and/or pixel plate as visible radiation that is proportional to the intensity of the incident infrared radiation. This converted visible radiation may be superimposed over visible wavelengths passed through the imaging pixel.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Nd{sup 3+} : YAG laser based on the {sup 4}F{sub 3/2} → {sup 4}I{sub 13/2} secondary transition with a phase-conjugate electro-optically Q-switched open multiloop cavity

Lasing on the {sup 4}F{sub 3/2} → {sup 4}I{sub 13/2} secondary transition (λ = 1.34 μm) in a Nd{sup 3+} : YAG laser with phase conjugation by four-wave mixing directly in the active laser medium was experimentally studied in the regime of electro-optic Q-switching of an open multiloop cavity. The use of an electro-optic Q-switch with a controllable delay of its opening made it possible to increase the amplitude and temporal stabilities of the output laser parameters. The maximum laser pulse energy was 100 mJ at a pulse duration of 120 ns. The phase-conjugate radiation divergence was 0.8 mrad at beam quality . Nonlinear optical conversion of 1.34 μm laser radiation to visible radiation was achieved experimentally. Second and third harmonic generation at wavelengths of 0.67 and 0.446 μm with conversion efficiencies of 25 % and 8 %, respectively, was demonstrated. (lasers)

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Simple synthesis of ZnO nanoflowers and its photocatalytic performances toward the photodegradation of metamitron

Highlights: • Fabrication of ZnO nanoflowers assembled from thin and uniform nanosheets. • The material possesses photocatalytic acitivity toward degradation of metamitron. • The catalyst features excellent cycling stability for at least 5 cycle times. • The promising mechanism of photocatalysis of metamitron is also discussed. - Abstract: Large-scale ZnO nanoflowers assembled from numerous thin and uniform nanosheets with a thickness of around 20 nm, were successfully prepared through a facile one-step hydrothermal synthesis route by using zinc acetate, sodium citrate and sodium hydroxide in water solution. The method was simple, green and effective. The obtained ZnO nanoflowers exhibited remarkable photocatalytic acitivity and good cycle stability for the degradation of metamitron under a 300 W of Osram{sup ®} ultra-vitalux lamp light emitting UV and visible radiation over 300–600 nm. UV–vis spectrophotometery was used to measure the rate of photodecomposition of metamitron. The results indicate that about 97% of the metamitron disappeared in the suspension of flower-like ZnO microspheres within four hours, and the degradation efficiency were not changed even after 5 cycle times.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Imaging of spatial distributions of the millimeter wave intensity by using the Visible Continuum Radiation from a discharge in a Cs–Xe mixture. Part II: Demonstration of application capabilities of the technique

The paper presents the second part of the review on a high-sensitive technique for time-resolved imaging and measurements of the 2D intensity profiles of millimeter-wave radiation by means of Visible Continuum Radiation emitted by the positive column of a medium-pressure Cs-Xe DC Discharge (VCRD method). The first part of the review was focused on the operating principles and fundamentals of this new technique [Plasma Phys. Rep. 43, 253 (2017)]. The second part of the review focuses on experiments demonstrating application of this imaging technique to measure the parameters of radiation at the output of moderate-power millimeter-wave sources. In particular, the output waveguide mode of a moderate-power W-band gyrotron with a pulsed magnetic field was identified and the relative powers of some spurious modes at the outputs of this gyrotron and a pulsed D-band orotron were evaluated. The paper also reviews applications of the VCRD technique for real-time imaging and nondestructive testing with a frame rate of higher than 10 fps by using millimeter waves. Shadow projection images of objects opaque and transparent for millimeter waves have been obtained using pulsed watt-scale millimeter waves for object illumination. Near video frame rate millimeter-wave shadowgraphy has been demonstrated. It is shown that this technique can be used for single-shot screening (including detection of concealed objects) and time-resolved imaging of time-dependent processes.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Visible supercontinuum radiation of light bullets in the femtosecond filamentation of IR pulses in fused silica

We report experimental and theoretical investigations of visible supercontinuum generation in the formation of light bullets in a filament produced by IR pulses. In the filamentation of a 1700 – 2200 nm pulse in fused silica, bright tracks are recorded resulting from the recombination glow of carriers in the laser plasma produced by a sequence of light bullets and from the scattering in silica of the visible supercontinuum generated by the light bullets. It is found that the formation of a light bullet is attended with an outburst of a certain portion of supercontinuum energy in the visible range. The energy outburst is the same for all bullets in the sequence and becomes smaller with increasing pulse wavelength. (extreme light fields and their applications)

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Rattling of Oxygen Ions in a Sub-Nanometer-Sized Cage Converts Terahertz Radiation to Visible Light

A simple and robust approach to visualization of terahertz (THz) light would open up opportunities to couple physical phenomena that occur at fundamentally different energy scales. Here we demonstrate how nanoscale cages of Ca 12 Al 14 O 33 crystal enable a novel method for conversion THz radiation to visible light. These crystallographic cages contain weakly bonded oxygen ions and give rise to a low-energy conduction band that can populated with localized yet mobile electrons. THz light excites a nearly stand-alone rattling motion of the encaged species, which promotes electron transfer from them to the neighboring cages. When the power of THz light reaches tens of watts, the coupling between forced rattling in the confined space, electronic excitation and ionization of oxygen species and corresponding recombination processes result in emission of bright visible light.

Toda, Yoshitake↗

Soft chemical synthesis of Ag{sub 3}SbS{sub 3} with efficient and recyclable visible light photocatalytic properties

Highlights: • Highly crystalline Ag{sub 3}SbS{sub 3} synthesized using soft chemical approach. • First time report of photocatalytic activity of Ag{sub 3}SbS{sub 3}. • Ag{sub 3}SbS{sub 3} degraded the harmful organic dyes rapidly under visible radiation. • Pseudo first order kinetics have been followed in these sets of reactions. • Up to 90% of Methylene Blue degraded even after 4th cycle of catalyst reuse. • Structure of catalyst is intact after reuse. • As the catalyst is heavy, its separation after use is quite simple. - Abstract: Application of Ag{sub 3}SbS{sub 3}, obtained by soft chemical approach involving rapid reaction of air stable metal–thiourea complexes in ethylene glycol medium, as visible light photocatalyst for the degradation of dye solutions was investigated. Ag{sub 3}SbS{sub 3} was confirmed by high resolution powder X-ray diffraction pattern and its no defined morphology was present in SEM images. From UV–vis spectroscopy measurements, optical band gap of 1.77 eV was deduced for Ag{sub 3}SbS{sub 3}. Rapid degradation kinetics and recyclability was exhibited by Ag{sub 3}SbS{sub 3} towards Methylene Blue, Methyl Orange, Malachite Green, and Rhodamine 6G dye solutions under visible radiation. All these processes followed pseudo first order kinetics. High surface area (6.39 m{sup 2}/g), with mesopores (3.81 nm), arising from solvent mediated synthesis of Ag{sub 3}SbS{sub 3} has been correlated to its catalytic activity.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

X-ray optical system for imaging laser plumes with a spatial resolution of up to 70 nm

We consider an X-ray optical system which permits obtaining laser plume images at a wavelength of 13.5 nm with a resolution of up to 70 nm. The X-ray optical system comprises an X-ray Schwarzschild objective made up of two aspherical multilayer mirrors, a scintillator (YAG : Ce ceramics), which converts X-rays to the visible radiation, and a visible-optical system, which images the scintillator surface onto a CCD camera. The spatial resolution of the system is limited by the resolution of the optical system (0.7 μm) and the magnification (10{sup ×}) of the X-ray objective and is as high as 70 nm. The effect of Schwarzschild objective mirror shapes on the spatial resolution is analysed. The profile of concave mirror aspherisation is considered, which provides the attainment of the diffraction-limited quality of the objective. Data are given for the quantum efficiency of the system at a wavelength of 13.5 nm. We describe the experimental test bench intended for studying the developed X-ray optical system and outline the first experimental data which illustrate its efficiency. Owing to the natural division into the 'X-ray' and 'visible' parts, the optical system under discussion permits an easy change of the magnification and the field of view without realigning the X-ray optical elements. The wavelength may be varied in a range between 3 and 40 nm by changing the multilayer mirrors. (extreme laser radiation: physics and fundamental applications)

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Imaging of spatial distributions of the millimeter wave intensity by using visible continuum radiation from a discharge in a Cs–Xe mixture. Part I: Review of the method and its fundamentals

The first part of the review is presented which is dedicated to the time-resolved method of imaging and measuring the spatial distribution of the intensity of millimeter waves by using visible continuum (VC) emitted by the positive column (PC) of a dc discharge in a mixture of cesium vapor with xenon. The review focuses on the operating principles, fundamentals, and applications of this new technique. The design of the discharge tube and experimental setup used to create a wide homogeneous plasma slab with the help of the Cs–Xe discharge at a gas pressure of 45 Torr are described. The millimeter-wave effects on the plasma slab are studied experimentally. The mechanism of microwave-induced variations in the VC brightness and the causes of violation of the local relation between the VC brightness and the intensity of millimeter waves are discussed. Experiments on the imaging of the field patterns of horn antennas and quasi-optical beams demonstrate that this technique can be used for good-quality imaging of millimeter-wave beams in the entire millimeter-wavelength band. The method has a microsecond temporal resolution and a spatial resolution of about 2 mm. Energy sensitivities of about 10 μJ/cm{sup 2} in the Ka-band and about 200 μJ/cm{sup 2} in the D-band have been demonstrated.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Gamma-ray bounds from EAS detectors and heavy decaying dark matter constraints

The very high energy Galactic γ-ray sky is partially opaque in the (0.1–10) PeV energy range. In the light of the recently detected high energy neutrino flux by IceCube, a comparable very high energy γ-ray flux is expected in any scenario with a sizable Galactic contribution to the neutrino flux. Here we elaborate on the peculiar energy and anisotropy features imposed upon these very high energy γ-rays by the absorption on the cosmic microwave background photons and Galactic interstellar light. As a notable application of our considerations, we study the prospects of probing the PeV-scale decaying DM scenario, proposed as a possible source of IceCube neutrinos, by extensive air shower (EAS) cosmic ray experiments. In particular, we show that anisotropy measurements at EAS experiments are already sensitive to τ{sub DM}∼O(10{sup 27}) s and future measurements, using better gamma/hadron separation, can improve the limit significantly.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Characterization and calibration of compact array spectrometers in the ultraviolet spectral region

Array-based spectrometers, with their compact size, low weight, low cost, and fast measurement time, are now frequently used in place of both conventional single-channel scanning monochromators, and broadband meters. Their rapid measurement capability makes them an attractive option for routine solar UV spectral measurements, where shortterm variability in signal is a challenge. However, compactness, portability, low cost and high speed are achieved at the expense of the spectrometer's optical and electronic performance. Thus such spectrometers are more prone to measurement error from environmental changes, and more prone to other intrinsic sources of error such as stray light and detector non-linearity, which significantly affect solar UV measurements, than a scanning monochromator. The effects of stray light and non-linearity can be reduced either by improved optical and detector design or by a detailed spectrometer characterization. We present in this paper our investigation of the performance of three different commercial array spectrometers: two mini-spectrometers, and a more elaborate array spectrometer with an on-board image amplifier device. These were tested for a subset of performance parameters: their wavelength accuracy and stability, electronic linearity, responsivity linearity, stray light sensitivity, and mechanical stability and repeatability. With all three spectrometers we found that these parameters, particularly but not limited to stray light, had a significant impact on the measurement of the incoming optical radiation. This meant that, without characterization, the instruments would be unable to accurately measure the UV component of any source with significant visible radiation. We discuss various simple and low-cost solutions for improving the performance of these instruments, and providing a rigorous calibration using a straightforward set-up including optical filters and the quasi-monochromatic light from a double monochromator.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Visible light emission and energy transfer processes in Sm-doped nitride films

Even though the great interest in studying the near-infrared light emission due to Er{sup 3+} ions for telecommunication purposes, efficient visible radiation can be achieved from many different rare-earth (RE) ions. In fact, visible and/or near-infrared light emission takes place in RE-doped wide bandgap semiconductors following either photon or electron excitation, suggesting their technological potential in devices such as light-emitting diodes (LED's) and flat-panel displays, for example. Taking into consideration these aspects, the present contribution reports on the investigation of AlN, BeN, GeN, and SiN thin films doped with samarium. The samples were prepared by sputtering and as a result of the deposition method and conditions they present an amorphous structure and Sm concentrations in the low 0.5 at. %. After deposition, the samples were submitted to thermal annealing treatments and investigated by different spectroscopic techniques. A detailed examination of the experimental data allowed to identify optical transitions due to Sm{sup 3+} and Sm{sup 2+} ions as well as differences in their mechanisms of photon excitation and recombination. Moreover, it is shown that the Sm-related spectral features and emission intensity are susceptible, respectively, to the atomic environment the Sm{sup 3+}/Sm{sup 2+} ions experience and to the presence of non-radiative recombination centers.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

White light generation via sequential stepwise absorption and energy-transfer frequency upconversion in Tm{sup 3+}/Er{sup 3+}-codoped glass

White light emission with CIE-1931 coordinates close to the standard equal-energy white light illuminant, and color temperature in the 4000–6500 K range was produced in Tm{sup 3+}/Er{sup 3+}-codoped glasses through frequency upconversion. Multi-Stokes Raman emissions generated in an optical fiber pumped at 1.064 µm were used, seeking out the {sup 3}H{sub 5} thulium absorption band around 1.2 µm as the departure point. The new and efficient excitation approach allowed the generation of near infrared (800 nm), red (650 nm), and blue (480 nm) emission due to frequency upconversion excited via ground-state absorption and excited-state absorption in Tm{sup 3+} ions. Energy-transfer followed by excited-state absorption in Er{sup 3+} ions, provided the generation of the green (530, 550 nm) and red (660 nm) components to compose white light. The excitation mechanism for the Tm{sup 3+} ions is assigned to stepwise multi-wavelength excitation using Stokes Raman emission in an optical fiber, followed by stepwise excited-state absorption of the pump photons. Energy-transfer Tm{sup 3+}[{sup 3}F{sub 4}] + Er{sup 3+}[{sup 4}I{sub 15/2}] →Tm{sup 3+}[{sup 3}H{sub 6}] + Er{sup 3+}[{sup 4}I{sub 9/2}] followed by excited-state absorption of multi-Stokes Raman emissions populate erbium visible emitting level. Excitation power color tuneability of the overall light emission was also achieved. - Graphical abstract: Recorded emission spectrua of visible radiation emanating from the single-doped (Er3+, Tm3+) and codoped (Er3+/Tm3+) samples excited 160 mW average power from the fiber output. Simplified energy-level diagram of the excitation and upconversion emission processes for the Tm3+/Er3+-codoped sample excited using multi-Stokes emissions. Display Omitted.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Transform-limited-pulse representation of excitation with natural incoherent light

The excitation of molecular systems by natural incoherent light relevant, for example, to photosynthetic light-harvesting is examined. We show that the result of linear excitation with natural incoherent light can be obtained using incident light described in terms of transform limited pulses, as opposed to conventional classical representations with explicit random character. The derived expressions allow for computations to be done directly for any thermal light spectrum using a simple wave function formalism and provide a route to the experimental determination of natural incoherent excitation using pulsed laser techniques. Pulses associated with solar and cosmic microwave background radiation are provided as examples.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗