Preparation and characterization of Ag-added Bi1.84Pb0.4Sr2Ca2.2Cu3O10+x bulk tube conductors for cryogen free superconducting magnet

Bulk tube conductors of Bi _1.84 Pb _0.4 Sr ₂ Ca _2.2 Cu ₃ O _10+x with addition of silver varying from 0 to 25 wt% (not reported earlier) were systematically studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electrical transport and a.c. susceptibility techniques. The tube conductors formed by cold isostatic pressing (CIP) of the powders obtained from spray drying method have been made successfully. It was found that Ag addition has not only affected the formation of the desired Bi-2223 phase and the microstructure of these large bulk tube samples thereby influencing on the critical current ( I _c ),it also reduces the contact resistance to minimize the cryogen losses. These variations have been found to be Ag content dependent. An optimized value of 10 wt% Ag has been found to produce the best quality tubes showing reproducible I _c value > 120 Amp at 77 K which is in general a requirement to energies of the cryogen free conventional/HTSC superconducting magnets below 20 K.     

Synthesis and magnetic study of Co-Al substituted calcium hexaferrite

A series of calcium substituted polycrystalline ferrite ceramics with magnetoplumbite structures were synthesized using perfect stoichiometric mixtures of oxides with chemical composition, CaAl_xCo_xFe_12−2xO₁₉ (x = 2−5), by standard ceramic technique. The variation in the values ofH _candM _s,which depends on the additive content and the temperature, was studied by means of a vibration magnetometer. The strong variation observed in coercivity, saturation magnetization and Curie temperature with chemical composition give rise to the possibility of controlling these properties and hence applying these compounds in the millimeter— microwave range.     

Effect of zirconium addition on the recrystallization behaviour of a commercial Al-Cu-Mg alloy

It is well known that the second phase particles have an effect on recrystallization and grain growth behaviour of an alloy. Particularly the bimodal distribution of second phase particles has an effect which is opposite in sense where coarse second phase particles (> 1 μm) stimulate nucleation while fine particles exhibit Zener drag. In the literature, the effect of zirconium addition to aluminium alloys has been well documented in order to produce superplasticity by giving ultra fine grain size to the alloy. Addition of zirconium produces Al ₃ Zr particles which pin the grain boundaries during recrystallization and grain growth. In the present work, zirconium was added to a commercial Al-Cu-Mg alloy and by heat treatment Al ₃ Zr particles were precipitated and after forging, the grain size was an order of magnitude lower than the alloy without zirconium. Transmission electron microscopy was employed to characterize the second phase particles, i.e. Al ₃ Zr particles and found to be rod shaped and identified to be cubic ordered L 1 ₂ phase with a lattice parameter of 0.408 nm. Further, it was observed that fine (100 nm) Al ₃ Zr particles promote only continuous recrystallization which is polygonization of subgrains and subgrain growth. It was found that the fine dispersion of Al ₃ Zr particles inhibits both recrystallization and grain growth in the commercial Al-Cu-Mg alloy.     

Potentiometric study of polyaniline film synthesized with various dopants and composite-dopant: A comparative study

The potentiometric study of polyaniline (PANI) film synthesized with dopants viz. polyvinyl sulfonic acid (PVS),p-toluene sulfonic acid (p TS), dodecyl benzene sulfonic acid (DBS) and composite-dopants viz. PVS-p TS and PVS-DBS, has been carried out. The synthesized PANI films were characterized by electrochemical technique, UV-visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and conductivity measurement. It was found that the PANI doped with PVS gives good electrochemical properties, conductivity as well as surface morphology as compared to p TS and DBS, whereas in composite dopants the PANI doped with PVS-pTS gives good polymer matrix as compared to PVS-DBS.     

Optical properties of samarium doped zinc-tellurite glasses

Glasses with the composition, (Sm₂ O ₃) _x (ZnO)_(40-x)(TeO ₂)₍₆₀₎, were prepared by conventional melt quenching method. The density, molar volume, and optical energy band gap of these glasses have been measured. The refractive index, molar refraction and polarizability of oxide ion have been calculated by using Lorentz-Lorentz relations. Optical absorption spectra of these glasses were recorded in the range 300–700 nm at room temperature. The oxide ion polarizabilities deduced from two different quantities, viz. refractive index and optical energy band gap, agree well compared with other glasses. The nonlinear variation of the above optical parameters with respect to samarium dopant has been explained.     

Effect of penetrants on the aramid Nomex

The response of Nomex sheets to some penetrants has been analyzed. The process of moisture uptake depends on the relative humidity (RH) of the ambient atmosphere and the initial characteristics of the polymer. In the case of common laboratory solvents,the uptake by the polymer shows an inverse dependence on the molar volume of the former. Although the calendered and the uncalendered Nomex sheets exhibit an overall similarity in their response to various penetrants,quantitative comparison reveals distinct differences.     

Spectroscopic investigations of Cu2+ in Li2O-Na2O-B2O3-Bi2O3 glasses

Pure and copper doped glasses with composition,x Li ₂ O-(40-x)Na ₂ O-50B ₂ O ₃-10Bi ₂ O ₃,have been prepared over the range 0 ≤ x ≤ 40. The electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra of Cu²⁺ ions of these glasses have been recorded in the X-band at room temperature. Spin Hamiltonian parameters have been calculated. The molecular bonding coefficients, α² and β², have been calculated by recording the optical absorption spectra in the wavelength range 200–1200 nm. It has been observed that the site symmetry around Cu²⁺ ions is tetragonally distorted octahedral. The density and glass transition temperature variation with alkali content shows non-linear behaviour. The IR studies show that the glassy system contains BO₃ and BO₄ units in the disordered manner.     

A new combustion route to γ-Fe2O3 synthesis

A new combustion route for the synthesis of γ-Fe ₂ O ₃ is reported by employing purified a-Fe ₂ O ₃ as a precursor in the present investigation. This synthesis which is similar to a self propagation combustion reaction, involves fewer steps, a shorter overall processing time, is a low energy reaction without the need of any explosives, and also the reaction is completed in a single step yielding magnetic iron oxide i.e. γ-Fe ₂ O ₃ .The as synthesized γ-Fe ₂ O ₃ is characterized employing thermal, XRD, SEM, magnetic hysteresis, and density measurements. The effect of ball-milling on magnetic properties is also presented.     

Homogenization of zinc distribution in vertical Bridgman grown Cd0.96Zn0.04Te crystals

One of the most pressing issues in the growth of high quality single crystal Cd _0.96 Zn _0.04 Te material, is to achieve homogenization of the high axial variation of Zn concentration, caused by the larger than unity segregation coefficient of Zn in CdTe. This is achieved in our crystals (i) by thermal annealing of the CdZnTe crystal, which redistributes the as grown Zn distribution by solid state diffusion of Zn (this solid state diffusion of Zn occurs at three stages (a) during the growth when the solidified crystal is near to the melting point temperature, (b) during the post growth annealing of the crystal at a high temperature and (c) during the cooldown to room temperature) and (ii) by the reduction of Zn segregation during the growth stage by enhanced convective mixing of the melt, through a proper choice of ampoule and furnace dimensions. By adopting suitable growth parameters and sufficient post growth annealing it has been possible to grow Cd _0.96 Zn _0.04 Te crystals, which have nearly 75% of their fraction within 1% Zn concentration variation.     

Observation of curious spiral growth features in Tl doped Hg bearing high temperature superconducting tapes

Synthesis of Hg(Tl)Ba ₂ Ca ₂ Cu ₃ O _8+δ superconducting tapes have been accomplished by annealing the precursor tape, Ba ₂ Ca ₂ Cu ₃ O _y (fabricated by doctor blade tape casting technique) in an environment of Hg(Tl) vapour. Characterization of superconducting HTSC tape sample was carried out through XRD, TEM, SEM and R-T measurements. Surface morphological investigations of the as-synthesized Hg(Tl)Ba ₂ Ca ₂ Cu ₃ O _8+δ HTSC tapes by scanning electron microscope have shown the occurrence of curious growth characteristics resembling spiral like features. These growth spirals encompass nearly the whole grain suggesting that spiral growth led to the formation of small crystal like grains of superconducting material Hg(Tl)Ba ₂ Ca ₂ Cu ₂ O _8+δ .The likely mechanism for the generation of these screw dislocations has been elucidated in terms of incoherent coalescence of growth fronts formed from Hg(Tl):1223 and Hg(Tl):1234 nuclei.     

A study of ultrasonic velocity and attenuation on polycrystalline Ni-Zn ferrites

Polycrystalline NiZn ferrites with different grain sizes (1.2 (Am to 10.2 (Am) were prepared by the usual ceramic method. The magnetic properties were measured at room temperature. The ultrasonic velocity and attenuation were measured on Ni-Zn ferrite by using the pulse transmission method at 1 MHz, in the temperature range 300–600 K. The velocity was found to be slightly sample dependent at room temperature and decreased with increasing temperature, except near the Curie temperature, T _c ,where a small anomaly was observed. The longitudinal attenuation (α ₁ )at room temperature was found to be more sample dependent. The temperature variation of ultrasonic longitudinal attenuation exhibited a broad maximum around 400 K and a sharp maximum just below Curie temperature ( T _c ).The above observations were carried out in the demagnetized state. The application of a 380 mT magnetic field allowed us to reach the saturated state of the sample at all the measuring temperatures. The anomaly observed in the thermal variation of velocities (longitudinal and transverse) and attenuation has been qualitatively explained with the help of the temperature variation of the magneto-crystalline anisotropy constant.     

Preparation of Sm-Ru bimetallic alloy films on Ru(0001) surface by vapour-deposition and annealing

Sm-Ru intermetallic surface alloy films were prepared by vacuum deposition and annealing of rare earth Sm on single crystal Ru(0001) surface. The Ru 3 d and Sm 3 d core level spectra clearly show the formation of surface alloy layers. XPS measurements on surface alloy film revealed an induced peak in the Ru 3 d region at lower binding energy by 1 eV compared to the bulk Ru (elemental) suggesting an electronic effect of alloying and Sm-Ru bond formation. The Sm 3 d _5/2 photoemission peak of Sm film consists of strong features characteristic of Sm(II) with electron configuration 4 f ⁶ (5 d 6 s ) ² and Sm(III) with electron configuration 4 f ⁵ (5 d 6 s ) ³ .It is observed that the Sm(II) feature decreases in intensity upon alloy formation with surface Ru atoms. Oxidation of these films with carbon monoxide indicates alloy breakdown due to the oxidation of Sm atoms selectively. Alloy oxidation also shows a clear shift of Sm 3 d _5/2 feature.     

Growth and characterization of Hg1-xCdxTe epitaxial films by isothermal vapour phase epitaxy (ISOVPE)

Growth of Hg_1-xCd_xTe epitaxial films by a new technique called asymmetric vapour phase epitaxy (ASVPE) has been carried out on CdTe and CZT substrates. The critical problems faced in normal vapour phase epitaxy technique like poor surface morphology, composition gradient and dislocation multiplication have been successfully solved. The epitaxial films have been electrically characterized by using the Hall effect and capacitance-voltage (C-V) measurements.     

Optical absorption and electron spin resonance studies of Cu2+ in Li2O-Na2O-B2O3-As2O3 glasses

The local structure around Cu²⁺ ion has been examined by means of electron spin resonance and optical absorption measurements in xLi₂O-(40-x)Na₂O-50B₂O₃-10As₂O₃ glasses. The site symmetry around Cu²⁺ ions is tetragonally distorted octahedral. The ground state of Cu²⁺ isd _x ²−y ².The glass exhibited broad absorption band near infrared region and small absorption band around 548 nm, which was assigned to the ²B_1g →²E_g transition.     

Fine structure at the diffusion welded interface of Fe3Al/Q235 dissimilar materials

The interface of Fe ₃ Al/Q235 dissimilar materials joint, which was made by vacuum diffusion welding, combines excellently. There are Fe ₃ Al, FeAl phases and α-Fe (Al) solid solution at the interface of Fe ₃ Al/Q235. Aluminum content decreases from 28% to 1.5% and corresponding phase changes from Fe ₃ Al with DO ₃ type body centred cubic bcc structure to α-Fe (Al) solid solution with B2 type bcc structure. All phases are present in sub-grain structure level and there is no obvious brittle phases or micro-defects such as pores and cracks at the interface of Fe ₃ Al/Q235 diffusion joint.     

Metallo-organic compound-based plasma enhanced CVD of ZrO2 films for microelectronic applications

ZrO ₂ films on silicon wafer were deposited by microwave plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition technique using zirconium tetratert butoxide (ZTB). The structure and composition of the deposited layers were studied by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The deposition rates were also studied. MOS capacitors fabricated using deposited oxides were used to characterize the electrical properties of ZrO ₂ films. The films showed their suitability for microelectronic applications.     

Novel caged clusters of silicon: Fullerenes,Frank-Kasper polyhedron and cubic

We review recent findings of metal (M) encapsulated caged clusters of Si and Ge obtained from computer experiments based on an ab initio pseudopotential method. It is shown that one M atom changes drastically the properties of Si and Ge clusters and that depending upon the size of the M atom, cages of 14, 15, and 16 Si as well as Ge atoms are formed. In particular M@Si₁₆ silicon fullerene has been obtained for M= Zr and Hf, while a Frank-Kasper polyhedron has been obtained for M@X₁₆, X = Si and Ge. These clusters show high stability and large highest occupied-lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (HOMO-LUMO) gaps which are likely to make these species strongly abundant. A regular icosahedral M@X₁₂ cluster has also been obtained for X = Ge and Sn by doping a divalent M atom. Interactions between clusters are rather weak. This is attractive for developing self-assembled cluster materials.     

Optical properties of lead-bismuth cuprous glasses

The optical transmission and absorption spectra in UV- VIS were recorded in the wavelength range 350–800 nm for different glass compositions in the system (CuO) _x (PbO) ₅₀−x(Bi₂O₃)₅₀ (x = 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, 10.0, 12.5, 15.0, 20.0). Absorption coefficient (α), optical energy gap (E_opt), refractive index (n_D), optical dielectric constant (ε′_∞), measure of extent of band tailing (ΔE), constant (β) and ratio of carrier concentration to the effective mass (N/m*) have been reported. The effects of compositions of glasses on these parameters have been discussed. It has been indicated that a small compositional modification of the glasses lead to an important change in all the optical properties including non-linear behaviour. The optical parameters were found to be almost the same for different glasses in the same family.     

Total energy calculation of perovskite,BaTiO<Subscript>3</Subscript>, by self-consistent tight binding method

We present results of numerical computation on some characteristics of BaTiO3 such as total energy, lattice constant, density of states, band structure etc using self-consistent tight binding method. Besides strong Ti-O bond between 3 d on titanium and 2 p orbital on oxygen states, we also include weak hybridization between the Ba 6 s and O 2 p tates. The results are compared with those of other more sophisticated methods.