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At least 991 records · Page 55

Control of optical absorption and fluorescence spectroscopies of natural melanin at different solution concentrations

The source of the optical properties of natural melanin persists as an impressive conundrum, hindering a thorough comprehension of the complicated photo-protective contribution of these extensive natural pigments and the pragmatic design of revolutionary bioinspired materials for optoelectronic functionalities. Melanin is a natural pigment distributed in vivo, and provides protection from the sun rays, exhibiting a strong wide-band UV–visible absorption. In the present study, we investigated the optical properties of natural melanin at different pH concentrations within the framework of experimental techniques, namely, UV–visible absorption, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and fluorescence spectroscopies. The results indicate that the optical absorption and fluorescence of natural melanin are enhanced within the near-UV and visible regimes with an increase in the solution concentration, are dependent on the pH level, and can impact the emergence of a broad band of visible absorption. The variations in the optical absorption spectra of natural melanin solutions at various pH levels will demonstrate novel rational strategies for controlling their optical properties for potential optoelectronic applications.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Analysis of interfaces in Bornite (Cu5FeS4) fabricated Schottky diode using impedance spectroscopy method and its photosensitive behavior

Highlights: • Impedance spectroscopy study and current-voltage analysis of Bornite fabricated Schottky diode. • Analysis of interface regions of Schottky barrier diode under dc bias voltage. • Deduction of photosensing parameters for Al/Cu{sub 5}FeS{sub 4}/FTO Schottky diode. • Discussion of charge transport mechanism by employing space charge limited current (SCLC) theory. - Abstract: In this report, we have synthesized Bornite (Cu{sub 5}FeS{sub 4}) material by hydrothermal synthesis technique. The interface characteristics of Al/Cu{sub 5}FeS{sub 4}/FTO Schottky barrier diode (SBD) are investigated by using ac impedance spectroscopy (IS) analysis (under dark condition) and dc current-voltage (I–V) measurements (under dark and light both condition). IS is a powerful tool to identify the interface regions of SBDs. Ac impedance spectra of Al/Cu{sub 5}FeS{sub 4} SBD are recorded in the frequency range 40 Hz-20 MHz during dc bias scanning from -0.6 V to 0.6 V under dark condition. The diode parameter including ideality factor and barrier height is calculated from the conventional I–V measurement based on thermionic emission (TE) theory. Space charge limited current (SCLC) theory has been employed to further exemplify the improved performance of Cu{sub 5}FeS{sub 4} based SBD, which points out that the carrier mobility is enhanced ∼2-fold after irradiation of light.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Annealing effects on structural, electrical and optical properties of antimony-tinoxide thin films deposited by sol gel dip coating technique

Antimony-doped tin dioxide possess interesting physical and chemical properties. These properties have a wide range of applications such as catalysis and optoelectronic devices. In the present study, antimony-doped tin oxide (SnO2:Sb) thin films were deposited on the quartz substrates by sol-gel dip coating technique. The films were annealed at temperatures 350°C, 550°C and 850°C in air for 2 hours. The structure and surface morphologies were observed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM). XRD patterns shows tetragonal structure for the SnO2:Sb films annealed at different temperatures. Crystallite size increased from 6 to 14 nm as annealing temperature increased from 350°C to 850°C. SEM studies reveals crack free and smooth surface for all the films. The grains are found to be homogenously distributed for films annealed at higher temperature. The electrical conductivity of the films annealed at 350°C and 550°C decreased and increased for the films annealed at 850°C. The optical properties of the films were investigated in the UV-visible-NIR region (200-900 nm) using UV spectra. The transmittance of the films decreased for films annealed at higher temperature. The optical energy band gap values (4.13 eV-4.83 eV) increased with the increase in annealing temperature.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Quantifying coherent and incoherent cathodoluminescence in semiconductors and metals

We present a method to separate coherent and incoherent contributions to cathodoluminescence from bulk materials by using angle-resolved cathodoluminescence spectroscopy. Using 5 and 30 keV electrons, we measure the cathodoluminescence spectra for Si, GaAs, Al, Ag, Au, and Cu and determine the angular emission distributions for Al, GaAs, and Si. Aluminium shows a clear dipolar radiation profile due to coherent transition radiation, while GaAs shows incoherent luminescence characterized by a Lambertian angular distribution. Silicon shows both transition radiation and incoherent radiation. From the angular data, we determine the ratio between the two processes and decompose their spectra. This method provides a powerful way to separate different radiative cathodoluminescence processes, which is useful for material characterization and in studies of electron- and light-matter interaction in metals and semiconductors.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Diagnosis of bubble evolution in laser-wakefield acceleration via angular distributions of betatron x-rays

We present an indirect method to diagnose the electron beam behaviors and bubble dynamic evolution in a laser-wakefield accelerator. Four kinds of typical bubble dynamic evolution and, hence, electron beam behaviors observed in Particle-In-Cell simulations are identified correspondingly by simultaneous measurement of distinct angular distributions of the betatron radiation and electron beam energy spectra in experiment. The reconstruction of the bubble evolution may shed light on finding an effective way to better generate high-quality electron beams and enhanced betatron X-rays.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Dynamic frequency-domain interferometer for absolute distance measurements with high resolution

A unique dynamic frequency-domain interferometer for absolute distance measurement has been developed recently. This paper presents the working principle of the new interferometric system, which uses a photonic crystal fiber to transmit the wide-spectrum light beams and a high-speed streak camera or frame camera to record the interference stripes. Preliminary measurements of harmonic vibrations of a speaker, driven by a radio, and the changes in the tip clearance of a rotating gear wheel show that this new type of interferometer has the ability to perform absolute distance measurements both with high time- and distance-resolution.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Isotope-enriched protein standards for computational amide I spectroscopy

We present a systematic isotope labeling study of the protein G mutant NuG2b as a step toward the production of reliable, structurally stable, experimental standards for amide I infrared spectroscopic simulations. By introducing isotope enriched amino acids into a minimal growth medium during bacterial expression, we induce uniform labeling of the amide bonds following specific amino acids, avoiding the need for chemical peptide synthesis. We use experimental data to test several common amide I frequency maps and explore the influence of various factors on map performance. Comparison of the predicted absorption frequencies for the four maps tested with empirical assignments to our experimental spectra yields a root-mean-square error of 6-12 cm{sup −1}, with outliers of at least 12 cm{sup −1} in all models. This means that the predictions may be useful for predicting general trends such as changes in hydrogen bonding configuration; however, for finer structural constraints or absolute frequency assignments, the models are unreliable. The results indicate the need for careful testing of existing literature maps and shed light on possible next steps for the development of quantitative spectral maps.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Radiative and non-radiative recombinations in tensile strained Ge microstrips: Photoluminescence experiments and modeling

Tensile germanium microstrips are candidate as gain material in Si-based light emitting devices due to the beneficial effect of the strain field on the radiative recombination rate. In this work, we thoroughly investigate their radiative recombination spectra by means of micro-photoluminescence experiments at different temperatures and excitation powers carried out on samples featuring different tensile strain values. For sake of comparison, bulk Ge(001) photoluminescence is also discussed. The experimental findings are interpreted in light of a numerical modeling based on a multi-valley effective mass approach, taking in to account the depth dependence of the photo-induced carrier density and of the self-absorption effect. The theoretical modeling allowed us to quantitatively describe the observed increase of the photoluminescence intensity for increasing values of strain, excitation power, and temperature. The temperature dependence of the non-radiative recombination time in this material has been inferred thanks to the model calibration procedure.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Effect of annealing temperature on the structural and optical properties of CeO{sub 2}:Ni thin films

High quality Ni-doped CeO{sub 2} (CeO{sub 2}:Ni) thin films were deposited on glass substrates at room temperature by using radio frequency magnetron sputtering. The effect of annealing temperature on structural and optical properties of the CeO{sub 2}:Ni films was investigated. The structural, optical and vibrational properties of the films were determined using X-ray diffraction (XRD), photoluminescence spectrometer (PL) and Raman spectrometer. It was found that the as-deposited film has a fluorite cubic structure. By increasing annealing temperature from 100°C to 300°C, the crystalline quality of the thin films could be improved. The UV and visible band emissions were observed in the photoluminescence spectra, due to exciton, defect related emissions respectively. The micro-Raman results show the characteristic peak of CeO{sub 2} F{sub 2g} at 465 cm{sup −1} and 2L0 at 1142 cm{sup −1}. Defect peaks like D and 0 bands were observed at 641 cm{sup −1} and 548 cm{sup −1} respectively. It is found from the spectra that the peak intensity of the films increased with increase of annealing temperature.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Intramode wave packet in a thin left-handed film with the spectrum near the frequency of the zero group velocity

We consider the frequency dependence of propagation constants (phase dispersion) and of the spatial distribution of the electromagnetic field (shape dispersion) of guided optical TE modes in a thin left-handed film. It is shown that the spatiotemporal transformation of narrow-band intramode wave packets with the spectrum adjacent to the frequency of the zero group velocity is caused by the dispersion of both types. The propagation velocity of the power carried by such wave packets is significantly lower than the group velocity of light in a bulk left-handed metamaterial. (metamaterials)

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Rate equations for the diode laser and their applicability area

Taking into account spontaneous emission by adding its intensity in the form of a constant term to the laser emission intensity in rate equations is shown to be an inadequate approach. The use of rate equations without equations for phases of waves is limited to problems in which light is characterised by its total intensity, without its spectral composition. Such equations are incapable of adequately modelling the emission spectrum of diode lasers. (paper)

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Radial velocity variations of photometrically quiet, chromospherically inactive Kepler stars: A link between RV jitter and photometric flicker

We compare stellar photometric variability, as measured from Kepler light curves by Basri et al., with measurements of radial velocity (RV) rms variations of all California Planet Search overlap stars. We newly derive rotation periods from the Kepler light curves for all of the stars in our study sample. The RV variations reported herein range from less than 4 to 135 m s{sup –1}, yet the stars all have amplitudes of photometric variability less than 3 mmag, reflecting the preference of the RV program for chromospherically 'quiet' stars. Despite the small size of our sample, we find with high statistical significance that the RV rms manifests strongly in the Fourier power spectrum of the light curve: stars that are noisier in RV have a greater number of frequency components in the light curve. We also find that spot models of the observed light curves systematically underpredict the observed RV variations by factors of ∼2-1000, likely because the low-level photometric variations in our sample are driven by processes not included in simple spot models. The stars best fit by these models tend to have simpler light curves, dominated by a single relatively high-amplitude component of variability. Finally, we demonstrate that the RV rms behavior of our sample can be explained in the context of the photometric variability evolutionary diagram introduced by Bastien et al. We use this diagram to derive the surface gravities of the stars in our sample, revealing many of them to have moved off the main sequence. More generally, we find that the stars with the largest RV rms are those that have evolved onto the 'flicker floor' sequence in that diagram, characterized by relatively low amplitude but highly complex photometric variations which grow as the stars evolve to become subgiants.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

A strict test of stellar evolution models: The absolute dimensions of the massive benchmark eclipsing binary V578 Mon

We determine the absolute dimensions of the eclipsing binary V578 Mon, a detached system of two early B-type stars (B0V + B1V, P = 2.40848 days) in the star-forming region NGC 2244 of the Rosette Nebula. From the light curve analysis of 40 yr of photometry and the analysis of HERMES spectra, we find radii of 5.41 ± 0.04 R{sub ☉} and 4.29 ± 0.05 R{sub ☉}, and temperatures of 30,000 ± 500 K and 25,750 ± 435 K, respectively. We find that our disentangled component spectra for V578 Mon agree well with previous spectral disentangling from the literature. We also reconfirm the previous spectroscopic orbit of V578 Mon finding that masses of 14.54 ± 0.08 M{sub ☉} and 10.29 ± 0.06 M{sub ☉} are fully compatible with the new analysis. We compare the absolute dimensions to the rotating models of the Geneva and Utrecht groups and the models of the Granada group. We find that all three sets of models marginally reproduce the absolute dimensions of both stars with a common age within the uncertainty for gravity-effective temperature isochrones. However, there are some apparent age discrepancies for the corresponding mass-radius isochrones. Models with larger convective overshoot, >0.35, worked best. Combined with our previously determined apsidal motion of 0.07089{sub −0.00013}{sup +0.00021} deg cycle{sup –1}, we compute the internal structure constants (tidal Love number) for the Newtonian and general relativistic contribution to the apsidal motion as log k {sub 2} = –1.975 ± 0.017 and log k {sub 2} = –3.412 ± 0.018, respectively. We find the relativistic contribution to the apsidal motion to be small, <4%. We find that the prediction of log k {sub 2,theo} = –2.005 ± 0.025 of the Granada models fully agrees with our observed log k {sub 2}.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Light, alpha, and Fe-peak element abundances in the galactic bulge

We present radial velocities and chemical abundances of O, Na, Mg, Al, Si, Ca, Cr, Fe, Co, Ni, and Cu for a sample of 156 red giant branch stars in two Galactic bulge fields centered near (l, b) = (+5.25,–3.02) and (0,–12). The (+5.25,–3.02) field also includes observations of the bulge globular cluster NGC 6553. The results are based on high-resolution (R ∼ 20,000), high signal-to-noise ration (S/N ≳ 70) FLAMES-GIRAFFE spectra obtained through the European Southern Observatory archive. However, we only selected a subset of the original observations that included spectra with both high S/N and that did not show strong TiO absorption bands. This work extends previous analyses of this data set beyond Fe and the α-elements Mg, Si, Ca, and Ti. While we find reasonable agreement with past work, the data presented here indicate that the bulge may exhibit a different chemical composition than the local thick disk, especially at [Fe/H] ≳ –0.5. In particular, the bulge [α/Fe] ratios may remain enhanced to a slightly higher [Fe/H] than the thick disk, and the Fe-peak elements Co, Ni, and Cu appear enhanced compared to the disk. There is also some evidence that the [Na/Fe] (but not [Al/Fe]) trends between the bulge and local disk may be different at low and high metallicity. We also find that the velocity dispersion decreases as a function of increasing [Fe/H] for both fields, and do not detect any significant cold, high-velocity populations. A comparison with chemical enrichment models indicates that a significant fraction of hypernovae may be required to explain the bulge abundance trends, and that initial mass functions that are steep, top-heavy (and do not include strong outflow), or truncated to avoid including contributions from stars >40 M {sub ☉} are ruled out, in particular because of disagreement with the Fe-peak abundance data. For most elements, the NGC 6553 stars exhibit abundance trends nearly identical to comparable metallicity bulge field stars. However, the star-to-star scatter and mean [Na/Fe] ratios appear higher in the cluster, perhaps indicating additional self-enrichment.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Long-term optical observations of the Be/X-ray binary X Per

We present optical spectroscopic observations of X Per from 1999 to 2013 with the 2.16 m telescope at Xinglong Station and the 2.4 m telescope at Lijiang Station, National Astronomical Observatories of China. Combining these observations with the public optical photometric data, we find certain epochs of anti-correlations between the optical brightness and the intensity of the Hα and He I 6678 lines, which may be attributed to the mass ejections from the Be star; however, alternative explanations are also possible. The variability of the Fe II 6317 line in the spectra of X Per might also be caused by the shocked waves formed after the mass ejections from the Be star. The X-ray activities of the system might also be connected with the mass ejection events from the Be star. When the ejected materials were transported from the surface of the Be star to the orbit of the neutron star, an X-ray flare could be observed in its X-ray light curves. We use the neutron star as a probe to constrain the motion of the ejected material in the circumstellar disk. With the diffusion time of the ejected material from the surface of the Be star to the orbit of neutron star, the viscosity parameter α of the circumstellar disk is estimated to be 0.39 and 0.28 for the different times, indicating that the disk around the Be star may be truncated by the neutron star at the 2:1 resonance radius and that a Type I X-ray outburst is unlikely to be observed in X Per.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

UBVRI analysis of the totally eclipsing extreme mass ratio W UMa binary, GSC 3208 1986

GSC 3208 1986 is an NSVS and TYCHO binary, first observed from 1999 to 2000. It is a W UMa binary with a period of 0.405 days. The present observations were taken in 2012 September and are of high precision, averaging a standard deviation of better than 5 mmag. The amplitude of the light curve is very nearly 0.5 mag yet it undergoes total eclipses. Dominion Astrophysical Observatory spectra give an F3V type (T∼6900 K) for the system, the earliest of the extreme mass ratio W UMa binaries. The linear period determination of 0.4045672 days was calculated with the two sets of epochs available. An early NSVS light curve reveals that the period has been smoothly decreasing over its past 12,000 orbits. The binary may be undergoing sinusoidal oscillations due to the presence of a third body, possibly with a period of 23±3 years. The high inclination of 85° results in a long duration secondary total eclipse, lasting some 49.5 minutes. Findings indicate that GSC 3208 1986 is an immaculate extreme mass ratio, q(m{sub 2}/m{sub 1}) = 0.24, A-type W UMa binary.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Ruprecht 106: The first single population globular cluster?

All old Galactic globular clusters (GCs) studied in detail to date host at least two generations of stars, where the second is formed from gas polluted by processed material produced by massive stars of the first. This process can happen if the initial mass of the cluster exceeds a threshold above which ejecta are retained and a second generation is formed. A determination of this mass threshold is mandatory in order to understand how GCs form. We analyzed nine red giant branch stars belonging to the cluster Ruprecht 106. Targets were observed with the UVES@VLT2 spectrograph. Spectra cover a wide range and allowed us to measure abundances for light (O, Na, Mg, Al), α (Si, Ca, Ti), iron-peak (Sc, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn), and neutron-capture (Y, Zr, Ba, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Dy, Pb) elements. Based on these abundances, we show that Ruprecht 106 is the first convincing example of a single-population GC (i.e., a true simple stellar population), although the sample is relatively small. This result is supported also by an independent photometric test and by the horizontal branch morphology and the dynamical state. It is old (∼12 Gyr) and, at odds with other GCs, has no α-enhancement. The material it formed from was contaminated by both s- and r-process elements. The abundance pattern points toward an extragalactic origin. Its present-day mass (M = 10{sup 4.83} M {sub ☉}) can be assumed as a strong lower limit for the initial mass threshold below which no second generation is formed. Clearly, its initial mass must have been significantly greater, but we have no current constraints on the amount of mass loss during its evolution.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Gamma-ray burst prompt emission light curves and power density spectra in the ICMART model

In this paper, we simulate the prompt emission light curves of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) within the framework of the Internal-Collision-induced MAgnetic Reconnection and Turbulence (ICMART) model. This model applies to GRBs with a moderately high magnetization parameter σ in the emission region. We show that this model can produce highly variable light curves with both fast and slow components. The rapid variability is caused by many locally Doppler-boosted mini-emitters due to turbulent magnetic reconnection in a moderately high σ flow. The runaway growth and subsequent depletion of these mini-emitters as a function of time define a broad slow component for each ICMART event. A GRB light curve is usually composed of multiple ICMART events that are fundamentally driven by the erratic GRB central engine activity. Allowing variations of the model parameters, one is able to reproduce a variety of light curves and the power density spectra as observed.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗