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At least 1,747 records · Page 97

Efficient conversion from UV light to near-IR emission in Yb{sup 3+}-doped triple-layered perovskite CaLaNb{sub 3}O{sub 10}

Graphical abstract: CaRNb{sub 3}O{sub 10} is a self-activated oxide due to charge transfer transition in octahedral NbO{sub 6} groups. CaLaNb{sub 3}O{sub 10}:Yb{sup 3+} presents intense IR emission due to the cooperative energy transfer from host (NbO{sub 6}) to Yb{sup 3+} is responsible. It could be expected to be potentially applicable for enhancing photovoltaic conversion efficiency of Si-based solar cells. - Abstract: Yb{sup 3+}-doped triple-layered perovskite CaLaNb{sub 3}O{sub 10} micro-particles were synthesized via the solid-state reaction method. The crystal structure and morphology of the polycrystalline samples were investigated by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) measurements, respectively. The reflectance spectra, photoluminescence (PL) excitation and emission spectra, the decay curves, and the absolute quantum efficiency (QE) of the near-infrared (NIR) emission (910–1100 nm) were measured. Under excitation of UV light, Yb{sup 3+}-doped perovskite shows an intense NIR emission attributed to the {sup 2}F{sub 5/2} → {sup 2}F{sub 7/2} transitions of Yb{sup 3+} ions, which could match maximum spectral response of a Si-based solar cell. This is beneficial for its possible application in an enhancement of the photovoltaic conversion efficiency of solar energy utilization. The efficient energy transfer in Yb{sup 3+}-doped CaLaNb{sub 3}O{sub 10} from NbO{sub 6} groups into Yb{sup 3+} ions was confirmed by the spectra and fluorescent decay measurements. Cooperative energy transfer (CET) was supposed to be the NIR emission mechanism.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

BROADBAND SPECTRAL INVESTIGATIONS OF SGR J1550-5418 BURSTS

We present the results of our broadband spectral analysis of 42 SGR J1550-5418 bursts simultaneously detected with the Swift/X-ray Telescope (XRT) and the Fermi/Gamma-ray Burst Monitor (GBM), during the 2009 January active episode of the source. The unique spectral and temporal capabilities of the XRT windowed timing mode have allowed us to extend the GBM spectral coverage for these events down to the X-ray domain (0.5-10 keV). Our earlier analysis of the GBM data found that the SGR J1550-5418 burst spectra were described equally well with either a Comptonized model or with two blackbody functions; the two models were statistically indistinguishable. Our new broadband (0.5-200 keV) spectral fits show that, on average, the burst spectra are better described with two blackbody functions than with the Comptonized model. Thus, our joint XRT-GBM analysis clearly shows for the first time that the SGR J1550-5418 burst spectra might naturally be expected to exhibit a more truly thermalized character, such as a two-blackbody or even a multi-blackbody signal. Using the Swift and RXTE timing ephemeris for SGR J1550-5418 we construct the distribution of the XRT burst counts with spin phase and find that it is not correlated with the persistent X-ray emission pulse phase from SGR J1550-5418. These results indicate that the burst emitting sites on the neutron star need not to be co-located with hot spots emitting the bulk of the persistent X-ray emission. Finally, we show that there is a significant pulse phase dependence of the XRT burst counts, likely demonstrating that the surface magnetic field of SGR J1550-5418 is not uniform over the emission zones, since it is anticipated that regions with stronger surface magnetic field could trigger bursts more efficiently.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Observed Barium Emission Rates

The barium releases from the CRRES satellite have provided an opportunity for verifying theoretically calculated barium ion and neutral emission rates. Spectra of the five Caribbean releases in the summer of 1991 were taken with a spectrograph on board a U.S. Air Force jet aircraft. Because the line of sight release densities are not known, only relative rates could be obtained. The observed relative rates agree well with the theoretically calculated rates and, together with other observations, confirm the earlier detailed theoretical emission rates. The calculated emission rates can thus with good accuracy be used with photometric observations. It has been postulated that charge exchange between neutral barium and oxygen ions represents a significant source for ionization. If so. it should be associated with emissions at 4957.15 A and 5013.00 A, but these emissions were not detected.

Stenbaek-Nielsen, H. C.↗

SAGITTARIUS A* ACCRETION FLOW AND BLACK HOLE PARAMETERS FROM GENERAL RELATIVISTIC DYNAMICAL AND POLARIZED RADIATIVE MODELING

We obtain estimates of Sgr A* accretion flow and black hole parameters by fitting polarized submillimeter observations with spectra computed using three-dimensional general relativistic (GR) magnetohydrodynamical (MHD) (GRMHD) simulations. Observations are compiled from averages over many epochs from reports in 29 papers for estimating the mean fluxes F{sub {nu}}, linear polarization (LP) fractions, circular polarization (CP) fractions, and electric vector position angles. GRMHD simulations are computed with dimensionless spins a{sub *} = 0, 0.5, 0.7, 0.9, 0.98 over a 20, 000M time interval. We perform fully self-consistent GR polarized radiative transfer using our new code to explore the effects of spin a{sub *}, inclination angle {theta}, position angle (P.A.), accretion rate M-dot , and electron temperature T{sub e} (T{sub e} is reported for radius 6M). By fitting the mean submillimeter fluxes and LP/CP fractions, we obtain estimates for these model parameters and determine the physical effects that could produce polarization signatures. Our best-bet model has a{sub *} = 0.5, {theta} = 75 Degree-Sign , P.A. = 115 Degree-Sign , M-dot = 4.6 x 10{sup -8} M{sub Sun} yr{sup -1}, and T{sub e} = 3.1 Multiplication-Sign 10{sup 10} K at 6M. The submillimeter CP is mainly produced by Faraday conversion as modified by Faraday rotation, and the emission region size at 230 GHz is consistent with the very long baseline interferometry size of 37 {mu}as. Across all spins, model parameters are in the ranges {theta} = 42 Degree-Sign -75 Degree-Sign , M-dot = (1.4-7.0) x 10{sup -8} M{sub Sun} yr{sup -1}, and T{sub e} = (3-4) Multiplication-Sign 10{sup 10} K. Polarization is found both to help differentiate models and to introduce new observational constraints on the effects of the magnetic field that might not be fit by accretion models so far considered.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

A model of an X-ray-illuminated accretion disk and corona

The X-ray-illuminated surface of the accretion disk in a low-mass X-ray Binary (LMXRB) and the X-ray-heated corona above the disk produce optical, UV, and soft X-ray emission lines. This paper presents 1D models of the emission line spectra and the vertical temperature and density structures at different radii. The models include a detailed treatment of the important atomic processes and an escape probability treatment of radiative transfer. Soker and Raymond (1993) use the density structure predicted by these models for a 2D Monte Carlo simulation of the photon scattering in the accretion disk corona (ADC) to examine the effects of the ADC on the angular distribution of X-rays and the flux of X-rays incident on the outer disk. This paper concentrates on the emission line fluxes for various elemental abundances and disk parameters. The UV lines of the classic LMXRBs are consistent with the model predictions. Some CNO processing is necessary to account for the nitrogen and helium abundances in Sco X-1 and other LMXRBs. Comparison of the models with observed spectra also points to a soft X-ray component with luminosity comparable to the hard X-rays. The models predict a substantial luminosity in the group of highly ionized iron lines near 100 A.

Raymond, John C.↗

PHOTOMETRICALLY TRIGGERED KECK SPECTROSCOPY OF FERMI BL LACERTAE OBJECTS

We report on Keck spectra of 10 Fermi blazars. J0622+3326, previously unobserved, is shown to be a flat-spectrum radio quasar at redshift z = 1.062. The others are known BL Lac type objects that have resisted previous attempts to secure redshifts. Using a photometric monitoring campaign with the 0.76 m Katzman Automatic Imaging Telescope at Lick Observatory, we identified epochs when the relativistic jet emission was fainter than usual, thus triggering the Keck spectroscopy. This strategy gives improved sensitivity to stars and ionized gas in the host galaxy, thereby providing improved redshift constraints for seven of these sources.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Photoluminescence and electrical characterization of unfilled tetragonal tungsten bronze Ba{sub 4}La{sub 1−x}Eu{sub x}TiNb{sub 9}O{sub 30}

Graphical abstract: PL spectra of the unfilled TTB structure BLTN: Eu{sup 3+}x samples (x = 0.00, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, and 1.00) excited by 399 nm. The inset is a schematic diagram of the unfilled TTB structure. - Highlights: • Unfilled TTB structure BLTN: Eu{sup 3+}x ceramics have been synthesized. • Photoluminescenct properties of the BLTN: Eu{sup 3+}x ceramics have been first reported. • Bright red emission excited by NUV light has been observed at room temperature. • Obvious variations of dielectric characteristics have been confirmed. • Relaxor-like ferroelectric phase transitions have been detected. - Abstract: Unfilled tetragonal tungsten bronze (TTB) structure Ba{sub 4}LaTiNb{sub 9}O{sub 30} doped by Eu{sup 3+} (BLTN: Eu{sup 3+}x) with different x have been prepared, and their structural, photoluminescence, dielectric, and ferroelectric properties are carefully investigated in this work. Bright red emission, originating from {sup 5}D{sub 0} → {sup 7}F{sub 1} and {sup 5}D{sub 0} → {sup 7}F{sub 2} transitions of Eu{sup 3+} ions, has been observed by naked eyes at room temperature under near ultraviolet (NUV) light excitation. Optimized emission intensity is obtained when x = 1.00 for present unfilled TTB-type BLTN: Eu{sup 3+}x samples. Furthermore, with increasing x, the dielectric and ferroelectric characteristics of the unfilled TTB-type BLTN: Eu{sup 3+}x samples also display remarkable variation. When x ≥ 0.50 relaxor-like ferroelectric phase transitions are detected above room temperature, it is believed that unfilled TTB-type BLTN: Eu{sup 3+}x = 1.00 involving bright photoluminescence and enhanced ferroelectric properties may act as a potentially multifunctional optical-electro material.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Excitonic luminescence of SiGe/Si quantum wells δ-doped with boron

Low-temperature photoluminescence of undoped and moderately δ-doped Si{sub 1−x}Ge{sub x}/Si (x < 0.1) quantum wells has been studied. The influence of boron δ-layer on the excitonic luminescence and the luminescence caused by a dense electron plasma was demonstrated. The conditions under which the luminescence spectra of quantum wells are dominated by impurity-bound excitons (BE) have been established. Some unusual properties of these BE are explained in terms of type II band-offset in Si{sub 1−x}Ge{sub x}/Si (x < 0.1) quantum wells, which favors a spatial separation of electrons and holes. It is shown that the temperature dependence of an excitonic emission in the quantum wells allows to calculate the BE-related density of states and, thus, can be used for contactless estimation of the impurity concentration in quantum wells.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗

Synthesis, energy transfer and luminescence properties of Ca{sub 2}MgWO{sub 6}:Sm{sup 3+}, Bi{sup 3+} phosphor

Graphical abstract: PL spectra of Ca{sub 2}MgWO{sub 6}:Sm{sup 3+} and Ca{sub 2}MgWO{sub 6}:Sm{sup 3+}, Bi{sup 3+} phosphors with excitation at 407 nm, and the corresponding CIE chromaticity diagram and chromaticity coordinates. - Highlights: • Novel Ca{sub 2}MgWO{sub 6}:Sm{sup 3+}, Bi{sup 3+} phosphor is synthesized by solid-state reaction method in air. • Emission intensity of Ca{sub 2}MgWO{sub 6}:Sm{sup 3+} phosphor is enhanced ∼2 times after co-doped Bi{sup 3+} ion. • Charge compensation and energy transfer may be explained via luminescence properties. • Luminous mechanism is analyzed by energy level diagrams of WO{sub 6}{sup 6−} group, Sm{sup 3+} and Bi{sup 3+} ions. - Abstract: Novel Ca{sub 2}MgWO{sub 6}:Sm{sup 3+}, Bi{sup 3+} phosphor is synthesized by solid-state reaction method in air. Host Ca{sub 2}MgWO{sub 6} with excitation 300 nm emits blue light. Ca{sub 2}MgWO{sub 6}:Bi{sup 3+} phosphor with excitation 300 and 338 nm emits yellow light. Ca{sub 2}MgWO{sub 6}:Sm{sup 3+} phosphor with excitation 300 nm exhibits tunable emission from blue to red light by increasing Sm{sup 3+} doping concentration from 0 to 8 mol%, however, only emits red light with excitation 407 nm. Ca{sub 2}MgWO{sub 6}:Sm{sup 3+}, Bi{sup 3+} phosphor with excitation 300 and 338 nm emits red light. The optimal Sm{sup 3+} doping concentration is ∼5 mol% in Ca{sub 2}MgWO{sub 6}:Sm{sup 3+} phosphor. After Bi{sup 3+} ion is co-doped, luminescence properties of Ca{sub 2}MgWO{sub 6}:Sm{sup 3+} phosphor can be improved obviously because of Bi{sub 2}O{sub 3} as fluxing agent role and energy transfer from Bi{sup 3+} to Sm{sup 3+} ions. The possible luminous mechanism of Ca{sub 2}MgWO{sub 6}:Sm{sup 3+}, Bi{sup 3+} phosphor is analyzed and explained by simplified energy level diagrams of WO{sub 6}{sup 6−} group, Bi{sup 3+} and Sm{sup 3+} ions.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

METAMORPHOSIS OF SN 2014C: DELAYED INTERACTION BETWEEN A HYDROGEN POOR CORE-COLLAPSE SUPERNOVA AND A NEARBY CIRCUMSTELLAR SHELL

We present optical observations of supernova SN 2014C, which underwent an unprecedented slow metamorphosis from H-poor type Ib to H-rich type IIn over the course of one year. The observed spectroscopic evolution is consistent with the supernova having exploded in a cavity before encountering a massive shell of the progenitor star’s stripped hydrogen envelope. Possible origins for the circumstellar shell include a brief Wolf–Rayet fast wind phase that overtook a slower red supergiant wind, eruptive ejection, or confinement of circumstellar material by external influences of neighboring stars. An extended high velocity Hα absorption feature seen in near-maximum light spectra implies that the progenitor star was not completely stripped of hydrogen at the time of core collapse. Archival pre-explosion Subaru Telescope Suprime-Cam and Hubble Space Telescope Wide Field Planetary Camera 2 images of the region obtained in 2009 show a coincident source that is most likely a compact massive star cluster in NGC 7331 that hosted the progenitor system. By comparing the emission properties of the source with stellar population models that incorporate interacting binary stars we estimate the age of the host cluster to be 30–300 Myr, and favor ages closer to 30 Myr in light of relatively strong Hα emission. SN 2014C is the best observed member of a class of core-collapse supernovae that fill the gap between events that interact strongly with dense, nearby environments immediately after explosion and those that never show signs of interaction. Better understanding of the frequency and nature of this intermediate population can contribute valuable information about the poorly understood final stages of stellar evolution.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Positron annihilation spectroscopy techniques applied to the study of an HPGe detector

Doppler Broadening Spectroscopy of the large Ge crystal of an HPGe detector was performed using positrons from pair production of 6.13 MeV {gamma}-rays from the {sup 19}F(p,{alpha}{gamma}){sup 16}O reaction. Two HPGe detectors facing opposite sides of the Ge crystal acting as target provided both coincidence and singles spectra. Changes in the shape of the annihilation peak were observed when the high voltage applied to the target detector was switched on or off, amounting to somewhat less than 20% when the areas of equivalent energy intervals in the corresponding normalized spectra are compared.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Optical and morphological properties of graphene sheets decorated with ZnO nanowires via polyol enhancement

Graphene-ZnO nanocomposites have proven to be very useful materials for photovoltaic and sensor applications. Here, we report a facile, one-step in situ polymerization method for synthesis of graphene sheets randomly decorated with zinc oxide nanowires using ethylene glycol as solvent. We have used hydrothermal treatment for growth of ZnO nanowires. UV-visible spectra peak shifting around 288nm and 307 nm shows the presence of ZnO on graphene structure. Photoluminiscence spectra (PL) in 400nm-500nm region exhibits the luminescence quenching effect. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) image confirms the growth of ZnO nanowires on graphene sheets.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗

MAPPING DIRECTLY IMAGED GIANT EXOPLANETS

With the increasing number of directly imaged giant exoplanets, the current atmosphere models are often not capable of fully explaining the spectra and luminosity of the sources. A particularly challenging component of the atmosphere models is the formation and properties of condensate cloud layers, which fundamentally impact the energetics, opacity, and evolution of the planets. Here we present a suite of techniques that can be used to estimate the level of rotational modulations these planets may show. We propose that the time-resolved observations of such periodic photometric and spectroscopic variations of extrasolar planets due to their rotation can be used as a powerful tool to probe the heterogeneity of their optical surfaces. In this paper, we develop simulations to explore the capabilities of current and next-generation ground- and space-based instruments for this technique. We address and discuss the following questions: (1) what planet properties can be deduced from the light curve and/or spectra, and in particular can we determine rotation periods, spot coverage, spot colors, and spot spectra?; (2) what is the optimal configuration of instrument/wavelength/temporal sampling required for these measurements?; and (3) can principal component analysis be used to invert the light curve and deduce the surface map of the planet? Our simulations describe the expected spectral differences between homogeneous (clear or cloudy) and patchy atmospheres, outline the significance of the dominant absorption features of H{sub 2}O, CH{sub 4}, and CO, and provide a method to distinguish these two types of atmospheres. Assuming surfaces with and without clouds for most currently imaged planets the current models predict the largest variations in the J band. Simulated photometry from current and future instruments is used to estimate the level of detectable photometric variations. We conclude that future instruments will be able to recover not only the rotation periods, cloud cover, cloud colors, and spectra but even cloud evolution. We also show that a longitudinal map of the planet's atmosphere can be deduced from its disk-integrated light curves.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

PRECISE MEASUREMENT OF THE REIONIZATION OPTICAL DEPTH FROM THE GLOBAL 21 cm SIGNAL ACCOUNTING FOR COSMIC HEATING

As a result of our limited data on reionization, the total optical depth for electron scattering, τ, limits precision measurements of cosmological parameters from the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB). It was recently shown that the predicted 21 cm signal of neutral hydrogen contains enough information to reconstruct τ with sub-percent accuracy, assuming that the neutral gas was much hotter than the CMB throughout the entire epoch of reionization (EoR). Here we relax this assumption and use the global 21 cm signal alone to extract τ for realistic X-ray heating scenarios. We test our model-independent approach using mock data for a wide range of ionization and heating histories and show that an accurate measurement of the reionization optical depth at a sub-percent level is possible in most of the considered scenarios even when heating is not saturated during the EoR, assuming that the foregrounds are mitigated. However, we find that in cases where heating sources had hard X-ray spectra and their luminosity was close to or lower than what is predicted based on low-redshift observations, the global 21 cm signal alone is not a good tracer of the reionization history.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Sanduleak's Star (LMC Anonymous) - Its similarity in the far-ultraviolet with the luminous object Eta Carinae and SN 1987A

Low-resolution IUE SWP spectra of the peculiar object LMC Anonymous (Sanduleak's Star) indicates strong evidence for CNO-processed nebula in the vicinity of the star. The far-UV spectrum of LMC Anonymous closely resembles that of the S Condensation of Eta Carinae. The similarity between LMC Anonymous and the S Condensation is apparent from the absolute intensity of the N V, semiforbidden N IV, and semiforbidden N III emission lines compared with the reduced strength of C IV or semiforbidden C III emission. IUE spectra of the S Condensation and SN 1987A may provide important clues concerning the nature of LMC Anonymous, which indicates departures from normal cosmic abundances of nitrogen relative to carbon that are extreme. This may suggest that carbon envelope burning and dredge-up occurred simultaneously during the helium-burning stage.

Michalitsianos, A. G.↗

DISSECTING THE HIGH- z INTERSTELLAR MEDIUM THROUGH INTENSITY MAPPING CROSS-CORRELATIONS

We explore the detection, with upcoming spectroscopic surveys, of three-dimensional power spectra of emission line fluctuations produced in different phases of the interstellar medium (ISM) by forbidden transitions of ionized carbon [C ii] (157.7 μ m), ionized nitrogen [N ii] (121.9 and 205.2 μ m), and neutral oxygen [O i] (145.5 μ m) at redshift z > 4. These lines are important coolants of both the neutral and the ionized medium, and probe multiple phases of the ISM. In the framework of the halo model, we compute predictions of the three-dimensional power spectra for two different surveys, showing that they have the required sensitivity to detect cross-power spectra between the [C ii] line and both the [O i] line and the [N ii] lines with sufficient signal-to-noise ratio. The importance of cross-correlating multiple lines with the intensity mapping technique is twofold. On the one hand, we will have multiple probes of the different phases of the ISM, which is key to understanding the interplay between energetic sources, and the gas and dust at high redshift. This kind of study will be useful for a next-generation space observatory such as the NASA Far-IR Surveyor, which will probe the global star formation and the ISM of galaxies from the peak of star formation to the epoch of reionization. On the other hand, emission lines from external galaxies are an important foreground when measuring spectral distortions of the cosmic microwave background spectrum with future space-based experiments like PIXIE; measuring fluctuations in the intensity mapping regime will help constrain the mean amplitude of these lines, and will allow us to better handle this important foreground.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗