Cutting of nonmetallic materials using Nd:YAG laser beam

This study deals with Nd：YAG laser cutting nonmetallic materials, which is one of the most important and popular industrial applications of laser. The main theme is to evaluate the effects of Nd：YAG laser beam power besides work piece scanning speed. For approximate cutting depth, a theoretical study is conducted in terms of material property and cutting speed. Results show a nonlinear relation between the cutting depth and input energy. There is no significant effect of speed on cutting depth with the speed being larger than 30 mm/s. An extra energy is utilized in the deep cutting. It is inferred that as the laser power increases, cutting depth increases. The experimental outcomes are in good agreement with theoretical results. This analysis will provide a guideline for laser-based industry to select a suitable laser for cutting, scribing, trimming, engraving, and marking nonmetallic materials.

LiMn_2O_4 thin films derived by rapid thermal annealing and their performance as cathode materials for Li ion battery

The LiMn2O4 thin film as a cathode material was prepared through solution deposition followed by rapid thermal annealing （RTA）. The phase identification and the study of surface morphology were carried out by X-my diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Electrochemical properties were examined by cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge-discharge experiments, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The results show that the film prepared by this method is homogeneous, dense, and crack-free. The thin film has a capacity of 38 μtAh/（cm^2·μm） with the capacity loss of 0.037% per cycle after being cycled for 100 times. The average diffusion coefficient for lithium ions in the RTA-derived LiMn2O4 thin film is 1×10 ^-10 cm^2·s^-1.

Synthesis of Long Afterglow Photoluminescent Materials Sr_2MgSi_2O_7∶Eu^(2+), Dy^(3+) by Sol-Gel Method

Long afterglow photoluminescent materials Sr2MgSi2O7 doped with Eu2+, Dy3+ were prepared by sol-gel method. The synthesized samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction. The excitation spectrum, emission spectrum and long decay curve were measured and analyzed. XRD pattern indicates that phosphor is with Sr2MgSi2O7 crystal structure. The wide range of excitation wavelength indicates that luminescent material can be excited by light from ultraviolet ray to visible light. The main peak of emission spectrum is located at 466 nm. Sample excited by visible light can emit bright blue light, and the afterglow time lasts more than 8 h.

Structure and Electrorheological Performance of Nanosized Y_2O_3-Doped TiO_2 Particle Materials

The nanosized particle materials of doped-TiO_2 with Y_2O_3 were prepared by means of sol-gel technique for use in electrorheological (ER) fluids, and their crystal structures were measured by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. To compare with the pure TiO_2, a distinct enhancement in the shear stress under dc electric field was found by using such materials. This can be explained by the increase of the dielectric loss and dielectric constant at low frequency. The effects of the crystal structure of the particles on the dielectric property and ER performance of materials were investigated.

Complex permittivity, permeability, and microwave absorption of barium ferrite by citrate sol-gel process

BaFe12O19 hexaferrites were prepared by citrate sol-gel process. The formation temperature was much lower than that of the conventional ceramic method. The complex dielectric constant and complex permeability of hexaferrite-paraffin wax composites had been measured by the transmission/reflection coaxial line method in the range from 200 MHz to 6 GHz. The measurement results showed that both the complex dielectric constant and dielectric loss exhibited no significant variation with the measuring frequency increase. It also showed that the real part of permeability decreased as the frequency increasing for all samples, the resonance phenomena due to domain wall resonance was observed in ?' spectra, the calcining temperature strongly affects the microwave properties of BaFe12O19 ferrites, the higher the calcining temperature, the lower the resonance frequency.

Synthesis and characterization of SrCe_(0.95)Y_(0.05)O_(3-δ) nano powders by low temperature combustion

Nanosized SrCe0.95Y0.05O3-δ powders with homogeneous composition were synthesized by the low temperature combustion process based on the Pechini method. A polymeric precursor sol was formed by using citric acid and ethylene glycol as the chelating agents of metal ions. The perovskite-type SrCe0.95Y0.05O3-δpowders with uniform shape and smaller than 25 nm in size were obtained through the combustion of the polymeric precursor sol at the existence of nitric acid and ammonium hydroxide. It was found that modulating the quantifies of nitric acid and ammonium hydroxide could control the particle size, and the quantities of residue carbonate ions were also affected by the quantifies of citric acid and ethylene glycol.

Particular properties of Ti_2O and TiN_x nanoparticles prepared by thermal decomposition

Particular properties of Ti2O and TiNx prepared by thermal decomposition were introduced. A precursor prepared by titanium powder reacting with oxalate acid was thermally decomposed in nitrogen atmosphere at 840℃ for 15 min, and relatively pure Ti2O was then obtained. Conductive TiNx was also prepared after altering reaction conditions. Samples were characterized by resistivity, X-ray powder diffraction, transmission electron microscope, Ultraviolet-Visible diffuse reflection, and electromagnetic shielding efficiency. The results indicate that both Ti2O and TiNx have good conductivity. Moreover, Ti2O shows a better solar photocatalytic activity and TiNx does well in the electromagnetic shield.

Preparation of Y_2O_3 Nanopowders by Sol-Gel Method

Using the inexpensive inorganic salts as the starting materials,pure yttria nanopowders were prepared by sol-gel method. The primary particles are spherical and about 60 nm in diameter with a narrow size distribution. Moderate sulfate ions used as additive were the key to the formation of precursor and the preparation of spherical Y_2O_3 nanopowders. Transformation of the precursor was investigated during the calcining. The influence of calcination temperature on size and purity of production was analyzed. The results show that higher temperature is beneficial to the preparation of pure and complete crystallization of yttria powders under the condition of not making particles excessively grow.

Synthesis of piezoelectric nanocrystalline PZT powder by stearic acid gel method

PZT nanocrystalline powder was prepared by a stearic acid gel method. Thecrystallization process from the precursor was monitored by infrared spectroscopy, differentialthermal analysis, and thermogravimetric analysis. The nano-sized PZT powder was characterized byX-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. It shows that pure single-phase PZT powdercould be obtained at 450 deg C for 1 h, and the particle size is about 20 nm. With an increase inthe calcination temperature, the PZT crystallite size increased.

Synthesis of CaO-SiO_2-B_2O_3∶Sm_2O_3 Glasses and Luminescent Properties of Sm^(3+)

CaO-SiO2-B2O3 ：Sm2O3 glasses were synthesized in air atmosphere with conventional high temperature process. The optimal temperature of synthesis, the absorption spectrum and the luminescent properties of the glasses were studied. The fluorescence spectrum of Sm^3＋ was observed in CaO-SiO2-B2O3 ： Sm2O3 glasses. The fluorescence spectrum of the sample has three major emission bands peaking at 568, 605 and 650 nm respectively. The strongest emission band peak at 605 nm. It is concluded that the emissions were caused by the f-f transition of the 4f electrons of Sm^3＋. The emission bands peaking at 568, 604 and 650 nm correspond to the ^4G5/2→^6H5/2 transition, ^4G5/2→^6H7/2 transition and ^4G5/2→^6H9/2 trasition respectively. The luminescent properties of CaO-SiO2-B2O3 glasses indicate that the glass can convert the ultraviolet in the sunlight into red light, thus increasing the intensity of red light. The luminescent properties of these glasses may be used to make kinds of light-conversion glass for agriculture.

Microstructures and Adhesive Strength of Three Kinds of Ceramic Coatings

In gas turbine engine, the study of ceramic thermal resistance coating has always been paid more attention because it can effectively reduce metal interface temperatures, improve corrosion and/or oxidation resistance and extend life. The microstructures, SEM microfractographs and adhesive strength of three kinds of zirconia plasma-sprayed ceramic coating were investigated. The results indicated that nanostructured zirconia coating have higher adhesive strength and better micro-cracking resistance properties compared with magnesia or yttria stabilized zirconia coating because its less quantities laminar internal structures and closed packed structures with less quantities and uniform distribution cavities. The sprayed power is also an important factor affecting adhesive strength of nanostructured zirconia coating.

Preparation and microwave hexaferrites by a sol-gel process

s Ba_4Zn_zCo_(2-z)Fe_(36)O_(60) hexaferrites with Z = 2.0, 1.5, 1.0, 0.5, and0.0 were prepared by a citrate Sol-gel process. The complex dielectric constant and complexpermeability of hexaferrite-paraffin wax composites were measured in the range from 0.1 to 6.0 GHz.Measured results showed that both the complex dielectric constant and the dielectric loss exhibitedno significant change as the measuring frequency increasing except for the sample with Z = 0.0. Thereal part of permeability decreased with increasing frequency for all samples in the whole measuringfrequency range, and the natural resonance phenomena were observed in all μ″ spectrum but Co_2U.The results also indicate that the content of zinc closely affects the microwave properties ofBa_4Zn_zCo_(2-z)Fe_(36)O_(60) ferrites, and the greater the zinc content, the lower the naturalresonance frequency is.

Electromagnetic and microwave absorbing properties of W-type barium ferrite doped with Gd^(3+)

W-type barium ferrites doped with Gd^3＋,Ba1-xGdx（Zn0.3Co0.7）2Fe16O27（x = 0,0.05,0.10,0.15,0.20）,were prepared by a sol-gel method.The effects of Gd^3＋ substitution on their microstructure,electromagnetic properties and microwave absorptive behavior were analyzed.The XRD patterns showed the single phase of W-type barium ferrite when x ≤ 0.15.Microwave electromagnetic properties of samples were studied at the frequency range from 2 GHz to 18 GHz using a network analyzer（Agilent 8722ET）.The complex permittivity ε（ε＇,ε＇＇） increased gradually when x ≤ 0.10,but it decreased as x = 0.15.The real permeability（μ＇） decreased with the increase of Gd^3＋ content,while the imaginary permeability（μ＇＇） increased when x ≤ 0.10.All these reasons were discussed using the electromagnetic theory.Furthermore,the ferrite-epoxy compound coating materials with 80 wt.% of Ba0.9Gd0.1（Zn0.3Co0.7）2Fe16O27 were prepared to measure the microwave absorbing properties.The maximum of reflection loss（RL） reached about-27 dB and RL was below-10 dB in the frequency range of 8-18 GHz when the thickness was 1.92 mm.

Effects of Rare-Earth La_2O_3 Addition on Microstructures and Electrical Properties of SrTiO_3 Varistor-Capacitor Dual Functional Ceramics

The effects of rare-earth La_2O_3 addition on microstructures and electrical properties of SrTiO_3 ceramics were investigated. Semiconductor SrTiO_3-based voltage-sensing and dielectric dual functional ceramics was prepared by a single step sintering technology in this study, and the effects of the content of La_2O_3 on characteristics of the product were discussed in terms of microstructures and electrical properties of materials. The results show that SrTiO_3-based ceramics doped with La_2O_3 exhibits more homogeneous grain distribution, greater grain size, and excellent voltage sensing and dielectric characteristics than those without La_2O_3 doping. The samples doped with 1 1% La_2O_3 were sintered at 1420 ℃ in N_2+C weak reducing atmosphere. The average grain size of the samples doped with La_2O_3 is 40 μm, the breakdown voltage of 19.7 V·mm^(-1), the nonlinear exponent of 7.2, and dielectric constant of 22500. The results reveal that final products are suitable to use in low operating voltage.

Effect of La_2O_3 on Microstructure and Transmittance of Transparent Alumina Ceramics

Optically transparent alumina ceramics were fabricated by conventional process and sintered without pressure in H2 atmosphere. The results indicate that relative densities of alumina specimens increase to theoretical densities （T. D. ） with increasing content of La2O3. With increasing holding time during sintering, much less pores and larger grains were found in the sintered alumina samples. Higher transmittance was achieved in alumina codoped with MgO and La2O3 as compared with that doped with MgO only. The total-transmittance of alumina sample is up to 86% at twavelength range of 300 - 800 nm.

Influence of Sb_2O_3 doping on the properties of KBT-NBT-BT lead-free piezoelectric ceramics

0.144（K0.5Bi0.5）TiO3-0.85（Na0.5Bi0.5）TiO3-0.006BaTiO3（KBT-NBT-BT） lead-free piezoelectric ceramics were prepared using a conventional solid state method.The influence of Sb2O3 doping on the crystal phase,surface microstructure and properties of the KBT-NBT-BT lead-free piezoelectric ceramics were investigated using X-ray diffraction（XRD）,scanning electron microscope（SEM） and other analytical methods.The results show that all compositions are of pure perovskite structure solid states.Sb2O3 doping does not influence the microstructure of KBT-NBT-BT lead-free piezoelectric ceramics obviously in the Sb2O3 doping range of 0.1-0.5 wt.%.Sb2O3 functions as a donor when doped small amount,while functions as a acceptor when doped large amount.The piezoelectric strain constant（d33） increases first and then decreases;the dielectric constant（ε33^T/ε0） and the dielectric loss（tanδ） decrease continuously when the amount of Sb2O3 dopant increases.When the doping amount of Sb2O3 is 0.1 wt.%,the KBT-NBT-BT piezoelectric ceramics with good comprehensive properties are obtained,whose d33,ε33^T/ε0 and tanδ are 147 pC/N,1510 and 4.2%,respectively.

Influence of Composition of Sm_2O_3-Containing Rare Earth Glass on Its Absorption Spectrum

Borosilicate glass with high rare earth content was fabricated by traditional method. The influence of glass compositions and rare earth content on absorption spectra was examined and discussed. With increasing Sm2O3 content, the intensity of characteristic absorption peak is increased and the absorption peak is broadened. With increasing of the ratios of SiO2/B2O3 and Al2O3/SiO2, the broadening degree of absorption peak is increased. The experimental results provide basis for making special optical glasses which have the characteristics of high absorption for special wavelength laser and high transparence for visible light.

Upconversion Emission in Er^(3+) Doped Novel Bismuthate Glass

Novel Er3+-doped bismuth lead strontiam glass was fabricated and characterized, and the absorption spectrum and upconversion spectrum of the glass were studied. The Judd-Ofelt intensity parameters Ωt (t=2, 4, 6) were found to be Ω2=3.27×10-20 cm2, Ω4=1.15×10-20 cm2, and Ω6=0.38×10-20 cm2. The oscillator strength, the spontaneous transition probabilities, the fluorescence branching ratios, and excited state lifetimes were also measured and calculated. The upconversion emission intensity varies with the power of infrared excitation intensity. A plot of log Iup vs log IIR yields a straight line with slope 1.86, 1.88 and 1.85, corresponding to 525, 546, and 657 nm emission bands, respectively, which indicates that a two-photon process for the red and green emission.

Spectroscopic Properties and Judd-Ofelt Theory Analysis of Er^(3+)-Doped Heavy Metal Oxyfluoride Silicate Glass

Er^(3+)-doped heavy metal oxyfluoride silicate glass was fabricated and characterized, and the absorption spectrum and fluorescence spectrum of the glass were studied. The Judd-Ofelt intensity parameters Ω_t (t =2, 4, 6), spontaneous transition probability, fluorescence branching ratio and radiative lifetime of each energy levels for Er^(3+) were calculated by Judd-Ofelt theory, and stimulated emission cross-section of (()~4I_(13/2))→(()~4I_(15/2)) transition was calculated by McCumber theory. The results show that fluorescence full width at half maximum and stimulated emission cross-section of Er^(3+)-doped heavy metal oxyfluoride silicate glass are broad and large, respectively. Compared with other host glasses, the gain bandwidth property of Er^(3+)-doped heavy metal oxyfluoride silicate glass is close to those of tellurite and bismuth glasses, and has advantage over those of silicate, phosphate and germante glasses.

Optics and Spectral Investigation in Dy^(3+)-Doped Borate Glasses

Dy^3＋-doped borate glasses （LBLB） with high effective visible fluorescence emission were synthesized. The absorption spectrum and fluorescence spectrum of this glass were measured and analyzed. By using J-O theory, the oscillator strengths for some absorption transitions were calculated according to the absorption spectra. The intensity parameters Ω1 （t = 2, 4, 6） of Dy^3＋ were determined by using a least-squares fitting approach, and the values are 4.04 × 10^-20, 1.30 × 10^-20 and 1.82 × 10^-20 cm, respectively. The root-mean-square deviation δrma was calculated. Under UV light excitation, Dy^3＋-doped borate glasses （LBLB） emit intense yellowish white lights. The excitation spectrum indicates that argon laser is the effective excitation source in Dy^3＋-doped LBLB glasses