Improved dielectric and electro-optical parameters of nematic liquid crystal doped with magnetic nanoparticles

This study investigates the effect of magnetic nanoparticles(NPs) on the weakly polar nematic liquid crystal(NLC).Different parameters of dielectric data were measured for both the homeotropic and planar aligned samples as a function of frequency and temperature and the substantial changes have been noticed for the doped systems. Dielectric permittivity has been increased after the dispersion of magnetic NPs in the pure NLC. Dielectric anisotropy has also been influenced by incorporating the magnetic NPs with the NLC molecules. These results were attributed to the dipole–dipole interaction between the magnetic nanoparticles and nematic liquid crystal molecules. Electro-optical study indicated the faster rise time and fall time of the doped systems as compare to pure NLC. Threshold voltage has been calculated and found to be decreased for the doped systems. Moreover, we have also calculated the rotational viscosity and the splay elastic constant for pure and the doped systems. Both the rotational viscosity and splay elastic constant of the doped systems are found to be considerably lower than those of pure NLC. Change in these properties has been explained on the basis of molecular disturbances created by the interaction between the magnetic nanoparticle and LC director. This study reveals that the inclusion of magnetic NPs in weakly polar NLC can be useful to enhance the basic properties of the weakly polar NLC and make it a promising material for many display applications.

Preparation and Characterization of Y_3Sc_2Ga_3O_(12) Nano-Polycrystalline Powders by Co-Precipitation Method

In order to grow high-quality gallium garnet crystals,polycrystalline materials were used as starting materials.YSGG precursor was synthesized by co-precipitation method using aqueous ammonia as a precipitator,and the precursor was then sintered at different temperatures.The results showed that the feasible pH range was 8.3～9.84 in the process of co-precipitation reaction.The YSGG precursor and the powders sintered at different temperatures were characterized by IR,XRD and TEM methods.It was found that the precursor transformed to pure YSGG polycrystalline phase at 800 ℃.YSGG nano-polycrystalline powders sintered at 800～1000 ℃ were well dispersed and the sizes of the YSGG grains were about 40～100 nm.

Influences of Co-Doping Cation on Properties of PWO∶F- Scintillating Crystal

Whereas the light yield of PWO crystal can be significantly improved by doping with either of F- and Sb3+, effects of heavily co-doping with by F-+Sb3+, F-+Ca2+, and F-+Ca2++Sb3+, respectively, on the properties of PWO scintillation crystals, including optical transmission, luminescence and light yield were studied. The result indicates that co-doping with three dopants, F-+Ca2++Sb3+, is a more effective measure than doping with single dopant F- for the improvement of scintillation properties of PWO crystals, including light yield.

Study on Lattice Parameter Variance and Eutectic Reaction during Crystal Growth of Nd,Cr∶GSGG by Czochralksi Method

During the crystal growth of Nd, Cr∶GSGG by Czochralski method, in some cases eutectic reaction occurred in the nether region of the crystal, and the boule was divided into two obvious different parts, which is upper Nd,Cr∶GSGG crystal and the nether coexisting Nd,Cr∶GSGG and GdScO3. By X-ray powder diffraction, the structure change of NdCr∶GSGG crystal of Φ 27 mm×120 mm with eutectic along its grown direction <111> was studied. By the least square method and extrapolation function f=sinθ-sinθ1-t(t is an adjustable parameter), the lattice parameters of Nd,Cr∶GSGG and additional GdScO3 phase were computed. The results indicate that the lattice parameters of Nd,Cr∶GSGG increase along its growth direction, which changes from a=(1.25650±0.00007) nm of the top to (1.25798±0.00010) nm of the bottom. In the process of Nd,Cr∶GSGG growth, Gd3+ in Nd,Cr∶GSGG is partly replaced by Nd3+ with larger ionic radii, and the volatilization of Ga component results in its composition variance, which cause the lattice parameters increase along growth direction. In the eutectic section, there are the Nd,Cr∶GSGG and the second phase orthorhombic GdScO3. The lattice parameters of GdScO3 are a=0.5443±0.0007, b=0.5699±0.0005 and c=(0.7865±0.0009) nm, and that of Nd,Cr∶GSGG is (1.25798±0.00010) nm. In the final growth stage, excessive volatilization of Ga composition during the crystal growth causes the growth melt deflect of the Nd,Cr∶GSGG solid solution range seriously, and results in the eutectic reaction, and the outgrowth of Nd,Cr∶GSGG and GdScO3. So it is necessary to decrease the effect of gallium volatilization during the growth in order to avoid eutectic growth and obtain a high-quality Nd,Cr∶GSGG.

Loss of Light Yield of Doped Lead Tungstate Crystals After Irradiation

Loss of light yield of doped lead tungstate crystals after irradiation with a low dose rate has been observed.The La,Pr,and Y doping may improve radiation hardness,whereas Bi or Mo doping is harmful.

Yield Improvement and Advanced Defect Control——Driving Forces for Modeling of Bulk Crystal Growth

Yield improvement and advanced defect control can be identified as the driving forces for modeling of industrial bulk crystal growth. Yield improvement is mainly achieved by upscaling of the whole crystal growth apparatus and increased processing windows with more tolerances for parameter variations. Advanced defect control means on one hand a reduction of the number of deficient crystal defects and on the other hand the formation of beneficial crystal defects with a uniform distribution and well defined concentrations in the whole crystal. This "defect engineering" relates to the whole crystal growth process as well as the following cooling and optional annealing processes, respectively. These topics were illustrated in the paper by examples of modeling and experimental results of bulk growth of silicon (Si), gallium arsenide (GaAs), indium phosphide (InP) and calcium fluoride (CaF2). These examples also involve the state of the art of modeling of the most important melt growth techniques, crystal pulling (Czochralski methods) and vertical gradient freeze (Bridgman-type methods).

Single Crystal Growth of Lanthanum(III) Molybdate(VI) (La₄Mo₇O₂₇) Using H₃BO₃Flux

Single crystals of La4Mo7O27 have been successfully grown by the flux growth method H3BO3 as the flux in a plantium crucible using the starting materials of La2O3, H3BO3 and MoO3 in a molar ratio of 0.16:0.16:0.68, in which H3BO3 acted as a flux. Transparent colorless crystals were obtained with size of 0.8 × 0.3 × 0.2 mm3 under the optimized crystal growth conditions: growth temperature of 727°C, growth time of 95 h and cooling rate of 0.5°C/hr. A well-developed morphology of the crystals was observed and analyzed. The preparation process of starting materials on crystal growth was investigated. The grown crystals were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), EDAX, SEM, UV-Vis, photoluminescence studies, thermal analysis, dielectric studies and second harmonic generation (SHG). The results are presented and discussed.

Organometallic L-Alanine Cadmium Iodide Crystals for Optical Device Fabrication

Single crystals of L-alanine cadmium iodide(LACI)were grown by the slow evaporation technique at room temperature.A single-crystal X-ray diffraction(SXRD)model was used to evaluate the crystal structure of the as-grown LACI crystal.The energy dispersive X-ray(EDX)analysis and ultraviolet-visible-near infrared(UV-vis-NIR)transmittance studies were carried out,and the results reveal the presence of elements in the title compound.From the transmittance data,the optical bandgap as a function of photon energy was estimated,and the different optical constants were calculated.A fluorescence study was performed for the LACI crystal.Thermogravimetric and differential thermal analyses have also been studied to investigate the thermal property of the LACI crystal.The efficiency of the second harmonic generation(SHG)of the title crystal was investigated.The magnetic and electrical properties were estimated by the vibrating sample magnetometer(VSM)analysis and impedance study,respectively.

Crystal and Molecular Structure Analysis in Knoevenagel Condensation Product of Substituted Napthofuran-2-Carbaldehydes

In the current study, two novel Knoevenagel condensation products of substituted napthofuran-2-carbaldehydes were designed, synthesized and characterized. In order to study the intermolecular interactions of title compounds, single crystals were grown by slow evaporation solution growth technique at room temperature and crystal structure has been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction technique. Both the molecules crystallize in the monoclinic centrosymmetric space group P21/c with one molecule in the asymmetric unit. In compound [4] the molecules are connected via bifurcated C-H···O=C and C-H···N=C H-bonds and van der Waals interactions forming a layered structure, whereas in compound [5a] the molecular conformation is stabilized via intramolecular C-H···O H-bond and molecule interacts with other molecule generated via 21-screw via bifurcated C-H···O=C along with C-H···N=C H-bonds, which are interacting with nitro- of other molecule generated via same symmetry operation, forming bifurcated C-H···O-N H-bonds, which helps in formation of molecular sheet-like structure.Further, in order to understand the various types and nature of intermolecular interactions in the supramolecular structure Hirshfeld surface analysis and fingerprint plot analysis was carried out.

Linear and nonlinear optical analysis on semiorganic-proline cadmium chloride single crystal

In the current investigation,L-proline cadmium chloride monohydrate（LPCC） single crystal is grown by a slow solvent evaporation technique to identify its credibility for nonlinear optical device applications.The constituent elements of LPCC crystal are determined by the energy dispersive spectroscopic（EDS） technique.The single crystal x-ray diffraction technique is used to determine the structural dimensions of LPCC crystal.The UV-visible studies are carried out within a wavelength range of 200 nm–1100 nm to determine the optical transmittance of LPCC crystal.The linear optical parameters of LPCC crystal are evaluated using the transmittance data to discuss its importance for distinct optical devices.The Nd：YAG laser assisted Kurtz–Perry test is carried out to determine the enhancement in second harmonic generation efficiency of LPCC crystal with reference to KDP crystal.The Z-scan technique is employed to assess the third order nonlinear optical（TONLO） properties of LPCC crystal at 632.8 nm.The Z-scan data are utilized to evaluate the TONLO refraction,absorption and susceptibility of LPCC crystal.The color oriented luminescence behavior of LPCC crystal is investigated within a spectral range of 350 nm–700 nm.The dependence of dielectric constant and dielectric loss on temperature and frequency is evaluated through the dielectric measurement studies.

High-power xenon lamp-pumped Er:YAP pulse laser operated in free-running and acousto-optical Q-switching modes

We demonstrate a high-energy and high-power pulse laser on a xenon lamp-pumped Er:YAP crystal. The laser performance and thermal focal lengths under different working frequencies are discussed. The results show that the thermal lens effect is gradually aggravated with the increase of working frequencies, and even working at 100 Hz, a single pulse energy of 234 m J can be achieved. A maximum average power of 41.5 W is achieved with a working frequency of 20 Hz and slope efficiency of 2.82%. This output power is much higher than other xenon lamp-pumped erbium laser devices.A Q-switched laser is demonstrated by using the TeO2crystal, the maximum output energies of 11.5 m J and 3.5 m J are obtained at 50 and 100 Hz, the corresponding peak powers are 93.4 k W and 17.2 kW, respectively.The laser wavelengths and beam quality factors are also characterized in the free-running and Q-switched modes. A higher pulse energy and peak power laser could be achieved further by improving the damage threshold of TeO2acousto-optical Q-switching. All the experimental results illustrate that the xenon lamp-pumped Er:YAP laser is a promising candidate for high-power and high-frequency mid-infrared laser devices.

Hydroxycalciopyrochlore, A New Mineral Species from Sichuan, China

Hydroxycalciopyrochlore,ideally （Ca,Na,U,□）2（Nb,Ti）2O6（OH）,cubic,is a new mineral species （IMA2011-026） within the pyrochlore supergroup that was found occurring at the Maoniuping mine,Mianning County,Xichang prefecture,Sichuan Province,southwest China.The mineral is found in an alkali feldspar granite rare-earth ore deposit （26-27 Ma）.Associated minerals include calcite,barite,celestine,albite,aegirine,aegirine-augite,fluorite,parasite-（Ce）,thorite,thorianite,zircon,galena,sphalerite,magnetite,and pyrite.Crystals occur mostly as octahedra,and less often as dodecahedra and tetrahexahedra or combinations thereof.Some occur with an allotriomorphic habit with a thick triangular tabular form.Crystals generally range from 0.1 to 1 mm in size.The mineral is brownishblack,greenish-black and black on fresh sections with a brown streak.The crystal is translucent,and has a greasy lustre on fresh sections.It is metamict without any observed parting or cleavage and with a conchoidal fracture.The Vickers microhardness is 572 kg/mm2 （5-6 on the Mohs hardness scale）.The density measured by hydrostatic weighing is 5.10（3） g/cm3.The strongest four reflections in the X-ray powder-diffraction pattern [d in（A） （Ⅰ） hkl] are：2.9657 （100） 2 2 2,1.8142 （34） 0 4 4,1.5463 （21） 2 2 6,2.5688 （18） 0 0 4.The unit-cell parameters are a =10.381（4） （A）,V=1118.7（7）（A）3,Z =8.The structure was solved and refined in the space group Fd3m with R =0.09.The empirical formula is （Ca0.74Na0.5sU0.40Ce0.05Fe0.02□0.21）2.00（Nb1.15Ti0.s0Ta0.03Al0.01Mg0.01）2.00O6.02 [（OH）1.01F0.09]1.10,on the basis of 2 atoms of B pfu; the simplified formula is （Ca,Na,U,□）2（Nb,Ti）2O6（OH）.Type material is deposited in the Geological Museum of China,Beijing,People＇s Republic of China,catalogue number M11800.

Naquite, FeSi, a New Mineral Species from Luobusha, Tibet, Western China

A new mineral species, named naquite（FeSi）, is found in the podiform chromitites of the Luobusha ophiolite in Qusong County, Tibet, China. The detailed composition is Fe 65.65, Si 32.57 and Al 1.78 wt%. The mineral is cubic, space group P213. The irregular crystals range from 15 to 50 μm in diameter and form an intergrowth with luobusaite. Naquite is steel grey in color, opaque, with a metallic lustre and gives a grayish-black streak. The mineral is brittle, has a conchoidal fracture and no apparent cleavage. The estimated Mohs hardness is 6.5, and the calculated density is 6.128 g/cm3. Unit-cell parameters are a 4.486 （4） A, V 90.28 （6）A^3, Z=4. The five strongest powder diffraction lines [d inA（hkl） （I/I0）] are： 3.1742 （110） （40）, 2.5917（111） （43）, 2.0076 （210） （100）, 1.8307 （211） （65）, and 1.1990 （321） （36）. Originally called ＇fersilicite＇, the species and new name have now been approved by the CNMNC （IMA 2010-010）.

Synthesis and mesomorphic properties of new Schiff base esters with different alkyl chains

Schiff 基础酉旨的一个新系列，4-( dimethylamino ) benzylidene-4′ ；在分子的结束组的碳的 -alkanoyloxyanilines 包含偶数( C n− ； 1 H 2n−1咕咕叫， n = 6 ， 8 ， 10 ， 12 ， 14 ， 16 ， 18 )被综合。现在的混合物是单音的回归线液体晶体。分子的结束组在具有由中胚叶发达的性质上有效果，这也被发现。

New Type of Nitrides with High Electrical and Thermal Conductivities

The nitrogen dimer as both a fundamental building unit in designing a new type of nitrides, and a material gene associated with high electrical and thermal conductivities is investigated by first principles calculations.The results indicate that the predicted Si N4 is structurally stable and reasonably energy-favored with a striking feature in its band structure that exhibits free electron-like energy dispersions. It possesses a high electrical conductivity（5.07 × 10^5 S/cm） and a high thermal conductivity（371 W/m·K） comparable to copper. The validity is tested by isostructural Al N4 and Si C4. It is demonstrated that the nitrogen dimers can supply a high density of delocalized electrons in this new type of nitrides.

New mesogenic Schiff base esters comprising benzothiazole moiety:Synthesis and mesomorphic properties

Schiff 基础酉旨的一个相应系列， 6-methoxy-2-(2-hydroxy-4-alkanoyloxybenzylidenamino ) benzothiazoles，作为核心包括 benzothiazole 一半被综合。这个系列的所有成员展出了一个二形互变的 nematic 阶段。与侧面的氢氧根和终端 methoxyl 组一起的 azomethine 连接被发现在具有由中胚叶发达的性质上施加效果。

Plasmon reflection reveals local electronic properties of natural graphene wrinkles

We systematically studied surface plasmons reflection by graphene wrinkles with different heights on SiC substrate.Combined with numerical simulation, we found that the geometry corrugation of a few nanometer height wrinkle alone does not causes a reflection of graphene plasmons. Instead, the separated wrinkle from substrate exhibits a nonlinear spatial Fermi energy distribution along the wrinkle, which acts as a heterojunction. Therefor a higher graphene wrinkle induces a stronger damped region when propagating graphene surface plasmons encounter the wrinkle and get reflected.

Segregation during crystal growth from melt and absorption cross section determination by optical absorption method

Segregation during crystal growth from melt under two conditions is studied by using crystal mass,which can be measured easily,as an independent variable,and a method to determine the effective segregation coefficient and absorption cross section of optical dopant is given.When the segregated solute disperses into the whole or just a part of melt homogenously,the concentration CS in solid interface will change by different formulas.If the crystal growth interface is conical and segregated solute disperses into melt in total or part,the solute concentration at r=2/3R,where r is the distance from the growth cross section center and R the crystal radius,is independent on the shape of the crystal growth interface,and its variation at r=2/3R can be regarded as the result from crystal growth in flat interface.With CS variation formula in solid and absorption cross section σ for optical dopant,the absorption coefficients along the crystal growth direction can be calculated,and the corresponding experimental value can be obtained through the crystal optical absorption spectra.By minimizing the half sum,whose independent variables are k,ΔW or σ,of the difference square between the calculated and experimental absorp-tion coefficients from one or more absorption peaks along the crystal growth di-rection,k and σ,or k and ΔW,can be determined at the same time through the Levenberg-Marquardt iteration method.Finally,the effective segregation coefficient k,ΔW and absorption cross sections of Nd:GGG were determined,the results fitted by two formula gave more closed effective segregation coefficient,and the value ΔW also indicates that the segregated dopant had nearly dispersed into the whole melt.Experimental results show that the method to determine effective segregation coefficient k,ΔW and absorption cross sections σ is convenient and reliable,and the two segregation formulas can describe the segregation during the crystal growth from melt relatively commendably.

Mesomorphic behavior of new azomethine liquid crystals having terminal iodo group

A series of azomethine esters,3-hydroxy-4-{[（4-iodophenyl）imino]methyl}phenyl alkanoates possessing even number of carbon atoms at the terminal alkanoyloxy chain（C_（n-1）H_（2n-1）COO-,n = 4,6,8,10,12,14） was synthesized.n-Butanoyloxy was found non-mesogenic,whilst n-hexanoyloxy to n-tetradecanoyloxy exhibited enantiotropic smectic A phase with fan-shaped texture.It was found that the length of terminal alkanoyloxy chain influenced the mesomorphic properties.

Doped GaSe crystals for laser frequency conversion

In this review,we introduce the current state of the art of the growth technology of pure,lightly doped,and heavily doped(solid solution)nonlinear gallium selenide(GaSe)crystals that are able to generate broadband emission from the near infrared(IR)(0.8 mm)through the mid-and far-IR(terahertz(THz))ranges and further into the millimeter wave(5.64 mm)range.For the first time,we show that appropriate doping is an efficient method controlling a range of the physical properties of GaSe crystals that are responsible for frequency conversion efficiency and exploitation parameters.After appropriate doping,uniform crystals grown by a modified technology with heat field rotation possess up to 3 times lower absorption coefficient in the main transparency window and THz range.Moreover,doping provides the following benefits:raises by up to 5 times the optical damage threshold;almost eliminates two-photon absorption;allows for dispersion control in the THz range independent of the mid-IR dispersion;and enables crystal processing in arbitrary directions due to the strengthened lattice.Finally,doped GaSe demonstrated better usefulness for processing compared with GaSe grown by the conventional technology and up to 15 times higher frequency conversion efficiency.