Double-beam optical method and apparatus for measuring thermal diffusivity and other molecular dynamic processes in utilizing the transient thermal lens effect

A sample material was irradiated by relatively high power, short pulses from a dye laser. Energy from the pulses was absorbed by the sample material, thereby forming a thermal lens in the area of absorption. The pulse repetition rate was chosen so that the thermal lens is substantially dissipated by the time the next pulse reaches the sample material. A probe light beam, which in a specific embodiment is a relatively low power, continuous wave (cw) laser beam, irradiated the thermal lens formed in the sample material. The intensity characteristics of the probe light beam subsequent to irradiation of the thermal lens is related to changes in the refractive index of the sample material as the thermal lens is formed and dissipated

Subsidiary capability upgrading and parent-subsidiary relationship: insights from a Chinese acquisition in the UK

Purpose: - This study aims to explore capability upgrading of EMNE’s subsidiaries in developed countries and how the parent-subsidiary relationship influences such upgrading. Design/methodology/approach: - The study adopts an interdisciplinary approach to capability upgrading of EMNEs subsidiaries in developed countries. It employs a single case study to explore this under-research area. Finding: - the analysis challenges the orthodox view and suggests broad based capability upgrading has taken place in the EMNE acquired subsidiaries ranging from product, process, functional to intersectoral. In addition, the capability upgrading was contingent on the degree of subsidiary autonomy and subsidiary mandates. Originality/value: - This study represents one of the first to examine capability upgrading and parent-subsidiary relationship in the context of EMNEs’ internationalisation activities

Broadband optical radiation detector

A method and apparatus for detecting optical radiation by optically monitoring temperature changes in a microvolume caused by absorption of the optical radiation to be detected is described. More specifically, a thermal lens forming material is provided which has first and second opposite, substantially parallel surfaces. A reflective coating is formed on the first surface, and a radiation absorbing coating is formed on the reflective coating. Chopped, incoming optical radiation to be detected is directed to irradiate a small portion of the radiation absorbing coating. Heat generated in this small area is conducted to the lens forming material through the reflective coating, thereby raising the temperature of a small portion of the lens forming material and causing a thermal lens to be formed therein

Fe and N self-diffusion in non-magnetic Fe:N

Fe and N self-diffusion in non-magnetic FeN has been studied using neutron reflectivity. The isotope labelled multilayers, FeN/57Fe:N and Fe:N/Fe:15N were prepared using magnetron sputtering. It was remarkable to observe that N diffusion was slower compared to Fe while the atomic size of Fe is larger compared to N. An attempt has been made to understand the diffusion of Fe and N in non-magnetic Fe:N

Cohesion of BaReH9_9 and BaMnH9_9: Density Functional Calculations and Prediction of (MnH9)2−_9)^{2-} Salts

Density functional calculations are used to calculate the structural and electronic properties of BaReH$_9$ and to analyze the bonding in this compound. The high coordination in BaReH$_9$ is due to bonding between Re 5$d$ states and states of $d$-like symmetry formed from combinations of H $s$ orbitals in the H$_9$ cage. This explains the structure of the material, its short bond lengths and other physical properties, such as the high band gap. We compare with results for hypothetical BaMnH$_9$, which we find to have similar bonding and cohesion to the Re compound. This suggests that it may be possible to synthesize (MnH$_9)^{2-}$ salts. Depending on the particular cation, such salts may have exceptionally high hydrogen contents, in excess of 10 weight

ECUT: Energy Conversion and utilization Technologies program biocatalysis research activity. Generation of chemical intermediates by catalytic oxidative decarboxylation of dilute organic acids

A rhodium-based catalyst was prepared and preliminary experiments were completed where the catalyst appeared to decarboxylate dilute acids at concentrations of 1 to 10 vol%. Electron spin resonance spectroscoy was used to characterize the catalyst as a first step leading toward modeling and optimization of rhodium catalysts. Also, a hybrid chemical/biological process for the production of hydrocarbons has been assessed. These types of catalysts could greatly increase energy efficiency of this process

Surfactant induced smooth and symmetric interfaces in Cu/Co multilayers

In this work we studied Ag surfactant induced growth of Cu/Co multilayers. The Cu/Co multilayers were deposited using Ag surfactant by ion beam sputtering technique. It was found that Ag surfactant balances the asymmetry between the surface free energy of Cu and Co. As a result, the Co-on-Cu and Cu-on-Co interfaces become sharp and symmetric and thereby improve the thermal stability of the multilayer. On the basis of obtained results, a mechanism leading to symmetric and stable interfaces in Cu/Co multilayers is discussed.Comment: 7 Pages, 7 Figure

Interplay of Coulomb and electron-phonon interactions in graphene

We consider mutual effect of the electron-phonon and strong Coulomb interactions on each other by summing up leading logarithmic corrections via the renormalization group approach. We find that the Coulomb interaction enhances electron coupling to the intervalley A1 optical phonons, but not to the intravalley E2 phonons

High-Temperature, High-Pressure Viscosities and Densities of n-Hexadecane, 2,2,4,4,6,8,8-Heptamethylnonane, and Squalane Measured Using a Universal Calibration for a Rolling-Ball Viscometer/Densimeter

The development of reference correlations for viscous fluids is predicated on the availability of accurate viscosity data, especially at high pressure, high temperature (HPHT) conditions. The rolling ball viscometer (RBV) is a facile technique for obtaining such HPHT viscosity data. A new, universal RBV calibration methodology is described and applied over a broad T-p region and for a wide range of viscosities. The new calibration equation is used to obtain viscosities for n-hexadecane (HXD), 2,2,4,4,6,8,8-heptamethylnonane (HMN), and 2,6,10,15,19,23-hexamethyltetracosane (squalane) from 298 – 530 K and pressures to 250 MPa. The available literature data base for HMN is expanded to 520 K and 175 MPa and for squalane to 525 K and 250 MPa. The combined expanded uncertainties are 0.6% and 2.5% for the densities and viscosities, respectively, each with a coverage factor, k = 2. The reliability of the viscosity data is validated by comparison of HXD and squalane viscosities to accepted reference correlations and HMN viscosities to available literature data. The necessity of this new calibration approach is confirmed by the large deviations observed between HXD, HMN, and squalane viscosities determined using the new, universal RBV calibration equation and viscosities determined using a quadratic polynomial calibration equation. HXD, HMN, and squalane densities are predicted with the Perturbed Chain Statistical Associating Fluid Theory using pure component parameters calculated with a previously reported group contribution (GC) method. HXD, HMN, and squalane viscosities are compared to Free Volume Theory (FVT) predictions using FVT parameters calculated from a literature correlation for nalkanes. Although the FVT predictions for HXD, a normal alkane, result in an average absolute percent deviation (∆AAD) of 3.8%, predictions for HMN and squalane, two branched alkanes, are four to 13 times larger. The fit of the FVT model for the branched alkanes is dramatically improved if the FVT parameters are allowed to vary with temperature

On the sign of kurtosis near the QCD critical point

We point out that the quartic cumulant (and kurtosis) of the order parameter fluctuations is universally negative when the critical point is approached on the crossover side of the phase separation line. As a consequence, the kurtosis of a fluctuating observable, such as, e.g., proton multiplicity, may become smaller than the value given by independent Poisson statistics. We discuss implications for the Beam Energy Scan program at RHIC.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figure