Influences of oxygen partial pressure on structure and related properties of ZrO2 thin films prepared by electron beam evaporation deposition

ZrO2 thin films were prepared by electron beam evaporation at different oxygen partial pressures. The influences of oxygen partial pressure on structure and related properties of ZrO2 thin films were studied. Transmittance, thermal absorption, structure and residual stress of ZrO2 thin films were measured by spectrophotometer, surface thermal lensing technique (STL), X-ray diffraction and optical interferometer, respectively. The results showed that the structure and related properties varied progressively with the increase of oxygen partial pressure. The refractive indices and the packing densities of the thin films decreased when the oxygen partial pressure increased. The tetragonal phase fraction in the thin films decreased gradually as oxygen partial pressure increased. The residual stress of film deposited at base pressure was high compressive stress, the value decreased with the increase of oxygen partial pressure, and the residual stress became tensile with the further increase of oxygen pressure, which was corresponding to the evolution of packing densities and variation of interplanar distances. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

基底对光学薄膜弱吸收测量的影响

对表面热透镜技术测量光学薄膜弱吸收低频调制时不同基底对测量的影响进行了理论分析。用Lambda-900分光光度计测量了K9和石英基底的Ti3O5单层膜的吸收值，将该组样品作为定标片；用表面热透镜装置分别测量了BK7和石英空白基底及HfO2，ZnO两组不同基底不同厚度单层膜样品的吸收。通过分析比较同一工艺条件下镀制的不同基底薄膜样品用与其同种和不同种基底定标片定标测量的结果，表明在低频测量时需要用与测量样品同种基底的定标片定标；不同厚度样品的测量结果表明，在不能严格满足热薄条件时，测量结果需引入修正值。

Influences of CO2 laser annealing on mechanical and laser-induced damage properties of ZrO2 thin films

Zirconium dioxide (ZrO2) thin films were deposited on BK7 glass substrates by the electron beam evaporation method. A continuous wave CO2 laser was used to anneal the ZrO2 thin films to investigate whether beneficial changes could be produced. After annealing at different laser scanning speeds by CO2 laser, weak absorption of the coatings was measured by the surface thermal lensing (STL) technique, and then laser-induced damage threshold (LIDT) was also determined. It was found that the weak absorption decreased first, while the laser scanning speed is below some value, then increased. The LIDT of the ZrO2 coatings decreased greatly when the laser scanning speeds were below some value. A Nomarski microscope was employed to map the damage morphology, and it was found that the damage behavior was defect-initiated both for annealed and as-deposited samples. The influences of post-deposition CO2 laser annealing on the structural and mechanical properties of the films have also been investigated by X-ray diffraction and ZYGO interferometer. It was found that the microstructure of the ZrO2 films did not change. The residual stress in ZrO2 films showed a tendency from tensile to compressive after CO, laser annealing, and the variation quantity of the residual stress increased with decreasing laser scanning speed. The residual stress may be mitigated to some extent at proper treatment parameters. (c) 2007 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Influence of SiO2 additional layers on the laser induced damage threshold of Ta2O5 films

A series or Ta2O5 films with different SiO2 additional layers including overcoat, undercoat and interlayer was prepared by electron beam evaporation under the same deposition process. Absorption of samples was measured using the surface thermal lensing (STL) technique. The electric field distributions of the samples were theoretical predicted using thin film design software (TFCalc). The laser induced damage threshold (LIDT) was assessed using an Nd:YAG laser operating at 1064 nm with a pulse length of 12 ns. It was found that SiO2 additional layers resulted in a slight increase of the absorption, whereas they exerted little influence on the microdefects. The electric field distribution among the samples was unchanged by adding an SiO2 overcoat and undercoat, yet was changed by adding an interlayer. SiO2 undercoat. The interlayer improved the LIDT greatly, whereas the SiO2 overcoat had little effect on the LIDT. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Influence of oxygen post-treatment on laser-induced damage of antireflection coatings prepared by electron-beam evaporation and ion beam assisted deposition

Antireflection coatings at the center wavelength of 1053 nm were prepared on BK7 glasses by electron-beam evaporation deposition (EBD) and ion beam assisted deposition (IBAD). Parts of the two kinds of samples were post-treated with oxygen plasma at the environment temperature after deposition. Absorption at 1064 nm was characterized based on surface thermal lensing (STL) technique. The laser-induced damage threshold (LIDT) was measured by a 1064-nm Nd:YAG laser with a pulse width of 38 ps. Leica-DMRXE Microscope was applied to gain damage morphologies of samples. The results revealed that oxygen post-treatment could lower the absorption and increase the damage thresholds for both kinds of as-grown samples. However, the improving effects are not the same. (c) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Investigation of annealing effects on the laser-induced damage threshold of amorphous Ta2O5 films

Ta2O5 films were deposited using the conventional electron beam evaporation method and then annealed at temperatures in the range 373-673 K. Chemical composition, scattering and absorption were examined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), total integrated scattering (TIS) measurement and the surface thermal lensing (m) technique, respectively. The laser-induced damage threshold (LIDT) was assessed using the output from an Nd:YAG laser with a pulse length of 12 ns. The results showed that the improvement of the LIDT after annealing was due to the reduced substoichiometric and structural defects present in the film. The LIDT increased slightly below 573K and then increased significantly with increase in annealing temperature, which could be attributed to different dominant defects. Moreover, the root mean square (RMS) roughness and scattering had little effect on the LIDT, while the absorption and the LIDT were in accord with a general relation. (c) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Formation of self-assembly and the mechanism of Si nanoquantum dots prepared by low pressure chemical vapor deposition

Si nanoquantum dots have been formed by self-assembled growth on the both Si-O-Si and Si-OH bonds terminated SiO2 surfaces using the low-pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD) and surface thermal decomposition of pure SiH4 gas. We have experimentally studied the variation of Si. dot density with Si-OH bonds density, deposition temperature and SiH4 pressure, and analyzed qualitatively the formation mechanism of the Si nanoquantum dots based on LPCVD surface thermal dynamics principle. The results are very. important for the control of the density and size of Si nanoquantum dots, and have potential applications in the new quantum devices.

High average power and short pulse duration continuous wave mode-locked Nd : GdVO4 laser with a semiconductor absorber mirror

Passive mode locking of a solid-state Nd:GdVO4 laser is demonstrated. The laser is mode locked by use of a semiconductor absorber mirror (SAM). A low Nd3+ doped Nd:GdVO4 crystal is used to mitigate the thermal lens effect of the laser crystal at a high pump power. The maximum average output power is up to 6.5 W, and the pulse duration is as short as 6.2 ps. The optic-to-optic conversion efficiency is 32.5% and the repetition rate is about 110 MHz.

月表热参数模型与月壤厚度的被动微波遥感理论分析

利用被动微波遥感亮度温度数据反演月壤厚度是“嫦娥”探月工程的科学目标之一，也是人类探测月壤厚度的一种新的尝试。深入研究月表太阳辐射、月球内部热流以及月表温度的分布和变化规律，是解译遥感数据，反演月壤厚度的前提条件，也为进一步开展月球探测、开发利用月球资源乃至建立月球基地相关研究工作提供必要的参考。 本文根据月表有效太阳辐照度与太阳常数、日月距离和太阳辐射入射角的关系，建立了月表有效太阳辐照度的实时模型如下： (1) 其中， (2) (3) 通过对月表有效太阳辐照度实时模型的各个参数分析发现，影响月表有效太阳辐照度变化的主要因素是日地距离和太阳辐射入射角的变化。对模型的误差分析表明，从1950年到2050年的100年内，月表有效太阳辐照度计算结果的误差百分比小于0.28％，能更准确地反映月表有效太阳辐照度的变化情况。从2007年月表有效太阳辐照度的计算结果发现，该年内的月表有效太阳辐照度变化在1321.5～1416.6 W•m-2之间，平均为1368.0 W•m-2，一个月内的变化最小幅度为6.0 W•m-2，最大幅度为23.6 W•m-2。 在月表有效太阳辐照度的实时模型基础上，根据能量守恒和Stefan-Boltzmann定律，本文还得出了月表温度分布模型如下： (4) 其中，初始条件由下式决定， (5) 通过与月表温度实际观测结果的比较发现，当月表反射率、热发射率和热惯量分别取0.127、0.94和125 J•m-2•s-1/2•K-1时，模型的计算结果与实际观测值比较符合，能较好地预测理想条件下的月表温度。 月表热参数研究的一个重要应用就是解译对月被动微波遥感的亮度温度数据。在对月被动微波遥感探测中，辐射计获得的亮度温度反映了月球表层的热辐射特性。月球表层的热辐射与其自身的热状况紧密相关，结合文中建立的月表热参数模型，根据辐射传播理论进一步分析了对月微波遥感探测中，月球表层在不同情况下对亮度温度的贡献，确定了亮度温度随月表温度和月壤厚度的变化关系，对被动微波遥感探测月壤厚度的可能性和可能达到的精度进行了估算。 对月球表层的热辐射传播的分析发现，对月被动微波遥感探测获得的亮度温度受月球表层热辐射的控制，与月壤厚度具有指数相关性，并受到月表温度的影响。当月壤和月岩的复介电常数分别为2 + 0.005 j和9 + 1 j、相对磁导率均为1时，对应3.0GHz、7.8GHz、19.35GHz和37.0GHz四个频率的亮度温度与月壤厚度及月表温度的关系可分别近似表示为， 3.0GHz亮度温度： (6) 7.8GHz亮度温度： (7) 19.35GHz亮度温度： (8) 37.0GHz亮度温度： (9) 当月壤厚度和月表温度分别在0.5m~30m和100K~400K之间变化时，上述四个频率的亮度温度变化范围分别在212.5K～252.8K、207.4 K～266.7K、193.8 K～288.6K和174.0 K～310.9K之间。对于较低频率的被动微波遥感，亮度温度随月壤厚度的增大逐渐增大并趋于稳定；对较高频率的被动微波遥感，亮度温度随月壤厚度的增大会产生起伏波动，不利于用单波段反演月壤厚度。亮度温度梯度在频率较高时梯度较大，在很小的月壤厚度范围内很快就趋于0，不利于厚度较大时的月壤厚度反演，但对于厚度较小时的月壤厚度反演精度较高；同时，除3.0GHz外，7.8GHz、19.35GHz和37.0GHz三个频率的亮度温度梯度随月表温度的升高降幅较大，尤其是19.35GHz，适合在夜间对月壤厚度较小的地区进行更精确的探测。对于3.0GHz，其亮度温度梯度受月表温度变化的影响很小，能反映出较深层月壤厚度的信息，可以对月球进行全球全天时探测。若辐射计的分辨率为0.02K，3.0GHz频率对10m厚月壤的判别精度达到0.07m；对于20m厚月壤的精度为1.4m。当月壤厚度小于0.5m时，随着月壤厚度从0到0.5m增加，月球表层的亮度温度贡献呈先减小后增大的趋势，从而使某一亮度温度值可能对应存在两种不同的月壤厚度。因此，对于月壤厚度小于0.5m的区域，利用单波段被动微波遥感亮度温度反演月壤厚度是比较困难的。 在对月被动微波遥感探测中，可以利用月球夜晚时段的亮度温度数据判别月壤厚度是否小于0.5m。当月表温度为100K时，3.0GHz、7.8GHz、19.35GHz和37.0GHz四个频率的亮度温度判别参考值分别为212.9K、207.4K、193.5K和174.1K；月表温度为240K时，上述四个频率的亮度温度判别参考值分别为220.8K、226.8K、234.1K和237.2K。当亮度温度小于参考值时表示月壤厚度小于0.5m，反之，表示月壤厚度大于0.5m。更进一步地，可以根据月表温度的影响系数对月岩是否裸露于月表进行判断。当3.0GHz、7.8GHz、19.35GHz和37.0GHz四个频率的月表温度影响系数接近0.77、0.82、0.84和0.85时，可以认为月岩直接暴露于月表。

Properties of InAlN/GaN Heterostructures Prepared by Molecular Beam Epitaxy

InAlN thin films and InAlN/GaN heterostructures have been intensively studied over recent years due to their applications in a variety of devices, including high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs). However, the quality of InAlN remains relatively poor with basic material and structural characteristics remain unclear.

Molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) is used to synthesize the materials for this research, as MBE is a widely used tool for semiconductor growth but has rarely been explored for InAlN growth. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) is used to determine the electronic and chemical characteristics of InAlN surfaces. This tool is used for the first time in application to MBE-grown InAlN and heterostructures for the characterization of surface oxides, the bare surface barrier height (BSBH), and valence band offsets (VBOs).

The surface properties of InAlN are studied in relation to surface oxide characteristics and formation. First, the native oxide compositions are studied. Then, methods enabling the effective removal of the native oxides are found. Finally, annealing is explored for the reliable growth of surface thermal oxides.

The bulk properties of InAlN films are studied. The unintentional compositional grading in InAlN during MBE growth is discovered and found to be affected by strain and relaxation. The optical characterization of InAlN using spectroscopy ellipsometry (SE) is also developed and reveals that a two-phase InAlN model applies to MBE-grown InAlN due to its natural formation of a nanocolumnar microstructure. The insertion of an AlN interlayer is found to mitigate the formation of this microstructure and increases mobility of whole structure by fivefold.

Finally, the synthesis and characterization of InAlN/GaN HEMT device structures are explored. The density and energy distribution of surface states are studied with relationships to surface chemical composition and surface oxide. The determination of the VBOs of InAlN/GaN structures with different In compositions are discussed at last.

Enhancement of primary production in the North Atlantic outside of the spring bloom, identified by remote sensing of ocean colour and temperature

The heterogeneity in phytoplankton production in the North Atlantic after the spring bloom is poorly understood. We analysed merged microwave and infrared satellite sea surface temperature (SST) data and ocean colour phytoplankton size class biomass, primary production (PP) and new production (ExP) derived from SeaWiFS data, to assess the spatial and temporal frequency of surface thermal fronts and areas of enhanced PP and ExP. Strong and persistent surface thermal fronts occurred at the Reykjanes Ridge (RR) and sub-polar front (SPF), which sustain high PP and ExP and, outside of the spring bloom, account for 9% and 15% of the total production in the North Atlantic. When normalised by area, PP at the SPF is four times higher than the RR. Analysis of 13 years of satellite ocean colour data from SeaWiFS, and compared with MODIS-Aqua and MERIS, showed that there was no increase in Chla from 1998 to 2002, which then decreased in all areas from 2002 to 2007 and was most pronounced in the RR. These time series also illustrated that the SPF exhibited the highest PP and the lowest variation in Chla over the ocean colour record. This implies that the SPF provides a high and consistent supply of carbon to the benthos irrespective of fluctuations in the North Atlantic Oscillation.

Modelling and characterization of ultrasonic consolidation process of Aluminium alloys

Ultrasonic consolidation process is a rapid manufacturing process used to join thin layers of metal at low temperatures and low energy consumption. In this work, finite element method has been used to simulate the ultrasonic consolidation of Aluminium alloys 6061 (AA-6061) and 3003 (AA-3003). A thermomechanical material model has been developed in the framework of continuum cyclic plasticity theory which takes into account both volume (acoustic softening) and surface (thermal softening due to friction) effects. A friction model based on experimental studies has been developed, which takes into account the dependence of coefficient of friction upon contact pressure, amount of slip, temperature and number of cycles. Using the developed material and friction model ultrasonic consolidation (UC) process has been simulated for various combinations of process parameters involved. Experimental observations are explained on the basis of the results obtained in the present study. The current research provides the opportunity to explain the differences of the behaviour of AA-6061 and AA-3003 during the ultrasonic consolidation process. Finally, trends of the experimentally measured fracture energies of the bonded specimen are compared to the predicted friction work at the weld interface resulted from the simulation at similar process condition. Similarity of the trends indicates the validity of the developed model in its predictive capability of the process. © 2008 Materials Research Society.

The nucleus of Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. A new shape model and thermophysical analysis

Context. Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko is the target of the European Space Agency Rosetta spacecraft rendez-vous mission. Detailed physical characteristation of the comet before arrival is important for mission planning as well as providing a test bed for ground-based observing and data-analysis methods. Aims: To conduct a long-term observational programme to characterize the physical properties of the nucleus of the comet, via ground-based optical photometry, and to combine our new data with all available nucleus data from the literature. Methods: We applied aperture photometry techniques on our imaging data and combined the extracted rotational lightcurves with data from the literature. Optical lightcurve inversion techniques were applied to constrain the spin state of the nucleus and its broad shape. We performed a detailed surface thermal analysis with the shape model and optical photometry by incorporating both into the new Advanced Thermophysical Model (ATPM), along with all available Spitzer 8-24 μm thermal-IR flux measurements from the literature. Results: A convex triangular-facet shape model was determined with axial ratios b/a = 1.239 and c/a = 0.819. These values can vary by as much as 7% in each axis and still result in a statistically significant fit to the observational data. Our best spin state solution has Psid = 12.76137 ± 0.00006 h, and a rotational pole orientated at Ecliptic coordinates λ = 78°(±10°), β = + 58°(±10°). The nucleus phase darkening behaviour was measured and best characterized using the IAU HG system. Best fit parameters are: G = 0.11 ± 0.12 and HR(1,1,0) = 15.31 ± 0.07. Our shape model combined with the ATPM can satisfactorily reconcile all optical and thermal-IR data, with the fit to the Spitzer 24 μm data taken in February 2004 being exceptionally good. We derive a range of mutually-consistent physical parameters for each thermal-IR data set, including effective radius, geometric albedo, surface thermal inertia and roughness fraction. Conclusions: The overall nucleus dimensions are well constrained and strongly imply a broad nucleus shape more akin to comet 9P/Tempel 1, rather than the highly elongated or "bi-lobed" nuclei seen for comets 103P/Hartley 2 or 8P/Tuttle. The derived low thermal inertia of

Spitzer observations of the asteroid-comet transition object and potential spacecraft target 107P (4015) Wilson-Harrington

Context: Near-Earth asteroid-comet transition object 107P/ (4015) Wilson-Harrington is a possible target of the joint European Space Agency (ESA) and Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) Marco Polo sample return mission. Physical studies of this object are relevant to this mission, and also to understanding its asteroidal or cometary nature. Aims: Our aim is to obtain significant new constraints on the surface thermal properties of this object. Methods: We present mid-infrared photometry in two filters (16 and 22 μm) obtained with NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope on February 12, 2007, and results from the application of the Near Earth Asteroid Thermal Model (NEATM). We obtained high S/N in two mid-IR bands allowing accurate measurements of its thermal emission. Results: We obtain a well constrained beaming parameter (η = 1.39±0.26) and obtain a diameter and geometric albedo of D = 3.46±0.32 km, and pV = 0.059±0.011. We also obtain similar results when we apply this best-fitting thermal model to single-band mid-IR photometry reported by Campins et al. (1995, P&SS, 43, 733), Kraemer et al. (2005, AJ, 130, 2363) and Reach et al. (2007, Icarus, 191, 298). Conclusions: The albedo of 4015 Wilson-Harrington is low, consistent with those of comet nuclei and primitive C-, P-, D-type asteorids. We establish a rough lower limit for the thermal inertia of W-H of 60 Jm-2s-0.5 K-1 when it is at r = 1 AU, which is slightly over the limit of 30 Jm-2 s-0.5 K-1 derived by Groussin et al. (2009, Icarus, 199, 568) for the thermal inertia of the nucleus of comet 22P/Kopff.

CH Overtones in Acetophenone and Benzaldehyde: Aryl and Methyl Local Modes

Vibrational overtone spectra of acetophenone and benzaldehyde in the visible and near-infrared regions are studied by the dual beam thermal lens and the conventional near-infrared absorption techniques. The observed increase in the mechanical frequency of the aryl CH bond from that of benzene is attributed to the decrease in the aryl CH bond length caused by the electron-withdrawing property of the substituents. Overtone spectra also demonstrate that acetophenone contains two types of methyl CH bonds arising from the anisotropic environments created by oxygen lone pair and carbonyl P electrons. The local-mode parameters of the two types of CH bonds are compared with those of acetone and acetaldehyde. The possible factors influencing the methyl CH bonds in acetophenone are discussed.