Spectral Energy Range Research Articles

Dft-based nano architectonics: Exploring Structural, Mechanical, and optoelectronic properties of halide double perovskites K2ScAgX6 (X=Cl, Br and I)

This report details a computational analysis of the various characteristics of newly developed double perovskites (DPs) K2ScAgX6 (where X =Br, Cl, and I), with an emphasis on their potential uses in energy storage and solar energy sector. Through the application of Density Functional Theory (DFT); the structural, mechanical and optoelectronic properties of these DPs materials have been investigated. The cubic phase of K2ScAgX6 DPs was confirmed, with tolerance factor (τ) values of 0.818, 0.812, and 0.804 for X =Cl, Br and I, respectively. Elastic parameters were used to determine the ductility, anisotropic features and mechanical stability of these materials. The presence of an indirect bandgap (Eg) has been determined via density of states and electronic bandgap computations, yielding values of 2.14 eV for K2ScAgCl6, 2.05 eV for K2ScAgBr6, and 1.98 eV for K2ScAgI6 using the modified Becke–Johnson (mBJ) potential within the Generalized Gradient Approximation (GGA). This research also investigated the absorption of light energy, polarization, optical loss, refractive index across the energy spectral range from 0 to 8 eV. These results indicate that these compounds have significant absorbance and conductivity in the visible and ultraviolet (UV) energy ranges, while remaining transparent to lower-energy photons. This computational study suggest that these complex perovskite materials are highly suitable for energy related applications, and offering significant potential for future experimental investigation.

Tuning optical properties of Au thin film using electric field for surface plasmon resonance biosensor application

The effect of electric field application on the optical properties of gold (Au) thin film for spectroscopic ellipsometry-based surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensor applications has been successfully studied. The optical properties, such as the complex refractive index, complex dielectric constant, real optical conductivity, and absorption coefficient, were determined by fitting data from the ψ and Δ functions obtained through measurements using a homemade rotating analyzer ellipsometer. The applied electric fields of 0.8 V/cm, 1.6 V/cm, 2.4 V/cm, and 3.2 V/cm were induced by applying voltages of 1 V, 2 V, 3 V, and 4 V for ellipsometer tests, and 1.6 V/cm to 3.2 V/cm for the SPR test. The Au thin film was deposited onto a glass slide using an evaporator for ellipsometer testing and a BK7 half-cylinder prism was employed for SPR testing. The experimental results show that the real part of the refractive index (n) increases in the spectral range from 1.5 eV to 2.2 eV and from 3 eV to 5 eV and tends to be constant in the range from 2.3 eV to 2.8 eV. Conversely, the imaginary part of the refractive index (k) decreases from 2.8 eV to 3.6 eV and tends to remain consistent from 3.9 eV to 5.0 eV. The dielectric constant (ε1) consistently shows a significant increase within the spectral range of 3 eV–5.0 eV, with a tendency to decrease between 2.1 eV and 2.4 eV. Meanwhile, the imaginary part (ε2) demonstrates an increase in the spectral range of 1.5 eV–2.4 eV and 3.3 eV–5.0 eV while maintaining relatively stable values in the energy spectral range of 2.6 eV–3.0 eV. Moving to the real part of optical conductivity (σ1), it increases within the spectral range from 1.5 eV to 2.4 eV and from 3.5 eV to 5 eV, with relatively constant values between 2.6 eV and 3.1 eV. The absorption coefficient (α) exhibits a decrease in the spectrum between 2.8 eV and 3.6 eV, but the values remain stable within the range of 3.9 eV–5.0 eV. The α slightly decreases in the energy range of 1.8 eV–2.6 eV. The outcomes obtained from these experiments are directly linked to the SPR results, revealing a noticeable shift in the SPR angle (θSPR) of 45.51°, 45.61°, and 45.73° and an increase in the minimum reflectance (Rmin) of 0.05, 0.09, and 0.13 for electric field strengths of 0 V/cm, 1.6 V/cm, and 3.2 V/cm, respectively. These results imply that the application of an external electric field to the surface of the Au thin film disrupts the matching condition between the evanescent wave vector and the surface plasmon wave vector, thereby altering the reflected light under resonance conditions indicated by an increase in the minimum reflectance and SPR angle. This development holds significant promise to further enhance the sensitivity of electro-optic modulation-based biosensors.

Fine-tuning the color hue of the solution-processable electrochromic copolymers based on the diketopyrrolopyrrole, benzodithiophene and dithienosilole units

Electrochromic materials (ECMs) have attracted increasing attentions on account of their extensive prospects and numerous demands. Here, the classical donor-acceptor (D-A) alternative copolymerization strategy was used to synthesize three kinds of novel conjugated polymers PBPS-1, PBPS-2, and PBPS-3. The diketopyrrolopyrrole (M1) unit with a long alkyl side-chain was employed as the core acceptor while the dithienosilole (M2) used as the donor units. More importantly, the benzodithiophene (M3) units which have the high skeleton coplanarity was selected as the bridge units to enhance the charge transport. Variations of the feed ratios of monomers was used to regulate the energy level and spectral absorption range of the solid films. Three polymers exhibited the abundant color hues in the redox process, which including grape purple/brownness/aircraft ash color (PBPS-1), dark grey/red soap/dusty blue color (PBPS-2) and marine blue/grayish/celadon color (PBPS-3). Electrochromic performances demonstrated that PBPS-2 possessed the fast discoloration speed as low as 0.26 s and the outstanding coloration efficiency (550.1 cm2·C−1), which portended a valuable material for smart ECMs applications. Furthermore, the effect of different feed ratios for three polymer in electrochemical, optical and kinetic properties were investigated in detail, which showed the satisfactory optical contrasts (>70% in the NIR region) and good kinetic stability (>97% retention in 1000 s). In general, this exploration supplied a handy design strategy for fine tuning of polymer color and conducive to strengthen the understanding of EC behaviors of the ternary polymers, which deserve further researches to explore more promising ECMs.

MagnetoPlasmonic Waves/HOMO-LUMO Free π-Electron Transitions Coupling in Organic Macrocycles and Their Effect in Sensing Applications

Optical and magneto-optical surface plasmon resonance (MOSPR) characterization and preliminary sensing test onto single- and multi-layers of two organic macrocycles have been performed; TbPc2(OC11H21)8 phthalocyanine and CoCoPo2 porphyrin were deposited by the Langmuir-Schäfer (LS) technique onto proper Au/Co/Au magneto-optical transducers. Investigations of the MOSPR properties in Kretschmann configuration by angular modulation, gives us an indication about the potential discrimination of two organic macrocycles with absorption electronic transition in and out of the propagating plasmon energy spectral range. An improved molecular vapors sensitivity increase by the MOSPR sensing probe can be demonstrated depending on the overlap between the plasmonic probe energy and the absorption electronic transitions of the macrocycles under investigation. If the interaction between the plasmon energy and molecular HOMO-LUMO transition is preserved, a variation in the complex refractive index takes place. Under this condition, the magneto-plasmonic effect reported as 1/|MOSPR| signal allows us to increase the detection of molecules deposited onto the plasmonic transducer and their gas sensing capacity. The detection mechanism appears strongly enhanced if the Plasmon Wave/HOMO-LUMO transitions energy are in resonance. Under coupling conditions, a different volatile organic compounds (VOC) sensing capability has been demonstrated using n-butylamine as the trial molecule.

Influence of La2O3 on the structural, mechanical and optical features of cobalt doped heavy metal borate glasses

The impact of rare-earth oxide (La2O3) on the structural, mechanical and optical properties of cobalt-doped heavy metal borate glassy system is studied. XRD assured the amorphous nature of the prepared samples. The density and average boron-boron separation were found to increase with La2O3 content, thereby enforcing the compactness of the glass network. FT-IR analysis revealed the growth of NBO's ratio due to the gradual conversion of the tetrahedral (BO4) to trigonal (BO3) units with the development of a certain boroxol group (B3O6) fraction. A noticeable enhancement of the elasticity properties, such as the elastic, bulk, and Young's moduli, as well as the microhardness, was confirmed by measuring the ultrasound velocities within prepared samples. The absorption and photoluminescence emission spectra showed a progressive enhancement of Co3+/Co2+ ions in the tetrahedral and/or octahedral positions with La2O3 content. The ligand field strength and Racah parameters were estimated, in which the ionicity nature between Co2+ ions and the nearby ligands is inferred from the nephelauxetic effect. Absorption edge analysis, here performed through Tauc's model, showed a decrease in the band gap and a rise in Urbach energy; the values of each, together with the metallization parameter, reflect the semiconducting character of the prepared samples. The dispersion of the refractive index was determined using the Wemple-DiDomenico single oscillator model and compared to the optical gap energy. Additionally, the nonlinear optical coefficients, here determined within the lower energy spectral range using a third-order nonlinear susceptibility, exhibited progressively increasing value, suggesting a possible integration of the current system in potential nonlinear optical applications. Furthermore, the absorption and photoluminescence spectral tunability here offered through La2O3 additives qualifies the current glasses as optically active materials for many possible applications in multifunctional optical devices operating in visible and near-infrared spectral regimes.

Dielectric Function and Critical Points of SnS0.52Se0.48 in the Temperature Range from 27 to 350 K

We report the dielectric function e = e1 + ie2 and the critical point (CP) energies of the orthorhombic SnS0.52Se0.48 alloy for the zigzag (a)and thearmchair(6) directions in the spectral energy range from 0.74 to 6.42 eV and the temperature range from 27 to 350 K using spectroscopic ellipsometry. The CP energies were determined from the 2nd derivative spectra by using the standard analytic method. We observed sharpenings and blue-shifts of the CPs with decreasing temperature. We found thirteen and twelve CPs for the a-and the b-directions, respectively, at the lowest temperature while only eight and nine CPs were detected at room temperature. Also, an exciton effect was observed only in the armchair direction at low temperatures. The temperature dependences of the CP energies were determined by fitting the data to a phenomenological expression that contain the Bose-Einstein statistical factor and the temperature coefficient to describe the electron-phonon interaction.

RESIK and RHESSI observations of the 20 September 2002 flare

Context. Soft X-ray spectra (3.33 Å–6.15 Å) from the RESIK instrument on CORONAS-F constitute a unique database for the study of the physical conditions of solar flare plasmas, enabling the calculation of differential emission measures. The two RESIK channels for the shortest wavelengths overlap with the lower end of the Ramaty High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager (RHESSI) spectral energy range, which is located around 3 keV, making it possible to compare both data sets. Aims. We aim to compare observations from RESIK and RHESSI spectrometers and cross-correlate these instruments. Observations are compared with synthetic spectra calculated based on the results of one-dimensional hydrodynamical (1D-HD) modelling. The analysis was performed for the flare on 20 September 2002 (SOL2002-09-20T09:28). Methods. We estimated the geometry of the flaring loop, necessary for 1D-HD modelling, based on images from RHESSI and the Extreme-Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope aboard the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory. The distribution of non-thermal electrons (NTEs) was determined from RHESSI spectra. The 1D-HD model assumes that non-thermal electrons with a power-law spectrum were injected at the apex of the flaring loop. The NTEs then heat and evaporate the chromosphere, filling the loop with hot and dense plasma radiating in soft X-rays. The total energy of electrons was constrained by comparing observed and calculated fluxes from Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite 1–8 Å data. We determined the temperature and density at every point of the flaring loop throughout the evolution of the flare, calculating the resulting X-ray spectra. Results. The synthetic spectra calculated based on the results of hydrodynamic modelling for the 20 September 2002 flare are consistent within a factor of two with the observed RESIK spectra during most of the duration of the flare. This discrepancy factor is probably related to the uncertainty on the cross-calibration between RESIK and RHESSI instruments.

H.E.S.S. and Fermi-LAT observations of PSR B1259–63/LS 2883 during its 2014 and 2017 periastron passages

Context. PSR B1259–63/LS 2883 is a gamma-ray binary system consisting of a pulsar in an eccentric orbit around a bright Oe stellar-type companion star that features a dense circumstellar disc. The bright broad-band emission observed at phases close to periastron offers a unique opportunity to study particle acceleration and radiation processes in binary systems. Observations at gamma-ray energies constrain these processes through variability and spectral characterisation studies. Aims. The high- and very-high-energy (HE, VHE) gamma-ray emission from PSR B1259–63/LS 2883 around the times of its periastron passage are characterised, in particular, at the time of the HE gamma-ray flares reported to have occurred in 2011, 2014, and 2017. Short-term and average emission characteristics of PSR B1259–63/LS 2883 are determined. Super-orbital variability is searched for in order to investigate possible cycle-to-cycle VHE flux changes due to different properties of the companion star’s circumstellar disc and/or the conditions under which the HE gamma-ray flares develop. Methods. Spectra and light curves were derived from observations conducted with the H.E.S.S-II array in 2014 and 2017. Phase-folded light curves are compared with the results obtained in 2004, 2007, and 2011. Fermi-LAT observations from 2010/11, 2014, and 2017 are analysed. Results. A local double-peak profile with asymmetric peaks in the VHE light curve is measured, with a flux minimum at the time of periastron tp and two peaks coinciding with the times at which the neutron star crosses the companion’s circumstellar disc (~tp ± 16 d). A high VHE gamma-ray flux is also observed at the times of the HE gamma-ray flares (~tp + 30 d) and at phases before the first disc crossing (~tp − 35 d). The spectral energy range now extends to below 200 GeV and up to ~45 TeV. Conclusions. PSR B1259–63/LS 2883 displays periodic flux variability at VHE gamma-rays without clear signatures of super-orbital modulation in the time span covered by the monitoring of the source with the H.E.S.S. telescopes. This flux variability is most probably caused by the changing environmental conditions, particularly at times close to periastron passage at which the neutron star is thought to cross the circumstellar disc of the companion star twice. In contrast, the photon index remains unchanged within uncertainties for about 200 d around periastron. At HE gamma-rays, PSR B1259–63/LS 2883 has now been detected also before and after periastron, close to the disc crossing times. Repetitive flares with distinct variability patterns are detected in this energy range. Such outbursts are not observed at VHEs, although a relatively high emission level is measured. The spectra obtained in both energy regimes displays a similar slope, although a common physical origin either in terms of a related particle population, emission mechanism, or emitter location is ruled out.

Background modelling for γ-ray spectroscopy with INTEGRAL/SPI

Context. The coded-mask spectrometer-telescope SPI on board the INTErnational Gamma-Ray Astrophysics Laboratory (INTEGRAL) records photons in the energy range between 20 and 8000 keV. A robust and versatile method for modelling the dominating instrumental background radiation is difficult to establish for such a telescope in the rapidly changing space environment. Aims. In a previous paper we presented our spectral parameter database, developed from long-term monitoring of the SPI germanium detectors, that characterises the instrument response and background behaviour. Our aim is to build a self-consistent and broadly applicable background model for typical science cases of INTEGRAL/SPI based on this database. Methods. The general analysis method for SPI relies on distinguishing between illumination patterns on the 19-element germanium detector array from background and sky in a maximum-likelihood framework. We illustrate how the complete set of measurements, even including the exposures of the sources of interest, can be used to define a background model. The observation strategy of INTEGRAL makes it possible to determine individual background components, originating from continuum and γ-ray line emission. We apply our method to different science cases, including point-like, diffuse, continuum, and line emission, and evaluate the adequacy in each case. Results. From likelihood values and the number of fitted parameters, we determine how strong the impact of the unknown background variability is. We find that the number of fitted parameters, i.e. how often the background has to be re-normalised, depends on the emission type (diffuse with many observations over a large sky region, or point-like with concentrated exposure around one source), the spectral energy range, and bandwidth. A unique timescale, valid for all analysis issues, is not applicable for INTEGRAL/SPI, but must and can be inferred from the chosen data set. Conclusions. We conclude that our background modelling method can be used in a wide variety of INTEGRAL/SPI science cases, and provides nearly systematics-free and robust results.

Ab initio optical and energy loss spectra of transition metal monopnictides TaAs, TaP, NbAs, and NbP

Transition metal monopnictides represent a new class of topological semimetals with low-energy excitations, namely, Weyl fermions. We report optical properties across a wide spectral energy range for TaAs, TaP, NbAs, and NbP, calculated within density functional theory. Spectra are found to be somewhat independent of the anion and the light polarization. Their features are explained in terms of the upper s, p, d, and f electrons. Characteristic absorption features are related to the frequency dependence of the Fresnel reflectivity. While the lower part of the energy loss spectra is dominated by plasmonic features, the high-energy structures are explained by interband transitions.

A laboratory spectrometer for high throughput X-ray emission spectroscopy in catalysis research.

We have built a laboratory spectrometer for X-ray emission spectroscopy. The instrument is employed in catalysis research. The key component is a von Hamos full cylinder optic with Highly Annealed Pyrolytic Graphite (HAPG) as a dispersive element. With this very efficient optic, the spectrometer subtends an effective solid angle of detection of around 1 msr, allowing for the analysis of dilute samples. The resolving power of the spectrometer is approximately E/ΔE = 4000, with an energy range of ∼2.3 keV-10 keV. The instrument and its characteristics are described herein. Further, a comparison with a prototype spectrometer, based on the same principle, shows the substantial improvement in the spectral resolution and energy range for the present setup. The paper concludes with a discussion of sample handling. A compilation of HAPG fundamentals and related publications are given in a brief Appendix.

Understanding near infrared absorption in tin doped indium oxide thin films

Tin doped indium oxide (In2O3:Sn (ITO)) thin films RF sputtered under similar conditions on soda lime glass and single crystal silicon wafers (c-Si) are used to study near infrared optical absorption variations during film growth. The presence of strong free carrier absorption and phonon absorption in the low photon energy spectral range provides an opportunity to disentangle tailing effects extending in the near infrared to visible spectral range. Toward that end, a model describing ITO film optical properties in the form of the complex dielectric function (ε = ε1 + iε2) from ex situ ellipsometry collected over 0.4 to 4.1 meV, 0.035 to 0.4 eV, and 0.75 to 5.89 eV spectral range is developed to describe these features along with other higher energy electronic transitions. In situ real time spectroscopic ellipsometry (RTSE) from 0.75 to 5.89 eV is used to track changes film structure and optical response during thin film growth. Optical emission spectroscopy indicates the plasma is very stable during deposition implying that film property changes with thickness are not correlated with changes in plasma chemistry. Film resistivity (ρ), mobility (µ), scattering time (τ), and carrier concentration (n) are determined from the free carrier absorption component of ε. Increased near infrared absorption manifested in ε obtained from RTSE data analysis is hypothesized to originate from enhancement of OH-group phonon absorption due to the presence of water molecules in the chamber at the beginning of growth.

Absolute determination of optical constants of three transition metals using reflection electron energy loss spectroscopy

The optical constants, n and k, of three transition metals (Cr, Co, and Pd) were determined from the measured reflection electron energy-loss spectroscopy (REELS) spectra, covering the spectral energy range from visible to vacuum ultraviolet. To do this, a spectral data analysis technique [Xu et al., Phys. Rev. B 95, 195417 (2017)], which combines a sophisticated Monte Carlo simulation for modelling the experimental REELS spectrum and the simulated annealing algorithm for the determination of the true energy loss function (ELF) was adopted. The validity of the obtained ELFs was discussed by comparing with the previous data derived by optical methods and by applying the oscillator strength and the perfect screening-sum rules. Besides, the consistency of the calculated data was evaluated for three in situ measurements for each sample at three primary energies. The complex dielectric function, the refractive index n and the extinction coefficient k were then derived from the obtained ELF via the analytical Kramers-Kronig relation.

Aggregated Molecular Fluorophores in the Ammonothermal Synthesis of Carbon Dots

Recently, molecular fluorophores were shown to be formed in the bottom-up chemical synthesis, contributing to the emission of carbon dots (CDs), derived from a citric acid precursor. We applied an ammonothermal synthesis toward CDs, employing two reactants citric acid and supercritical ammonia functioning as both solvent and precursor. The resulting nanoparticles are identified as amorphous aggregates of molecular fluorophores based on citrazinic acid derivatives, which resemble many of the emission features typically reported to be characteristic for CDs. The aggregates absorb and emit at short and long wavelengths of the spectrum, a feature prior ascribed to intrinsic CD core and surface states, respectively. We identify three emission states: a high energy and a low energy aggregate state as well as an energy transfer state between both. Energy transfer is triggered only upon excitation within a narrow high energy spectral range, resulting in a characteristic blue-green double emission. The high energy...

Separation of detector non-linearity issues and multiple ionization satellites in alpha-particle PIXE

Abstract Multiple ionization satellites are prominent features in X-ray spectra induced by MeV energy alpha particles. It follows that the accuracy of PIXE analysis using alpha particles can be improved if these features are explicitly incorporated in the peak model description when fitting the spectra with GUPIX or other codes for least-squares fitting PIXE spectra and extracting element concentrations. A method for this incorporation is described and is tested using spectra recorded on Mars by the Curiosity rover’s alpha particle X-ray spectrometer. These spectra are induced by both PIXE and X-ray fluorescence, resulting in a spectral energy range from ∼1 to ∼25 keV. This range is valuable in determining the energy-channel calibration, which departs from linearity at low X-ray energies. It makes it possible to separate the effects of the satellites from an instrumental non-linearity component. The quality of least-squares spectrum fits is significantly improved, raising the level of confidence in analytical results from alpha-induced PIXE.

Multiple energy synchrotron biomedical imaging system

A multiple energy imaging system that can extract multiple endogenous or induced contrast materials as well as water and bone images would be ideal for imaging of biological subjects. The continuous spectrum available from synchrotron light facilities provides a nearly perfect source for multiple energy x-ray imaging. A novel multiple energy x-ray imaging system, which prepares a horizontally focused polychromatic x-ray beam, has been developed at the BioMedical Imaging and Therapy bend magnet beamline at the Canadian Light Source. The imaging system is made up of a cylindrically bent Laue single silicon (5,1,1) crystal monochromator, scanning and positioning stages for the subjects, flat panel (area) detector, and a data acquisition and control system. Depending on the crystal’s bent radius, reflection type, and the horizontal beam width of the filtered synchrotron radiation (20–50 keV) used, the size and spectral energy range of the focused beam prepared varied. For example, with a bent radius of 95 cm, a (1,1,1) type reflection and a 50 mm wide beam, a 0.5 mm wide focused beam of spectral energy range 27 keV–43 keV was obtained. This spectral energy range covers the K-edges of iodine (33.17 keV), xenon (34.56 keV), cesium (35.99 keV), and barium (37.44 keV); some of these elements are used as biomedical and clinical contrast agents. Using the developed imaging system, a test subject composed of iodine, xenon, cesium, and barium along with water and bone were imaged and their projected concentrations successfully extracted. The estimated dose rate to test subjects imaged at a ring current of 200 mA is 8.7 mGy s−1, corresponding to a cumulative dose of 1.3 Gy and a dose of 26.1 mGy per image. Potential biomedical applications of the imaging system will include projection imaging that requires any of the extracted elements as a contrast agent and multi-contrast K-edge imaging.

Magnetic and Magneto-Optical Research of Ni<sub>43.7</sub>Mn<sub>43.6</sub>In<sub>12.7</sub> Ribbons

We report the magnetic and magneto-optical (MO) properties of the Heusler Ni43.7Mn43.6In12.7 alloy ribbon in martensitic and austenitic states. The samples were produced by rapid solidification using the melt-spinning technique. The difference between the transformation temperatures obtained from magnetization and transverse Kerr effect (TKE) measurements shows that the chemical composition and/or microstructure are not identical in the bulk and at the ribbon surface. The TKE spectra profile in the spectral energy range of 0.5-3.5 eV does not change significantly at the martensitic transformation that indicates on a very similar electronic structure in martensitic and austenitic states.

First-Principles GGA+U Study of Intermediate-Band Characters from Zn1−x M x O (M = 3d Transition-Metal) Alloys Suitable for High Efficiency Solar Cell* *Supported by the State Key Program for Basic Research of China under Grant No. 2006CB921803, Project of High Technology Research & Development of China (Project No. 2007AA03Z404), National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant Nos. 61274058, 60990312,

The electronic structure characters are calculated for the Zn1−xMxO alloys with some Zn atoms in ZnO substituted by 3d transition-metal atoms (M), in order to find out which of these alloys could provide an intermediate band material used for fabricating high efficiency solar cell. Especially, among of these alloys, the electronic structure character and optical performance of Zn1−xCrxO alloys clearly show an intermediate band filled partially and isolated from the VB and the CB in energy band structure of ZnO host, and the intermediate band characters can be preserved with increasing Cr concentrations no more than 8.33% in Zn1−xCrxO alloys, at the same time, the ratio 0.52 of Eg FC to Eg VF in Zn1−xCrxO, (x = 4.16%) alloy is closest to the optimal ratio of 0.57. Besides, compared to the ZnO, the optical absorption does indicate a great improved absorption below the calculated band gap of the ZnO and an enhancement of the optical absorption in the whole solar spectral energy range.

Combined study of the gamma-ray strength function of114Cd with (n,γ) and (γ,γ’) reactions

Collaboration on strength function measurements and level density determinations is ongoing between the Budapest Prompt Gamma Neutron Activation Analysis and the ELBE Nuclear Physics groups within the framework of EU FP6 EFNUDAT project. The idea is to prove that good theoretical fits to the measured gamma-ray spectra collected in the (n,) and (,') reactions can be carried out using common photon strength and level density functions over a wide spectral energy range from 1 to 10 MeV for the same residual nucleus. Here, preliminary results on the isotope pair of 113,114 Cd are presented for which the neutron capture state in 114 Cd has 1 + or 0 + spin and parity.

Radiation from multi-GeV electrons and positrons in periodically bent silicon crystal

A periodically bent Si crystal is shown to efficiently serve for producing highly monochromatic radiation in a gamma-ray energy spectral range. A short-period small-amplitude bending yields narrow undulator-type spectral peaks in radiation from multi-GeV electrons and positrons channeling through the crystal. Benchmark theoretical results on the undulator are obtained by simulations of the channeling with a full atomistic approach to the projectile-crystal interactions over the macroscopic propagation distances. The simulations are facilitated by employing the MBN Explorer package for molecular dynamics calculations on the meso-, bio- and nano-scales. The radiation from the ultra-relativistic channeling projectiles is computed within the quasi-classical formalism. The effects due to the quantum recoil are shown to be significantly prominent in the gamma-ray undulator radiation.