The external parameters of solvent, pressure, and temperature were used to study the effects of these agents on the photochemical and photophysical properties of cis-[Cr(cyclam)(NCS)2]ClO4. This study was performed in number of solvents: water, dimethylformamide, acetonitrile and nitromethane. The quantum yield for the release of the thiocyanato ligand was found to be 0.0702 ± 0.005, 0.0635 ± 0.003, 0.0108 ± 0.001 and 0.00537 ± 0.001 for water, dimethy1formamide, acetonitrile and nitromethane at room temperature and pressure. The solvent was found affect the radiative lifetime ([tau]) (2Eg [right arrow] 4A2g, Oh approximation) of the complex. The values were determined to be 11.0, 2.24, 4.09, 7.49, 3.15 and 4.1 microseconds in acidified (pH 3.0) water, dimethylformamide, acetonitrile, nitromethane, hexamethylphosphoramide and acetone respectively. The effect of temperature on the observed radiative lifetime ([tau]) for doublet decay (2Eg) was determined. The temperature behavior is model by the Arrhenius equation with only slight deviations from linearity. Thus for the temperatures studied here, most of the data corresponds to the high temperature (strongly coupled region) of nonradiative decay (Engleman and Jortner). The apparent activation energies were determine to span a short range (i.e.41.2 ± 1.7 to 49.8 ± 1.3 kJ mol-1 for water to nitromethane respectively). The values of the apparent activation energies were compared with the energy spacing between the excited quartet and excited doublet state, as determined by the 5% rule of Fleischauer et al. The values of the estimated energy spacing between the excited states were found to be larger than the apparent activation energies. The effect of temperature on the photochemical quantum yield of thiocyanate, release was determined in 0.001 M HClO4. The temperature has only a marginal effect on the quantum yield. An Arrhenius plot of the data revealed a slope of 3 ± 8 kJ mol-1, which is zero within the error. The effect of pressure on the radiative lifetime and photochemical quantum yield in 0.001 M HClO4, dimethyfformamide, acetonitrile and nitromethane, was determined. The volumes of activation [Delta]V* ([tau]-1 ) are +1.9 ± 0.3, +3.9 ± 0.5, +4.2 ± 0.5 and +4.6 ± 0.6 cm3 mol-1 for 0.001 M HClO4, dimethy1formarnide, acetonitrile and nitromethane, respectively. The volume behavior indicates that the complex undergoes a shift in dominant decay modes as temperature is reduced. The effect of pressure on the photochemical quantum yield was determined and are -2.6 ± 0.7, -8.6 ± 0.7 and 3.2 ± 1.0 cm3 mol-1for 0.001 M HClO4, acetonitrile and dimethylformamide respectively. The sensitivity of excited state lifetime ([tau]) of the cis- and trans-isomers of [Cr(cyclam)(NCS)2]+ towards dioxygen was investigated. Th sensitivity is due to efficient energy transfer from the excited complex to molecular oxygen to form singlet delta (1[Delta]g O2) oxygen. The measurements resulted in intersystem-crossing vields which approached a limiting value of 0.5 suggesting that a statistically limited spin-exchange mechanism may be responsible for the energy transfer in these systems.

In MPLS networks, CR-LDP (Constraint-Based Routed Label Distribution Protocol) provides traffic engineering and QoS (Quality of Service) by distributing labels along the path. One of the innovative ideas in CR-LDP is right in the capability of bandwidth preemption. Bandwidth preemption allows a high-priority traffic flow to pre-empt the low-priority traffic flow when there is not enough bandwidth for conveying the high-priority flow. However, it is not effective in assuring QoS by simply pre-empting the low-priority flow. Therefore, in the thesis, we present a bandwidth preemption with negotiation (BPN) architecture for MPLS networks. In BPN, a high-priority flow will have to negotiate the bandwidth with Ingress Switch Router (ISR) before it can actually pre-empt the bandwidth being used by the low-priority flow. A network link-state database in ISR is designed to record the remaining bandwidth for each priority class. ISR determines whether a high-priority flow can pre-empt a low-priority flow based on the condition that the low-priority flow is possible to switch to other paths with an equal bandwidth along the path. In order to evaluate the performance of our proposed BPN mechanisms, we modify the MNS (MPLS Network Simulator) by adding a bandwidth negotiation module. For the comparisons, we design two topologies for simulating the proposed BPN and the traditional bandwidth preemption with force mode. It is observed that the BPN have exhibited better performance in average throughput and packet loss rate than the traditional bandwidth preemption, not matter either a complex or a regular topology is used. Finally, we analyze the BPN algorithm complexity by some network parameters, and compare the complexity with that of traditional bandwidth preemption

The breakthrough technology in dry fiber fabrication has opened the possibility for using fiber bandwidths all the way from 1.3 to 1.6 £gm. However, the fiber amplifier used in commercial product, such as erbium-doped fiber amplifier (EDFA), can not fully cover the whole fiber bandwidths from 1.3 to 1.6 £gm with a single fiber amplifier. Recently, the Cr4+-doped fiber has shown a broadband emission from 1.3 to 1.6 £gm. Therefore, it is interesting to develop a single fiber amplifier which can operate the wide bandwidth of the 1.3 ~ 1.6 £gm emission. In this study, we have successfully fabricated and measured the Cr-doped fibers by using a commercial drawing-tower technique. The Cr-doped YAG preform was firstly fabricated by a rod-in-tube method. By employing a negative pressure control in drawing-tower technique on the YAG preform, the Cr-doped fibers with a better core circularity and uniformity, and good interface between core and cladding were fabricated. The drawing speed was up to 200m/min. The core diameters were 26 and 16 £gm and the non-circularity was smaller than 3%. The spontaneous emission spectrum showed a broadband emission of 1.2 to 1.6 £gm with the output power density about a few nW/nm. The Cr-doped fibers fabricated by drawing tower are beneficial when integrated with the standard single-mode fibers and broadband WDM couplers for lightwave communication systems. Therefore, the Cr-doped fibers may be used as a broadband fiber amplifier to cover the whole 1.3-1.6 £gm range of silica fibers and have a potential for commercial production and application to lightwave communication systems.

Abstract The maximum capacity of an optical fiber transmission system is more than doubled every year to cater the fast-growing communication need. The technology breakthrough in dry fiber fabrication opens the possibility for fiber bandwidth from 1.3 um to 1.6 um. The fast increasing demand of communication capacity results in the emergence of wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) technology, which results in the need for ultra-broadband optical amplifier. Cr4+:YAG has a strong spontaneous emission spectrum covers from 1.3 um to 1.6 um. In addition, its absorption spectrum is between 0.9 um to 1.2 um, which matches with the pumping source in current erbium doped optical amplifier. Such fiber is, therefore, eminently suitable for optical amplifier applications. In this thesis, we introduce the development of ultra-broadband optical amplifier using the double-clad Cr4+:YAG crystal fiber, which is grown by the laser heated pedestal growth (LHPG) technique. With the butt-coupling method, the insertion loss decreases to 2.0 dB ~ 2.9 dB in a SMF-Cr4+:YAG DCF-SMF configuration at signal wavelength from 1.26 to 1.64 um. A gross gain of 3.2 dB is demonstrated at 0.7 W bi-directional pump power at present. Moreover, theoretical models and numerical simulations have been developed to find out a better method for experiments. Numerical simulation indicates that the pump ESA will seriously impede the development of optical amplifier using the double-clad Cr4+:YAG crystal fiber. In the future, in order to reduce pump ESA we attempt to use cladding pump scheme instead of core pump scheme and to choose pump wavelength at 925 nm instead of 1064 nm,. At the same time, we will also try to grow crystal fiber of smaller core diameter and to extend its length to improve gain performance.

RF-sputtered CoCr films have been characterized for a variety of deposition conditions, and the most effective parameters which bring about perpendicular anisotropy have been evaluated. In particular bias sputtering has been noted for its role in improving the crystallographic orientation and magnetic properties when applied to the substrate at certain values, hence the root mechanism of the observed improvement has been, as far as possible , investigated . These investigations have, in particular, focused on the extent to which impurity gases are likely to effect the magnetic properties of sputtered films, as well as quantifying the gas contents of the films using as yet unexploited (in this area) method of thermal desorption experiments. In a further attempt to quantify tolerable level of impurity species in the sputtering environment , impurity gases of nitrogen, oxygen and hydrogen, which are commonly present even in high vacuum systems, were intentionally introduced in the sputtering chamber and their effects on both magnetic and crystallographic properties of CoCr were noted . To measure the perpendicular and in-plane magnetic properties of CoCr , a combined polar-transverse Kerr magneto- optic system was costructed , through which direct magnetic measurement of CoCr/NiFe becomes feasible . This method was further exploited to compare volume and surface magnetic properties of CoCr , as measured using a V.S.M and this M-O system. Finally , a CoCr/NiFe W1nchester disc was fabricated on which a recording experiment was successfully performed.

The need for environmentally friendly and energy efficient high temperature components that can operate under mechanical and/or thermal stress has prompted interest in the development of Fe-Cr-Al based alloys. These alloys have been widely investigated, because of their ability to form a protective layer of a - Al203, which is able to withstand further oxidation degradation. However, despite their superior oxidation qualities, alpha-alumina scales are highly susceptible to mechanical damage when subjected to aggressive environments. The origins of such failure can be attributed to the generation and relaxation of stresses during the scaling process. As such, this study has experimentally investigated the interaction between oxidation and stress on Fe-Cr-Al based alloy, Kanthal Al. Oxidation experiments of Kanthal Al were conducted in two parts. First, the alloy's scaling process at rest with respect to intrinsic growth stress and oxide morphology was examined. Second, external stress was applied during oxidation to obtain a comprehensive understanding of its effect on scale growth with comparison to experiments conducted without stress. The formation of compact α - Al203 scales was accompanied by compressive growth stresses on the order of 1 GPa. Prolonged oxidation decreased growth stresses resulting in increased scale porosity. Maximum scale porosity occurred under oxidation at 1300°C. Consequently, the protectiveness of the scale was heavily degraded, as indicated by scale morphology, implying that in-service operation at this temperature or above would be detrimental. Applied tensile stress showed a significant decrease in the development of intrinsic growth stress, suggesting a strong interdependency between scale growth stress and creep deformation at high temperature. There was no measurable change in the scale growth rate, as compared to experiments conducted at rest. Possible explanations include insufficient tensile load and/or drastic increase in spallation/rehealing, both of which simultaneously influences the lifetime of a material under aggressive operational conditions. / Thesis / Master of Applied Science (MASc)

Le but de ce travail est de développer et de caractériser une nouvelle génération de revêtements multicouches anti-usure et anticorrosif à base de nitrure de chrome. A cause des conditions de sollicitations sévères auxquelles les outils de coupe sont soumis en plus des enjeux environnementaux liés à l’utilisation des fluides de coupe lors de l’usinage du bois, les monocouches qui constituent notre système multicouches doivent présenter des caractéristiques spécifiques. De ce fait, des couches minces de Cr, CrN et CrAlN ont été déposées sur un acier à outils de coupe du bois et sur des substrats de siliciums par pulvérisation magnétron réactive DC. Nous nous sommes intéressés dans un premier temps à optimiser les monocouches. Ensuite, ces revêtements ont été associés pour élaborer des multicouches Cr/CrN/CrAlN qui ont alors été caractérisées. Nous avons étudié les propriétés physico-chimiques, mécaniques, tribologiques et le comportement à la corrosion de différents revêtements multicouches. Les résultats obtenus indiquent que l’application d’un revêtement multicouches pouvait apporter des améliorations considérables à la résistance à l’usure et à la corrosion des outils de coupe du bois. / The aim of this study was to develop and characterize a new generation of wear and corrosion resistant multilayers Cr-N based coatings. Due to the severe conditions that wood cutting tools are subjected in addition to the environmental issue associated with the use of cutting fluids during wood machining, the monolayers that constitute our multilayers system must have specific characteristics. As a result, thin layers of Cr, CrN and CrAlN have been deposited on wood cutting tools steel and silicon substrates by DC reactive magnetron sputtering to be optimized. Then, the optimal monolayerscoatings were combined to develop the Cr/CrN/CrAlN multilayers. that were characterized to determine their physicochemical, mechanical, tribological properties and their corrosion behavior. The results obtained indicated that the application of a multilayer coating can greatly improve the wear and corrosion resistance of a wood cutting tools steel.

Estudou-se a caracterização de blocos sinterizados à base de Co-Cr-Mo visando a obtenção de próteses odontológicas por fresagem CAD/CAM. O processo de sinterização foi estudado e ocorreu através do transporte difusional de massa e calor no estado sólido, denominado sinterização no estado sólido. Esse fenômeno produz uma forte união entre as partículas devido ao transporte de massa, em escala atômica, sob condições controladas de tempo, temperatura e atmosfera. Foram realizadas sinterizações interrompidas a 800, 1000, 1200 e 1300°C nos tempos de 15 minutos, 1 hora e 4 horas. A liga foi caracterizada nas condições recebida e sinterizadas em termos de composição química, propriedades mecânicas e caracterização microestrutural. Para isto, utilizou-se fluorescência de raios X, dilatometria, ensaios de Arquimedes, ensaios de dureza, ensaios de compressão, microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV), microscopia óptica e microanálise eletrônica dispersiva (EDS). Os resultados composicionais indicam que a liga se encontrava dentro da faixa de composição química estabelecida pelo manual do fabricante e pela norma ASTM 1537. As partículas analisadas na condição pré-sinterizada exibiram formato esférico, indicando uma provável utilização de pós atomizados. A estimativa do levantamento da distribuição do tamanho das partículas foi realizado utilizando o programa de computador ImageJ, e a distribuição foi caracterizada como assimétrica positiva. O material no estado recebido se apresentou monofásico. A fase presente encontrada foi ?Co com estrutura cristalina CFC. Em contrapartida, as amostras sinterizadas apresentaram porções de fase ?Co, com estrutura cristalina hexagonal, fase esta formada a partir da transformação ?Co <-> ?Co, na qual, a energia armazenada na forma de defeitos é a força motriz da transformação. E sugere que a transformação ocorreu durante resfriamento. A amostra sinterizada por quatro horas em 1200°C apresentou-se no estágio final de sinterização, dado que os poros encontrados tinham aspecto arredondado e com densificação maior que 90%. Os resultados de compressão indicam tensão média de ruptura de 2523 ± 168 MPa. / This work studied the characterization of Co-Cr-Mo sintered blocks in order to obtain dental prosthesis by prototyping CAD/CAM. The sintering process was studied through diffusional mass transport in solid state, termed solid state sintering. This phenomenon produces a strong bond between the particles due to mass transport, at the atomic scale, under controlled conditions of time, temperature and atmosphere. The interrupted sintering was performed at 800, 1000, 1200 and 1300 ° C in times to 15 minutes, 1 hour and 4 hours. The alloy was characterized in conditions as received and sintered in terms of chemical composition, mechanical properties and microstructural characterization. For this, we used X-ray fluorescence, dilatometry, Archimedes tests, hardness tests, compression tests, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), optical microscopy and dispersive electron microanalysis (EDS). The results indicate that the alloy was within the chemical composition range established by the manufacturer and ASTM 1537. The particles analyzed in the pre-sintered condition showed spherical shape, indicating a likely use of atomized powders. The estimate of the particle size distribution was performed using ImageJ software, and the distribution is characterized as positive asymmetric. The samples in the received state were monophasic. This phase was found ?Co with FCC crystal structure. On the order hand, the sintered samples showed ?Co phase portions with hexagonal crystal structure, phase formed from the transformation ?Co <-> ?Co, in which the energy stored in the form of defects is the driving force of transformation and suggests that transformation occurred during the cooling. Sample sintered during four hours at 1200°C was in the final stages of sintering, since the pores were found aspect rounded and densification above 90%. The compression results indicate rupture stress at 2523 ± 168 MPa.

A industrialização das células a combustível de eletrólito polimérico sólido ainda é um desafio, devido principalmente aos elevados preços dos catalisadores, da membrana, cinética lenta da reação de redução do oxigênio e estabilidade da célula. Neste trabalho a eficiência e a estabilidade de catalisadores nanoparticulados bimetálicos de Pt-Cr suportados em carbono de elevada área superficial foram estudadas para serem utilizados como cátodos em células a combustível de eletrólito polimérico sólido. A caracterização física destes materiais foi realizada através de técnicas como difração de raios-X (DRX), energia dispersiva de raios-X (EDX), absorção de raios-X (XAS), espectroscopia de fotoelétrons excitados por raios-X (XPS) e microscopia eletrônica de transmissão (TEM). Para os estudos eletroquímicos dos catalisadores foram realizados levantamentos das curvas de polarização na célula unitária utilizando a membrana de Nafion®115, alimentadas com H2 no ânodo e O2/ar no cátodo em diferentes temperaturas e pressões, também foi utilizado a voltametria cíclica e stripping CO para a determinação da área ativa dos catalisadores e finalmente foram realizados os estudos de estabilidade simulando uma degradação acelerada mediante ciclos voltamétricos. Os resultados das curvas de polarização dos catalisadores comercial e preparados pelo método de poliol indicaram que com o aumento da quantidade de cromo obtem-se um decréscimo do desempenho. O catalisador Pt3Cr preparado pelo método de impregnação apresentou o pior desempenho. Os catalisadores Pt3Cr comercial e preparado pelo método do poliol possuem tamanhos de partícula muito próximos e diferentes quantidades de Cr na forma de liga, sendo que cromo no catalisador sintetizado pelo método de poliol apresenta-se na forma oxidada. Os resultados da degradação acelerada para estes catalisadores mostraram que o catalisador sintetizado pelo método de poliol apresentou melhor desempenho e estabilidade. / The commercialization of fuel cells is still a challenge of this technology, principally due to high price of the catalysts and membrane, slow kinetic of oxygen reduction reaction and stability of the cell. In this work the efficiency and stability of the nanoparticulated bimetallic PtCr supported on carbon of high surface area catalysts were studied to be used in the cathodes of proton exchange membrane fuel cell. The physical characterization of these materials was carried out by various techniques, such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The catalysts were characterized electrochemically by measuring the polarization curves, which were recorded in a single cell, using Nafion®115 membrane with anode fed with H2 and cathode fed with O2/air. The gases used were saturated with mili-Q water at different temperatures and pressures. Cyclic voltammetry and CO stripping experiments were used to measure the active surface areas of the catalysts and finally the stability studies were conducted, simulating the accelerated degradation through the cyclic voltammetry. The polarization curves results of the catalysts prepared by poliol method and of commercial catalysts showed that with the increase in the quantity of chromium a decline in performance occurs. The Pt3Cr catalyst prepared by impregnation method presented a poor performance. The catalysts prepared by poliol and commercial catalyst have near the same particle sizes and different amount of alloyed Cr, such that the chromium in poliol catalys is present in oxides form. The accelerated degradation results showed that catalyst prepared by poliol method presented a better performance and stability.

O principal programa de pesquisa do Grupo de Diagrama de Fases e Termodinâmica Computacional do LOM/EEL-USP é o estudo de estabilidade de fases em ligas dos sistemas MR-Si-B (MR = Metal Refratário), os quais apresentam um interesse crescente na área de ligas com potencial para aplicações em altas temperaturas. Destes estudos, este Grupo está construindo uma base de informações termodinâmicas com a finalidade de extrapolá-las para sistemas de ordem superior. Diversos sistemas já foram ou estão sendo estudados. Dando continuidade a este programa, os objetivos principais deste trabalho são a avaliação experimental de pontos críticos do sistema Cr-Si-B na região rica em Cr e a modelagem termodinâmica completa do sistema. Foram utilizadas informações da projeção liquidus de Chad (2008) e realizadas medidas experimentais para a determinação das composições das fases em diversas relações de equilíbrio a 1200 ºC, ambas na região rica em Cr. As amostras foram produzidas por fusão em forno a arco, a partir de pedaços de Cr, Si e B de alta pureza; tratadas termicamente a 1200oC por 200 horas e caracterizadas via difração de raios X e MEV/Microssonda eletrônica. Nessa condição de preparação das amostras, não houve dificuldade em se alcançar o equilíbrio termodinâmico. De uma forma geral, as relações de fases a 1200oC de Chad (2008) são confirmadas no presente trabalho. Não foi verificada através de medida por análise térmica diferencial até a temperatura de 1550oC a transformação polimórfica ?Cr5Si3 _ ?Cr5Si3, que segundo Chang (1968) ocorre a 1505oC. Nenhuma modelagem termodinâmica para este sistema ternário é encontrada na literatura. Para a otimização do sistema ternário foram utilizados os coeficientes de Coughanowr, Ansara e Lukas (1998) para o binário Cr-Si; os coeficientes de Campbell e Kattner (2002) para o binário Cr-B e os coeficientes de Fries e Lukas (1998) para o binário Si-B. Foram usados dois modelos para as fases T1 e T2 para descrever suas solubilidades de B e Si, respectivamente. O modelo adotado para a fase ?Cr5Si3 (T1) foi o de solução com três sub-redes (Cr)4(Cr)1(Si,B)3 e o modelo adotado para a fase Cr5B3 (T2) foi o de solução com três sub-redes (Cr)5(B,Si)2(B)1. Estes dois modelos estão compatíveis com aqueles adotados para outros sistemas MR-Si e MR-Si-B. Para a fase CrSS (BCC_A2), o modelo escolhido para permitir a solubilidade de B e/ou Si foi o substitucional para o Si e o intersticial para o B, resultando em uma descrição com duas sub-redes (Cr,Si)1(B,Va)3. A adoção destes modelos compatíveis com otimizações já desenvolvidas e publicadas é importante para permitir o desenvolvimento de uma base de dados multicomponentes MRSi- B que possibilitará previsões confiáveis para as relações de fases em sistemas de ordem superior. A otimização atual reproduziu bem a seção isotérmica a 1200oC e a projeção liquidus do sistema Cr-Si-B na região rica em Cr. / Currently, the main research program of the Phase Diagram and Computational Thermodynamics Group of LOM/EEL-USP is the study of phase stability in MR-Si- B ternary systems (MR = Refractory Metal), which presents an increasing interest in the area of alloys with potential for applications at high temperatures. These research activities include the development of a thermodynamic database to evaluate systems of higher order. Several systems have already been studied. In a continuation of this program, the main objectives of this work are the experimental evaluation of the Cr-Si-B ternary system in the Cr-rich region and the thermodynamic modeling of the complete system. Experimental data from the liquidus projection of Chad (2008) were used and experimental measurements were performed to determine the compositions of various phases in equilibrium at 1200°C, both in the Cr-rich region. The samples were produced by arcmelting high-purity pieces of Cr, Si and B, followed by heat treatment at 1200oC for 200 hours. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction and SEM/WDS microanalysis. With this preparation procedure, no difficulty was found to bring the samples to the thermodynamic equilibrium condition. In general, the phase relations at 1200oC proposed by Chad (2008) were confirmed in this study. The polymorphic transformation ?Cr5Si3 _ ?Cr5Si3, which according to Chang (1968) occurs at 1505oC, has not been verified by differential thermal analysis experiments performed until 1550oC. No thermodynamic modeling for this ternary system was found in the literature. The binary coefficients of Coughanowr, Ansara and Lukas (1998) for the Cr-Si, Campbell and Kattner (2002) for the Cr-B and Fries and Lukas (1998) for the Si-B were used in the optimization of the ternary system. Two models for T1 and T2 phases were used to describe their B and Si solubilities, respectively. The model adopted for ?Cr5Si3 (T1) was the solution with three sublattices (Cr)4(Cr)1(Si,B)3 and for Cr5B3 (T2) was the solution with three sublattices (Cr)5(B,Si)2(B)1. These two models were consistent with those adopted in other RM-Si and RM-Si-B systems. For the phase CrSS, the substitutional and interstitial models were used to describe the solubility of Si and B in the BCC structure, respectively, resulting in a solution with two sublattices (Cr,Si)1(B,Va)3. These models are compatible with other previously published optimizations. This is important to enable the development of a multicomponent MR-Si-B database, which will enable reliable predictions for the phase relations in higher-order systems. The Cr-rich region of the isothermal section at 1200oC and of the liquidus projection are well reproduced by the coefficients of the present optimization.