In many applications, it is necessary to simulate wave scattering from surfaces that have small radii of curvature relative to the incident wavelength. Surface features smaller than an electromagnetic wavelength are known to create diffracted fields over a wide range of scattering angles. In this thesis, the significance of such effects at low grazing angles with the presence of an extended planar surface is considered. The magnetic field integral equation (MFIE) describing the currents on such surfaces is used to solve for the bistatic scattered fields. The integral equations are discretized using the moment method and solved using the Method of Ordered Multiple Interactions (MOMI) iterative procedure. This thesis will concentrate on normal incidence and low grazing angle (LGA) incidence, specifically an incident angle of 80 degrees. The surface used in the analysis is a one-dimensional, perfectly-conducting wedge-on-a-plane with a varying radius of curvature at the wedge tip and Gaussian tails that smoothly extend the wedge to the plane surface. This surface displays continuous first and second derivatives over the entire surface. The radius of curvature at the wedge tip is varied between 0.0125 wavelengths and 8 wavelengths. The form of the bistatic scattered fields will be investigated for three different wedge height to wedge width geometries. The surface scattering mechanisms and their respective location and form in the scattered field will be discussed. The dependence of the scattered field pattern on the radius of curvature at the wedge tip and the beam width of the incident field will be considered. The difficulties associated with using a numerical technique on extended surfaces where a significant source of diffracted energy is present will also be examined. This includes the issue of sampling a surface that contains areas of small radii of curvature and the issue of surface truncation when significant currents due to tip diffraction are produced well outside the illuminated area. Both TE (VV) and TM (HH) polarization will be considered. This thesis also analyzes the scattered fields for a perfect electric conducting (PEC) ridge and well in the presence of an extended planar surface for an incident angle of 70 degrees. The dual-surface magnetic field integral equation (DMFIE) formulation for a one-dimensional extended surface will be used to solve for the unknown currents on the surface of the scatterer. The DMFIE formulation leads to a second kind integral equation that can be solved via the MOMI series with the proper choice of the parameters appearing in the DMFIE formulation. The bistatic scattered fields for several ridge and well geometries are examined for both TE and TM polarization. / Master of Science

This report documents the development of a method of estimating the signal attenuation induced by a rocket exhaust plume. The method is applicable to the early system design phase of high energy solid propellant rockets that produce highly ionized exhaust plumes. The method is based on the premise that when a plume is highly ionized, observed signal levels can be explained by assuming the signal propagates around the plume. A simple diffraction at a straight edge model is developed and compared to measured data. The report also provides an overview of exhaust plume electromagnetics and surveys prediction techniques.

neutron diffraction study of the hydrated borate mineral, colemanite (CaB3O4(OH)3 * H2O has been carried out at room temperature and at -20°C, primarily to determine the positions of the hydrogen atoms above and below the ferroelectric transition temperature of -2.5°C. Most of the hydrogen bonds in colemanite are of quite normal character and do not change appreciably through the transition. However, one of the hydrogen atoms of the water molecule and the hydrogen atom of an adjacent hydroxyl group, which are in a state of dynamic disorder at room temperature, are found to settle into ordered, non-centrosymmetric positions below the Curie point. Some of the other atoms are found to undergo small, but in some cases significant, displacements from their room temperature positions. Assuming a reasonable distribution of charges, the magnitude of the spontaneous polarization calculated from the observed positional changes is comparable to the measured value. These results have been used to develop a qualitative theory of the mechanism of the transition from the atomistic point of view. / Dissertation / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Neste trabalho propomos o estudo da Espectrometria de Lente Térmica, sua teoria e aplicações, visto ser uma técnica de alta sensibilidade e que permite a medida das propriedades termo-ópticas dos materiais, como a difusividade térmica (D), a condutividade térmica (k), desvio do caminho óptico pela temperatura (ds/dT) - para materiais sólidos - ou a variação do índice de refração em relação à temperatura (dn/dT) - para líquidos e gases. Para isso inicialmente fizemos um estudo da teoria da difração. Valendo-se da Integral de Difração de Fresnel Kirchhoff obtivemos a expressão analítica da intensidade de um feixe de laser, difratado por diversos elementos ópticos (aberturas e obstáculos circular e retangular, por exemplo), tanto para o regime da difração de Fresnel, quanto da difração de Fraunhofer. Ainda no estudo da difração propusemos um arranjo experimental muito simples, utilizando-se um laser pointer sem a lente colimadora, permitindo que se obtenha, com grande facilidade, os padrões de difração no campo próximo, o que é difícil nas montagens tradicionais. Na seqüência fizemos uma revisão dos modelos de Lente Térmica tradicionalmente utilizados, modelos parabólico e aberrante. E, na comparação que realizamos entre eles, verificamos que pelos resultados obtidos através de simulações, com o modelo parabólico se apresenta em grande desacordo (>50%) com os obtidos com o modelo aberrante. Desta forma, concluímos que os dados da literatura obtidos na década de 70 e que ainda são utilizados, merecem ser revistos. Por fim, notamos na literatura um crescente interesse em lasers de alta potência, principalmente pelos bombeados por lasers de diodo. Desta forma fizemos um estudo valendo-se do modelo aberrante de Lente Térmica sob o regime de q grande, no qual procuramos verificar o limite de validade dos modelos de L.T. utilizados, observando o surgimento de fenômeno da aberração esférica, juntamente com as estruturas de anéis. / In this work we have proposed the study of Thermal Lens Spectrometry, its theory and applications, because it is a highly sensitive technique that allows the measure of the thermo-optical properties of the materials, as the thermal diffusivity (D), the thermal conductivity (k), the change of optical path length with temperature (ds/dT), for solid materials or the change of refractive index with temperature (dn/dT), for liquids and gases. Initially we studied the diffraction theory. We utilized the Fresnel Kirchhoff Diffraction Integral to obtain the analytic expression of the beam laser intensity, whose was diffracted for several optical elements, so much for the regime of the Fresnel diffraction as the regime of the Fraunhofer diffraction. Continuing in the study of the diffraction we proposed a very simple experimental apparatus where we used a laser pointer without the collimator lens, allowing that it was obtained with great facility the Fresnel diffraction patterns, which are difficult to observe in the common experimental apparatus. In the sequence, we made a revision of the models of Thermal Lens traditionally used, parabolic and aberrant models. And, in the comparison that we accomplished among them, we verified that for the results obtained through simulations, with the parabolic model it comes in great disagreement (>50%) with obtained them with the aberrant model. This way, we concluded that literature’s data obtained in the 70ths and they are still used, they must be reviewed. Finally, we noticed in the literature a growing interest in high power lasers. This way we made a study where we used the aberrant model of Thermal Lens under the regime of great q, in which we look for to verify the limit of validity of the used models, observing the appearance of the spherical aberration together with the rings structure.

Neste trabalho propomos o estudo da Espectrometria de Lente Térmica, sua teoria e aplicações, visto ser uma técnica de alta sensibilidade e que permite a medida das propriedades termo-ópticas dos materiais, como a difusividade térmica (D), a condutividade térmica (k), desvio do caminho óptico pela temperatura (ds/dT) - para materiais sólidos - ou a variação do índice de refração em relação à temperatura (dn/dT) - para líquidos e gases. Para isso inicialmente fizemos um estudo da teoria da difração. Valendo-se da Integral de Difração de Fresnel Kirchhoff obtivemos a expressão analítica da intensidade de um feixe de laser, difratado por diversos elementos ópticos (aberturas e obstáculos circular e retangular, por exemplo), tanto para o regime da difração de Fresnel, quanto da difração de Fraunhofer. Ainda no estudo da difração propusemos um arranjo experimental muito simples, utilizando-se um laser pointer sem a lente colimadora, permitindo que se obtenha, com grande facilidade, os padrões de difração no campo próximo, o que é difícil nas montagens tradicionais. Na seqüência fizemos uma revisão dos modelos de Lente Térmica tradicionalmente utilizados, modelos parabólico e aberrante. E, na comparação que realizamos entre eles, verificamos que pelos resultados obtidos através de simulações, com o modelo parabólico se apresenta em grande desacordo (>50%) com os obtidos com o modelo aberrante. Desta forma, concluímos que os dados da literatura obtidos na década de 70 e que ainda são utilizados, merecem ser revistos. Por fim, notamos na literatura um crescente interesse em lasers de alta potência, principalmente pelos bombeados por lasers de diodo. Desta forma fizemos um estudo valendo-se do modelo aberrante de Lente Térmica sob o regime de q grande, no qual procuramos verificar o limite de validade dos modelos de L.T. utilizados, observando o surgimento de fenômeno da aberração esférica, juntamente com as estruturas de anéis. / In this work we have proposed the study of Thermal Lens Spectrometry, its theory and applications, because it is a highly sensitive technique that allows the measure of the thermo-optical properties of the materials, as the thermal diffusivity (D), the thermal conductivity (k), the change of optical path length with temperature (ds/dT), for solid materials or the change of refractive index with temperature (dn/dT), for liquids and gases. Initially we studied the diffraction theory. We utilized the Fresnel Kirchhoff Diffraction Integral to obtain the analytic expression of the beam laser intensity, whose was diffracted for several optical elements, so much for the regime of the Fresnel diffraction as the regime of the Fraunhofer diffraction. Continuing in the study of the diffraction we proposed a very simple experimental apparatus where we used a laser pointer without the collimator lens, allowing that it was obtained with great facility the Fresnel diffraction patterns, which are difficult to observe in the common experimental apparatus. In the sequence, we made a revision of the models of Thermal Lens traditionally used, parabolic and aberrant models. And, in the comparison that we accomplished among them, we verified that for the results obtained through simulations, with the parabolic model it comes in great disagreement (>50%) with obtained them with the aberrant model. This way, we concluded that literature’s data obtained in the 70ths and they are still used, they must be reviewed. Finally, we noticed in the literature a growing interest in high power lasers. This way we made a study where we used the aberrant model of Thermal Lens under the regime of great q, in which we look for to verify the limit of validity of the used models, observing the appearance of the spherical aberration together with the rings structure.

The spinel structure (general formula AB2O4) is widely occurring in natural and synthetic materials, and has a marked technological and scientific significance due to its magnetic, electric and multiferroic behaviours. The presence of transition metal cations with multiple oxidation state and the resulting charge, orbital and spin degrees of freedom of the partially occupied d-orbitals lead to uniquely ordered ground states. The coupling of all the three degrees of freedom can result in a structurally distorted ground state where the direct metal-metal interaction forms atomic clusters, or 'orbital molecules'. The Verwey phase of magnetite (Fe3O4), occurring below TV ~ 125 K, is driven by a cooperative bond distortion that forms linear Fe3+-Fe2+-Fe3+ arrangement (trimeron). The effect of non-stoichiometry and chemical modification on this complex structure has been investigated with a variety of samples through microcrystal synchrotron XRD. A mineral sample (Al, Si, Mg and Mn impurities, TV = 119 K) confirms the Verwey phase as the most complex long-range electronic order known to occur naturally; its relevance in space sciences is discussed. Moreover, the structural analysis of two synthetic magnetites (Fe3(1-δ)O4 with 3δ = 0.012 and TV = 102 K, Fe3-xZnxO4 with x = 0.03 and TV = 90 K) univocally confirmed the persistence of the transition, and its first order, at doping level > 1 %, contrary to previous reports. Moreover, the temperature evolution of the trimerons and their persistence above TV was probed through X-ray Pair Distribution Function analysis on pure Fe3O4: the data analysis between 90 K < T < 923 K show that the Verwey phase goes from long-range ordered (T < 125 K) to short-range ordered (T > 850 K). Magnetite can thus only be considered to have a regular cubic spinel structure above the Curie temperature (TC = 858 K). The pyrochlore lattice of B cations in a spinel gives the structure the potential for frustration upon antiferromagnetic ordering. Fe2GeO4 and γ-Fe2SiO4 were synthesised through conventional solid state routes, with the use of high-pressure synthesis for the latter. Magnetometry and heat capacity measurements highlighted two transitions (Tm1 = 8.6 K and Tm2 = 7.2 K, and Tm1 = 11.2 K and Tm2 = 7.5 K respectively). Powder neutron diffraction data between 2 K < T < 25 K showed that both materials stay undistorted below TN. Magnetic Rietveld refinement led to two highly unconventional magnetic structures, with incommensurate propagation vectors and modulation of the moment magnitude. γ-Fe2SiO4 also shows a spin-ice order below Tm2. The results are unique and unusual for transition metal oxides; the models are systematised by proposing a 'frustration wave' model, in which the degree of frustration is a spatial quantity that can be distributed through the structure in order to stabilise the ground state.

BaVS3 est un composé unidimensionnel constitué de chaînes d'octaèdres de VS6 liés par face. Ce composé est conducteur à température ambiante et présente de fortes corrélations électroniques. Deux types d'électrons interviennent dans ce composé: des électrons dz2 délocalisés selon l'axe des chaînes de vanadium et des électrons de type e(t2g) à caractère localisé.<br /><br />Plusieurs transitions de phases se succèdent en température: à 240 K une transition structurale, à 70 K une transition métal-isolant et à 30 K une transition de nature magnétique. L'objet de cette thèse est l'étude de la transition métal-isolant d'un point de vue structural en utilisant la diffraction des rayons X.<br /><br />Une transition structurale associée à la transition métal-isolant a été mise en évidence par l'apparition d'une surstructure précédée d'un régime de fluctuations prétransitionnelles unidimensionnelles. La structure basse température a été affinée à l'aide d'une diffraction sur poudre haute résolution. Par diffraction anomale, il a été mis en évidence l'absence d'un ordre de charge.<br /><br />Cette transition est interprétée comme une transition de type Peierls. Un modèle impliquant des ondes densité de charge sur les deux types d'électrons est proposé pour rendre compte de l'absence d'ordre de charge. Ce modèle implique un ordre orbitalaire.<br /><br />Des échantillons substitués ont aussi été observés. Ces échantillons présentent une déficience en soufre qui semble être responsable<br />de forts changements des propriétés par rapport au composé pur.

Des matériaux lamellaires d'électrode positive pour batteries lithium-ion, de formule Li1+x(Ni0.425Mn0.425Co0.15)1-xO2 (0 < x < 0.12), ont été synthétisés par coprécipitation. Leurs propriétés structurales et physico-chimiques ont été caractérisées par diffraction (rayons X, neutrons et électrons), spectroscopie XPS, mesures magnétiques ... La surlithiation (Li / (Ni+Mn+Co) > 1) entraîne la présence de lithium en excès dans le site des métaux de transition. Une surstructure de type v3.ahex. x v3.a hex. analogue à celle observée pour Li2MnO3 a été mise en évidence par diffraction électronique. Les propriétés électrochimiques et les modifications structurales observées au cours du cyclage ont été caractérisées pour ces matériaux. La surlithiation entraîne la présence d'un " plateau " de potentiel à ~ 4.5V/Li pour le système Li // Li(Ni0.425Mn0.425Co0.15)0.88O2 ; celui-ci a été associé à des changements structuraux irréversibles mettant en jeu une réorganisation cationique dans les feuillets et une perte d'oxygène.

No description available.

Call number: LD2668 .T4 1961 K57