Browsing Physics by Title
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Jain, P.K.; Lungu, E.M.; Prakash, J. (Elsevier Science Ltd. www.elsevier.com/locate/renene, NaN, 2003)[more][less]
Abstract: The Republic of Botswana is one of the sunniest countries in Southern Africa. It has very little cloud cover, insufficient rainfall, very low humidity, and very low wind speed throughout the year for most parts of the country. The daily extremum temperatures appear to be very much related to solar irradiation which in turn depends on sunshine duration. In Botswana, solar irradiation on a horizontal surface is measured only at Sebele, but sunshine duration and extremum temperatures are measured at several locations throughout the country. This paper presents bivariate models that relate solar irradiation to sunshine duration, and solar irradiation to extremum temperatures for Sebele, Botswana. Autocorrelation analysis revealed that the solar irradiation series is stationary for d=2 and D=0, sunshine duration series is stationary for d=0 and D=0, while the extremum temperatures series are stationary for either d=0 and D=N where N=1, 2, . . . or d=1 and D=1. It is found that there is a lag of three months between the peaks of the differenced series of fractional sunshine duration and fractional solar irradiation. On the other hand it is found that there is at most a lag of one month between the peaks of the differenced series of maximum temperature and solar irradiation, and that there is no lag between the peaks of the differenced series of minimum temperature and solar irradiation. Analysis of the noise component revealed that the bivariate processes under consideration behaved either as a purely seasonal MA processes of order (0,1,1) or as ARIMA processes of order (0, 1, 1)x (0, 1, 1)12 or as a purely nonseasonal, autoregressive process of order 2. We claim that the relationships found for Sebele can be applied to estimate solar irradiation at other locations with climatic conditions similar to Botswana. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/177 Files in this item: 2
jain_RE_2003.pdf (1.288Mb)license.txt (1.998Kb) -
Nijegorodov, N.; Luhanga, P.V.C.; King, J.G. (Regional Energy Resources Information Center (RERIC) Asian Institute of Technology. http://www.rericjournal.ait.ac.th/index.php/reric/index, December NaN, 2005)[more][less]
Abstract: Please refer to the attached article for the ABSTRACT. Due to technical problems with some scientific formulae it was not possible to upload the abstract HERE. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/408 Files in this item: 1
Nijegorodov_IEJ_2005.pdf (2.539Mb) -
Comprehensive study of solar conditions in Mozambique: the effect of trade winds on solar componentsNijegorodov, N.I.; Devan, K.R.S.; Simao, H.; Mabbs, R. (Elsevier Science Ltd. www.elsevier.com/locate/renene, NaN, 2003)[more][less]
Abstract: A new algorithm to simulate all solar components and optimum slopes, Bopt, based on new models for direct normal beam and diffuse radiation and an analytical model to predict Bopt, developed at the University of Botswana is applied for complete study of solar conditions in Mozambique. The components of solar radiation depend to a large extent on the number of h of sunshine. However, it is obvious that cloud-cover is determined mainly by the prevailing trade winds, which carry moisture and rain clouds. This is of especial concern in coastal areas. In the current work, hourly, I, daily, H and monthly mean, H¯ components of solar radiation and the optimum slopes of a north-south aligned collector are simulated and analyzed for 21 synoptic stations in Mozambique. Monthly mean daily direct normal, H¯ bn solar radiation maps are plotted for December and June and discussed. It is found that, to a great extent, isoinsolation curves are determined by the prevailing trade winds, mountain chains and coastal conditions. Plotted maps of annual mean daily direct normal and global solar radiation also show tremendous dependence on the prevailing winds. Several special locations in Mozambique with quite high or very low solar radiation components are pointed out and the reasons explained. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/267 Files in this item: 1
Nijegorodov_RE28_2003.pdf (2.514Mb) -
Akande, A.R. (Elsevier Science Ltd. www.elsevier.com/locate/elstat, NaN, 2005)[more][less]
Abstract: The charge transfer between metals and some solution-cast polymers has been investigated by employing intermittent soft contact under a controlled condition. The result of our measurements reveals that the measured charge is unaffected by our attempt at purifying the polymer samples and so we conclude that the charge transfer is an intrinsic property of the polymers. The histogram of the charge distribution for all the polymers studied is not Gaussian but skewed towards larger charges. The metal work function influences the charge transfer to the polymer except polyvinyl chloride, which behaves as Teflon, already reported in our earlier work. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/277 Files in this item: 1
Akande_JE63_2005.pdf (891.9Kb) -
Masale, M. (Elsevier Science Ltd. www.elsevier.com/locate/physc, August 15, 2002)[more][less]
Abstract: The azimuthal surface nucleation field of an infinitely long type II superconducting cylindrical filament is calculated from the linearized Ginzburg-Landau equation for the order parameter. A current is thought to be passed along the axis of the filament which induces a magnetic field in the azimuthal direction. On increasing the current, the field increases to a value whereby a phase transition from the superconducting to the normal state occurs. The magnetic field lines are parallel to the surface of the cylindrical filament so that the required critical field is Hc3; the parallel surface nucleation field of a type II superconductor. The systems considered are a solid cylinder; free-standing and in a metallic matrix; and a very thin-walled hollow cylinder. The full numerical analysis is carried out only for a solid cylinder. In the case of a thin-walled cylindrical shell, the quantitative description of the superconducting- normal phase is given in terms of the limiting form of the temperature for small fields. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/196 Files in this item: 2
license.txt (1.998Kb) -
King, J.G.; Ranganai, R.T. (Botswana Geoscientists Association, NaN, 2001)[more][less]
Abstract: The Hopkinson effect is the increase of magnetic susceptibility with temperature from near room temperature to near the Curie point. Although this effect has been known for more than a century, it has not been effectively utilised as an analysing tool in palaeo, rock and environmental magnetic studies. This is partly due to the poor understanding of the influence of magnetite (Fe,O.)grain parameters on the Hopkinson effect. In an attempt to study the effects of grain size on the Hopkinson effect, magnetite samples with well-defined grain sizes have been used. it was found that in general, magnetic susceptibility enhancement factor (SEF) obtained by heating the sample in a non-oxidising environment, increase with decreasing grain size. The relation of SEF to grain size is linear when plotted on a log-log scale. This relation has been used to infer grain sizes (hence magnetic domains) for some selected Botswana rocks. The inferred magnetic domains are consistent with independent predictions from hysteresis measurements for the same samples. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/338 Files in this item: 1
King_BJES_2001.pdf (625.5Kb) -
Sathiaraj, T.S. (Elsevier Ltd, NaN, 2008)[more][less]
Abstract: Indium tin oxide (ITO) thin films were prepared by RF sputtering of ceramic ITO target in pure argon atmosphere at a high base pressure of 3 10 4mbar without substrate heating and oxygen admittance. The use of pure argon during deposition resulted in films with high transparency (80–85%) in the visible and IR wavelength region. The films were subsequently annealed in air in the temperature range 100–400 1C. The annealed films show decreased transmittance in the IR region and decreased resistivity. The films were characterized by electron microscopy, spectrophotometry and XRD. The predominant orientation of the films is (2 2 2) instead of (4 0 0). The transmission and reflection spectra in the wavelength range 300–2500 nm are used to study the optical behaviour of the films. The optical transmittance and reflectance spectra of the films were simultaneously simulated with different dielectric function models. The best fit of the spectrophotometric data was obtained using the frequency-dependent damping constant in the Drude model coupled with the Bruggeman effective medium theory for the surface roughness. It has been found that the sputtering power and the chamber residual pressure play a key role in the resulting optical properties. This paper presents the refractive index profile, the structure determined from the XRD and the electrical properties of ITO films. It has been found from the electrical measurement that films sputtered at 200W power and subsequently annealed at 400 1C have a sheet resistance of 80O/& and resistivity of 1.9 10 3Ocm. Description: Some mathematical symbols may not come as they are in the abstract. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/690 Files in this item: 1
Effect of annealing.pdf (1.308Mb) -
Sathiaraj, T.S. (Elsevier Science Ltd. http://www.elsevier.com/locate/mejo, NaN, 2008)[more][less]
Abstract: Indium tin oxide (ITO) thin films were prepared by RF sputtering of ceramic ITO target in pure argon atmosphere at a high base pressure of 3×10−4 mbar without substrate heating and oxygen admittance. The use of pure argon during deposition resulted in films with high transparency (80–85%) in the visible and IR wavelength region. The films were subsequently annealed in air in the temperature range 100–400 °C. The annealed films show decreased transmittance in the IR region and decreased resistivity. The films were characterized by electron microscopy, spectrophotometry and XRD. The predominant orientation of the films is (2 2 2) instead of (4 0 0). The transmission and reflection spectra in the wavelength range 300–2500 nm are used to study the optical behaviour of the films. The optical transmittance and reflectance spectra of the films were simultaneously simulated with different dielectric function models. The best fit of the spectrophotometric data was obtained using the frequency-dependent damping constant in the Drude model coupled with the Bruggeman effective medium theory for the surface roughness. It has been found that the sputtering power and the chamber residual pressure play a key role in the resulting optical properties. This paper presents the refractive index profile, the structure determined from the XRD and the electrical properties of ITO films. It has been found from the electrical measurement that films sputtered at 200 W power and subsequently annealed at 400 °C have a sheet resistance of 80 Ω/□ and resistivity of 1.9×10−3 Ωcm. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/631 Files in this item: 1
Sathiaraj_MJ_2008.pdf (763.9Kb) -
Kumar, J.; Kumar, P.; Suri, N.; Ahmad, M.; Thangaraj, R.; Sathiaraj, T.S. ( NaN, 2008)[more][less]
Abstract: Optical properties of Pb doped ternary Ge-Sb-Te chalcognide films prepared by thermal evaporation have been studied in the visible and near-infrared spectral regions. The straightforward analysis proposed by Swanepoel has been successfully employed and it has allowed us to accurately determine the refractive index and extinction coefficient of the films. The refractive index has been determined from the upper and lower envelopes of the transmission spectra. The absorption coefficient and extinction coefficient have been determined from the transmission spectra in the strong-absorption region. The dispersion of the refractive index is discussed in terms of the Wemple–DiDomenico single oscillator model. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/544 Files in this item: 1
Effect of composition.pdf (950.3Kb) -
Murty, V.R.K. (Elsevier Science Ltd. www.elsevier.com/locate/radphyschem, NaN, 2004)[more][less]
Abstract: The study of interaction of photons with matter finds wide application in areas such as industry, medical radiation dosimetry and radiation shielding. A careful review of these measurements indicates that the studies are exhaustive in respect of pure elements. However, measurements on photon attenuation in alloys are meagre. This is mainly due to the difficulty in procuring targets in suitable form for experimentation. Such studies play a prominent role in selecting alternative shielding materials on the cost-effective basis. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/268 Files in this item: 1
Murty_RPC71_2004.pdf (223.2Kb) -
Masale, M. (Elsevier Science Ltd. http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/622948/description#description, NaN, 2008)[more][less]
Abstract: A calculation is presented on the scattering rates of electrons via the bulk spectrum of longitudinal optical phonons near a current-carrying core of radius R employing the Frohlich interaction Hamiltonian. The electrons are mainly confined near the core by an electric potential and are also under the influence of the current-induced spatially inhomogeneous static azimuthal magnetic field. The external magnetic field lifts the double degeneracy of the non-zero electron's axial wave number (kz ) states, while that of the nonzero azimuthal quantum number (m) states is preserved. In fact, the kz < 0 electron's energy subbands are found to be characterized by minima in their variations with the field. The intrasubband scattering rates show a remarkable behavior in their variations with the field. First, for weak electric potential of the nanosystem, these exhibit a strong, nonetheless inharmonic, oscillatory behavior in their variations with the field. The oscillations are, however, smoothed out as the strength of the electrical potential is increased, commencing at lower values of the field, within the same range of values of the field used. Second, for the same strength of the electric potential, there arise phase variations of the scattering rates in their variations with the field, resulting from the variation in the electron's axial wave number. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/232 Files in this item: 2
license.txt (1.998Kb)Masale_SM_2008.pdf (1.267Mb) -
King, J.G.; Garegae, M.; Ngwisanyi, T.H.; Ranganai, R. (Botswana Geoscientists Association, December NaN, 2005)[more][less]
Abstract: Fault-plane solutions of an earthquake can provide information about the type of fault. We report on the calculation of the fault-plane solutions of the earthquake that occurred on the morning of 18 May 2001 and was felt in the southern parts of Botswana and the North West Province of South Africa. The fact that there were few seismic stations in the vicinity of these areas meant that standard programs such as FOCMEC would produce a large number of possible fault-plane solutions. In this study a semi-manual method of determining fault-plane solution was utilized to obtain the most likely solution from a SEISAN program. The results obtained from these two methods shows that the focal mechanism for this earthquake was normal faulting. The two methods used compliment each other. Other information obtained includes epicenter at coordinates (longitude 26.0E, latitude 25.6S), magnitude of about 4.6 ML and origin time of 9:14.10.52 UTC. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/337 Files in this item: 1
King_BJES_2005.pdf (143.0Kb) -
Mabbs, R.; Nijegorodov, N.; Downey, W.S. (Elsevier Science Ltd. www.elsevier.com/locate/saa, NaN, 2003)[more][less]
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Ranganai, R.T.; Whaler, K.A.; Ebinger, C.J. (Elsevier Science Ltd. www.elsevier.com/locate/jafrearsci, NaN, 2008)[more][less]
Abstract: The granite-greenstone terrain of south-central Zimbabwe, encompassing the Belingwe (Mberengwa) greenstone belt and sections of the Great Dyke, provides important constraints on models for the evolution of the Zimbabwe craton and the Archaean crust in general. In this paper we enhance and model existing and recently acquired gravity data from the region and correlate the anomalies and their derivatives with the known basement geology to evaluate models for greenstone belt development. We also study the spatial gneiss-granite- greenstone association in general, and the geologic implications of models of the anomaly patterns in particular. Although the Belingwe greenstone belt has been mapped, its subsurface geometry is poorly known. Similarly, the Great Dyke is well studied, but no systematic study of the extent and cross-cutting relations of other mafic dykes in the Archaean crust has been undertaken. The regional gravity field shows no evidence for crustal thickness variations in the area and the gravity anomalies can be explained by lateral density variations of the supracrustal rocks. Prominent gravity highs are observed over the high density (≤ 3000 kg/m3) volcanosedimentary piles (greenstone belts) and ultramafic complexes. Well-defined elongate, sub-oval/elliptical gravity lows are associated with intrusive granitic plutons. The granite-greenstone contacts are marked by steep gravity gradients of up to 5 mGal/km that imply steeply dipping or near-vertical contacts for the anomalous bodies. This is tested and confirmed by 2½D modelling of gravity profiles across the Belingwe and Fort Rixon greenstone belts, constrained by measured densities and observed geological data. The modelling also indicates that these belts, and possibly all the belts in the study area (based on comparable densities and anomaly amplitudes), have limited depth extents in the range of 3–5 km. This is comparable to thicknesses obtained elsewhere from deep seismic reflection data and geoelectrical studies, but mapped stratigraphic thicknesses give a maximum depth extent of about 9.5 km. Present studies and previous work support the idea that the volcanics were extruded within rift zones and laid on older granitic crust, followed by subsidence and rapid deposition of sediments that were sourced from the adjacent basement terrains. The volcano-sedimentary sequences were subsequently deformed by intruding younger plutons and affected by late-stage strike-slip activity producing cross-cutting structures. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/276 Files in this item: 1
Ranganai_JAES_2008.pdf (4.603Mb) -
Ranganai, R.T.; Kampunzu, A.B.; Atekwana, E.A.; Paya, B.K.; King, J.G.; Koosimile, D.I.; Stettler, E.H. (Royal Astronomical Society. http://www.wiley.com/bw/journal.asp?ref=0956-540X&site=1, NaN, 2002)[more][less]
Abstract: The Limpopo Belt of southern Africa is a Neoarchean orogenic belt located between two older Archean provinces, the Zimbabwe craton to the north and the Kaapvaal craton to the south. Previous studies considered the Limpopo Belt to be a linearly trending east-northeast belt with a width of ~250 km and ~600 km long. We provide evidence from gravity data constrained by seismic and geochronologic data suggesting that the Limpopo Belt is much larger than previously assumed and includes the Shashe Belt in Botswana, thus defining a southward convex orogenic arc sandwiched between the two cratons. The 2 Ga Magondi orogenic belt truncates the Limpopo–Shahse Belt to the west. The northern marginal, central and southern marginal tectonic zones define a single gravity anomaly on upward continued maps, indicating that they had the same exhumation history. This interpretation requires a tectonic model involving convergence between the Kaapvaal and Zimbabwe cratons during a Neoarchean orogeny that preserved the thick cratonic keel that has been imaged in tomographic models. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/326 Files in this item: 1
Ranganai_GJI_2002.pdf (1.361Mb) -
Ahmad, M.; Thangaraj, R.; Sathiaraj, T.S. (Springer, NaN, 2010)[more][less]
Abstract: Bulk samples of Sn10Sb20-xBixSe70 (0 B x B 8) chalcogenide alloys were prepared by the conventional melt quenching technique. Thin films were prepared on wellcleaned glass substrates by thermal evaporation technique. X-ray diffraction studies revealed that the alloys with x = 0 and 2 at.% of Bi were amorphous, whereas the alloys with x = 4, 6, 8 at.% were crystalline. The crystalline phases are identified as due to the formation of Bi2Se3 and BiSe2 phases. The microstructural and differential scanning calorimetric studies show the presence of these phases. A simple, straight forward procedure suggested by Swanepoel has been used to calculate the optical parameters, refractive index, and extinction coefficient. The optical gap for all the samples has been obtained from the Tauc plots. The variation in optical parameters for different Bi concentration has been explained on the basis of presence of defect states and the change in stoichiometry with the change in Bi concentration. Description: some symbols on the abstract may not appear as they are on the text. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/752 Files in this item: 1
Heterogeneous crystallization.pdf (777.8Kb) -
Nijegorodov, N.; Winkoun, D.P.; Nkoma, J.S. (Elsevier Science Ltd http:www.elsevier.com/locate/saa, NaN, 2003)[more][less]
Abstract: Please refer to the attached article for an ABSTRACT. The abstract was not uploaded here due to formula appearance problem in UBRISA. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/403 Files in this item: 1
Nijegorodov_SAa60_2004.pdf (1.056Mb) -
Nijegorodov, N.; Winkoun, D.P.; Nkoma, J.S. (Elsevier Science Ltd. www.elsevier.com/locate/saa, NaN, 2004)[more][less]
Abstract: The fluorescence and laser properties of seven specially chosen aromatic compounds are studied at 293 ◦C. The quantum yield of fluorescence, γ, decay times, τf , of the deaerated and non-deaerated solutions are measured. The oscillator strength, fe, fluorescence rate constants, kf , natural lifetimes, τT 0 , and intersystem crossing rate constants, kST, are calculated. Some laser parameters are calculated or measured experimentally. It is found that the position of the T level plays an important role in the fluorescence and laser properties of aromatic compounds. If the T level is situated below the Sp level, it decreases the quantum yield of fluorescence and the decay time and increases the threshold of laser action. If, due to some structural changes of a molecule, the T level is situated higher than the Sp level, then the quantum yield of fluorescence and the decay times are increasing and the threshold of laser action is decreasing. Such influence of the position of the T level upon fluorescence and laser properties of aromatic compound is explained by the fact that the Sp level mixes with the T level more readily than with other τ ∗ levels. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/366 Files in this item: 1
Nijegorodov_SAa60_2004.pdf (1.056Mb) -
Nijegorodov, N.; Mabbs, R.; Winkoun, D.P. (Elsevier Science Ltd. www.elsevier.com/locate/saa, NaN, 2003)[more][less]
Abstract: Please refer to the attached article for an ABSTRACT. The abstract was not uploaded here due to formula appearance problem in UBRISA. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/402 Files in this item: 1
Nijegorodov_SAa59-2003.pdf (1.367Mb) -
King, J.G.; Williams, W. (American Geophysical Union. http://www.agu.org/journals/jd/, NaN, NaN)[more][less]
Abstract: Although several studies have recommended removal of secondary components of magnetic remanence by zero-field cycling from room temperature to a temperature much lower than the low temperature transition for magnetite (about 120 K), the method has not become a standard routine technique. This is partly due to the poor understanding of the behavior of magnetite particles at the low-temperature transition zone. Previous experiments by other researchers have used magnetite powders. In such powders it is always possible to attribute any discrepancy between the results observed and theory to possible existence of magnetostatic interaction effects or existence of elongated particles in samples presumed to contain only equant particles. Such factors need to be eliminated in order to have a better understanding of the low temperature behavior of magnetite particles. Low-temperature magnetic properties of lithographically produced arrays of both interacting and noninteracting cubic magnetite particles as well as those from powder particles have been measured as part of this study. A gradual increase in the amount of saturation isothermal remanent magnetization (SIRM) lost at the Verwey transition Tv with increasing particle size in the pseudo-single-domain size range has been observed. This behavior is consistent with the vortex state domain structure. The grain size dependence of the amount of SIRM lost at Tv is most probably what previous researchers reported as a magnetic memory particle-size-dependent trend. Magnetic memory measured during the cooling and warming process is shown to be a stress-related phenomenon. Such measurements could be useful in assessing the nature of stress in a magnetite sample. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/347 Files in this item: 1
King_JGR_2000.pdf (2.594Mb)