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Cadmium oxide CdO nanostructured thin films are synthesized using sol-gel spin coating method. The prepared samples of CdO thin films are irradiated with 10 mJ laser from pulsed Q-Switched Nd:YAG laser at 1064 and 532 nm wavelength. The samples were exposed to 45 pulses of 7 ns pulse duration. Morphology and structural analysis were carried out with scanning electron microscope (SEM) micrographs and X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns. Optical investigations were obtained with spectrometer and fluorospectrometer from Shimadzu. SEM micrographs confirm the nanostructure of the CdO film and indicate agglomeration of nanoparticles with laser irradiation. XRD patterns show decrease in the intensity of orientation peaks after laser irradiation. Variation in band gap energy, absorption peaks, and photoluminescence spectra with laser irradiation are observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

TiO thin film has been widely used as photoelectrode in dye-sensitized solar cells. It can also be used in quantum dot synthesized solar cells. Study of its effects in different spectrum of light is important for its use in solar cells. We have reported effects of 1064 nm laser on the surface morphology, structural and optical properties of nanostructured TiO thin film deposited on glass substrates using sol-gel spin coating technique. Q-Switched Nd:YAG pulsed laser at various power densities is used in this study. Surface morphology of the film is investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and atomic force microscopy technique. The XRD pattern of as deposited TiO thin film is amorphous and after laser exposure it became TiO anatase structure. Atomic force microscopy of the crystalline TiO thin film shows that the grain size increases by increasing laser power density. The calculations of the band gap are carried out from UV/Visible spectroscopy measurements with JASCO spectrometer. For laser power density of 25 MW/cm there is an increase in the transmission and it decreases at the value of 38 MW/cm and band gap decreases with increasing laser power density. Photoluminescence spectra of the crystalline TiO thin film indicate two broad peaks in the range of 415 and 463 nm, one for band gap peak (415 nm) and other for oxygen defect during film deposition process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of laser irradiation on the surface, structure and optical properties of SnO thin films deposited on glass substrates using electron beam evaporation, are investigated. The thin film samples are irradiated using fundamental beam at 1064 nm from Q-switched Nd:YAG pulsed laser with different power densities. Structural morphology of the film is investigated using XRD patterns and AFM image. Both XRD pattern and AFM image show increase in grain size of the film with increasing laser power density. Other optical phenomena, photoluminescence emission, transmission, refractive index determination and optical band gaps calculations are also carried out at various laser power densities. Results from all these investigations reveal expansion in grain size of the crystalline SnO thin film with increasing laser power density. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present laser-induced breakdown spectroscopic studies of variety of rock samples around capital of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The samples were collected from East, West, North, and South about 20 km from city centre. Nd:YAG laser (1064 nm) in conjunction with MS257 Spectrograph (Oriel instrument) equipped with ICCD camera is used to record the LIBS data. The emission spectra of these samples have been recorded as functions of laser irradiance. The elemental composition and the relative abundance in each sample are found to be quite different. Quantities of Iron, Calcium, Carbon, Silicon, Aluminum, and Oxygen are detected in these samples. In samples from East, West and South, Iron and Silicon dominates. Dominant elements from North are Calcium and Silicon. Presence of Oxygen proves the existence of oxides in all samples. The color of the samples indicates the presence of Goethite and Hematite, oxides of Iron. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the use of fertilizers has increased to achieve high growth rate of agriculture products. With this increase the chemical impact of agricultural activities on the environment has also been enhanced. In order to keep the environment healthy, and clean, it is necessary to identify contaminants and characterize the sources of contamination. In this study, a comprehensive chemical characterization of a DAP fertilizer has been carried out using laser induced breakdown spectroscopy. Phosphorous, manganese, magnesium, iron, titanium, molybdenum, nickel, cobalt, aluminum, chromium, lead, and uranium traces are detected. Relative abundances of Phosphorous, manganese, magnesium, molybdenum, iron, titanium, nickel, vanadium, calcium, cobalt, cadmium, tin are 26.64, 17.75, 13 97, 8.25, 7.97, 7.11, 5.07, 3.15, 2.94, 1.94, 1,55, 1.73 percent, respectively, whereas relative abundances of sulfur, aluminum, chromium, lead, and uranium are less than 1% and their sum is 1.93% of the total sample. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]