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The present study focuses on the oxygen (O)-ion implantation-induced structural and electronic modifications in the single crystals of strontium-titanate (s-STO) using synchrotron-based x-ray diffraction (XRD), x-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS), and resonant x-ray photoemission spectroscopy. The crystallinity of the epitaxially aligned phases of s-STO is confirmed through XRD. This direct evidence of heavy ion implantation is supported by the Monte Carlo-based simulation of stopping and range of ions in matter/transport of ions in matter. XPS at different core levels is performed to detect the exact oxidation state of Ti ions in s-STO. The dominance of Ti3+ over Ti4+ upon oxygen implantation suggests the disorder in the perovskite material, primarily in the form of oxygen vacancies (VO). The confirmation of VO is explicitly shown by the enhancement in the spectral area of the assigned peak in the O 1s XPS. Resonant photoemission spectroscopy measurements were performed by varying photon energy from 32 to 46 eV to understand the nature of the valence band electronic structure of s-STO. The resonance in the different hybridized states of s-STO is confirmed by the spectral features of constant initial state plots. There is a correlation between the defective state of Ti and the oxygen-deficient state. The transformation from SrTiO3 to SrTiO2.5, partially or completely, is essentially required to underline any modification in the electronic properties of s-STO. s-STO is in a mixed state of an ionic conductor and an electronic conductor. This study outlines the creation of VO due to O-ion implantation and investigates the changes in the electronic structures of s-STO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The field experiments were conducted during three consecutive Rabi seasons during 2016-19 at Agricultural Research Station, SKRAU, Bikaner to study the influence of irrigation and nitrogen levels to growth, yield attributes, yield and water use efficiency of dill (Anethum graveolens L.) under drip irrigation system. The experiment consisted of sixteen treatment combinations of four irrigation levels (ETc- 0.4, ETc- 0.6, ETc- 0.8 & ETc- 1.0), & four nitrogen levels (control, 120% RDN in 4 splits, 100% RDN in 4 splits and 80% RDN in 4 splits). The treatments were laid out in a split plot design with three replications. Results revealed that irrigation at ETc 1.0 with application of nitrogen at 120% of RDN in four splits recorded significantly higher crop yield as compared to the remaining treatments. The water use efficiency decreased with increased irrigation and nitrogen levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The theoretically predicted ferroelectric ZnSnS3 film was successfully grown for the first time using spray pyrolysis technique. The trigonal structure of the films with x-ray diffraction peaks corresponding to (110), (211), (01-1), and (210) planes of ZnSnS3 were observed. The direct energy band gap (∼ 2.62 eV) and an indirect gap (∼ 1.63 eV) of the films were estimated from the optical reflectivity spectra, and a broad photoluminescence emission peak was detected at around 2.58 eV. A band diagram was proposed to explain the optical properties of the film. The P–E measurement revealed that the grown ZnSnS3 films were ferroelectric with a saturated polarization value of 20.5 μ C / cm 2 . The Ni/ZnSnS3/FTO device shows a sizeable photovoltaic response with a maximum of 1.07 V (Voc) and 1.03 µA (Isc) under 532 nm light illumination with 14.92 mW/cm2 power density. The nature of the observed current–voltage characteristics curves of Ni/ZnSnS3/FTO device for two different polarization states was explained considering the formation of potential barriers at the Ni/ZnSnS3/FTO interfaces and its modulation by the polarization-induced depolarization field. The overall photovoltaic response of the Ni/ZnSnS3/FTO system was predominant by the depolarization field over the internal bias field due to the Schottky effect at the interfaces. The maximum responsivity value at zero-bias conditions for ZnSnS3films was 1.45 μ A / W .The ferroelectric ZnSnS3 could be a potential candidate for ferroelectric-based photodetector devices in the visible and near-infrared regions of the optical spectrum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Availability of ample and nutritious fodder for livestock is always a challenge in arid region. Choice of crops such as groundnut that can fulfil the requirement of fodder with its crop residues along with human needs can be a viable option to bridge the gap between availability and requirement of fodder. The fodder yield and quality largely depend on soil moisture and nutrient supply especially sulphur (S), a key nutrient for improving groundnut fodder quality. However, no researchers have given emphasis on coupling effect of drip irrigation (DI) and sulphur on fodder yield, quality, digestibility and water use efficiency (WUE). Therefore, the study was conducted to determine the effects of different regimes of DI and S on productivity and quality of fodder. Results revealed that higher regimes of DI i.e. 0.8 +1.0 PE(pan evaporation) and 1.0 PE level of irrigation along with 40 kg S ha-1 significantly improved the yield, primary quality traits (crude protein, ether extract and ash), digestibility indices and significant reduction in Fibers which indicates improvement in quality of fodder. Fodder productivity was 27.0 and 25.6% higher in 1.0 PE and 0.8+1.0 PE level of irrigation, respectively, as compared to 0.6 PE level (lower water regime) of irrigation, although 0.6 PE level of irrigation recorded higher WUE and was at par with 0.8 PE and 0.6 +1.0 PE level of DI. By changing the levels of DI from 1.0 PE to 0.8+1.0 PE, considerable water can be saved without affecting the yield and quality of fodder. Similarly, crop responded to S up to 60 kg ha-1 but at par with 40 kg S ha-1 indicating that application of extra S after 40 kg did not warrant any extra benefit in terms of fodder yield, WUE and quality of fodder. Thus, adjusting the PE levels of DI for water saving and optimal S application can be a sustainable strategy to improve the productivity and quality of groundnut fodder in arid region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]