We have synthesized a series of new alkali-metal or Tl(+) titanium iodates, A(2)Ti(IO(3))(6) (A = Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, Tl). Interestingly the Li and Na phases are noncentrosymmetric (NCS) and polar, whereas the K, Rb, Cs, and Tl analogues are centrosymmetric (CS) and nonpolar. We are able to explain the change from NCS polar to CS nonpolar using cation-size arguments, coordination requirements, and bond valence concepts. The six materials are topologically similar, consisting of TiO(6) octahedra, each of which is bonded to six IO(3) polyhedra. These polyhedral groups are separated by the A(+) cations. Our calculations on Na(2)Ti(IO(3))(6) indicate that polarization reversal is energetically very unfavorable, rendering the material polar but not ferroelectric. For all of the materials, synthesis, structural characterization, electronic structure analysis, infrared spectra, UV-vis and thermogravimetric measurements, and ion-exchange reactions are reported. For the polar materials, second-harmonic generation, piezoelectricity, and polarization measurements were performed. Crystal data: Li(2)Ti(IO(3))(6): hexagonal, space group P6(3) (No. 173), a = b = 9.3834(11) A, c = 5.1183(6) A, Z = 1. Na(2)Ti(IO(3))(6): hexagonal, space group P6(3) (No. 173), a = b = 9.649(3) A, c = 5.198(3) A, Z = 1. K(2)Ti(IO(3))(6): trigonal, space group R3 (No. 148), a = b = 11.2703(6) A, c = 11.3514(11) A, Z = 3. Rb(2)Ti(IO(3))(6): trigonal, space group R3 (No. 148), a = b = 11.3757(16) A, c = 11.426(3) A, Z = 3. Cs(2)Ti(IO(3))(6): trigonal, space group R3 (No. 148), a = b = 11.6726(5) A, c = 11.6399(10) A, Z = 3. Tl(2)Ti(IO(3))(6): trigonal, space group R3 (No. 148), a = b = 11.4167(6) A, c = 11.3953(11) A, Z = 3.

A new polar noncentrosymmetric material, Li(2)Ti(IO(3))(6), has been synthesized and characterized. The material is built up from a TiO(6) octahedron that is linked to six IO(3) polyhedra. These polyhedral groups are separated by Li(+) cations. The Ti(4+) and I(5+) cations are in asymmetric polar coordination environments attributable to second-order Jahn-Teller effects. The distortion associated with the Ti(4+) cation is negligible, since the TiO(6) octahedra are completely surrounded by IO(3) polyhedra. The I(5+) cation is in a highly polar asymmetric coordination environment attributable to its stereoactive lone pair, which was qualitatively described by pseudopotential calculations of the electron localization function. The macroscopic polarity of Li(2)Ti(IO(3))(6) may be attributed to parallel alignment of the stereoactive lone pairs on the I(5+) cations. This parallel alignment profoundly influences the material's functional properties: second-harmonic generation, piezoelectricity, and pyroelectricity. The material is, however, not ferroelectric, as the polarization associated with I(5+) is not switchable.

The extensive design effort for KSTAR has been focused on two major aspects of the KSTAR project mission - steady-state-operation capability and advanced tokamak physics. The steady state aspect of the mission is reflected in the choice of superconducting magnets, provision of actively cooled in-vessel components, and long pulse current drive and heating systems. The advanced tokamak aspect of the mission is incorporated in the design features associated with flexible plasma shaping, double null divertor and passive stabilizers, internal control coils and a comprehensive set of diagnostics. Substantial progress in engineering has been made on superconducting magnets, the vacuum vessel, plasma facing components and power supplies. The new KSTAR experimental facility with cryogenic system and deionized water cooling and main power systems has been designed, and the construction work is under way for completion in 2004.

A new noncentrosymmetric polar ternary tellurium(IV) oxide phosphate, Te(2)O(PO(4))(2), has been synthesized by a standard solid-state reaction, and the structure was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The material shows a three-dimensional framework structure that is composed of slightly distorted TeO(5) square pyramids and PO(4) tetrahedra. Within the framework three-, four-, and seven-membered ring channels are observed along the [100] direction. In addition to structural characterization, second-harmonic generation (SHG) and piezoelectric measurements were performed. Powder SHG measurement on the Te(2)O(PO(4))(2), using 1064 nm radiation, indicated the material has a SHG efficiency of approximately 50 x alpha-SiO(2). Converse piezoelectric measurements revealed a d(33) value of 20 pm V(-1). Thermogravimetric analysis, UV-vis diffuse reflectance, and infrared spectroscopy were also performed, as were electronic structure calculations. Crystal data: Te(2)O(PO(4))(2), monoclinic, space group Cc (No. 9), with a = 5.3819(7) A, b = 13.6990(19) A, c = 9.5866(12) A, V = 686.73(16) A(3), and Z = 4.

A measurement of the electron energy distribution function (EEDF) using the ac superposition method is done over a helium pressure range of 10-100 mTorr in a planar inductive plasma, and the electron energy diffusion coefficient which describes the electron heating is calculated based on the same discharge conditions using a two-dimensional simulation. It is found that the measured EEDF shows a bi-Maxwellian distribution with a low-energy electron group at low pressures below 20 mTorr even in the inductive discharge using helium of the non-Ramsauer gas. The major factors which can affect the EEDF formation are investigated. In particular, the concept of the total electron bounce frequency, i.e., the electron residence time, is introduced as an indicator of how the electron-electron collision affects the EEDF shape. As a result, it is shown that the observed bi-Maxwellian distribution at low pressures is attributed to the combined effects of the formation of low-energy electrons through the cooling mechanism of energetic electrons enhanced by the capacitive field, the low heating rate of the low-energy electrons, the confinement of low-energy electrons by the ambipolar space potential, and the low electron-electron collision frequency which can be estimated from the total electron bounce frequency presented in this paper.

We measured electrical characteristics of transversely magnetized capacitively coupled plasma at low pressure (10 mTorr). From these measurements, we found that the power characteristics of the magnetized discharge were different from those of the unmagnetized discharge. As the magnetic field increases, a square dependence of power characteristic at high current changes to a linear dependence. This can be understood as a power dissipation mode transition by a magnetic field. A calculation from a simple sheath model agrees well with the experimental data.

Studies on electron heating are done during the power coupling change in the discharge mode transition (E–H mode transition) in a planar inductive argon discharge without electrostatic screen (Faraday shield). The electron energy distribution function (EEDF) evolution is measured by the alternating current superposition method with a radio frequency (rf) compensated Langmuir probe. The trend of its integrals, electron density and effective electron temperature, and especially the plasma potential against rf power are presented. It is demonstrated that the plasma potential is governed primarily by the high-energy electron tail in a plasma with bi-Maxwellian EEDF. The interdependence of the EEDF and the plasma potential is discussed. The experimental results show that the plasma potential against rf power reflects a change in the relative contribution of capacitive power coupling to electron heating.

Charge resolved electrostatic diagnostic of colliding copper laser plasma plumes Phys. Plasmas 18, 103104 (2011) Electron density measurement of inductively coupled plasmas by terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) J. Appl. Phys. 110, 073303 (2011) A synchronized emissive probe for time-resolved plasma potential measurements of pulsed discharges Rev. Sci. Instrum. 82, 093505 (2011) Electrical time resolved metrology of dust particles growing in low pressure cold plasmas Phys. Plasmas 18, 093701 (2011) Additional information on Appl. Phys. Lett.