Philosophiae Doctor - PhD (Physics): Recent submissions
Now showing items 1-20 of 61
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Chemical pressure-induced transition of the magnetic ground state from ferromagnetic to antiferromagnetic order in CeCuGe and DyCuIn alloys
(University of the Western Cape, 2023)Rare-earth intermetallic compounds continue to attract considerable attention, due to their fundamental importance in understanding physical properties and potential applications based on a variety of phenomena. The ternary ... -
Physics graduate preparedness for work and society
(University of the Western Cape, 2023)Both internationally and in South Africa, there have been renewed debates about the purposes of higher education and the attributes that should be developed in graduates. In the field of physics, many studies have reported ... -
A case study of university students' experiences of introductory physics drawn from their approaches to problem solving
(University of the Western Cape, 2001)This thesis explores the experience of leaming physics through a particular medium: problem-solving, which is seen by many educators as the primary medium in which physics is learnt at university. Situating itself within ... -
Synthesis of bimetallic immiscible alloy nanoparticles through green and gamma radiolysis approaches for environmental remediation applications
(University of the Western Cape, 2022)The synthesis of bimetallic immiscible alloy nanoparticles (NPs) using versatile routes, is a major concern since physio-chemical methods are not environmentally benign. Breaking down the immiscibility would generate NPs ... -
HI intensity mapping: Impact of primary beam effects
(University of the Western Cape, 2023)Neutral hydrogen (HI) intensity mapping surveys with upcoming and future radio telescopes such as the MeerKAT, a precursor to the Square Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO) MID telescope, have great potential for constraining ... -
Measurements and applications of radon in South African aquifer and river waters
(University of the Western Cape, 2009)In the natural decay series of 238Uan inert radioactive gas, 222Rn(radon) is formed in the decay of 226Ra.Because radon is relatively soluble in water, it migrates from places of its generation in rocks and soils to other ... -
New Collective structures in the Z=76 stable odd neutron nucleus, 187Os
(University of the Western Cape, 2021)Low- and medium-spin bands of 187Os have been studied using the AFRODITE array, following the 186W(4He,3n)187Os reaction at a beam energy of 37 MeV. The measurements of γ − γ coincidences, angular distribution ratios (RAD), ... -
New collective structures in the Z=76 stable odd neutron nucleus, 187Os
(University of Western Cape, 2021)Low- and medium-spin bands of 187Os have been studied using the AFRODITE array, following the 186W(4He,3n)187Os reaction at a beam energy of 37 MeV. The measurements of coincidences, angular distribution ratios ... -
Probing large-scale structure with the SKAO and other cosmological surveys
(University of the Western Cape, 2022)In recent history there have been several advances in cosmology, which has significantly shaped our understanding of the Universe. The current leading theory is called ΛCDM, which can successfully model the expansion of ... -
A multi-wavelength study of powerful high redshift radio galaxies
(2021)We present a new sample of distant powerful radio galaxies, in order to study their host-galaxy properties and provide targets for future observations of Hi absorption with new radio telescopes. We cross-match the Sydney ... -
Nial and steel as matrices and tic and oxynitrides as reinforcements in metal-matrix composite fabrication
(University of Western Cape, 2021)Metal matrix composites harness the superior attributes of their individual constituents to form high performance materials that would rather be impossible from monolithic substances. Owing to many possible combinations, ... -
Inleiding tot die eksperimentele Sielkunde
(University of the Western Cape, 1948)Elke skolier wat rue tevrede is om dit op skool slegs met lepels in te kry nie, het seker al gewonder hoe kennis oorspronklik verkry word. In daardie stadium is ons gewoonlik nog tevrede om die feite wat die onderwyser aan ... -
Hybrid lead halide perovskite thin films and solar cells by chemical vapour deposition
(University of the Western Cape, 2021)The organic-inorganic hybrid perovskites such as methyl ammonium lead iodide (MAPbI3) or mixed halide MAPbI3-xClx (x is usually very small) have emerged as an interesting class of semiconductor materials for their application ... -
Silicon nanowires by metal-assisted chemical etching and its incorporation into hybrid solar cells
(University of Western Cape, 2021)The rapid increase in global energy demand in recent decades coupled with the adverse environmental impact of conventional fuels has led to a high demand for alternative energy sources that are sustainable and efficient. ... -
Disentangling star formation and AGN activity in the GAMA (G23) region
(University of the Western Cape, 2021)Observations of galaxies at di↵erent wavelengths have shaped our understanding of their formation and evolution through time. The commonly derived parameters, such as stellar mass and star formation rate (SFR), rely on ... -
Structural and physical properties of ReN i03 (Re=Sm, N d) nanostructured films prepared by Pulsed Laser Deposition
(University of the Western Cape, 2010)Very few systems allow the study of the relationship between structural changes and physical properties in such a clear way as rare earth nickelate ReNi03 perovskites (Re (rare earth) = Pr, Nd, Sm and Gd). Synthesized for ... -
Development and study of a Thoron (Rn-220) standard source
(University of Western Cape, 2019)Thoron Rn-220 is a radioactive gas with a half-life of 55.6 s. It has been identified as a possible health concern in specific places such as monazite processing plants and (rare-earth) mines. The short half-life of Rn-220 ... -
Probing galaxy evolution below the noise threshold with radio observations
(University of the Western Cape, 2020)The faint radio population consisting of star forming galaxies (SFG) and radio-quiet active galactic nuclei (AGN) is important in the study of galaxy evolution. However, the bulk of the faint population is below the ... -
Variability and interannual trends in the climatology of radon-222 at two Southern Hemisphere coastal baseline sites
(University of the Western Cape, 2021)This thesis characterises and discusses two continuous coastal Southern Hemispheric (SH) atmospheric radon (222Rn) signals. Large-scale atmospheric circulation patterns are important components of the climate system ... -
Application of vertically aligned arrays of metal-oxide nanowires in heterojunction photovoltaics
(University of the Western Cape, 2020)The commercial need to improve the performance of low-cost organic solar cells has led to the idea for this research. The study discusses the synthesis of one dimensional TiO2 and ZnO nanowire arrays synthesised using a ...
