bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synthesis of Eu-doped (Gd,Y)2O3 transparent optical ceramic scintillator
Authors: Kim Young Kwan , Kim Ho Kyung , Kim Do Kyung , Cho Gyuseong
Published: October 2005

A novel process for transparent oxide ceramic scintillator with a composition of Gd1.94-x Yx Eu0.06O3 was developed. The process consists of a glycine–nitrate combustion synthesis of nano-sized starting powder and subsequent controlled sintering and annealing steps. The organic molecules remaining in the as-combusted powder were efficiently removed by the combined heat-treatment at vacuum and air atmospheres. Hot-pressed ceramic scintillators show transparent optical state and high light output. Transparent optical ceramic scintillator with a high content of Gd (up to 80 mol%) was fabricated by the process. The measured light output of Gd1.54Y0.4Eu0.06O3 ceramic scintillator was about two times higher that that of CdWO4 single crystal.
Atomic layer deposition of tantalum nitride for ultrathin liner applications in advanced copper metallization schemes
Authors: van der Straten Oscar , Zhu Yu , Dunn Kathleen , Eisenbraun Eric T. , Kaloyeros Alain E.
Published: October 2005

A metal–organic thermal atomic layer deposition (ALD) approach was developed for the growth of ultrathin tantalum nitride (TaNx) films by alternate pulses of tert-butylimido trisdiethylamido tantalum (TBTDET) and ammonia (NH3). An optimized ALD process window was established by investigating saturation of film-growth rate versus TBTDET and NH3 exposures, as controlled by the length of reactant pulses and the duration of the inert gas purge cycles separating the reactant pulses. The resulting low-temperature (250 °C) ALD process yielded uniform, continuous, and conformal TaNx films with a Ta:N ratio of 1:1. Carbon and oxygen impurity levels were in the 5–8 at.% range. Associated film conformality in 100-nm trench structures with 11:1 aspect ratio was nearly 100%.
Mechanical behavior of individual WS2 nanotubes
Authors: Kaplan-Ashiri I. , Cohen S.R. , Gartsman K. , Rosentsveig R. , Seifert G. , Tenne R.
Published: October 2005

The Young's modulus of WS2 nanotubes is an important property for various applications. Measurements of the mechanical properties of individual nanotubes are challenged by their small size. In the current work, atomic force microscopy was used to determine the Young's modulus of an individual multiwall WS2 nanotube, which was mounted on a silicon cantilever. The buckling force was measured by pushing the nanotube against a mica surface. The average Young's modulus of an individual WS2 nanotube, which was calculated by using Euler's equation, was found to be 171 GPa. First-principle calculations of the Young's modulus of MoS2 single-wall nanotubes using density-functional–based tight-binding method resulted in a value (230 GPa) that is close to that of the bulk material. Furthermore, the diameter dependence of the Young's modulus in both zigzag and armchair configuration was studied and was found to approach the bulk value for nanotubes with few-nanometer diameters. Similar behavior is expected for WS2 nanotubes. The mechanical behavior of the WS2 nanotubes as atomic force microscope imaging tips gave further support for the measured Young's modulus.
Microwave-assisted synthesis of silver nanorods
Authors: Liu Fu-Ken , Huang Pei-Wen , Chang Yu-Cheng , Ko Fu-Hsiang , Chu Tieh-Chi
Published: October 2005

Described is a method for preparing crystalline silver nanorods in water, in the absence of a surfactant or polymer to direct nanoparticle growth, and without externally added seed crystallites. The procedure used is one in which a silver salt is reduced to silver metal by sodium citrate under the influence of microwave irradiation. Key aspects for the production of these nanorods are the use of a closed-chamber microwave heating system that allows precise temperature control and judicious choice of the citrate concentration. This novel finding demonstrates the utility of microwave-assisted synthesis and provides a promising method for the preparation of silver nanorods.
Raman spectroscopy of CaTiO3-based perovskite solid solutions
Authors: Zheng H. , Reaney I.M. , de Györgyfalva G.D.C. Csete , Ubic R. , Yarwood J. , Seabra M.P. , Ferreira V.M.
Published: October 2005

Perovskite-structured solid solutions intended for use as microwave dielectric resonators were studied by Raman spectroscopy. Two distinct categories were investigated: (i) simple perovskite–simple perovskite solid solutions, that is, CaTiO3–SrTiO3 (CTST), CaTiO3–CaZrO3 (CTCZ), CaTiO3–NdAlO3 (CTNA), and CaTiO3–LaGaO3 (CTLG); and (ii) simple perovskite–complex perovskite solid solutions, such as CaTiO3–SrMg1/3Nb2/3O3 (CTSMN). In the latter category, the influence of A-site ion radius was also addressed by examining 0.5CaTiO3– 0.5LaMg1/2Ti1/2O3 (0.5CT–0.5LMT), 0.5SrTiO3 (ST)–0.5LMT, and 0.5BaTiO3 (BT)–0.5LMT. Raman data from the end members and solid solutions are compared, paying particular attention to F2g and A1g mode bands, often associated with ordering of B-site species.
Synthesis and characterization of new layered polyoxometallates–1,10-decanediamine intercalative nanocomposites
Authors: Zhang Guangjin , Ke Haohao , He Tao , Xiao Debao , Chen Zhaohui , Yang Wensheng , Yao Jiannian
Published: October 2005

Hydrothermal reaction of phosphomolybdic acid (PMo12) and phosphotungstic acid (PW12) with the surfactant template 1,10-decanediamine (1,10-DAD) yielded two new nanocomposites, [C10H20(NH2)2]2·H3PMo12O40·(H2O)7.5 and [C10H20(NH2)2]2·H3PW12O40·(H2O)2.4. The produced needlelike crystals of the two nanocomposites have fine-layered structures. X-ray diffraction analyses indicate that change of polyoxometallates has little effect on the tilt angle of the 1,10-DAD molecules for such polyoxometallates–organic amine systems. Fourier transform infrared and Raman spectra show that in the hybrid, the PMo12 forms infinite two-dimensional networks, and the PW12 keeps its Keggin structure in the hybrid except distortion to some degree. The two nanocomposites show different photochromic properties; PMo12–DAD hybrid can be colored under ultraviolet irradiation, whereas PW12–DAD hybrid cannot.
Role of beam divergence and ion-to-molecule flux ratio in ion-beam-assisted deposition texturing of MgO
Authors: Findikoglu Alp T. , Kreiskott Sascha , Riele Paul M. te , Matias Vladimir
Published: October 2005

The effect of process conditions on the biaxial texture of MgO films grown by ion-beam-assisted deposition (IBAD) was studied. The texture showed a strong dependence on the Ar+/MgO flux ratio, but a weak dependence on the divergence of Ar+ beam. One hundred-nanometer-thick epi-MgO on less than 10-nm-thick textured IBAD-MgO films that were grown on 7-nm-thick Y2O3 layers on fused silica, metal alloy tape, and polished Si substrates showed biaxial texture with in- and out-of-plane orientation distributions of less than 4° and 2°, respectively. These results strengthen the notion that the IBAD technique could serve as a universal technological process to integrate amorphous and polycrystalline substrates with various oxide and semiconductor films that need to be grown with good biaxial texture.
Microstructural evolution during decomposition and crystallization of the Cu60Zr20Ti20 amorphous alloy
Authors: Concustell A. , Révész Á. , Suriñach S. , Varga L.K. , Heunen G. , Baró M.D.
Published: October 2005

The effect of continuous heating and isothermal heat treatments on ductile Cu60Zr20Ti20 amorphous ribbons was monitored by differential scanning calorimetry, x-ray diffraction, synchrotron radiation transmission, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. Upon continuous heating, the alloy exhibited a glass transition, followed by a supercooled liquid region and two exothermic crystallization stages. Decomposition of the amorphous phase was also observed. The first crystallization stage resulted in the formation of a nanocomposite structure with hexagonal Cu51Zr14 particles embedded in the amorphous matrix, while in the second crystallization stage hexagonal Cu2TiZr-like phase was precipitated. The released enthalpies were 19 J/g and 30 J/g for each crystallization stage. Crystallization kinetics was studied by the classical nucleation theory. Deviations from the Johnson–Mehl–Avrami–Kolmogorov theory may be explained by the contribution of the decomposition of the amorphous matrix.
Optical properties and radiation stability of thermal control coatings based on doped zirconium dioxide powders
Authors: Mikhailov M.M. , Verevkin A.S.
Published: October 2005

The effect of the doping by compounds with bivalent and trivalent cations (BN, Al2O3, MgO + SiO2) on the diffuse reflectance spectra (ρλ) and the integral solar absorptance (as) and their changes at irradiation (with 30 keV electrons, 3 keV protons, and electromagnetic radiation that imitates solar spectra) of the reflecting thermal control coatings based on ZrO2 powders is examined. The coating based on untreated ZrO2 pigment and the coatings based on the pigments treated with 1 and 3 mass% of Al2O3 nanopowder were subjected to simultaneous action of electrons, protons, and electromagnetic radiation that imitates action of these irradiations on geostationary satellite orbit. After that, the comparative investigations of the changes in spectral reflectance and solar absorptance of these coatings were carried out.
Influence of TiN particles on the wear behavior of silicon nitride–based composites
Authors: Liu Chien-Cheng , Huang Jow-Lay
Published: October 2005

The friction and wear behavior of Si3N4-based composites against AISI-52100 steel were investigated in the ball-on-disk mode in a nonlubrication reciprocation motion. It has been found that under the conditions used, all the ceramic components exhibited rather low friction and wear coefficients. For monolithic silicon nitride materials, high friction coefficients between 0.6 and 0.7 and wear coefficients between 1.63 × 10−8 and 1.389 × 10−6 mm3/N · m were measured. The contact load was varied from 100 to 300 N. By adding titanium nitride, the friction coefficients were reduced to a value between 0.4 and 0.5 and wear coefficients between 1.09 × 10−8 and 0.32 × 10−6 mm3/ N · m at room temperature. All materials and worn surfaces as well as wear debris were investigated by means of scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) before or after the tribological tests. The TEM micrographs of wear track revealed plastic deformation through twins and cracking along grain boundary which play an important role in the fracture mechanism.
Electromigration at the high-Pb–eutectic SnPb solder interface
Authors: Lai C.L. , Lin C.H. , Chen Chih
Published: October 2005

The electromigration behavior of the composite solder composed of eutectic and high-lead SnPb was investigated with 5.7 × 104 A/cm2 current stressing. Voids and hillocks were found only within the eutectic solder, and the high-lead solder remained intact. Electromigration was accelerated dramatically at 150 °C, and Pb became the major migration species of eutectic SnPb for the microstructure change at the anode. The polarity of the opposite current direction was also studied. When electrons drift from the eutectic side to the high-lead side, voids occurred at the eutectic–Cu interface whereas hillocks accumulated at the eutectic–high-lead interface. When the current was reversed, voids occurred at the eutectic–high-lead interface whereas hillocks accumulated at the eutectic–Cu interface. The anchoring effect, which results from the attaching of the lead-rich grains in the eutectic solder to the high-lead solder, was considered to retard the electromigration damage only in this current direction.
Dielectric, ferroelectric, and piezoelectric properties of (001) BiScO3–PbTiO3 epitaxial films near the morphotropic phase boundary
Authors: Nino Juan C. , Trolier-McKinstry Susan
Published: October 2005

The dielectric, ferroelectric, and piezoelectric properties of (001) BiScO3–PbTiO3 epitaxial films near the morphotropic phase boundary were investigated. Epitaxial films, 1-μm thick, were grown on (100) SrRuO3/(100) LaAlO3 substrates by pulsed laser deposition from a BiScO3–PbTiO3 (40/60) ceramic target. The films had room temperature dielectric constant of 850, tanδ = 0.08, and maximum dielectric constant of 5530 at 455 °C. Well-saturated hysteresis loops with a remanent polarization of 42 μC/cm2 and a coercive field of 75 kV/cm were observed. The effective transverse piezoelectric coefficient e31,f was −12 C/m2. This result is quite encouraging for sensor and actuator device development because the observed piezoelectric properties are as good as (001) oriented Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 films (e31,f ∼ –12 C/m2) while the transition temperature is 100 °C higher.
Dependence of Faraday effect on the orientation of terbium–scandium–aluminum garnet single crystal
Authors: Kagamitani Y. , Pawlak D.A. , Sato H. , Yoshikawa A. , Martinek J. , Machida H. , Fukuda T.
Published: October 2005

To investigate the directional dependence of the Faraday effect in terbium–scandium–aluminum garnet (TSAG) single crystals, grown by the Czochralski method, the Verdet constant was measured at 〈111〉, 〈110〉, and 〈100〉 orientations. Extinction ratio and magnetic susceptibility were measured. From the linear dependence of the Verdet constant and inverse wavelength square 1/λ2, 〈111〉 direction shows the highest value of Verdet constant (for λ⋅ = 649.1 nm, Vav = 8.256 × 10−3 deg · Oe−1 · cm−1). Significant anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility was not observed. The extinction ratio of TSAG shows the highest value for 〈111〉 orientation 38.7 dB, which implies that it can be used as an optical isolator.
Effect of deposition temperature on the characteristics of hafnium oxide films deposited by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition using amide precursor
Authors: Takahashi Kenji , Funakubo Hiroshi , Hino Shiro , Nakayama Makoto , Ohashi Naoki , Kiguchi Takanori , Tokumitsu Eisuke
Published: October 2005

Hafnium oxide films were deposited on silicon substrates at deposition temperatures ranging from 190 to 500 °C by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition using an amide precursor, Hf[N(C2H5)2]4, and O2 as source materials. The effect of deposition temperature on the deposition characteristics and electrical properties of the resultant films were investigated. Reaction-limited deposition of hafnium oxide films occurred at deposition temperatures under 380 °C. Concentration of residues, such as carbon, nitrogen, and hydrogen, monotonously decreased with increasing deposition temperature, with nitrogen being the most thermally susceptible. However, surface roughness reached a minimum value at 400 °C. Amorphous films were obtained for deposition temperatures up to 450 °C, but obviously became crystallized at 500 °C. Accumulation capacitance increased with increasing deposition temperature but saturated above 400 °C. Moreover, postdeposition annealing at 800 °C caused no obvious degradation in the electrical properties of the film deposited at 400 °C.
Thermophysical properties of liquid and supercooled ruthenium measured by noncontact methods
Authors: Paradis P-F. , Ishikawa T. , Yoda S.
Published: October 2005

Several thermophysical properties of liquid and supercooled ruthenium were measured using electrostatic levitation. Over the 2225–2775 K temperature interval, the density can be expressed as ρ(T) = 10.75 × 103 – 0.56(T – Tm)(kg ⋅ m−3) with Tm = 2607 K. In addition, the surface tension can be expressed as σ(T) = 2.26 × 103 – 0.24(T – Tm)(mN ⋅ m−1) and the viscosity as η(T) = 0.60 exp[4.98 × 104/(RT)] (mPa ⋅ s) over the 2450–2725 K range. The isobaric heat capacity was estimated as CP(T) = 35.9 + 1.1 × 10−3(T – Tm)[(J/(mol K)] over the 2200–2750 K span by assuming a constant emissivity. The volume expansion coefficient, the enthalpy, and the entropy of fusion were also calculated as 5.2 × 10−5 K−1, 29.2 kJ ⋅ mol−1, and 11.2 J/(mol K).
In situ lateral patterning of thin films of various materials deposited by physical vapor deposition
Authors: Zhang Chi , Kalyanaraman Ramki
Published: October 2005

An approach to pattern directly thin films of various materials deposited by different physical vapor deposition methods is presented. Co and Ag films deposited by pulsed laser deposition and e-beam evaporation, respectively, were fabricated into 650- and 1000-nm-spaced parallel stripes on Si(100) surfaces by simultaneous two-beam ultraviolet laser interference irradiation of the substrate surface during deposition. The resulting morphology consists of 1- to 2-nm-height stripes, which have the same direction and spacing as the interference fringes. This approach has the potential to allow long-range ordering of well-defined patterns over large areas because the spacing and geometrical patterns are defined by the laser interference. Furthermore, the fact that this method works for different materials and does not require any lithography masks, etching steps, or substrate prepatterning, makes it promising as a simple and economical lateral patterning approach.
Elastic contact to a coated half-space: Effective elastic modulus and real penetration
Authors: Perriot A. , Barthel E.
Published: October 2005

A new approach to the contact to coated elastic materials is presented. A relatively simple numerical algorithm based on an exact integral formulation of the elastic contact of an axisymmetric indenter to a coated substrate is detailed. It provides contact force and penetration as a function of the contact radius. Computations were carried out for substrate to layer moduli ratios ranging from 10−2to 102and various indenter shapes. Computed equivalent moduli showed good agreement with the Gao model for mismatch ratios ranging from 0.5 to 2. Beyond this range, substantial effects of inhomogeneous strain distribution are evidenced. An empirical function is proposed to fit the equivalent modulus. More importantly, if the indenter is not flat-ended, the simple relation between contact radius and penetration valid for homogeneous substrates breaks down. If neglected, this phenomenon leads to significant errors in the evaluation of the contact radius in depth-sensing indentation on coated substrates with large elastic modulus mismatch.
Enhancement in redox and electrocatalytic activity observed on Si ion-implanted Ni
Authors: Pham M.T. , Maitz M.F. , Richter E. , Reuther H. , Muecklich A. , Prokert F.
Published: October 2005

Ni was surface-alloyed with Si by ion implantation. The material was examined for its redox and electrocatalytic behavior in NaOH by cyclic voltammetry. The surface was characterized by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, x-ray and electron diffraction, and electron and atomic force microscopy. The ion implantation enhanced activity toward the redox conversion of Ni(OH)2 ↔ NiOOH and the anodic oxidation of glucose reached about 3.5 times and about 2.8 times, respectively. The material is an amorphous mixed oxide of Ni and Si. The effect is discussed considering the true surface area and the generation of active surface sites in relation to the oxygen evolution.
A room-temperature TiO2-nanotube hydrogen sensor able to self-clean photoactively from environmental contamination
Authors: Mor Gopal K. , Carvalho Maria A. , Varghese Ooman K. , Pishko Michael V. , Grimes Craig A.
Published: October 2005

Described is a room-temperature hydrogen sensor comprised of a TiO2-nanotube array able to recover substantially from sensor poisoning through ultraviolet (UV) photocatalytic oxidation of the contaminating agent; in this case, various grades of motor oil. The TiO2 nanotubes comprising the sensor are a mixture of both anatase and rutile phases, having nominal dimensions of 22-nm inner diameter, 13.5-nm wall thickness, and 400-nm length, coated with a 10-nm-thick noncontinuous palladium layer. At 24 °C, in response to 1000 ppm of hydrogen, the sensors show a fully reversible change in electrical resistance of approximately 175,000%. Cyclic voltammograms using a 1 N KOH electrolyte under 170 mW/cm2 UV illumination show, for both a clean and an oil-contaminated sensor, anodic current densities of approximately 28 mA/cm2 at 2.5 V. The open circuit oxidation potential shows a shift from 0.5 V to −0.97 V upon UV illumination.
Formation of silica coating films from spin-on polysilazane at room temperature and their stability in hot water
Authors: Kubo Tomoko , Tadaoka Eisuke , Kozuka Hiromitsu
Published: October 2005

Spin-coating was conducted on single-crystal silicon substrates using a xylene solution of perhydropolysilazane (PHPS) to obtain 0.14-μm-thick PHPS films. The PHPS films obtained were suspended over various acidic and basic solutions at room temperature so that they were exposed to the vapors from the solutions. PHPS-to-silica film conversion was studied by infrared absorption spectroscopy, and the stability of the exposed films in hot water was examined by soaking the films in 80 °C water. The as-deposited PHPS films were found to be dissolved in water. When the PHPS films were suspended over water, the films were partially converted into silica, but the resultant film had low stability in hot water. Higher degrees of PHPS-to-silica conversion and higher stabilities in hot water were found on exposing the PHPS films to basic or acidic vapors. Exposure to highly basic vapors from aqueous solutions of ammonia and ethylamine was significantly effective in PHPS-to-silica film conversion, which provided silica thin films with high stability in hot water.
Microstructural evolution of ZrO2–HfO2 nanolaminate structures grown by atomic layer deposition
Authors: Kim Hyoungsub , McIntyre Paul C. , Saraswat Krishna C.
Published: October 2005

Zirconia–hafnia (ZrO2–HfO2) nanolaminate structures were grown using the atomic layer deposition (ALD) technique with different stacking sequences and layer thickness layer thicknesses. The microstructural evolution and surface roughness were compared with those of single-layer ZrO2 or HfO2 films using transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. Thin single-layer ALD-ZrO2 films were polycrystalline and composed of the tetragonal ZrO2 phase as-deposited, whereas thicker (>14 nm) films were composed mainly of the monoclinic phase. HfO2 films were amorphous as-deposited and crystallized into primarily monoclinic during subsequent anneals at temperatures over 500 °C. All the nanolaminate structures having individual layer thicknesses greater than approximately 2 nm were crystalline (mixture of tetragonal and monoclinic phases) independent of layer sequence and also exhibited a layer-to-layer epitaxy relationship within each grain. However, the identity of the starting layer determined the final grain size and surface roughness of the nanolaminates. A qualitative model for the observed microstructure evolution of the laminate films is proposed.
Strength of silicon containing nanoscale flaws
Authors: Pajares Antonia , Chumakov Marina , Lawn Brian R.
Published: October 2005

Silicon is a principal material in submicrometer-scale devices. Components in such devices are subject to intense local stress concentrations from nanoscale contacts during function. Questions arise as to the fundamental nature and extent of any strength-degrading damage incurred at such contacts on otherwise pristine surfaces. Here, a simple bilayer test procedure is adapted to probe the strengths of selected areas of silicon surfaces after nanoindentation with a Berkovich diamond. Analogous tests on silicate glass surfaces are used as a control. The strengths increase with diminishing contact penetration in both materials, even below thresholds for visible cracking at the impression corners. However, the strength levels in the subthreshold region are much lower in the silicon, indicating exceptionally high brittleness and vulnerability to small-scale damage in this material. The results have important implications in the design of devices with silicon components.
Layered titanate thin film as an electrode material
Authors: Ishikawa Akio , Takata Tsuyoshi , Kondo Junko N. , Hara Michikazu , Matsumoto Yasumichi , Domen Kazunari
Published: October 2005

A thin film composed of an ion-exchangeable layered oxide HxTi(2-x/4)⃞x/4O4(HTiO) (where the open square, ⃞, is vacancy) is studied as an electrode material. The thin film prepared on an indium tin oxide substrate functions as an electrode for the redox reaction of Ru(bpy)32+/Ru(bpy)33+without noticeable degradation. Lack of reaction in the presence of Fe(CN)64−/Fe(CN)63−indicates that reaction on this electrode occurs in the interlayers between titanate sheets. A Ru(bpy)32+-intercalated form of the electrode generates photocurrent under visible light irradiation.
Bulk Scandium-based Metallic Glasses
Authors: Xi X.K. , Li S. , Wang R.J. , Zhao D.Q. , Pan M.X. , Wang W.H.
Published: October 2005

The novel rare-earth scandium-based bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) are obtained by the copper mold casting method. Compared with other rare-earth BMGs reported so far, the Sc-based BMGs exhibit the highest elastic moduli (e.g., Young’s modulus, E = 85 GPa; bulk modulus, B = 77.5 GPa), glass transition temperature (Tg = 662 K), and crystallization temperature (Tx = 760 K) combined with a large region of supercooled liquid (ΔT = 98 K). A good correlation between glass transition temperature and elastic moduli is found in a variety of rare-earth-based BMGs.
Microstructure of Epitaxial SrTiO3/Pt/Ti/ Sapphire Heterostructures
Authors: Schmidt Steffen , Ok Young-Woo , Klenov Dmitri O. , Lu Jiwei , Keane Sean P. , Stemmer Susanne
Published: October 2005

The microstructure and orientation relationships of epitaxial (111)-oriented SrTiO3 thin films grown by radio frequency magnetron sputtering on epitaxial (111)-oriented Pt/Ti electrodes on sapphire were investigated using x-ray diffraction, conventional and scanning transmission electron microscopy. We show that the epitaxial growth of (111)-oriented SrTiO3 films was promoted by thin Ti adhesion layers underneath the Pt electrode. The SrTiO3 films nucleated with two twin-related orientation variants, rotated by 180° about the 〈111〉 surface normal. The twin boundaries were oriented approximately normal to the film plane, but no strong preference for a specific boundary plane was observed. Growth mechanisms and the relationships to the dielectric properties are discussed.
Synthesis and Dielectric Properties of Layer-structured Compounds An−3Bi4TinO3n+3 (A = Ba, Sr, Ca) with n > 4
Authors: Hou R.Z. , Chen X.M.
Published: October 2005

Several bismuth layer-structured compounds An−3Bi4TinO3n+3 (A = Ba, Sr, Ca) with n > 4 were synthesized and investigated. The average radius of A-site cations was found to be closely related to the lattice parameters in the a–b plane and, therefore, closely related to the stability of the layer structure. For Ba2Bi4Ti5O18 ceramics, there was a diffused phase transition centered at approximately 330 °C, which should be due to the cation redistribution of A-site Ba2+ and Bi3+ in the (Bi2O2)2+ layer. For Sr2Bi4Ti5O18 ceramics, a sharp dielectric constant peak was found at 325 °C. Ceramics of five-layered Ca2Bi4Ti5O18 and six-layered Ca3Bi4Ti6O21 showed temperature-stable dielectric constants up to 800 °C, and ferroelectricity was observed. In addition, as ferroelectrics, these Ca-containing bismuth layer-structured compounds showed frequency-independent dielectric constants >150 and small tan δ on the order of 10−3–10−4 in the frequency range of 1 kHz to 1 MHz.
Structure and Microwave Dielectric Properties of Ca1−xYxTi1−xAlxO3 (CYTA) Ceramics
Authors: Feteira Antonio , Sinclair Derek C. , Lanagan Michael T.
Published: October 2005

The structure and dielectric properties of Ca1−xYxTi1−xAlxO3 (CYTA) ceramics prepared by the mixed-oxide route have been investigated. CYTA forms a complete solid solution with an orthorhombic perovskite structure. Residual Y4Al2O9 and Y3Al5O12 resulting from incomplete reaction are observed for ⩾ 0.9. Scanning electron microscopy shows that CYTA ceramics exhibit uniform microstructures, with an average grain size that decreases from ∼200 μm at x = 0 to ∼10 μm at x = 1.0. Transmission electron microscopy of CYTA (x = 0.3) ceramics reveals the presence of ferroelastic domains, and electron-diffraction patterns are indexed on the Pnma space group, consistent with an a+b−b− octahedral tilted structure. The relative permittivity, ϵr, decreases continuously from 170 to 12, while the microwave quality factor, Q·fr, increases from 10,000 to 12,000 GHz, for x = 0 and 1, respectively. CYTA (x = 0.30) ceramics exhibit ϵr ∼ 38, Q·fr of ∼14,212 GHz, and a temperature coefficient of resonance frequency, τf, of −14 ppm/°C. Small additions of acceptor (0.3 wt% ZnO) or donor (1 wt% Nb2O5) dopants decrease Q·fr by ∼20–30%, respectively.
Quantitative Measurements of Subcritical Debonding of Cu Films from Glass Substrates
Authors: Pang Mengzhi , Baker Shefford P.
Published: October 2005

A driver film method, in which a highly stressed overlayer is deposited to de-adhere a target film from a substrate, was developed to study the subcritical debonding behavior of Cu films from glass substrates. The driving force for debonding along Cu/glass interfaces was varied by depositing Cr overlayers to a range of thicknesses. One-dimensional crack growth was achieved by using C release layers and cutting strips from blanket films. Crack velocities, v, were measured and a wide strip solution was developed to obtain strain energy release rates, G. The Cu/Cr strips delaminated in a highly reproducible way, generating v–G plots similar to those seen in stress-corrosion cracking of bulk glass. Small variations in the amount of oxygen incorporated into the films during deposition strongly affected delamination rates. A reaction rate model for subcritical cracking by hydroxylation of the surfaces suggests that changes in oxygen content change the density of strong Cu–O–Si bonds across the interface.
Electric State and Chemical Bonding of (Mg4−xMnx)Nb2O9 Microwave Dielectric Ceramics
Authors: Kan Akinori , Ogawa Hirotaka , Yokoi Atsushi
Published: October 2005

Solid solutions of (Mg4−xMnx)Nb2O9 (MMN), which have a corundum-type structure, showed a single phase over the entire composition range, and lattice parameters of MMN linearly increased with increased composition x. From the calculation of cation–oxygen bonds in NbO6 and MO6 (M = Mg and Mn) octahedra, it was found that the covalency of the Nb–O bond was decreased by the Mn substitution for Mg; the molecular orbital calculation in (NbM12O45)−61 cluster models also revealed that the covalency of the Nb–O bond in the (NbMn12O45)−61 cluster model is smaller than that of the Nb–O bond in the (NbMg12O45)−61 cluster model. This result is attributed to the differences in the density of state, which arise from the overlap population of Mg-3d, Mn-3d, Nb-5s, and O-2p orbitals. The dielectric constant and Q⋅f values varied from 11 to 16 and from 210,000 to 50,000 GHz, respectively. Thus, it is considered that these variations in the microwave dielectric properties may be related to the covalency of the cation–oxygen bonds.
Texture Analysis of Thin In2O3:Sn Films Prepared by Direct-current and Radio-frequency Magnetron-sputtering
Authors: Mergel Dieter , Thiele Karola , Qiao Zhaohui
Published: October 2005

Thin In2O3:Sn (ITO) films prepared by radio-frequency (rf) or direct-current (dc) magnetron-sputtering and in central or peripheral position relative to the target were characterized by x-ray diffractograms and pole figures. The diffractograms were normalized with the powder diffraction intensities of the target. In the normalized diffractograms, a random texture level and preferred orientations can be distinguished. The pole figures are represented by normalized χ-scans that are modeled as a sum of Gaussian curves. The centers of the Gaussian curves are consistent with the prominent orientations of the normalized diffractograms. The textures of the rf-sputtered films in the central and the peripheral position are similar, showing strong contributions from (211)-planes. The texture of dc-sputtered samples is dominated by (400) and (411) planes. In the peripheral sample, the distribution of (400)- and (411)-oriented grains is shifted towards the incidence angle of the particle flux and the frequency of the (222)-grains is suppressed below the random texture level. The results are discussed with reference to a model of incorporation of interstitial oxygen into the growing films.
Enhancement of Electrical Properties of the Thermoelectric Compound Ca3Co4O9 through Use of Large-grained Powder
Authors: Mikami Masashi , Guilmeau Emmanuel , Funahashi Ryoji , Chong Kangji , Chateigner Damiel
Published: October 2005

Hot-forged Ca3Co4O9 (Co349) ceramics were synthesized using large-grained powders prepared by a flux-growth method, and their thermoelectric properties and degree of grain alignment were evaluated. Neutron-diffraction experiments evidenced the effect of grain size on the development of the c-axis grain alignment. The optimum grain size was around 7 μm in our hot-forging method. The electrical resistivity (ρ) in the direction parallel to the pressed-plane was more reduced at higher degrees of orientation. Since ρ was reduced without lowering the Seebeck coefficient (S), the power factor (PF = S2/ρ) of the Co349 sample was improved and reached 0.8 mW/mK2 at 1073 K using Co349 grains with average size of around 7 μm. The thermal conductivity (κ) in the direction parallel to the pressed-plane slightly increased with the increase of the grain size, however the improvement of PF owing to use of large-grained powder outweighed this negative impact on the κ component of the thermoelectric figure of merit (Z = S2/ρκ).
Combustion Synthesis and Spectra Characteristic of Gd2O2S:Tb3+ and La2O2S:Eu3+ X-ray Phosphors
Authors: Xia Tian , Cao Wang-He , Luo Xi-Xian , Tian Ying
Published: October 2005

X-ray phosphors of Gd2O2S:Tb3+ and La2O2S:Eu3+ were synthesized by combustion reactions. The samples were characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electronic microscope (SEM), photoluminescence (PL), and x-ray excited luminescence (XEL) spectra. XRD results revealed pure oxy-sulfide phases when the sintering temperatures were no more than 500 °C, and the mean particle sizes were about 20 nm. While the sintering temperatures became higher, oxy-sulfate phases were present. SEM results illustrated a loose, porous agglomeration and a continuous three-dimensional network structure; PL spectra showed the characteristic emission of rare-earth activation ions. To our satisfaction, the PL intensities were nearly the same as some commercial x-ray phosphors. XEL spectra revealed the same characteristic emission, although their luminescence principles were different from those of the PL spectra. In addition, because absorption coefficients of these samples for x-ray and doped concentrations doped of activation ions were different, their light emission intensities and efficiencies also varied.
Understanding the Glass-forming Ability of Cu50Zr50 Alloys in Terms of a Metastable Eutectic
Authors: Wang W.H. , Lewandowski J.J. , Greer A.L.
Published: October 2005

Interest in finding binary alloys that can form bulk metallic glasses has stimulated recent work on the Cu–Zr system, which is known to show glass formation over a wide composition range. This work focuses on copper mold casting of Cu50Zr50 (at.%), and it is shown that fully amorphous rods up to 2-mm diameter can be obtained. The primary intermetallic phase competing with glass formation on cooling is identified, and the glass-forming ability is interpreted in terms of a metastable eutectic involving this phase. Minor additions of aluminum increase the glass-forming ability: with addition of 4 at.% Al to Cu50Zr50, rods of at least 5-mm diameter can be cast fully amorphous. The improvement of glass-forming ability is related to suppression of the primary intermetallic phase.
Synthesis and Characterization of FeCoNiAl Nanocapsules by Plasma arc Discharge Process
Authors: Geng Dian-Yu , Park Woo-Young , Kim Jin-Chun , Yu Ji-Hun , Choi Chul-Jin , Zhang Zhi-Dong
Published: October 2005

A series of magnetic FeCoNiAl nanocapsules was synthesized by the plasma arc discharge method; the targets of Fe, Co, Ni, and Al powders were changed with varying compositions. The compositions of the nanocapsules were found to be quite different from those of the corresponding targets; the relative amount of Al (or Ni, Co) to Fe was increased (or decreased). Structures, particles sizes, composition, surface composition, magnetic properties, and thermal stability of the nanocapsules were investigated. The saturation magnetization Ms = 106.8 emu/g and coercive force iHc = 367 Oe were achieved for the nanocapsules with the Fe62.5Co21Ni13Al2.5 target. In the FeCoNiAl nanocapsules, the binding energies of Fe, Co, and Ni were different from those of the metals Fe, Co, and Ni. The binding energies of Fe2p3/2 and Fe2p1/2 of the nanocapsules were 708.2 and 721.3 eV, respectively. The four-layer structure was proposed to give a clear statement of how the composition and phase varied radially in the nanocapsules. The major contents of the four layers—i.e., the outer shell, the inner shell, the outer core and the inner core—were amorphous alumina, crystalline alumina, transition metal oxides, and transition metal alloy, respectively. The compositions, structures, particle size, and grain size of the nanocapsules all affect their magnetic properties. In the FeCoNiAl nanocapsules, the greater th amount of the body-centered-cubic phase, the stronger the ferromagnetic magnetic properties.
Gravity-driven Beryllium Transport in ZrTiCuNiBe Melt and its Influence on Glass Formation
Authors: Yang C. , Liu R.P. , Wang X.Y. , Jia Y.Z. , Ma M.Z. , Sun L.L. , Wang W.K.
Published: October 2005

Compositional and microstructural differences from bottom to top along a water-quenched Zr41Ti14Cu12.5Ni10Be22.5 alloy rod, 90 mm in length and 22 mm in diameter, were investigated experimentally by x-ray diffraction measurement, differential scanning calorimetry, and composition analysis. The results show that the upper part of the rod contains more beryllium atoms and is amorphous. The lower part with less beryllium atoms contains crystalline phases. The composition gradient is possibly due to the gravity-driven transport of Be-rich clusters and un-melted tiny solid pieces in the alloy melt.
Doubling the Critical Size for Bulk Metallic Glass Formation in the Mg–Cu–Y Ternary System
Authors: Ma H. , Zheng Q. , Xu J. , Li Y. , Ma E.
Published: October 2005

Mg−Cu−Y alloys with optimal glass forming ability have been found at off-eutectic compositions. The critical size for bulk metallic glass formation at the pinpointed compositions more than doubles that of the previously discovered eutectic Mg65Cu25Y10 alloy, leading to fully glassy rods with near-centimeter diameters in the ternary system upon copper mold casting. The result is a striking demonstration of the strong composition dependence of the glass forming ability, as well as of the need to scrutinize off-eutectic compositions. The implications of the discovery are discussed.
Synthesis and Greatly Enhanced Fluorescence Emission of Transparent Nd-doped Y3ScxAl5−xO12 Ceramics
Authors: Feng Tao , Shi Jianlin , Chen Jiyang , Jiang Danyu
Published: October 2005

Nd-doped Y3ScxAl5−xO12(Nd:YSAG) powder were prepared with a chemical combustion method. The powders were nano-sized and had a pure cubic phase when calcined at 900 °C. Transparent Nd:YSAG ceramics with up to 40% scandium substitution for aluminum were successfully fabricated by sintering the powder compact at 1800 °C under H2 atmosphere. The synthesis process and optical properties were investigated in detail. It was found that the light emission intensity at 1064 nm of the Nd:YSAG with 40% scandium substitution for aluminum can be enhanced by 2–3 times over that of Nd:YAG single crystal when pumped with the same 808-nm diode laser. In addition, the material was found to have prolonged fluorescence lifetime. This highly enhanced light emission intensity is fundamentally important for obtaining higher light output together with suppressed self-heating than Nd:YAG ceramic and single crystals.
Estimation of Interdiffusivities of the Pseudo NiAl Binary Phase Formed in a Nickel-based Superalloy by Pack Cementation
Authors: Wei H. , Sun X.F. , Zheng Q. , Guan H.R. , Hu Z.Q. , Hou G.C.
Published: October 2005

The pseudo NiAl binary phase was formed in a nickel-based superalloy by pack cementation. Scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction, electron probe microanalysis, and positron annihilation technique were used to characterize the pseudo NiAl binary phase. Based on reasonable assumptions, the chemical interdiffusivities of the pseudo NiAl binary phase were then assessed by means of the modified Wagner’s method. The results showed that the chemical interdiffusivities of the pseudo NiAl binary phase were about two orders of magnitude lower than those reported by others. The analysis indicated that the change in thermodynamic properties due to the additions of the microalloying atoms originally present in a superalloy could be responsible mainly for a decrease in chemical interdiffusivities.
Plane-strain Bulge Test for Thin Films
Authors: Xiang Y. , Chen X. , Vlassak J.J.
Published: October 2005

The plane-strain bulge test is a powerful new technique for measuring the mechanical properties of thin films. In this technique, the stress–strain curve of a thin film is determined from the pressure-deflection behavior of a long rectangular membrane made of the film of interest. For a thin membrane in a state of plane strain, film stress and stain are distributed uniformly across the membrane width, and simple analytical formulae for stress and strain can be established. This makes the plane-strain bulge test ideal for studying the mechanical behavior of thin films in both the elastic and plastic regimes. Finite element analysis confirms that the plane-strain condition holds for rectangular membranes with aspect ratios greater than 4 and that the simple formulae are highly accurate for materials with strain-hardening exponents ranging from 0 to 0.5. The residual stress in the film mainly affects the elastic deflection of the membrane and changes the initial point of yield in the plane-strain stress–strain curve, but has little or no effect on further plastic deformation. The effect of the residual stress can be eliminated by converting the plane-strain curve into the equivalent uniaxial stress–strain relationship using effective stress and strain. As an example, the technique was applied to an electroplated Cu film. Si micromachining was used to fabricate freestanding Cu membranes. Typical experimental results for the Cu film are presented. The data analysis is in good agreement with finite element calculations.
Effect of Ag Addition on the Improvement of Glass-forming Ability and Plasticity of Mg–Cu–Gd Bulk Metallic Glass
Authors: Park E.S. , Lee J.Y. , Kim D.H.
Published: October 2005

The effect of Ag substitution for Cu on the glass forming ability (GFA) and mechanical properties of Mg65Cu25−xAgxGd10 (x = 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25) alloyswere investigated using x-ray diffractometry and differential scanning calorimetry.The partial substitution of Cu by Ag in Mg65Cu25Gd10 promoted the GFA. Mg65Cu20Ag5Gd10 bulk metallic glass (BMG) with a diameter of 11 mm could be fabricated by conventional copper-mold casting method in air atmosphere. The Mg65Cu20Ag5Gd10 BMG exhibits yielding and plastic deformation during compressive loading. The compressive fracture strength, total strain to failure, and plastic strain to failure of the Mg65Cu20Ag5Gd10 BMG were 909 MPa, 2.21% and 0.5%, respectively.
Origin of the Simultaneous Improvement of Strength and Plasticity in Ti-based Bulk Metallic Glass Matrix Composites
Authors: Kim Yu Chan , Fleury Eric , Lee Jae-Chul , Kim Do Hyang
Published: October 2005

W-rich particle-reinforced Ti-based bulk metallic glass (BMG) matrix composites with a compressive strength approaching 3 GPa and a fracture strain of approximately 12% were developed. In contrast to most existing BMG matrix composites, in which the improved ductility was obtained only at the expense of the strength, the composites developed in this study exhibited a significant enhancement in their strength, as well as an improvement in the plasticity. This improvement in the plasticity was attributed to the blocking and circumscription of the shear band propagation, leading to the formation of a large number of shear bands. Using a classical elasticity theory of inclusions, the improvement of the strength was interpreted as resulting from the generation of tensile residual stresses in the matrix due to the difference in the coefficient of thermal expansion between the W-rich particles and the BMG matrix.
Constraint Effects on Thin Film Channel Cracking Behavior
Authors: Tsui Ting Y. , McKerrow Andrew J. , Vlassak Joost J.
Published: October 2005

One of the most common forms of cohesive failure observed in brittle thin film subjected to a tensile residual stress is channel cracking, a fracture mode in which through-film cracks propagate in the film. The crack growth rate depends on intrinsic film properties, residual stress, the presence of reactive species in the environments, and the precise film stack. In this paper, we investigate the effect of various buffer layers sandwiched between a brittle carbon-doped-silicate (CDS) film and a silicon substrate on channel cracking of the CDS film. The results show that channel cracking is enhanced if the buffer layer is more compliant than the silicon substrate. Crack velocity increases with increasing buffer layer thickness and decreasing buffer layer stiffness. This is caused by a reduction of the constraint imposed by the substrate on the film and a commensurate increase in energy release rate. The degree of constraint is characterized experimentally as a function of buffer layer thickness and stiffness, and compared to the results of a simple shear lag model that was proposed previously. The results show that the shear lag model does not accurately predict the effect of the buffer layer.
Enhanced Plasticity of Zr-based Bulk Metallic Glass Matrix Composite with Ductile Reinforcement
Authors: Sun Y.F. , Wei B.C. , Wang Y.R. , Li W.H. , Shek C.H.
Published: October 2005

A composite material containing uniformly distributed micrometer-sized Nb particles in a Zr-based amorphous matrix was prepared by suction cast. The resulting material exhibits high fractured strength over 1550 MPa and enhanced plastic strain of about 29.7% before failure in uniaxial compression test at room temperature. Studies of the serrations on the stress–strain curves and the shear bands on the fractured samples reveal that the amplitude of the stress drop of each serration step corresponds to the extent of the propagation of a single shear band through the materials. The composite exhibits more serration steps and smaller amplitude of stress drop due to the pinning of shear band propagation by ductile Nb particles.
Thermally Induced Structural Transformations on Polymorphous Silicon
Authors: Rath Chandana , Farjas J. , Roura P. , Kail F. , Roca i Cabarrocas P. , Bertran E.
Published: October 2005

Polymorphous Si is a nanostructured form of hydrogenated amorphous Si that contains a small fraction of Si nanocrystals or clusters. Its thermally induced transformations such as relaxation, dehydrogenation, and crystallization have been studied by calorimetry and evolved gas analysis as a complementary technique. The observed behavior has been compared to that of conventional hydrogenated amorphous Si and amorphous Si nanoparticles. In the temperature range of our experiments (650–700 °C), crystallization takes place at almost the same temperature in polymorphous and in amorphous Si. In contrast, dehydrogenation processes reflect the presence of different hydrogen states. The calorimetry and evolved gas analysis thermograms clearly show that polymorphous Si shares hydrogen states of both amorphous Si and Si nanoparticles. Finally, the total energy of the main Si–H group present in polymorphous Si has been quantified.