Special dilution refrigerator systems for milli-Kelvin detector experiments

Several hundred ultra low temperature systems have been designed and built for a variety of applications. One common application is the refrigeration of low temperature detectors. Although many of the requirements are satisfied by our standard designs, we have often built special refrigerators to suit specific detector requirements. A few of the most interesting of these systems will be discussed. dilution refrigerators to cool gravitational wave antennae to 65 mK rotating dilution refrigerator for cosmic ray detector experiments compact dilution refrigerator to cool large bolometer arrays within the SCUBA telescope side access systems for beam line experiments     

Tensile testing of MEMS materials—recent progress

Tension tests, while standardized for common structural materials, are currently being developed and used for MEMS materials by a small number of researchers. This paper presents recent progress at Hopkins in four areas: Comparison of the tensile test method with different approaches; agreement is found with Young's modulus measurements from membrane tests and with fracture strengths from other tensile tests. Tension-tension fatigue; increased life with decreased applied stress is measured, yielding S-N plots similar to those of metals. Stress versus axial and lateral strain of thick-film silicon carbide; Young's modulus = 420 GPa, Poisson's ratio = 0.21, fracture strength = 0.8 GPa. Polysilicon stress-strain behavior at high temperatures; it deforms inelastically at temperatures above 750°C     

Coarsening of needle-shaped apatite crystals in SiO2 • Al2O3 • Na2O • K2O • CaO • P2O5 • F glass

Coarsening of needle-shaped apatite crystals was studied in a SiO2 Al2O3 Na2O K2O CaO P2O5 F glass. Crystal numbers and size distributions were measured by image analysis of electron micrographs obtained from slightly etched fractures of powder compacts sintered from differently annealed glass powders. Results indicate that the growth of apatite needles is controlled by diffusion-limited Ostwald ripening. Thus, the mean needle diameter and length increase with t1/3 while the crystal number decreases with t–1 due to a constant volume fraction of apatite. An invariant reduced size distribution could be found for the diameters. The measurement of needle lengths is affected by several difficulties (e.g. random needle orientation).     

The influence of ageing on the stability of β-γ/γ′ derived microstructures in Ni-Al-Cr-(Co) alloys

Multiphase Ni-Al-(Fe)-(Cr)-(Co)-based intermetallics with (B2)- (A1)/(L1₂), - or - microstructures can exhibit significant room-temperature tensile ductility. In the case of Ni-Al-Cr-based alloys, microstructural development is complicated by the precipitation of -Cr, which can supplant the -phase during ageing of three-phase -/ microstructures. An investigation of the stability, during ageing, of cast Ni-Al-Cr-(Co) alloys with microstructures derived from -/ is reported. In the as-cast condition, the materials investigated consisted of a dendritic matrix containing L1₀ type martensite and interdendritic /. Extensive intra- and interdendritic -Cr precipitation was also observed. The stability during ageing of the interdendritic / microstructure is also considered and transformation of the L1₀ martensite is examined.     

The effect of Si,Zr, Al and Mo on the structure and strength of Ti martensite

The structure and strength of martensite in near titanium alloys have been studied in the composition range (wt %) up to 10% Zr, 6%, Al, 1/2% Mo, 2.4% Si. [0001], 1/3 11¯20 dislocations, 1/3 10¯10 stacking faults and approximately {10¯11} twin related martensite plates are found to be common features of the martensite. Martensite midribs consist either of finely transformed material between martensite plates, or regions of low dislocation density within martensite plates.The martensite morphology is related to the alloy composition, changing from massive to plate-like with increasing solute content. The strength of the martensite is controlled largely by solid solution strengthening.     

Distribution of α-AlFeSi and β-AlFeSi particles in surface layer of AA6063 alloy billets after heat treatment

We developed the EPMA mapping method of small -AlFeSi(Al_8.3Fe₂Si) and -AlFeSi(Al_8.9Fe₂Si₂) particles in the billets of Al-Mg-Si alloys such as AA6063 alloys. To discriminate between -AlFeSi and -AlFeSi particles we used the relative X-ray intensities of Fe/Si ratio, the I _Fe/I _Si ratio, instead of the Fe/Si mass ratio. To obtain the I _Fe/I _Si ratio, we used a Monte Carlo method. In this study, using this method the mapping of -AlFeSi and -AlFeSi particles in the surface layer of AA6063 billets after the heat treatment (for 2 h at 580°C) was done. Namely, the distribution of -AlFeSi and -AlFeSi particles of zones from the billet surface to a depth of 800 m was measured. Results showed the zone from the surface to a depth of 200 m was occupied mainly by -AlFeSi particles and the zone from a depth of 200 m toward the center was occupied mainly by -AlFeSi particles. From these results, it was found that if we remove zones from the surface to a depth of 200 m, we can remove the majority of the -AlFeSi particles, and thus improve the quality of anodizing performance of Al-Mg-Si alloys extrusions.     

Behaviour of amorphous poly(ethylene terephthalate) annealed at T<T g by thermally stimulated currents

Thermally stimulated current (TSC) discharges in open circuit of amorphous poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) corona-charged electrets show a heteropolar relaxation at 87 °C, ₁ between and peaks. This relaxation tends to become homopolar when the sample is annealed at temperatures below the glass transition temperature. This is due to the formation of a trapped charge density on the surface of the material that originates, during the TSC discharge, a current that counteracts the one that results in ₁ This trapping effect, which initially is null, increases with annealing due to the rise in resistivity. On the other hand, TSC discharges in short-circuited annealed samples result in a heteropolar peak, ^*, that corresponds to ₁ The area of ^* increases with the annealing time in a bounded way. This peak is related to the formation of thermal nuclei (embryos) in the bulk of the material that act as heterogeneities. This suggests that ₁ is associated with a barrier-type polarization. If the annealed sample is heated to temperatures above the glass transition temperature, the tendency to the inversion of ₁ vanishes and ^* disappears, whereas and are modified. This suggests that relaxation is related to a Maxwell-Wagner-Sillars effect.     

Nonlinear Response of a Continuous Wave NMR Spectrometer for Samples with a Large Magnetization

We present a new insight in the response of a CW NMR spectrometer for highly magnetized samples above 100 MHz. The spectrometer is a bridge made of a magic T. The output of the bridge is proportional to the reflection coefficient, , of a resonant circuit, which is built with a coil containing the sample. The sensitivity of the reflection coefficient to the complex susceptibility of the sample, () = () – j(), depends on the quality factor, Q, of the circuit and filling factor, . When the condition Q 1 is not fulfilled, we show indeed that the use of a simple crystal detector, which is only sensitive to || gives rise to a strong nonlinear response of the spectrometer. Measurements of the complex value of by means of phase sensitive detection allow to recover a linear behavior. We discuss and illustrate those issues with a few circuits we designed for our measurements on liquid ³ He with spin polarizations up to 15 %. A method is described to build in a reproducible and predictable way resonant circuits matched to 50 in the frequency range 100 – 400 MHz with a quality factor as high as 1000 at 4 K.     

Influence of calcination and sintering temperatures on the structure of (Pb1 − xBax )ZrO3

(Pb1–xBax)ZrO3 powders are synthesized below 800 °C for x 0.25 using a semi-wet route involving solid-state thermochemical reaction in a mixture of ZrO2 and (Pb1–xBax)CO3. The (Pb1–xBax)CO3 precursors were obtained by a forced coprecipitation technique. These powders can be sintered to achieve nearly 99% of the theoretical density at 1050 °C, which is 200 to 300 °C lower than that employed for the solid state route. The structure of as-calcined powder is orthorhombic for x 0.10 and rhombohedral for 0.25 > x 0.35, whereas the two phases coexist for 0.15 x 0.25. The structure of sintered material is orthorhombic for 0 x 0.10, rhombohedral for 0.20 x 0.30, and cubic for x 0.35, whereas orthorhombic and rhombohedral phases coexist at x = 0.15. The difference in the structure of the as-calcined and sintered powders is discussed in terms of particle size effect and chemical homogenisation of Ba2+ in the PBZ matrix.     

The plastic behaviour of 〈100〉 and 〈111〉 textured polycrystalline metals during simultaneous torsion and extension

On the basis of computer-calculated yield functions, the work hardening of 100 textured Cu-0.64 at % Co-0.48 at % Si and 111 textured polycrystalline copper wires were studied by simultaneous torsion and extension and by pure extension. Representing the work hardening by resolved shear stress-resolved shear strain curves, the rate of hardening is significantly lower for torsion than for pure extension. This behaviour is explained by the operation of different slip systems activated in the two modes of deformation. In the 100 textured Cu-Co-Si wires, heterogeneous plastic deformation was observed beyond about 80% shear strain.     

The Interplay of Electronic and Nuclear Magnetism in PtFe x at Milli-, Micro-, and Nanokelvin Temperatures

We have measured ac susceptibility, nuclear magnetic resonance, and nuclear heat capacity of two PtFe _x samples with concentrations of magnetic impurities x = 11 ppm and 41 ppm at magnetic fields (0 ± 0.05) mTB248 mT. The susceptibility data have been measured at temperatures of 0.3 KT100 mK, no hint for nuclear magnetic ordering could be detected to a temperature of 0.3 K. The nuclear heat capacity data taken at 1.4 KT10 mK show enhanced values which scale with x at low polarization. This effect is described by a model assuming an internal magnetic field caused by the impurities. No indication for nuclear magnetic ordering could be detected to 1.4 K. The nuclear magnetic resonance experiments have been performed on these samples at 0.8 KT0.5 mK and 2.5 mTB22.8 mT as well as on three other samples with x = 5, 10, 31 ppm in a different setup at 40 KT0.5 mK and at 5.4 mTB200 mT. Spin-lattice and effective spin-spin relaxation times ₁and ₂ ^* of ¹⁹⁵ Pt strongly depend on x and on the external magnetic field. No temperature dependence of ₁and ₂ ^* could be detected and the NMR data, too, give no hint for nuclear magnetic ordering to 0.8 K.     

Chromium substitution and crystallinity changes in γ-FeOOH

Cr-substitution in-FeOOH takes place with changes in the unit cell parameters and a marked decrease in crystallinity. The-FeOOH structure is maintained up to 5.0 atomic % with a progressive diminution of crystallite size, as shown by X-ray line broadening analysis and electron microscopy. The dehydroxilation of the Cr-substituted oxyhydroxide to-sesquioxides and the phase transition sesquioxide take place at lower temperatures than in-FeOOH, due to the lower crystallinity.     

Multi-length scale modeling of CVD of diamond Part II A combined atomic-scale/grain-scale analysis

Chemical vapor deposition of polycrystalline diamond films is studied by combining an atomic-scale kinetic Monte Carlo model with two one three-dimensional and one two-dimensional grain-scale models. The atomic-scale model is used to determine the growth rates of 111- and 100-oriented surface facets, the surface morphology of the facets and the extent of incorporation of the crystal defects. Using the atomic-scale modeling predicted growth rates for the 111- and 100-oriented facets, grain-scale modelling is carried out to determine the evolution of grain structure, surface morphology and crystallographic texture in the polycrystalline diamond films. It is found that depending on the relative growth rates of the 111- and 100-oriented facets, which can be controlled by selecting the CVD processing conditions, one can obtain either 110-textured films with a relatively smooth faceted surface or 100-textured films with a highly pronounced deep facets. In both cases, however, the film surface is composed entirely of the 111 facets. This findings are found to be fully consistent with the available experimental results.     

Flux motion in anisotropic type-II superconductors nearH c 2 with arbitrary vortex orientation

Flux motion in anisotropic type-II superconductors near H_{c 2} is studied in the framework of the time-dependent Ginzburg-Landau (TDGL) theory for the case that the average flux densityB is oriented in an arbitrary direction relative to the principal axes of the sample. The linearized TDGL equation for a uniformly translating order parameter is solved and expressions for all elements of the flux-flow resistivity tensor _ij (including the off-diagonal Hall elements) are obtained. The diagonal elements _ii show the angular scaling property that _ii(B) = _ii(B/H_{c 2}(, ø)), whereas the Hall elements _ij (i j) have additional angular dependences that are not contained in H_c2. For the case that the normal state Hall elements _ij ⁽ⁿ⁾ B _k with i j k, the ratios _ij/ _ij ⁽ⁿ⁾ are functions of B/H_c2 (, ) only.     

Phase decomposition of liquid-quenched β-type Ti-Cr alloys

Phase decomposition behaviour of liquid-quenched (bcc) type Ti-Cr alloys was investigated by means of transmission electron microscopy and hardness measurements. It was found that decomposition of to ₁ (Ti-rich, bcc) + ₂ (Ti-lean, bcc) takes place in the intermediate composition range of the Ti-Cr system. This experimental result proves the theoretical prediction made by Menon and Aaronson, but the observed ₁ + ₂ two-phase field expands towards higher temperatures than the predicted binodal line. The coherent ₁ + ₂ two-phase state exhibits the so-called 100 modulated structure and it was concluded that the formation of such a structure is a result of spinodal decomposition of the -phase. We obtained time-temperature-transformation (TTT) diagrams of -type Ti-30, 40 and 50 at % Cr alloys. A typical sequence of structural change is coherent ₁ + ₂ incoherent ₁ + ₂ incoherent ₁ + ₂ + grain boundary precipitates stable state of + TiCr₂ or + TiCr₂. Not all the states in the above sequence appear, depending on alloy composition, liquid-quenching rate and ageing temperature.     

Complex microstructural changes in as-cast eutectoid Zn-Al alloy

Phase transformations and microstructural changes of an as-cast eutectoid Zn-Al alloy (ZnAl₂₂Cu₂) were investigated during isothermal holding. The typical dendritic structures consisted of _s phase as a core with the edge of decomposed _s phase and decomposed _s in the interdendritic regions. A series of complex phase transformations was observed. Both decompositions of _s and _s were determined at an early stage of ageing and a four-phase transformation, _f+T+, was observed at the boundaries of _f phase and the phase, instead of clearly observed at the boundaries of phase, in a solution-treated Zn-Al alloy during prolonged ageing.     

Radiative and nonradiative recombination centers in Cl and Na doped CdTe monograin powders

The wide 1.4 eV photoluminescence band, photoconductivity and dark conductivity of CdTe monograin powders were studied as a function of Na concentration. The donor-acceptor complex Na_CdCl_Te is proposed as the radiative recombination center responsible for the 1.44 eV PL band as well as for the photoconductivity. The high n-conductivity of CdTe monograins with low Na concentration is determined by the ionization of shallow Cl_Te donor defects. The sharp decrease of the conductivity (10⁷ times) in vicinity of equal concentrations of Na and Cl is due to the high level of compensation Cl_Te + e + Na_Cd ^x Na_CdCl_Te .     

Simulation of the Process of Water Freezing in a Round Pipe

The problem of freezing of pure water in a round pipe is treated with due regard for convection under asymmetric thermal boundary conditions in the absence of motion along the pipe. The problem is solved numerically using the control volume approach, SIMPLER algorithm, and the enthalpy method. Results are obtained for three Grashof (Gr) and six Biot (Bi) numbers: Gr = 1.55 × 10⁶, Bi = 0.305 (0 < ), Bi = 0.044 ( < 2); Gr = 1.24 × 10⁷, Bi = 0.610 (0 < ), Bi = 0.087 ( < 2); Gr = 9.89 × 10⁷, Bi = 1.220 (0 < ), Bi = 0.174 ( < 2). The correctness of calculation of the problem disregarding free-convection flows is analyzed.     

Localized spin fluctuations

Scaling arguments and renormalization group techniques are used in the Anderson model Hamiltonian for the nonmagnetic limit of a magnetic impurity. The range of validity of the theory is limited toU/ 1, where the electron-electron collisions can already compete strongly with the electron-hole collisions. A parquet approximation is developed; it gives for the static susceptibility in the symmetric case = ()^–1 exp (+U/). There are some hints that the exchange force might play a crucial role in the formation of localized magnetic moment. These considerations are consistent with the electron-hole symmetry in the symmetric Anderson model.     

Interfacial and mechanical properties of environment-friendly “green” composites made from pineapple fibers and poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-valerate) resin

Physical and tensile properties of pineapple fibers were characterized. Tensile properties of pineapple fibers, like most natural fibers, showed a large variation. The average interfacial shear strength between the pineapple fiber and poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-valerate) (PHBV) was 8.23 MPa as measured by the microbond technique. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) photomicrographs of the microbond specimens revealed an adhesive failure of the interface. Fully degradable and environment-friendly green composites were prepared by combining pineapple fibers and PHBV with 20 and 30% weight content of fibers placed in a 0°/90°/0° fiber arrangement. Tensile and flexural properties of these green composites were compared with different types of wood specimens. Even though tensile and flexural strength and moduli of these green composites were lower than those of some wood specimens tested in grain direction, they were significantly higher than those of wood specimens tested in perpendicular to grain direction. Compared to PHBV virgin resin, both tensile and flexural strength and moduli of these green composites were significantly higher. SEM photomicrographs of the fracture surface of the green composites, in tensile mode, showed partial fiber pull-out indicating weak bonding between the fiber and the matrix.